BarryHutchison

Although my knowledge of anything that might prove useful in the real world is sorely limited (how to fix cars, how to administer first aid, how to cook anything that isn’t toast, etc, etc), one thing I do know a bit about is writing.  That’s why I’m allowed to do books an’ that.

As such, I’ve been asked to run a series of evening classes at my local college, where I’ll be teaching everything from creating rounded, memorable characters, to writing a killer query letter and synopsis.  It should be interesting, not least of all for me, as I try to put words to all those little writing tricks I now do instinctively.  Classes start in August, so if you happen to live near Fort William in the Highlands of Scotland, contact Lochaber College for more details.

You might also have noticed a new option has appeared in the menu up above this post somewhere.  I am now offering a manuscript critique service, where – for a fee – I will provide editorial feedback on novels-in-progress.

I should probably point something out here.  If you have leaky pipes and call a plumber, would you be happy if he told you everything was fine, and left you with water running down your walls?  Or if the house was burning down, would you be content for the fire brigade to turn up, compliment you on your curtains, then zoom off again with their lights blaring?

Probably not.  So, likewise, if you employ someone to give critical feedback on your manuscript, expect just that.  Don’t anticipate a glowing review which fails to find fault with a single word you’ve written.  Positive feedback is nice, but it’s not helpful.  I’ve lost count of the number of times people have taken offence at me pointing out even a minor issue with their work, despite the fact I always make a point of highlighting the positives first.

So, if you’re the type of person who is looking for reassurance of your own brilliance, please don’t bother getting in touch.  If, however, you’re someone who has a story to tell and would like a little help making it as good as it can possibly be, then I’d love to hear from you.

Go check out the Manuscript Critique page and get in touch.