Finishing the Manuscript

3rd October 2007

A lot of 'new' writers I've met or heard from tell me they have written a book. After exchanges of views on how we write, why we write, what we write, the conversation usually turns to what they've written about. "So, what's your book about?" I ask, almost as a test of their belief in their own efforts. Some begin hesitantly but most are pleased to have the chance to talk about their specialist subject. Often I think, wow, if the book exudes the passion of the author's enthusiastic description, it's got to be really good. "And now it's written," I'm positive; appreciating the hard work and highly personal investment this represents. "What happens next?"

There are so many would-be books that exist as unfinished manuscripts. "It's in editing at present," they'll say. "I've got to put some more time into getting it ready for the publishers." The problem with an unfinished manuscript of course is that it isn't as attractive to the writer as a work-in-progress or new idea. It can be like a chore-in-waiting, and sometimes the prospect of re-working the old, can seem a poor second, up against writing the new.

So what can you do?
"Couldn't they use a writing service?" I hear you ask.

Yeah, they could. I know at least a couple of services I'd recommend, but this course is costly and you may not be at that point where you're ready to pay for an independent review or proof read of your work.

I pondered this. So what can you do with that unfinished manuscript?

As so often, collaboration struck me as the solution. What if two writers with ‘books-in-waiting', so to speak, helped one another? Two authors in a similar situation agreeing to exchange, read and constructively comment on one another's pre-proofed manuscripts. I think that would be pretty instructive for both and could certainly help to move things along.

Problem is, finding someone you trust (honesty and opinion) to read your work, but perhaps Unheardwords can help there; serving as a broker between parties who want to give this collaborative idea a go.

Interested? Then let me know.

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