how to get your manuscript finished

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How to Get Your Manuscript FinishedBy Rowdy Rhodes





Writers, generally speaking and including myself, are procrastinators. Any form of diversion, whether it beonline chat, games, solving crosswords, reading books, tending to the garden, you name it and a lot of thetime we'll be there. It comes with the territory of being the type of person who has thousands of storysnippets and sometimes little direction on what to do with those ideas.

Consequently not much gets done at all without proper planning and a lot of determination. This paper ishere to help you resolve the issues of watching more Oprah or listening to all of Britney Spear's albumsinstead of sitting down and writing.

If you'll follow the advice offered below I can pretty much guarantee, barring earthquakes, naturaldisasters and death that you'll be able to get your manuscript or writing project completed.

The lovely thing about writing is that it allows your imagination and passion to explode on to the page ifyou'll let them. On a blank palette you'll create a portrait of words that can be astounding if you'll giveyourself time and space to build your own writing.

Sometimes, if you decide to share those writings, you will generate the same passions and emotions thatare churning through you on to the page to be transferred to the reader. This transference is called"suspending the reader's reality." In effect your reality, which is actually your imagination if you're writingfiction, becomes their reality while they read your book. Those types of books are called page-turners.Extremely well written prose will always produce a page-turner. You just have to make it happen, with alittle help from some other individuals.

In order to achieve publication though you first have to have a finished manuscript.

I won't fill your head with ideas that writing a completely finished manuscript is as easy as cutting a pie. It'snot. It's tough work to create a really good story. You have to have a thick skin for when your work is beingassessed, edited, proof read - nothing is personal when you start to receive constructive critiques - it's allbusiness, and it's a tough business. Faint of heart need not apply.

You have to be persistent and persevere your way through numerous barriers to reach the final draft. Toachieve that you need a number of extremely important and often overlooked items in place to helpsupport your project to completion.

On the following few pages are the bare bones of what you will require to complete and perfect yourwriting project, making the assumption that you already know how to write. If you haven't studied writing,now is the time to stop by the bookstore and pick up a few of the basic books that will give you the buildingblocks you need to construct your story. I'll list some of my favourites at the end of this paper, but they areby no means the end all of how-to-write books nor are they meant to supersede actual writing courses. I'llprovide a few online one courses from a distance writing school that I know are very good at teaching.

Now let's get on with the bare bones of writing your manuscript.

Using some common sense it's only logical that you have such items as a writing pad, pens, dictionaryand a comfortable place to work in peace and quiet. The later item is of extreme importance as you willlearn soon enough.

If you want to go full tilt and dive in writing then I would recommend an actual writing software package.The software has the ability to create time lines, store character outlines, plots, thoughts, ideas and muchmore. The only one that I use is called Write It Now and in my humble opinion is the best you couldpossibly invest your money into if you're serious about getting your project started fast.

Write It Now offers you the flexibility to write anything from a one page article or press release to a fullnovel. You'll find a link below if you would like to check it out, plus it is very inexpensive for the benefitsand functionality the software provides.

The following advice deals with writing a manuscript for a novel or book however all of it can be applied tomost genres of writing. Let's get started:





1) Set A Self-Imposed Deadline:

Many writers work better with a deadline. Most people in fact, if they know there isa deadline looming over anything they are attempting to accomplish will do theirbest to meet that date and complete the task at hand.

Take your taxes for example. You have to complete them by a specific date. Toblow that deadline can have dire consequences on your personal financialstability. In the case of writing a manuscript and missing your deadline you'llsimply never get that book published. If you're not going to set and live by yourdeadline, if you think completing a manuscript can be accomplished when you feel

like it, then you can stop reading this now. I can't help you. However, if you think you can write 50,000words in let's say 60 days, stay directed on your project, and are willing to sweat it out to the end thenread on.

First, mark on a calendar the day you will hold your finished, polished manuscript in your hands andremind yourself daily about that deadline. You must believe that you cannot miss that deadline. How youconvince yourself of that is completely up to you.

