So I've been submitting for around 6 months and continueing writing the next installment in 'Of Bloody Reflections...'. I've had one revision already and some positive feedback, but no one ha bitten yet.
Of late I have been taking a good, hard critical look at my writing. And I fear the earliest is simply not good enough- I know I have developed a great deal since it was written, my style is sleeker, my story telling deepening. So I had a look at my notes and at my ms...
And cut the beging right off. 37k of it.
It hurts, I'm uncertain if this is the right thing to do. My beta's weren't very keen having read the whole book and seeing how the narrative grows, how the patterns emerge and circle, the character development.
And I agree. It's not that the writing is terrible, or doesn't add to the world & plot ect.It's just that I think it can be better. The market is still incredibly tough at the moment and the way the book stands, well.
They say the definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing and expect different results. Or am I just an unsatisfied perfectionist?
As anyone else been in this situation? To burn or not to burn.
http://www.timclarepoet.co.uk/?p=1344
http://torbooks.co.uk/2014/01/29/lesson-one-burn-brian-staveley-creative/
'And I fear the earliest is simply not good enough'
Save all your work, don't destroy anything.
I haven't seen your work to know how you have begun, but have you considered blending your earliest scenes? Keep the point of view and descriptions as seen through the protagonists eyes with one or two characters present at most. To many characters, names, places or descriptions will overburden the reader with to much detail. Explanations and characters can be introduced later into your novel.
I have edited and reworked the beginning to my novel about a dozen times, and I'm still not happy with it. Integrating my ideas for the plot and storyline isn't a problem.
I have gone for pace. I now believe I should have gone for more character brushstrokes and more Show not Tell. It's not a problem but it will require a blending of my earliest scenes. The opening to my novel has to be perfect - especially the first page. I will keep polishing my manuscript until I am satisfied with it.
I'm burning and pouring water and burning and... etc etc
Where I believe I should just write the damn thing. Then take a look at what to burn.
Here is where a good editor comes in.
I like your approach of booking a spot at the London Author Fair.
It probably is, the most pro-active thing I have seen on these pages in a long time.
Maybe you should invite other Authors to share a booth next time it comes around.
Marketing is what sells books as we all know now. And the London Author Fair is as good a place to start as any.
Good luck with your venture