Manuscript assessment for writers
Many writers are turning to the services of manuscript assessment agencies in recent years. Getting into print publication can be a difficult road to walk down. Every piece of help and advice therefore becomes important to the emerging writer. In this process, getting an independent assessment of one’s writing can give you just the advice or edge or viewpoint necessary to make the difference between acceptance for publication or being rejected.
Adelaide based crime and romance writer Kirsty Brooks has written a long article – well, it’s actually in the form of an interview – on the virtues of having one’s manuscripts assessed before sending off to a publisher. Many authors have found such an assessment to be very beneficial. The article can be found on her blog:
- Manuscript assessment for writers – an interview with Kirsty Brooks.
Disclaimers:
- I have never used the services of an assessment agency though I am being mentored by a published author but that is something quite different.
- I have (to the date of writing this post) had no association whatever with the assessment agency run by Kirsty Brooks.
Wonderful writing
Yesterday was a horrible day.
From early in the day the hot north westerly wind blew up dust squalls making it most uninviting to be outside. By lunch time the temperature had soared to 41 degrees C (that’s 106F for those who use that scale) so inside with the airconditioner going was the place to be.
At lunch time I switched on the television to watch a repeat episode of Rumpole of the Bailey. There were seven series spanning the years 1978 to 1992. When this series first appeared on television I was fascinated by the rich and wonderful language used by author John Mortimer. The episode we watched was called “The Summer of Discontent.”
The main character, Horace Rumpole frequently quotes from the Oxford Book of English Verse. There is an Australian connection too. Actor Leo McKern was born in Sydney. He died several years ago.
Wonderful writing in a television series or a film is noteworthy these days because it is so uncommon. Any kind of trash is dished up these days, pretending to be entertainment. Rare indeed are little gems of writing so in evidence in this series.
The Million Dollar Comma
No Comments »28th November, 2006; Category: General
A recent case in Canada shows that it can certainly be costly if you do not pay attention to grammar, and punctuation in particular. In a dispute between two companies, one a cable television provider and the other a telephone company, a single, misplaced comma in a contract cost a million dollars (Canadian).
The misplaced comma changed the whole intent of one sentence in the contract, according to a ruling from the telecommunications regulator. A costly oversight I would say.
To read the article in the New York Times about this incident click here. (You may have to register first.)
Re-introducing Trevor’s Writing blog
Observant regular readers of this blog will notice a small but significant change to the title of this blog. The blog hasn’t changed, nor has the content or direction of it. The URL remains the same too, so no need to panic.
Since starting this blog in March of this year I have never been totally happy with the title. My son, who does all the technical stuff in maintaining my three blogs, came to visit this week for my birthday. While he was here we did a lot of talking about blogging and where we are heading with my three blogs. He also spent a little time tweaking various aspects of the blogs.
To rename this blog Trevor’s Writing better reflects what this blog is all about. I will continue to share some of my poetry, short stories and ideas about writing and blogging. I will continue to share more thoughts about the writer’s life, writing hints and observations on life as they relate to writing, blogging, books and literature.
This name change also brings a quirky consistency in the names of my blogs. They are as follows:
- Trevor’s Writing – this blog about writing.
- Trevor’s Birding – about my observations and photos of Australian Birds.
- Trevor’s Travels – about my experiences and photos of travel in Australia, Thailand and Nepal.