This is the fourth time I’ve shared a manuscript with someone. My fourth book.
You’d think I’d be better at it.
The sharing, I mean. The handing over my little world I’ve created. The first time I handed over a story for critique, I panicked. To be fair, I was a freshman in college – and I was so stressed that I barely remember workshop at all. I just remember the panic.
The first time I handed over a full manuscript (meaning my first novel), I panicked less. It’s not that I had gotten any better about the worrying – just that at that point in my writing career, I knew I could handle whatever my readers had to say. (Thanks to a number of workshops throughout undergrad and grad school.)
But yes, all these years later (I mean…decades at this point), I still worry. What if it’s crap? What if they’re bored? What if there are plot holes so large that semi trucks could drive through them? What if (*trembles*) I messed up the continuity?
Panic or not, though, writing needs those early readers. We need people to point these things out to us that we’re too close to see. We can only take our writing so far – and then we have to invite others in.
Recently, I handed over my murder mystery (though I feel at this point, that might be a slight misnomer) to two early readers. I’m doing my best not to think about it too much.
This is partly helped by the fact that one of my early readers also happens to be my writing buddy – who in turn handed over his own manuscript for me to take a look at. (Honestly, this is my most anticipated book of 2026.)
This, I think, is the first time we’ve exchanged manuscripts at the same time. It’s probably why the starkness between our two books is so…startling? Jack gave me a story that takes place in an idyllic holiday-esque town filled with wit and sass and some sparkling sarcasm and well-orchestrated chaos meant to help people find their correct paths in life.
And I gave him a story involving a serial killer on the loose in a real-life city.
So. 🫣😬 I feel like one of us is going to have more fun (especially given our shift into the holiday spirit that is currently happening all around us). Sorry, friend. 🤣
That being said, I’m super excited to hear back from my early readers – because I’ve taken the story as far as I can on my own and need those new eyes on it. (Plus, this gives me time away to return to the manuscript with my own fresh eyes.)
So panic or not, I understand the importance of this step and the value in the feedback. So much so that it’s my second piece of advice that I give to new writers – find people you can trust that will give you honest feedback. They don’t have to be writers – but it’s helpful because you can read their work and offer them feedback in return.
The first piece of advice? Give yourself permission to take your writing seriously – even if no one around you does.
