Happy Friday, friends. Some years back, I corresponded with today’s guest and agreed to do a beta read for her through Sisters in Crime, Guppies, a chapter in which aspiring and published authors dive into the pond and help fellow writers get their fins wet. I read Joyce’s manuscript and quite simply fell in love with this woman’s gifted storytelling. I hope I’m one of those who persuaded her never to give up because look where it’s landed her. Please welcome Author J. Woollcott to Help From My Friends Friday. ~ Donnell
By: J. Woollcott
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my journey to publication it’s this. Drink no wine before its time. Not that literally, although to be honest I always just open the next bottle on the shelf. No, you need to be sure your manuscript is ready. I realize everybody says this over and over, but it’s true. It’s also very difficult to know as a first-time writer when it is time. Everybody hopes their manuscript is good.
Author J. Woollcott
We all write the best book we can, we put our heart and soul into it. And no two journeys are the same, because no two manuscripts are the same. If you’re starting out, it’s difficult to judge your own work.
And when you are starting this journey, you likely don’t have a vast network of writing buddies to turn to, I certainly didn’t. In fact, I sort of kept the whole writing business to myself. Who did I think I was kidding? Me ─ write a novel? Pfft!
The danger is at this first stage, even though in your heart you know it’s not ready, you think, ah heck, what’s the harm? I’ve been working on this for over a year (or more) and my husband really likes it. I’ll send it out anyway. Maybe it’s just the ticket for that big agent, just what they’re looking for. I know it needs work, but hey now, we can edit it together, right?
Wrong.
A couple of things happen. You get disappointed again and again and you have burned those bridges. True, there are lots of agents to try, but some aspiring writers faced with multiple rejections give up. I think that’s a shame. If you are driven to write a book, then you shouldn’t waste it. Of course, these days you also have the option to self-publish and that’s terrific, but the same rules apply. If the book is not ready and you send it out into the world by itself, it won’t be as successful as it might have been.
If you face rejection again and again, don’t be disheartened. Regroup. Look for a local or an on-line writer’s group. Join one of many organizations offering manuscript exchanges and critique partners. If you can afford a book doctor or developmental editor, hire one. It’s not bad luck that the agents and editors aren’t responding, your manuscript just needs a little more work.
One of the other options is entering competitions for unpublished writers. Some of them offer critiques. You can check with them. I believe RWA’s Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense still do. Sisters in Crime offers a critique in their Fantasy Agent program, although you must be a member. Crime Writers of Canada gives a critique from all of the judges if you make the short list of the Awards of Excellence.
A very valuable thing. Just beware. These critiques can be harsh. Take everyone’s comments on board. Make it the best story it can be. Everybody has been there, even the most successful authors faced rejection.
Don’t give up. They didn’t. Stephen King didn’t.
About the Book: A NICE PLACE TO DIE
The body of a young woman is found by a river outside Belfast and Detective Sergeant Ryan McBride makes a heart-wrenching discovery at the scene, a discovery he chooses to hide even though it could cost him the investigation ─ and his career.
The victim was a loner but well-liked. Why would someone want to harm her? And is her murder connected to a rapist who’s stalking the local pubs? As Ryan untangles a web of deception and lies, his suspects die one by one, leading him to a dangerous family secret and a murderer who will stop at nothing to keep it. And still Ryan harbors his secret …
About the Author: J. Woollcott is a Canadian writer born in Northern Ireland. She is a graduate of the Humber School for Writers and BCAD, University of Ulster. Her first mystery, Abducted, was long-listed in the Canadian Arthur Ellis Awards in 2019. Her second book, A Nice Place to Die, won the RWA Unpublished Mystery/Suspense Daphne du Maurier Award in 2019 in New York.
A Nice Place to Die was also long-listed in the Arthur Ellis Awards for 2020 and short-listed in the Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence in 2021. She is working on part two of the Ryan McBride Belfast Murder Series, Blood Relations, due out in August 2023.
She is a member of Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and the Southwest Writer’s Guild.
To learn more about J. Woollcott, check out her website https://www.jwoollcott.com
Twitter @JoyceWoollcott
Joyce, congratulations. Not only did your hard work pay off but your realization that the more eyes on your manuscript the better before submitting to an editor or an agent. Well done! Thanks for visiting with us today.
Great advice!
I agree, Marie! Thanks for stopping by!