- Joined
- Jun 20, 2014
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- 13
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I wanted some feedback on my novel so decided to pay for a manuscript appraisal. MA's or at least the advertising of MA's are very popular in Australia and there are quite a number of people to choose from. I went for a former editor, now freelance, whose clients include well known publishing houses. She has taught at a couple of universities and is involved with the mentoring program at the NSW Writers Centre.
The first email I received from her was very positive, saying I had a strong writing voice but suggesting that writing in the epistolary form wasn't strong enough to carry a novel. She was quite adamant that I should change the structure.
When I replied saying that several successful novels had been written in this form and asking if she really thought it wasn't the right approach, she said this form had been overdone and was tired but if I wanted to go ahead with it, well, good luck.
I can see that this particular reviewer might not like the epistolary form and would prefer a novel written another way. What I found confusing was that someone who is working in this field and who presumably knows what they're talking about, would first say this form couldn't carry a novel and then say it was overdone.
I really wish I'd never sent off for the MA as I'm doubting myself more than ever.
So, what are your thoughts? Is the epistolary form not strong enough to carry a novel or is it overdone? I thought I'd ask everyone here, especially as I don't have to pay for it!
The first email I received from her was very positive, saying I had a strong writing voice but suggesting that writing in the epistolary form wasn't strong enough to carry a novel. She was quite adamant that I should change the structure.
When I replied saying that several successful novels had been written in this form and asking if she really thought it wasn't the right approach, she said this form had been overdone and was tired but if I wanted to go ahead with it, well, good luck.
I can see that this particular reviewer might not like the epistolary form and would prefer a novel written another way. What I found confusing was that someone who is working in this field and who presumably knows what they're talking about, would first say this form couldn't carry a novel and then say it was overdone.
I really wish I'd never sent off for the MA as I'm doubting myself more than ever.
So, what are your thoughts? Is the epistolary form not strong enough to carry a novel or is it overdone? I thought I'd ask everyone here, especially as I don't have to pay for it!