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Having worked on hundreds of manuscripts, fiction and non-fiction, providing their authors with advice on conceptual and practical aspects of their writing, I am often surprised to see how many writers are unaware of their bad habits and the unrealized potential of their work.

I offer a complete manuscript appraisal, which includes structural considerations such as plot, character development, dramatic tension, theme and marketability as well as questions of style, voice, pace, point of view, grammar, description and dialogue.

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Below is an edited sample of a comprehensive novel assessment which runs to five pages and examines aspects of the manuscript including character development, dramatic tension, point of view, narrator’s voice, descriptive writing, dialogue, pace, grammar, marketability etc

Overview

This lively, textured novel is an engrossing read from page one. It is cleverly told from a variety of viewpoints, sometimes of the same incident, which creates a multi-layered effect. In places the writing is of a very high quality. The story moves along at a rapid pace, helped by a procession of colourful characters and exotic settings.

There are however some fundamental structural and style issues that need to be addressed by the author in further drafts. These centre around character development, dramatic tension and setting. At times the plot gets a little wayward, which takes the focus away from the main character and dilutes an otherwise strong sense of visual surroundings in this story. A sense of the physical and sensual environment would enhance its authenticity and take some of the burden of placement off the shoulders of the characters.

In the major and minor issues section of this report, more detailed comments are made about ways to improve the story and make it more suitable for its target audience.

Conclusion

Much of the writing in this MS is very impressive. The narrative flow is clear and the language, where it doesn’t seek to shock for effect, is well chosen and accessible. There are however some sections where the literary aspects of the writing are overdone - extracting meaning and clarity from some of the passages is hard work. A more careful placement of the literary highlights would allow the reader some breathing space and the opportunity to appreciate the gems when they come to the surface.

The author needs to think seriously about the dramatic potential of this story. A more distinct central character needs to be focused on and developed. The secondary characters need to step into the background and when they do appear, it should be to contribute to the story rather than to distract the reader’s attention.

When redrafting the story, the author should look at relaxing more with the writing, slowing the pace down, not trying to do too much, achieve too much, say too much. More of the story needs to be told through the characters being allowed to settle into the story on their own terms. And the main character needs to display a greater emotional engagement so that the reader can also invest some emotion in the story’s outcomes. .