I’m so excited about Magic & Mayhem’s participation this year in Brenda Novak’s Auction to benefit Diabete’s Research! I can’t wait to get my hands on the winning bidder’s manuscript to offer suggestions! If you haven’t had a chance to check it out, take a look see now!

Okay, on to the meat of the sandwich. How does Shawntelle approach critiquing a manuscript? When I read, I’m not reading as a reader unless I really fall into the story. (Which happens once in a while. Whoops!) As I’m reading many things are going through my head. All of this is due to practice, practice, practice. I’ve had time to hone my skills since I’m part of several groups. The one in particular that has helped me the most in my Missouri RWA crit group called CORE. What I learned wasn’t from having my work critiqued, it was watching others critique someone else’s work. It’s quite valuable to see how someone else approaches a piece of text. What are they looking for? What did they see that I didn’t? Great stuff to watch for.

My brain dump:

1. I break down a manuscript into scenes instead of chapters. A scene has to satisfy a few things. What is the hero/heroine trying to accomplish here? How will it progress the main plot of the story? If I can’t tell, I get this feeling where I’m wandering aimlessly. Goal, motivation, conflict is so important.

2. I check to see if the setting is established or if there is way too much. In other words, can my mind see the scene? Does my imagination need a bit of help?

3. Do I connect with the hero/heroine in that particular scene? Do I care about them? Are they acting TSTL? (too stupid to live) I want to cheer for them. Or laugh with them instead of at them.

4. Are all the five senses used? Could adding one make the scene deeper? Or more engaging?

5. If you make me laugh or smile I add a smiley face or comment on it.

6. Has something big happened in this scene? Is there an appropriate visceral reaction? Was if over the top or not enough? Could it be deeper? Stretched out to bring the reader deeper into the moment?

7. Does the first chapter have a strong first page? Does each chapter end on a hook or strong sentence? If you don’t have a hook at the end, maybe the writer needs to cut a scene at a hook that might be within the chapter or they need to introduce one.

8. Does the book really need a prologue? Could that prologue be a first chapter instead?

9. Is the conversation that’s going on right now advance the plot or show characterization? If they are just talking for fun that’s a problem.

10. I only encounter this once in a while, but this is a big one–is the author’s voice propelling me forward? A great plot isn’t enough unfortunately. The writer has to present the world in a compelling manner that keeps me coming back for more. I tend to read any genre–if the author’s voice keeps me interested with a great story.

There you have it! Like Amanda, I’m not much of a grammar person. But I will hit you hard on everything else. If I do “feel” like a comma belongs there, I will suggest it, but I’ll admit commas aren’t my strong point.

So, how would I suggest that you prepare for a crit?

1. Read your work out loud. I forget this myself at times and then cringe later when I see my work…

2. Go into the head of the character who has the main POV as you read. Is what they’re saying and doing correct based on their personality? Meaning, if your character is quiet and withdrawn, are they now loud and all over the place? Is there a reason why?

Hope that helps! Happy Bidding!