Birthday
Gender female
Feedback Offered
What do you get?
A detailed 3–5-page report on the first 50 (double-spaced) pages of your novel, with a particular focus on your introduction of the setting and characters. I will provide feedback on such elements as pace and dialogue, comment on how engaged I feel with the novel (and why), and be honest and constructive about aspects that could be improved.
Why is it important?
The opening section of your novel is without doubt the most crucial: agents and publishers won’t persevere if they aren’t immediately engaged by what they read. My aim is to help you bring out the very best of your novel and to keep your reader turning pages.
Delivery time:
3 weeks
What do you get?
A 5–10-page report on up to 100 (double-spaced) pages of your novel, taking in your setting and characterisation and paying particular attention to your development of the structure and narrative voice. I will also provide specific feedback on dialogue, tone and pace, and suggest remedies for elements that seem problematic.
Why is it important?
The structure and narrative voice need to be able to carry your reader from the opening pages to the heart of the story. Approaching your novel both as an ‘ordinary’ reader and as an experienced editor, I aim to ascertain what is most compelling about your writing and how that can be used to overcome any issues.
What do you get?
A 5–10-page report on 100–200 (double-spaced) pages of your novel, which will include all the elements of the shorter reports and pay particular attention to the interplay between your various plot strands and characters. I will comment on how convincingly you handle the material so as to keep the novel as a whole on course, and provide specific advice on any aspects that seem problematic.
Why is it important?
By the time you approach the 200th page of your novel you will likely be dealing with (or have dealt with) its most populated and plot-driven section. My aim is to help you maintain the pace and narrative flow as you herd all of these elements towards their conclusion.
michaelvank