The Southeastern Writer’s Association (SWA) Workshop at Saint Simon's Island, Georgia, gave me access to very experienced writers, publishers, and other people in the business. The guest speakers and instructors offered great insights, criticisms, and industry knowledge. For me, the conference was a very good value.
It was there that Holly McClure, agent and award-winning author, gave me an experience in criticism that left me and my manuscript pummeled and reddened.
She was a heavy-weight champion. I was the untried trainer and manager of a pretty raw manuscript. I threw it into the ring with her and felt every blow that followed. Loosely, the session went something like this:
She started in on my manuscript. I felt the first jab. “That first chapter was a good move. All that stuff in the preface… keep that up… you and your manuscript will get knocked over the ropes and out of the ring the instant the bell rings. Actually, you won’t even make the starting bell.”
Then came a body blow. “Whatever that was, change it."
She hit me with a right cross. "These parts are weak and don’t land solidly. These parts are good, mostly because you are lucky; they are raw in the right places not because you were good at crafting them."
The chastisement went on for what seemed like an eternity between every ticking second. At the end, “There is good stuff here, she commented. "Fix it. Call me after you do. And, by the way, you need to add about 75,000 words before you call me!”
This was an enormous job. Imagine deconstructing a house that has taken you a very long time to build. After deconstruction, you have to rebuild the house and add 75,000 square feet all by hand. That takes weeks of planning and counting up costs before the first shingle is removed. I had a choice. Take Holly's challenge and become better or give up. I took the challenge.
So, Holly, thanks for the well-placed jabs, hooks, and uppercuts. Most of all, thanks for the tap on the chin, telling me to #keepyourheadup.
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