Personally, what I do with deadlines is estimate the total number of words for the project and then divideby the number of days I have to complete the task at hand. If you want to write 50,000 words in sixty daysthen you have to average 833 words per day or about four 8 1/2" by 11" pages, with double spaced typing.Manuscripts are always written in double space to give plenty of room for pencil editing later.

By achieving your deadline, then the manuscript you hold in your hands is one you'll know is ready topresent to an agent, publisher or even self-publish after it has been edited, proof read and re-written (we'llget to those items later.) If you set your deadline date to coincide with a life event such as a birthday that'seven better and easier to remember.

The idea of having a deadline is to keep you motivated and on track, writing every day to ensure that thecreative momentum continues and the tangible goal of a manuscript is truly within your grasp. Deadlinesare serious business and should be treated with the greatest of respect, much like a wedding anniversary.

Better not miss that!

2) Daily Scheduling:

Each and every job in the world has a schedule that needs to be adhered toootherwise a person can end up being fired from their employment. Writing has aschedule to ensure that what you want to create gets created.

Some job schedules are 9-5pm, some are afternoons, and some employmentcould be night or split shifts. As a writer you pretty much get to pick your ownscheduled time to write, but you have to stick to the schedule. What you should dois look for the time(s) that best suit your existing lifestyle thereby allowing thehighest productivity you can achieve in the amount of time you have to write.

As an example, it is impossible to write if you have to tend to children, paint a bedroom, complete yourbanking and perform all the other daily activities needed to maintain your lifestyle. After all you do have toeat, right? So what you have to do is set aside time for your writing. It also means your family and friendshave to provide you with the support so that you have the time. With that said though let's look at twogeneral items in most people's lives:

1. When are the quiet times in your home? After the kids are off to school? Before anyone else isawake? After everyone has gone to sleep? See if any of those times correspond with your urge towrite and jot the times down for future reference. Also jot down when you have the urge to write. Forsome writers it's early morning, others are nighthawks and enjoy starting up their writing at 2am.

Mark the dayon a calendaryou will holdyour finishedmanuscript inyour hands to

create adeadline.

Look for timein your

lifestyle thatyou can freeup for yourwriting bymakingchoices.





2. Look for time you can free up for your writing by making choices. Examples, not watching a certainone-hour television show you usually watch using that time for writing, getting someone else to washthe dishes and take out the garbage is another time saver you can use to write. How about that nextdoor neighbour who always "pops by"? Get her / him to stop until your manuscript is finished or atleast cut down on the visits. You'll be amazed at the number of time killers you'll discover in your life.

Another time waster is social chatting on the telephone. Socialize later and use that time to write now.Make sure though that you explain to family and friends that you need to find time to write and that it'snothing personal. You will be back once you have completed your project. If they are good friends andfamily they should be understanding and supportive in your desire to write your manuscript.

And remember you can always catch up on your television shows, neighbour gossip and chats after youhave reached your deadline and completed your manuscript. So schedule the best times by killing someof the time killers.

One of my best times to write is when I'm washing clothes at the local laundromat. An hour in the washerand 45 minutes in the dryer gives me another chunk of time to write that I wouldn't normally waste doingsomething else. I might complete a crossword or read a book, but if I'm in the writing mood then thelaundromat offers an excellent place to write undisturbed.

Once you have created your list of times here and there throughout the day you'll find that on the averageyou should be able to come up with an extra few hours that you never had before. Those are going to beyour writing hours. So look to get rid of the time wasters and write out a daily schedule for yourself. Ittakes a while to get used to used to the schedule, much like the first few weeks at a new job, howeveronce you settle into the routine you'll find a lot of words being generated on the page.

Don't forget that when scheduling your deadline it may take a month or more for you to establish yourwriting schedule, to have your friends and family become accustomed to your new way of life, and thenimplement your plan. It will also take a few weeks for you to get settled into the schedule so make sure toadd that into the calendar time for when you are going to start your new writing job.

3) Time Blocking:

This is another very important aspect of writing and creating a writing life, whetherpart-time or full-time hours. There are two sets of dates you need marked on awall calendar:

The first of course is your start day and your deadline. The others are going to bethe writing times that you established above in your daily schedule. Block thosedates and times on a calendar that everyone can see in your family, even make itavailable to your friends through email so they know what's happened to you. Thistells the world that you don't want to be disturbed, you're doing ok, and you

haven't fallen off the face of the planet! You just want then to know that you will be writing and God helpthose who interrupt you with minor life issues.

