by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton
One
main character?
A
setting, using strong sensorial words?
A
problem? Quest? Journey? Mystery? Can it be solved by the end of the story?
Attempts
at solving or completing the plot line?
Suspense,
with each attempt to succeed intensifying the tension?
Character-driven
actions for the circumstances or world you have developed?
A
plot that must be solved by the main character’s wits, strength, abilities?
A
climax where the main character is at his lowest point?
A
character’s attempts and failures at solving the problem that add up to the
knowledge, talent, strength needed to actually solve the story problem?
Character
growth for your main character? Change? Become stronger, better, wiser?
A
satisfying ending? Have you wrapped up all the loose ends?
2.
Make sure your manuscript has been read
by a critique group.
Rewriting
is the most important part of writing.
If
a critique suggestion rings true to your character, make the change.
If
you have more than one person saying there is something missing or needing to
be rewritten, chances are strong that you need to rework that portion.
3.
Make sure your manuscript has been
edited.
Check grammar, punctuation, spelling, and
sentence structure.
4.
Make sure you know the proper format
for submitting a manuscript.
Name,
address, phone number on lefthand corner.
Title
half way down the manuscript, with your name below.
Second
page has a header with you name, title and page number.
The
following pages all need the same header with the page number.
Begin
your story at the top of page 2 under the header.
Word
count in the upper right corner.
5.
Make sure you check the publisher’s
guidelines prior to submission.
Every
publishing house has its own distinct directions on how, and to whom a
manuscript should be submitted. Follow those directions, or your manuscript may
end up in the trash never having been read.
