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 hat we write has power—not only to touch others, to change others, but to change ourselves. The best characters are often drawn from bits and pieces of our own lives—our own hopes and fears, tragedies and triumphs—a kind of three-dimensional internal dialogue. Magic is created when our characters take on a life of their own or when our own words both surprise and enlighten us. This magic is passed on when the reader can turn a page and see the landscape of the writer's world—a place where the window they once stepped through is no longer visible.
Yet, how do we create this effect? How can we create the difference between an open book and an open window?
My work in the publishing industry has allowed me to review and work with a large number of manuscripts. Though they were not all best-seller material, some of the same fundamental elements may have been there; perhaps only the development, presentation, or organization detracted from its potential. Though these details would often be caught by traditional publishing houses (and oftentimes rejected because of them), the ones that are not rejected are then passed through many stages of content adjustment, editing, and proofreading. Characters might need a better backdrop or more dimension. There may be points of plot that need strengthening or chapters that need reorganization.* This, of course, grants authors a new perspective on their work and an opportunity to make a wonderful story into a best-seller.
In the electronic publishing industry, this is often not the case.
The electronic publishing industry is opening the door for new authors who may not otherwise have the chance to publish. However, because this new style of publishing allows for a greater level of participation in the production process, the responsibility to formulate quality content and marketing materials may often fall into the hands of the author. For many first-time authors, this can create confusion regarding what to expect from an e-publishing house. Most [e-publishers] are not responsible for the content of your work—indeed, some will not even read your work—and though some may offer basic editing services, these rarely include a review for story continuity, clarity, flow, plot inconsistencies, organizational errors, or worse.
*Though I feel I must add that in some cases, publishers may have required authors to cut content or make adjustments to satisfy print or marketing requirements, rather than for the purposes of story improvement. In these cases, the author may decide to take their work elsewhere.
The Science of Writing>>
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