If you are writing away from your home, such as in a coffee shop or library, then interruption is notnormally a problem unless you know everyone at these locations. In that case go to a different coffee shopor library to obtain the much-needed writing solitude.

However, if you write at home then your family, and most importantly yourself, need to respect andenforce those times on the calendar when you will be writing your manuscript. This helps support you inachieving your deadline and keeps you directed without minor distractions getting in the way of yourwriting. Of course if there is a major disruption in your home then you have no choice but to tend to it, ifyou happen to be home, but generally speaking your writing schedule and daily routine is written in stone.Make sure your family and friends know that you're very serious about that.

Eventually you and your family will become accustomed to the blocks of time you will be using for yourwriting. The time blocks will just become part of everyone's regular daily routine, much like having dinner.It just takes a month or so to sink in that you're earnest about keeping to your schedule and completing

Be preparedto block outportions ofyour life toensure you

have the timeto write.





your manuscript by deadline. The sooner everyone realizes this the faster you will be able to get workdone. And remember: Writing is a job. Who disrupts some at work because the trash wasn't put to thecurb? Not anyone of sound mind as far as I'm concerned.

4) Accountability:

Even though the vast majority of your writing work will be solitary you will needsomeone to hold you accountable to the deadline you have set. Someone who willoccasionally check on your progress and offer encouragement when needed tokeep you on track. As the saying goes "The best-laid plans ..." so find someoneyou trust who will be kind enough to watch over you and your schedule.

This of course could be a family member, friend, or a fellow writer, anyone whowill gently but firmly remind you about your deadline and productivity numbers.After all you will end up with a minimum number of words per hour that you need

to write to stay on schedule and come hell or high water you have to stay determined to make thatdeadline.

You do not want someone though who is going to brow beat you to write. They have to understand thatthere are times when you have blocked time on your calendar to write but you are not keeping up withyour schedule. Usually a firm, gentle nudge will get you going again.

This person, this time accountant if you want to call them, will remind you of your end goal. They will talkabout what it will feel like to hold that manuscript in your hands, that it will become published, they will askwhat seems to be holding back your writing - in other words they will cheer you on, encouraging you fromthe sidelines while watching the clock.

This approach goes further toward motivating you than someone telling you that you are behind time andmust catch up on your writing. So be careful whom you choose to make you accountable to yourself, yourproject and your goals. If you really think about it, you are doing this selfishly for yourself because youhave to get that story told. So stay the course and buckle down as best as you can to the schedule youcreated and write!

5) Lost Muse:

There are some days you just plain don't feel like writing, or maybe story seems tohave hit a roadblock in your consciousness. This happens to most writers, sodon't freak out. Go with the flow, but be honest with yourself. Have you really,really tried to get around that roadblock? If so and you're banging your headagainst the wall - stop!

It happens to writers that our muse, our inspiration gets tired and needs a break.Since you already have the time blocked out to write use it instead to go dosomething fun. Get your mind off the manuscript and story for that block of time.

There's nothing wrong with taking the occasional break and giving yourself a chance to recharge yourwriting batteries. As a matter of fact it can do wonders for yourself and your story. Just don't make it ahabit. Remember your deadline and your accountant checking up on you!

The one thing to do when your inspiration appears to have left you is to not panic. Your muse will return ifdeep in your gut you really need to get that story written and the manuscript finished. Sometimes you justneed the opportunity to take a break, much like any other job, so bear that in mind when setting yourdeadline. You will have downtime where your writing will falter.

Taking a break also allows your subconscious to work out a way around the block and put you back ontrack. You'll be amazed at what a little fresh air, a walk, even a quick chat on the phone can do to bringyou out of that slump and swing you back into the writing saddle again.

A timeaccountant

will help keepyou on track

and motivatedto meet your

deadline.

Your musemay becomelost but don't

worry, as yourinspiration willreturn if youtake a break.





