Manuscript Critique: a Comprehensive Guide

How To Edit: YOUR SECOND CHAPTER

Hi. I'm glad to see you again. How is your editing journey thus far? More than likely, you have returned for more help. No worries. Let's get some things out of the way.

My number of reads for chapter 1 are much higher than chapter 2. Why?
Well, there are a lot of reasons that could be a factor. One is simply that the story doesn't appeal to each and every reader that comes your way. This is true for everyone. Another one could depend on the strength of your first chapter.

But I don't know why! Was my story bad?
It's not about whether or not a story is good or bad. It's interest. Here are some reasons some may not interested in your chapter 2.

Have you gotten help editing your story? (No, you don't have to change your story if you do not want to, but the TECHNICAL grammatical errors are of importance)
Yes, I have (perfect)
No. That's my style (fair, but the 'style' shield can only hold up for so long)
No. If you'd let me explain why... (goodbye)

Have you edited your WALL OF TEXT and formatted?
Yes. (perfect)
No. I can't. I don't know how (Okay, consider researching how to format your story. The tutorial page in this guide might help you as well)

Did you have ANY dialogue in your chapter 1?
Yes. (perfect)
No. But chapter 2 is smooth sailing (very well!)
No. And let me explain why... (oh dear...)

Have you fixed your DIALOGUE TAGS?
Yes. (perfect)
No. But really, let me explain why... (good day, sir!)

Have you replaced all your 'hyphen' interrupters with 'em dash'?
(i.e. "No. I-" → "No. I—"
or
"No. I-," → "No. I—")
Yes. (perfect)
No. It's an 'en dash.' (Oh. Well, okay.)
No. I don't know how. (head to the tutorials page)

Have you separated who is talking to make sure it's one person talking and acting in one paragraph?
i.e. "I need that book, Tim." Alex gestured at Tim's bag. "Well, you'll have to come get it." Alex sighed. "This is exhausting." Tim laughed. "Well, it'd be easier if the author split this up."

changes to

"I need that book, Tim." Alex gestured at Tim's bag.

"Well, you'll have to come get it."

Alex sighed. "This is exhausting."

Tim laughed. "Well, it' be easier if the author split this up.
- Yes. (perfect)
- No. (goodbye)

Did your chapter 1 end WITHOUT a RESOLUTION?
Yes. (perfect)
No. The character solved the problem (Oh, boy....)

Does your chapter 2 build on what happened in the previous chapter?
Yes. (perfect)
No. Get this, I switched EVERYTHING up. New characters, new location etc. (All right, YOLO, I suppose)
No. It's a flashback in chapter 2 (That's a brave dice to roll but okay...)

All set? Okay. If you have made a payment for chapter 1 (slow or fast) you do not have to make a payment for chapter 2. If you have never made a payment for chapter 1, you will need to make a payment for chapter 2.

Understand that this is no longer a critique but a review and reviews END. It's in your best interest that you make this as polished as possible. Also, understand that the story may not hold my interest for the simple fact that I may not read that genre. I will give you as fair a review as I can, however. I have read outside my chosen genre in the past with great results, therefore, so as long as the plot keeps moving, we should be okay. I'm trying to get to the end of the book with you but if I don't make it, I'll certainly tell you why with a follow-up.

**>>REQUESTS ARE TEMPORARILY CLOSED. <<**

FORMAT:
Book by Author
Chapter 1 payment: PAID 1 - on (date) | PAID 2 - on (date) | FREE but I've paid now
Technical errors fixed: Yes, I'm confident./Yes, I've tried my best.
Shout out finished directly after critique: Yes / No, so I've paid again
Do you understand that this is not a GUARANTEED full read?
Tag: friend (optional)