Help Please! (If you are a writer/know about writing)?

Question

Here Goes. I'm a 13 year old girl living in England, and I've written a novel. I am desperately trying to get it reviewed/critiqued.

I've posted this before, but now it's all edited and improved so I really need help as it's in final stages.

So if you are a writer, know about writing, or are good at critiquing work constructively, then could you please read my novel?

Here's a link: http://www.abctales.com/user/castlesinthesky

To read all the chapters in order, then scroll down and click on each link.

Thanks so much.

Sarah

x*x

Answer 1

Hi i too am a struggling writer. i haven't read yours yet but i will make a hard copy if that's ok. i am in the middle of an English degree at the moment so time is short. my advice to you if it is as good as people have said is to buy or borrow from the library a copy of the "writers handbook" find agents and publishers and start sending off. sorry but it will cost a fortune in stamps and you will wait by the letterbox fruitlessly for hours but its the only way to get yourself out there. good luck for the future.

Answer 2

i definitely will. Well, I'm not a professional writer, but I'm 13 also and I've written a few books (just for fun). Good luck! : )

Hope I helped.

Answer 3

hi only just read  the first chapter and have to say i think its really good. Advice above about being published is relevent. My only one word of caution is it feels like an english voice with some slightly american language. this may be appropriate now for your target audience (i left school a good five years (ish) aho)!) but it felt a little "off" to me.

good luck witht hsi becasue the stgory line itself  is really strong.  

Answer 4

I seldom, if ever, read stories written by teenagers. Yet your story sits among the best I'd ever read. Yes, there are grammatical and punctuational flaws, but they can be ironed out in your next edit.

Finishing up your Chapter 3 was another example of tenseness, a compelling state of wanting to read more. You've done well in your descriptive and easy-going manner to keep the reader glued to the story. I applaud your efforts.

Get a copy of the Writer's Market, or the similar publication used in the United Kingdom, and search within for the best literary agent you can find. Follow their submission guidelines exactly and persevere through the rejections. Although they will come, you must be patient and continue with the sample submissions. Write the best query letter possible to gain the attention of the reading agent.

Your writing is unique among the younger generation; far better than I had expected. Many agencies frown upon manuscripts written in the first person, but there must be exceptions. First-person stories are superb in my opinion and yours is that good.

I wish you much success with your continual need for editing and submitting.

p.s. I am a senior writer, having written about 16 novels and 100 short stories with a few published. Follow your dream of writing.

Added note: Avoid using adverbs in your dialog tags. They drag down the action for the reader. I call such words "adverblys" because they end with -ly. Consider using action sentences before the dialog. They usually capture the reader's interest immediately.

Second added note: I have read the story in its entirety. Although there is much need for detailed editing the story is fine as it is. Editors, however, will want to change it up so be prepared. Also, look for agents that will accept e-mail submissions. That will certainly be advantageous for you because the task of preparing a hard copy submission can be monumental.