In a previous issue, I mentioned three things I considered important to successfully self-publish; (a) a good manuscript, (b) a great editor, (c) credible sales and promotional platforms. I will tell you my experience about a good manuscript.

I remember how the script for my Novel CRY TOUGH, dragged the main characters through mire, beyond recognition, and CRY TOUGH rambled into hundreds of dead-end pages. I was oblivious of this until my critique person pointed out the flaw. (One has to be open-minded when hiring a person to criticize his or her work).

I learned to frame chapters, keep the theme of stories top of mind and don’t allow the main characters to stray. My editor thanked me.

Readers notice when writers ramble too much and they put away the books (and never go back to them). Remember to stay with your theme, keep your dialogues crisp–don’t ramble.

Olive Rose Steele is the author of CRY TOUGH (A Novel)