Technically this isn’t a yes/no question, but I didn’t think, “I Have Three Options, Will You Help Me Decide What I Should Do?” would make a good title.
Here’s the deal – I need to decide what to do next with my fiction writing, but I need some advice. I’m working on a manuscript. It’s my second one, but could actually be considered my third (after last year’s conferences I scraped 75% of it and started over).
This is the MS I entered in some writing contests. It didn’t do as well as I’d hoped, but some people that I know (professional writers/editors) looked at it and gave me comments (which is nice, because they I could ask them what they’re comments mean!). Some people said it has potential, but the novel is not yet finished.
Soooooo … here are my options:
A: Finish the MS, study some more about the craft, then go back and edit it.
B: Put the MS aside, study some more craft, then edit what I’ve written before finishing it.
C: Scrap it. Study craft, then start another story.
What do you think – where does a girl go next?
What do you want to do most? What does your gut say? Following that inner voice usually leads you to where you need to be.
I agree with Tess: follow your gut. Do you have a strong connection to the MS? If so, I wouldn't let it go. Definitely continue to study the craft but becoming a better writer is a lifelong process. If you love the MS, I suggest putting it aside until you feel you're ready to give it your best. Or let it be a part of your learning process. I have a manuscript like that. Don't know that it will ever get published, but as I grow as a writer, I keep going back to it and making it just a little better. At least, I hope that's what I'm doing! 🙂
If you like the story you've been working on, I'd say finish it and then study how to improve the areas that seem weak. Sometimes new scenes require altering things or characters in the earlier part of the manuscript, so many times revising before the whole first draft is finished will cause added work and frustration.
If you're really sick of the manuscript, set it aside and work on a new one. You can always go back to that manuscript when you feel you've acquired the skills you need to fix it, or when you aren't so frustrated.
Best wishes with whatever path you choose.
Carol
Regardless of what you do, I don't think you can lose. Every option included studying the craft which is the most important thing.
Thanks, ladies! Now if I could only remember where I packed my Donald Maass book…
It depends on how passionate you are about your current manuscript!
I agree with Susan. Even if you scrap it, you'll have learned a lot from the experience that will come out in your future writing. Good luck choosing!