When will they ever learn? - by Dennis Hamley
What a silly question. New writers will never learn what a frustrating road they're embarking on because, if they're worth their salt, they won't care. That's the attitude I take when another manuscript from a hopeful newbie appears in my inbox or thumps onto my desk. No, the pile is never as big as this I do a lot of this work. I edit for The Oxford Editors (www.theoxfordeditors.co.uk) and also on my own account. Cherry Mosteshar, the remarkable woman who runs The Oxford Editors, regularly sends me manuscripts. Sometimes she asks me merely to write a report with advice to the author. This can be as far as the process goes. I estimate what I read as fairly as I can, state unambiguously what I think of it, point to the good things (because there always are) and look the weaknesses full in the face with advice on what I think can be done about them. Sometimes that's the last I hear from them. Have they given up or tried some...