How Do You Know When Your Story is Working?

And How Do You Know When It Isn’t?

I’m working on a new novel right now that’s a bit of a stretch for me. I made it through the first draft, and I thought it was in pretty good shape but…it’s not working yet. That’s the painful feedback from my agent.

Yes, I know what you’re thinking. How could someone who’s a seasoned writer, has an agent, has been published, who even talks about craft and teaches writers…how can I not know that it’s not ready?

Which begs the question, how does any writer know when a manuscript is ready or not?

It’s a challenge.

Because it’s so easy to self-publish a book today, it’s far too tempting for a writer to make the mistake of putting something out in the world before it’s ready. Which will not result in a happy ending. I’m afraid.

But I have thoughts.

The Value of Patience

I’ve always been a bit of an impatient person, wanting to get the job done. Now as I feel the weight of time pressing on me, I really want to get the job done. Which means I rushed things on this story, wanting it to be finished when it’s not.

I always suggest to students that you take a step back and let a story rest for a time before you tackle it again.

• Be patient with the story. Even a couple of weeks away from it will give you new perspective.

• Important note: write something else, something new while you rest. Even a short story or poems or journaling. Something different. This is important for both brain and psyche.

The Value of Feedback

There is nothing better than feedback from a trusted reader. I have a fabulous critique partner who definitely helped me make this draft better, and who is ready to jump back into my revision as I go forward.

How do you find such a person?

• If you write for children and young adults, your local/regional SCBWI can help. Go to meetings and meet people. Find someone who is at relatively the same stage as you are with writing so you can grow together. Find someone who isn’t a critic but understands critiquing (more on that next week).

• Of course, you can also pay someone – an editor or book coach. And how do find that someone? Because there are good coaches and bad coaches. Author Accelerator has a roster of great coaches and a matching service, and you’ll also find coaches here in Substack. (Note: I’m not taking new clients now, so this isn’t a pitch.)

The Value of Knowledge

Here I’ll go back to SCBWI, where I began to understand that there is a basis of craft knowledge that when I started writing, I sorely lacked. Attending SCBWI conferences gave me a solid foundation in storytelling. Going to local meetings reinforced that base and gave me my first critique partners.

I went back to school for my MFA in writing for children, and that really upped my game. That, however, was an expensive proposition, and this is why you’ll find far more reasonable online self-guided courses, and while you need to have the motivation to keep going, the understanding you’ll gain will take you to the next level.

The Value of Value

You want to make art. That’s a passion that cannot be denied. You want to write books that readers love, and that’s not only noble but also immensely satisfying.

All art has intrinsic value. But to make great art means you need to have patience, get feedback, and know craft. I’m getting back to work on this novel because I believe it has value. Now I want to make it great.

How about you?