Hi
I finished my novel last year and have so far submitted to around 25 agents- still awaiting four replies from last batch. I had a request for the full ms in February from a large agency but the agent then said she hadn't fallen in love with it as she thought she would but that I was a very talented writer and that she would encourage me to continue submitting until I found someone who did. She also said she thought PERHAPS the plot needed work which confused me a little as the plot was very clear from the synopsis so can't work out why she asked for the full in that case! Another said she liked the idea but didn't like the way I had executed it on the basis of synopsis and first three chapters. I am wondering if I should continue to submit. Any advice based on what they have said would be appreciated but I can't go anywhere near affording to pay for readers or editorial. I really don't know where to go from here. Keep plugging away as- 21 seems an awful lot of"no thanks" (of those who bothered to answer at all) - or put it back in the drawer and do something else. Help!
I would think that the very fact that they responded and then went on to comment is a very good sign. Don't give up!
Heather. It would appear at face value the feedback is that they like your idea enough to believe that they would fall in love with the book BUT it falls down on execution and certain technique / writing issues. That said they have complimented you on being a very talented writer which does go a long way.
My advice would be to do one or both of the following.
1) Go back to your original premise and story then write it again with the passion that makes your heart flutter and the emotions well up inside you.
2) Bank it as experience and put it to one side. Start on something new, something fresh, something that keeps you awake at night, something that burns deep into your emotions; the single most important thing that you must write about.
When you have finished 1 or 2 go back and reread your original draft. The passage of time and a cooling off of the emotional bonding will let you see it through different eyes.
Many, many famous authors have been where you are now. For instance William Golding rewrote Lord Of The Flies taking into account the critique his literary editor wanted including. Much later, after publication and fame Golding went back and took out all the rubbish his editor had made him add and reverted the book back to its original form.
I hope some of this makes sense but most of all I hope you continue with your writing after all, you are a talented writer! You may wish to cut and paste that just above the space where you sit to write.
Hi Heather
I've never submitted a manuscript either, only short stories for competitions and fiction and plays for three OU courses. So take or leave my comments which follow. Probably people are vague with their negative comments because they'd like to be positive and are not really sure what constructive suggestions would help your story. It sounds as if you've written something good but subjectively it's not for them. The great thing about writing is that nothing you write is ever wasted. You tinker with something you wrote years ago and suddenly everyone loves it. It's strange but wonderful. Good luck and keep going.
best wishes, Tony