Nothing matches the satisfaction and happiness you feel when you complete your manuscript. It feels like a huge burden has been lifted off your shoulders, and now you are ready to face any challenge that comes your way.
However, many authors feel that their manuscripts still have room for improvement, even after several revisions. Self-doubt is good to an extent, but not that much if it is limiting one’s potential to share one’s masterpiece with the world.
Here are some of the best tips you need to feel more confident about publishing your manuscript.
1. Focus on Your Introduction
Many people disagree that the first impression of anything is necessarily the last impression. However, no one can deny that it has a significant impact on the subject, especially when they are an avid reader of your genre.
When it comes to improving your first impression, your attention will directly go to the introduction. An introduction helps you set the tone for the entire book and deserves attention accordingly.
A strong introduction can provide a roadmap for your reader, setting expectations, and making them excited for their journey ahead. When you feel confident about your introduction, you can stir up the same feelings in the reader’s mind.
2. Maintain Continuity of Thought
An exciting book can jump from one scenario to another to surprise the reader in unique ways. Such transitions can seem like a great addition to the book, but the challenge lies in achieving smooth transitions without confusing the reader.
To keep the reader engaged, you must maintain continuity of thought and a seamless progression throughout your novel. You can make it easier for yourself by using traditional phrases before or after the shift so that the readers can become mentally prepared.
3. Make it Concise
One of the biggest misconceptions shared by novice authors may be that more words can make you seem authoritative. However, it is not the words that make your book more engaging and readable for your target audience. It’s the conciseness of your manuscript that actually matters.
You must revise your manuscript several times to eliminate redundancies and fluff while maintaining its integrity. In addition, try to remove ambiguity from your text by using active voice only. Passive voice sentences can make sentences longer and less clear.
4. Revise Once More
Every time you revise your work can make you feel more confident about it. Before you send out your manuscript for publishing, the best thing you can do is to get in touch with a professional novel editor for hire.
Professional editors have the right experience and expertise to ensure the accuracy and flow in your work. They can help you improve your work in reassuring ways to make you feel confident about sharing it with your readers.
5. Root for Clarity
Active voice makes your writing more direct and clear, but that is not all you need to feel fully confident about sharing your work with the world. Ask yourself if the words in your book are really providing value to the readers or if they are acting just as fillers.
Do not get lost in your own words. Instead, keep the reader’s perspective in your mind. Remember that your goal is to convey a clear message. Avoid using overly complicated sentences and phrases that can confuse or overwhelm the reader.
When you hold clarity as key, you will automatically switch to simple language and concise sentences. As you make the right changes to your manuscript along the way, you will feel more confident about publishing it.
6. Get Done with the First Draft
One of the biggest mistakes you may make as an author is giving your first draft the best of your energy. Your first draft is just an attempt to bring your vision to life. Even the most accomplished writers need to write several drafts before publishing their work.
While writing your first draft, take a deep breath and stop worrying about making mistakes. Do not look back for mistakes after writing every line. Consider your first draft a trial run that can help you discover your full potential.
7. Format Consistently
The visual appeal of your manuscript matters as much as its content. It has a lot to say about the time and attention you have given to your manuscript. An irregular layout may make the reader feel that you have not taken your work seriously. Of course, they will have no reason to pay attention to work its creator seems careless about.
The formatting of your book is one of the first things a potential reader notices. Any inconsistency in font styles, sizes, margins and spacing can distract readers from the core purpose of your book.
You can hire professional help with formatting your book, which can make you feel confident about publishing it. These professionals have a keen eye for small details and can boost your work in several ways.
8. Organise the Structure
The structure of your book is the next important thing that can make you feel more confident about sharing it with the world. You must ensure that your book is easy to skim so that readers do not get overwhelmed at first glance.
You can make the readers feel relaxed reading your book by breaking up long paragraphs with headings, subheadings, bullet points, and illustrations where suitable. Adding visuals to your manuscript can also help you break the monotony of the text and make it more appealing.
9. Request a Peer Review
It is always a good idea to seek feedback from your peers and mentors. A fresh set of eyes can do wonders in improving your manuscript. They can spot errors and inconsistencies that you may have missed out on.
Such errors are often missed by the authors when they are reading their own work. However, beta readers and your friends from the writing circle can look at your manuscript from different perspectives to identify its weaknesses and strengths.
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