Countdown 3 – 2 – 1 – 0
Not quite zero. Not yet. But so close. The final (probably only the third or fourth final of potentially up to seven finals, but, you know, ‘final’) draft of ‘Unknown Sins’ is about to undergo the next stage, ready for publication.
In case you can’t remember when that is: 23 September 2016 (I think that’s the Australian date, so maybe it comes out a day earlier here than in the northern hemisphere – anyone?).
So, it’s ready for the fresh read, the read it out loud (when no one can see or hear – damned embarrassment when it doesn’t sound right), play-act it with the characters.
And for me the big ones are to check how the setting ‘feels’ for the character in that scene; to coordinate the dramatic moments into an understandable structure (don’t forget to put this in there, and that has to come before the blue – you know how it is; cause before effect, etc.). And dialogue. And POV. And . . . the whole lot!
Why? Because from the moment a writer thinks they’ve got one bit of the craft all worked out, something comes along and bites on the bum – yeah, that redback! So check everything, go over it carefully, one read-through for each element of critique of craft, one final, final, final read through by someone who doesn’t know anything about it, and one more read through by someone who doesn’t like that genre.
If they finish it, that’s a good start. If they don’t, sometimes it can be hard to get them to say why – I always assume there’s something that is boring, or wrong, or just plain too finicky or falutin’ or – whatever the reasons for the non-finisher, it is never the fault of the reader! Never!
A story is out there to bring the interest of a reader to the muse. The muse will not be happy if the writer doesn’t make the story interesting enough to attract the right audience. The muse may not come back if the writer fails in this simple task.
Just ask them, they’ll tell you – the musae, that is. They are very strict in how they expect you to use their benevolence. The rules must be followed. Number one rule – someone must read the words, the story, and it must mean something to them. It must remain in their hearts and minds for the life of the meaning behind the story. And that is the law of the musae.
Believe.