6) Editing:

When you feel you that you have completed what you set out to write put it asidefor a week or ten days to germinate and return to your normal lifestyle routine.Make sure though that after week or so you have set up a second schedule anddeadline, letting friends and family know that you are now going into the editingstage of the project.

Self-editing is a tough chore because you already know what you've written. It isvery easy to miss out on certain types of mistakes. So the first time you gothrough the manuscript you will find the glaring mistakes but you won't find them

all and you certainly won't find most of the minor ones. It's virtually impossible, nay I say it's literallyimpossible, to find all of your mistakes on your first edit. Yes, you'll be editing your manuscript more thanonce.

Since this is your first time through the editing process I would recommend before you start that you do alittle research on the Internet about how to self-edit. It has its own tricks and tips that will save you plentyof time and develop a better manuscript in a much shorter period of time.

As an example: The use of the word "and" is heavily overused in first draft writing because your brain isspitting out so many ideas. That's ok though. There's a trick to catching them all so you can take a look athow you might be able to edit the sentence to make the paragraph stronger. The less "ands" the tighteryour story will read.

Using your word processor you need to locate the Search and Replace function in the software. In Word itis under "Edit", "Replace". This will present you with a box of what you want to find and what you want toreplace it with.

In the Find What box place the word "and" (without the quotes.)

In the Replace With box place the same word "and" (without the quotes.)

Then click on the option in the bottom right corner that reads "More". Then click on "Format", "Font", andthen "Color".

Choose Red and the software will then search and replace all the "ands" in your manuscript, highlightingthem in Red. This makes it extremely easy to see where they all are and how you're using them.

Now you can study the sentence structure to see if you can cut some of those "ands" out by re-writingwhat it is that you have written. If the best structure is leaving the word "and" in the sentence then moveon to the next one, and then the one after that until you come to the end of your manuscript.

Once done, just perform the same function described above for search and replace except change thecolour back to black. You've now tightened your manuscript up quite a bit.

This is just one self-editing tip. You can do the same thing for the word "but", "it", etc. There are hundredsof self-editing tips out there but I recommend that you purchase the book below on self-editing or get it onloan from your library. The Internet also has a vast collection of tips so don't forget to check there as well.

Once you've made your editing marks and/or actual changes hand it over to someone you trust to giveyou constructive criticism on the overall story as well as help catch any mistakes you may have missed onthe first edit. Once you have finished this draft you will need another trustworthy person for proof reading.

Yup! There's more to do. You're not done quite just yet. This is all part and parcel of the editing process.

Editing iswhen the realwork begins

and you'llneed help tofinish your

manuscript.





7) Proof Reading:

A proof reader, preferably, needs to know very little about the subject matter youhave written about unless of course you have written scientific or technicalcontent. Proof reading is somewhat akin to a customer who has picking up yourbook in a store and only knows the synopsis of the story by reading the backjacket. That's the type of proof reader you want to find, however they also have tobe very well read, literate and someone you trust to give a constructive critique.

A proof reader should also provide an opinion about the story, as well as point outstory flow errors, location, tense, structure, and date errors, etc. Hence the reason

for the person to be very well read, preferably in your genre of writing, and have the knowledge needed tosee beyond the printed word and study flow, structure, etc. You can also use more than one proof readerto get additional critique and different opinions. A book reading group of trusted friends for example willprovide you with a lot of different ideas, as well as opinions about your story. You need a thick skinthough. Be prepared for the person who doesn't like what you've written.

Bill Cosby said it best when asked what was his secret to success? I paraphrase his answer: "There isone sure fire way to failure and that's attempting to please everyone."

The proof reader will offer a further set of eyes looking for common errors that may have been missed byboth writer and editor (if you used a third party and didn't self-edit) in the first draft. A proof reader can alsobe a fountain of additional ideas adding further substance and extra depth to your story by pointing outareas where there is not enough detail or too much detail, such as in character development, settingdetails, historical references, etc.

When the proof reader is done … back to writing you go!

8) Re-Write:

When you have both the editing performed and the proof reader's ideas on how topolish the manuscript you have to start to make some decisions. First correct anyobvious errors the proof reader has pointed out to you such as grammar, spelling,character description errors (in one place you said the character's eyes were blueand in another brown.) Then, more importantly, begin to decide which characters,plot(s), settings, etc. need to be changed to create a better manuscript readingexperience.

