Why feedback on your draft manuscript is essential to a good book

I was chatting with someone today who had written 80% of two books and was stuck. I was intrigued why she had started another book when she hadn’t finished the first one so I asked her, ‘What’s stopping you completing your books?’

She responded that she was scared about what people would say about them. What if they didn’t like them, disagreed with what she was sharing? She was fearful about being judged.

I shared with her a couple of insights I’ve gained over the years of writing myself and coaching other business people through the process of writing their books, so I thought I’d share these with you.

1. Most people have 'fear of sharing' their writing

Most people want to write a book, and some have. Most don’t ever take that next step because they are fearful about the judgement of others, their peer group, business colleagues, family and friends.

2. Your first draft is just that.

As a professional business writer I usually work through 2-3 drafts before I get to a ‘final draft’ (which actually isn’t the final draft). If you haven’t written a book before be prepared to work through 4-6 drafts before you get to a point where you’ve got a ‘final draft’ that’s ready to share.

Your first and second drafts will take the longest, the next 2-3 are more refining and reworking.

3. Be brave, hit the SEND button.

One of the hardest things to do is to stop revising and hit the send button to a small, select group of people who are going to review and comment on your ‘final draft’.

If you think about it though, if you’re fearful of sending your book to three people imagine how you’re going to feel when you’re out there promoting and selling your book to hundreds or thousands.

Sending your book to 3-5 people who have knowledge of your subject area and seeking real feedback is the first step to moving through your fear about sharing your book.

4. Be specific about the feedback you’re seeking

‘It was a good read’ is not the feedback you’re looking for. Be clear with those who are reviewing your book about the type of feedback you’re looking for, the timeframe you want to receive it and how you want to receive it. Depending on what your book is about, whether it has case studies, personal stories, who the audience is and the style of writing you have used, the feedback you are seeking will be different. Be as specific as you can. You are seeking feedback to get a fresh perspective on what you’ve written. Does the book flow, what was the best part, what was the worst? What did they take out of it, if anything? Would they recommend or not and why?

5. Review and revise your ‘final draft’.

Once you’ve received the feedback you need to decide what you’re going to action or not. You may well received contradictory feedback, so you’ll need to work out what you want to take on board and what you’ll leave aside. It’s your book, you make the call.

6. Engage a proofreader

Now you’ve got your ‘final, final draft’ you need to send it to a proofreader and provide them with a clear brief about what you want them to do. Another step along the getting over the fear of sharing your book pathway.

Don’t be shocked when you get your draft back and it’s a sea of red track changes. This is a good thing as it will make your manuscript grammar and punctuation perfect. Embrace the red!

Once you’ve worked through the proofreader’s comments and taken another look at the final manuscript, STOP.

In summary:

• Work through several drafts
• Share your ‘final draft’ with a small group of people who have knowledge in your area and seek specific feedback
• Take on board the feedback to refine/rework your manuscript
• Engage a proofreader to review your manuscript
• Be confident and sure about the knowledge and insights that you have to share and stay true to your purpose, this will see you through the moments of self doubt that you’ll have.
• Resist the urge to rewrite, add in ‘that bit’ you missed. You’re on a slippery slope to never finishing if you do this.

Email me if you get stuck or want some advice on any of the above. I’m a writer, I know what you’re going through.