Have you ever read a manuscript that was JAM PACKED LOADED with tell sequences?
Was it your own? Would you admit to it if it was?
Even bigger question: Do you even know what I am talking about? (I admit, I didn’t when I started out)
There are actually people out there querying novels that are 80% tell and are wondering why they are getting rejections.
Do you know the mistake they made (other than writing a “telly” story)? They tried to skip the Beta Read process.
If you are querying now, and the only people who’ve read your story are people who know you, you should really consider trying to find a beta partner… or two… or five.
I admit, I was totally convinced my novel was perfect and ready for publication. When I went through the beta read process I found out it was full of tell sequences and I didn’t even know it. You know what? They were really easy to fix (for the most part).
All I needed, was someone to point out to me that they were there.
Don’t walk… run to find yourself a good beta reader, and get ready to have a thick skin too.
You might be surprised about what they find.
Jennifer M Eaton 