Q. How will you critique my manuscript?

A. A manuscript has many layers to study. I look at one layer at a time, using the six traits of writing. I've divided the traits into two groups: the big picture traits and the small details traits.

1. Ideas, organization, and voice are the big picture traits.
2. Word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions are the small details traits.

If your book doesn't have the big picture writing traits ready, it's not publishable yet. In Lessons 1-6, I'll teach you how to see these traits. Week by week you'll read books that compete with yours, so you can see how other writers used these traits.

Q. When will you critique my manuscript?

A. Critique begins in Lessons 7-12. For each lesson you'll send me writing for the big picture traits. For lesson 12, you'll send in a completed picture book manuscript or a first chapter. (I'll critique your other chapters in the Next Chapter workshops.)

Q. Can I start with the critique?

A. My students come from all levels of the continuum, from beginner to advanced. (Yes, I have had students with published books take my workshops.) Everyone begins with Lesson 1. No exceptions.

Q. After I complete the workshop, will you critique my next book?

A. After you have taken Lessons 1-6 once, you can start a new manuscript in that format with Lessons 7-12. (If you change formats, you will need to start with Lesson 1 again. Picture books and chapter books are very different.)

Q. Will you critique my manuscript if I don't take these workshops?

A. No. I believe in the old Chinese proverb: "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." I don't want to just give you the fish (the critique). I want to teach you how to fish.