This is where your in-depth knowledge of the story comes into play. There may bespecific reasons why you have created a shallow character or didn't provide full details of the settingbecause that's what you believe reads best.

Maybe you have plans for a future manuscript for book two that will fill in those details at a later point intime. Whatever the case may be you must take into serious consideration the comments and suggestionsput forth by your proof reader (assuming you trust their judgement) and make decisions based upon theiropinion, quite possibly filling in details or changes because parts of the story are simply poorly written.

Assuming you decide that their comments and suggestions bear merit you will then begin the re-writeprocess. This can be very difficult when changing, as a simple example, your main character's eye colourfrom brown to blue. You have to search through the manuscript to ensure there are no other references tothe character's eye colour. Don't forget your search and replace function to assist you in finding thechanges.

More difficult changes can occur when it is decided that, as an example that is a complicated re-write, thesetting would be better off in Paris, France rather than London, England. A change of this magnitude willmanifest myriad problems that need to be dealt with such as change in dialogue accents, character namechange, even the types of food eaten, hotels used and names of roads travelled upon.

Vital to yoursuccess is agood proof

reader who isproficient andwell read inyour genre.

Makingchanges to

what you havealready

written isparamount tocleaning upyour writing.





As you can see, getting the first draft written is actually somewhat the easier part of writing. You just letthe words flow, provide dedication, time and have the desire to tell the story. I believe it was ErnestHemmingway who said, "When I write a first draft it's like vomiting words on to a page. Then I have toclean it up. But first I put it aside for a few days, then come back to the story so that I have a freshperspective."

Don't let changes overwhelm you. Take your time, relax and contemplate the best alternatives you canfind to better your manuscript.

I forget who said the following and I probably don't have it written exactly word for word, however if you:

"Use the perfect word, the perfect verb, the perfect adjective and spend your time making the perfectsentences you will create the perfect paragraph. If every paragraph in your writing is perfect you will holdin your hands the perfect manuscript."

That's quite a high standard to try and achieve, but it's one that I wanted to mention so that you sit back totry and find those perfect words and sentences. Even if you perfect half your manuscript it will be muchbetter than when you originally started out writing.

It is also quite normal for a manuscript to go through numerous edits, proof reads and re-writes until youfinally achieve the goal that you set out to accomplish. Just don't let it all intimidate you. Many writers falterat this stage in the game. Don't be one of them. Persistence and perseverance will pay off.

9) Presentation:

Creating a polished manuscript ready for an agent or publisher to review as apossible saleable book is a completely other type of job.

You don't send the whole manuscript at first. You send a synopsis or at most thefirst chapter, plus a cover letter.

The document you are reading is not the place for explaining all of the steps andrequirements to perform a proper manuscript presentation. This document isaimed at helping you first finish your manuscript.

10) Moving Into The Wrap:

Find yourself an Intellectual Property Rights Lawyer to represent you in all mattersconcerning contractual agreements between you and/or agents and publishers.

Even if you are going to self-publish your book it is a good idea to spend the timeand possibly a little money getting consultation from this type of lawyer who willhelp protect your work. You may not use this person right away since you haven'tpresented your manuscript to anyone, however you will need this contact in thefuture and it has to be someone you are comfortable doing business with.

Now, even after you have performed all of the above, let's assume story is accepted by a publisherhowever their editor and proof reader decide that further changes are required before it is ready for thepublisher to print the book.

If that happens the stakes have just gone up a few notches. You now have a publisher willing to publishthe book or an agent ready to present it to a publisher(s) however what happens if you're advised that thesetting would be better off in New York and not London? What do you do?

The decision you have to make is either change it all to a New York setting in order to be published /represented or turn down their offer then look for another publisher and/or agent. Ultimately only you canmake this decision. You still have full creative license and the right to do what you want with themanuscript, however you actually need third party advice.

Presentation,simply put, isyou selling

your story toan agent or apublisher sothat you end

up with abook.

