What are the top reasons why manuscripts get rejected? How can you avoid these mistakes and have a better chance of hearing "yes" instead of "Thanks, but not for us"? 1.
Hook the reader with a great beginning.
The "real" story often begins several pages or even a full chapter after the author has "set things up.
" Take a look at the first part of your story.
Where does it start getting good? Start there! Put your character right in the middle of conflict and you've hooked the reader.
Weave in bits of background later.
Be sure to pace your story as well.
You don't have to keep your characters in a constant state of stress.
Give the reader time to catch their breath, but don't let things drag too long.
2.
Be sure that your character's motivations are clear.
The character must want something, but something or someone is preventing him/her from getting it.
Your characters should literally take over the story as you write.
Sit down and just watch what your characters do and relay that onto the computer.
If you force them to do something the story loses its pacing and it ends up flopping on its face.
Characters MUST have a compelling goal and conflict to keep the reader interested.
3.
No plot to the plot, or using worn-out plots is another problem area.
While it's true that there are only 20 basic plots, use your voice and your ideas to breathe new life into them.
Give your characters something they want desperately but can't have at the moment.
How will they get what they want? Who or what stands in the way? How will your character get around it or through it? Editors and readers want characters with strong personalities, not wishy-washy wimps.
And they want stories that have something new to say.
Just because there are thousands, if not millions, of vampire novels out there, with your ideas and your voice you can add a uniqueness to it that makes it brand new.
4.
Always read! Read what's being written out there in the world.
Read for pleasure, but also read to learn.
Whatever genre you're interested in writing, read as many books as you can that are in this line, especially if you enjoy the author's writing style.
These people are in print and there's no reason you can't be too.
As you read, make mental or physical notes of the characters, the pacing, the background details.
5.
What do you like? What could be better? Use a highlighter as you read a book.
If there's a good line of dialogue, something that piques your interest, a good lesson in writing in detail, flashbacks, conflict, or love scenes then highlight it! Although these tips won't keep you out of the rejection pile every time, by following them you have a much better chance at signing a contract and getting into print.