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Many times, I get manuscripts, completed manuscripts, submitted for consideration as publishable by the Pyrateheart Press or other outlets. Most come for review by authors who hope to self-publish. We at PHP do a brisk business at reviewing manuscripts for those who wish to self-publish. Unfortunately, I often have to deliver bad news to these authors.

Some have a great story idea which can be developed into a great book or a series of books but their writing needs work. Often a great deal of work. This is not something most authors want to hear. Especially form such a small press as PHP. Most authors feel their books or manuscripts need work but not much. I have found the majority think all they need is a few commas and all is good.

If their story is one I can develop, and the author is willing to work with us, then we move forward. However, this is if the story has potential. What if the story is already a good one?

That’s where we find ourselves in the good story versus good writing arena. A good story is a blessing. I love stories. All types though I find myself drawn to the more adult stories. Ones where the author doesn’t censor themselves. However, I enjoy a good children’s story or any other type as well. All that matters to me is it is a good story. One which makes me want to read it.

That is my definition of a good story. One that makes me want to read it. What is a great story? One I can’t put down. We all know the difference there. A good story is one we can read easily and well. One where the characters keep us interested and the plot flows. However, a good story we can put down when it’s time for dinner or bed. A great story we can’t. I don’t know about you, but I can’t count the number of times I have gone to bed with a story in hand and read it until the morning sun greeted me.

Cool Hand Luke was a good story. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was a great story. For me anyways. But were they written well? 

I don’t know what the stories looked like pre-edit. Most stories look one-way pre-edit and an entirely different way post edit. Why? Because in the creation phase you don’t see the flaws. You aren’t supposed to. You are writing. You want the story on paper. Want to tell it like you envision it, the way you sleep with it. 

So, you write it down. Perhaps get a few friends to read it. then when you have the courage to do it, you submit it to several editors for review and publication. Then you enjoy the rejections slips as they come in. On some of those rejection slips you read great story – sh*^ty writing. Rewrite and resubmit.

Of course, you look down at the paper in your hand and let your jaw drop open. What do they mean the writing is s*^t? It’s a great story. The writing is good. How can you separate the story out from the writing?

It’s easy. I do it all the time. I have had so many great stories wrapped around crap writing. You have to learn to read the story first. Look at the writing second. Once you learn how to do that, the story shows itself. Believe me, it is easy to look at the writing and reject a story out of hand. Sometimes you reject a story before you finish the first paragraph because the writing is so bad. 

One of our best stories, The Lodge, started out like this. It was bad. A short story focused around a section of what would become the book. Actually, several of our books started out as good stories or great story ideas but contained crapola as writing. 

How many times have I sent a story back to an author and asked them to remove the one thousand and three instances of the word “that”? Usually inside a story of only two thousand words! The words “so”, “just”, that are so overused it hurts. It detracts from the story. 

And don’t get me started on dialogue. God help me sometimes I want to tear my eyeballs out from the misuse and overuse of bad dialogue inside a good story. 

There are a million and one reasons to reject a manuscript. A good story line isn’t one of them. I look for good stories. Live for them if you want to know the truth. Let me give you an example. We are currently watching the series “The Fall” on Peacock.

It is an addictive show. Each episode is wrapped around well thought out plot sequences surrounded by sub-plots that enhance the main plot instead of detracting from it. Because it is a series, each episode builds up with a definable beginning, a middle and an end meant to draw you further into the story. Meant to make you stay in front of the TV and continue watching.

Is it because the acting is so good? Possibly. However, even great acting can’t overcome crap writing. Also, I have seen too many movies or shows filled with great actors that sucked. Is it because of the direction? Same answer. A movie or a television show is nothing if the writing isn’t good. 

It needs a great main plot. It needs solid identifiable characters. It needs something to keep you hooked each episode. This is the writer’s job. And on this show the writers have exceeded the expectation of good stories. The main plot is sublime and keeps you hooked while the subplots are realistic without losing you. A fantastic job. I find myself unable to move once we turn it on. 

I noticed I have not given you an answer as to what to do with your manuscript when you know the story is a good one but the writing needs work. Lots of work. What should you do?

Easy, learn to use the tools of your new trade. Words, punctuation, plotting, character assessments, setting, moods, point of view. Learn to tell your story in such a manner I don’t ever see any of these. All I see is the story develop as I read it in my hands. 

And if the story is bad but the writing is great? Learn how to tell a story. Look to the best and mirror what they do. Don’t plagiarize. Simply use their example for your own. Tell your story in your words but with their work as guidance.

I’m Ross, The Editor-in-Chief at the Pyrateheart Press and I’m out.