You'll needthird-party

people to startwrapping upyour project

and moving ittoward the

stores.





You need someone outside of the whole project that is knowledgeable and can give an objective opinionon what you should consider; hence your lawyer is one person who comes into play. Ask him / her for theiradvice and take it into consideration.

Also go to a few of the larger writing forums available on the Internet and ask there. You're not the first,and you won't be the last writer who has faced this type of issue. I will warn you to take everything with agrain of salt (i.e. don't believe every word or opinion voiced) before making your decision.

11) Completion:

A writer is hit with conflicting emotions when the manuscript has finally beencompleted, accepted and about to be published, or actually is published. Usuallythe two emotions are one of depression and one of celebration.

The depression is caused by the fact that "your baby" has grown up and left thenest. It's on its own now in the great big world of publishing and book selling.Once your book is printed and promoted it will either die on the bookshelves,generate mediocre sales or become a big hit. Little of this you will have controlover. You will more than likely perform book tours, readings, promote the book,

but ultimately the consumer will decide whether to buy it or not.

The best way to drag yourself out of the doldrums is to celebrate the fact that you have actually finishedwhat you set out to do. You've written a finished, polished manuscript that has been printed!

Make your celebration a big event, inviting all the people you didn't have time for or who sacrificed theirtime to help you while you were writing to participate in the joyful experience of having a book published.

After all, especially if this is your first book, it is probably one of the highest accomplishments of your life!

Many writers throw a launch party. They will read passages from the book and give all of their guestscopies of the book, assuming it has already been published.

Even if your book hasn't been published you can usually get advance copies for your personal use fromyour publisher for you to give away.

With or without an actual printed book, throw a party, paint the town red as the expression goes, let yourhair down, get loose and enjoy. It is not every day, if your manuscript has been printed, that you become apublished author - however for the rest of your life you will always know yourself as an author and a writer.

After the party is over it's time to sit down and start writing your next manuscript. Don't rest on your laurels.If you want to be a "one-hit wonder" then fine, but if you want to be known as an established author it'stime to get back to work on your next big idea for a story. Established authors almost always have multiplebooks and manuscripts on the go at the same time.

I wish you the best of luck in your project.

Recommended Books:

Natalie Goldberg: Writing Down the Bones http://fwointl.com/LMPmail/link.php?id=ms_83

Jerry Cleaver: Immediate Fiction: Complete Course http://fwointl.com/LMPmail/link.php?id=astore13

James Scott Bell: Plot & Structure http://fwointl.com/LMPmail/link.php?id=solo35

Renni Browne: Self-Editing for Fiction Writers http://fwointl.com/LMPmail/link.php?id=astore22

Chris Baty: No Plot? No Problem! http://fwointl.com/LMPmail/link.php?id=solo32

Alexander Steele, ED.: Writing Fiction http://fwointl.com/LMPmail/link.php?id=wsc35

It's time tocelebrate!

Throw a booklaunch party,

assembleyour friends,your work'scomplete!





Robert Lee Brewer: Writer's Markets http://fwointl.com/LMPmail/link.php?id=markets_wm

Alice Pope: Novel & Short Story Writer's Markets http://fwointl.com/LMPmail/link.php?id=markets_nss

Robert Lee Brewer: Poet's Markets http://fwointl.com/LMPmail/link.php?id=markets_pm

Caroline Taggart: UK Writer's Markets http://fwointl.com/LMPmail/link.php?id=markets_uk

Recommended Courses:

Gotham Writers' Workshops:

Article Writing http://fwointl.com/LMPmail/link.php?id=Goth_AR

How To Freelance http://fwointl.com/LMPmail/link.php?id=Goth_HF

Novel Writing http://fwointl.com/LMPmail/link.php?id=Goth_NV

Nonfiction Writing http://fwointl.com/LMPmail/link.php?id=Goth_NF

Romance Writing http://fwointl.com/LMPmail/link.php?id=Goth_RM

Screenwriting http://fwointl.com/LMPmail/link.php?id=Goth_SC

See All The Courses http://fwointl.com/LMPmail/link.php?id=Goth_All

Software:

Write It Now: http://fwointl.com/LMPmail/link.php?id=win

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