We are deep into the age of American Idol, The Voice, and a variety of other variety shows that have transformed constructive criticism into an art form. Holding a magnifying glass up to one’s flaws and learning how to improve has become a thriving industry ranging from the afore mentioned reality talent competitions to personal and business coaching services.
On the literary side of things, you might call me the somewhat nicer, non-British Simon Cowell of manuscripts. Authors hire me in the role of “Managing Editor” to perform a comprehensive review of their manuscript, mark it up with one of my favorite Microsoft Word features, “tracked changes” and then assemble an extremely candid Managing Editor’s report with my professional opinions detailing – where I believe the manuscript is now, what I think they should do to make it better, and ways they can do this.
This is not to say that I’m right, you’re wrong and you should mindlessly do everything I say. My opinion is one of many available to an aspiring author. They could also ask their spouse, friends, family, or writing group for their two cents; biased opinions to say the least because of their personal connections to the author. Here’s how this usually plays out: “Good for you, you wrote a book! I really liked the way you described that birdhouse on page 63. That was very descriptive and reminded me of my childhood birdhouse.” On a similar note, I’m sure many aspiring singers, prior to being torn to shreds by Simon Cowell on American Idol, were told by friends and family that they sounded exactly like Celine Dion and/or Elvis.
Aspiring artists and authors need the ongoing love and support of their family and friends to find the courage to walk into the American Idol audition room and, in literary land, to have the courage to share their words on that daunting blank white page. My job isn’t to shoot down dreams, hurt feelings, or in any way suggest that someone give up their dream of becoming a published author. It’s the exact opposite. When I have the privilege of reading and reviewing an author’s manuscript – their words, their story - my passion for the written word drives my mission to help that author’s vision for their book become a reality, by matching intention with execution. I have enjoyed this process dozens and dozens of times and the experience of opening an author’s manuscript for the first time to begin my review, is always exciting. I’ll bet that even Mr. Cynical himself, Simon Cowell experiences that moment of joy right before a new singer opens their mouth and begins to sing, the moment of – “THIS just might be great.” Or, “This just might be bloody great” in his case.
This is not to say that I’m right, you’re wrong and you should mindlessly do everything I say. My opinion is one of many available to an aspiring author. They could also ask their spouse, friends, family, or writing group for their two cents; biased opinions to say the least because of their personal connections to the author. Here’s how this usually plays out: “Good for you, you wrote a book! I really liked the way you described that birdhouse on page 63. That was very descriptive and reminded me of my childhood birdhouse.” On a similar note, I’m sure many aspiring singers, prior to being torn to shreds by Simon Cowell on American Idol, were told by friends and family that they sounded exactly like Celine Dion and/or Elvis.
Aspiring artists and authors need the ongoing love and support of their family and friends to find the courage to walk into the American Idol audition room and, in literary land, to have the courage to share their words on that daunting blank white page. My job isn’t to shoot down dreams, hurt feelings, or in any way suggest that someone give up their dream of becoming a published author. It’s the exact opposite. When I have the privilege of reading and reviewing an author’s manuscript – their words, their story - my passion for the written word drives my mission to help that author’s vision for their book become a reality, by matching intention with execution. I have enjoyed this process dozens and dozens of times and the experience of opening an author’s manuscript for the first time to begin my review, is always exciting. I’ll bet that even Mr. Cynical himself, Simon Cowell experiences that moment of joy right before a new singer opens their mouth and begins to sing, the moment of – “THIS just might be great.” Or, “This just might be bloody great” in his case.
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