FictionAddiction.NET

If you want to get published, tweak your manuscript before submitting it to a publisher.

To illustrate the following points, we will create a hero named Jack. Jack is in Africa. He was born and raised in a small village, recently graduated from college and traveled to Nigeria to find work.

One of the most important things a writer can offer a reader is a look into a different way of life. Therefore, writers need to understand the importance of descriptions. Describe the culture, the scenery, the sunset, the foliage, the unique foods and the customs. Readers experience adventures through books and writers should strive to give them one.

Tweaking

The mistakes publishers most often see in submitted manuscripts are listed below:

Formatting Issues

The manuscript is not formatted correctly.

Dialogue

Missing quote marks, commas, periods, stilted conversation, too wordy, and too much cursing.

• Speak the words outloud. Is this the way you would say it?
• Delete extra words.
• Check punctuation.
• Limit the curse words.

Make sure to add quotation marks around the dialogue. Each character's dialogue should be on a new line with commas, question marks and periods inside quotation marks.

Example:

"What is your name?" Jack asked the waitress.

"You are new here," she observed.

"How do you know?"

"I have not seen you before."