ey may not be sure what will make the story work.

That's where the million ways to say no come in. Here are a few examples of how an editor may let you down gently but still indicate what's wrong with your novel.

"Your story idea is intriguing" may mean she liked the basic idea, but you didn't

Wanting to be a novelist is a lot easier than actually becoming one. Planning and writing a novel takes months, or for some people, years.

When your manuscript makes it to an editor's desk, you feel that you're almost at the finish line and envision bounding across it. You endure the wait but then your manuscript comes back with a rejection letter. Disappointed, you read the letter several times, determined to understand what the editor didn't like about your book.

Here's where the writer's hope, dreams and ambition get in the way of reality. One of my writer friends once said about rejection letters that there are a million ways to say no and only one to say yes.

Any time an editor rejects your manuscript, it means she didn't like it well enough to buy. It's not her job to critique your work. An editor's job is to find manuscripts she knows the company can sell. Editors are nice people. Even if they don't want to recommend your novel, they don't set out to hurt your feelings or be cruel. They recognize the time and work you have put into the novel and perhaps even your talent for a promising future. They mention general areas to be helpful. They don't suggest specific changes because they may not be sure what will make the story work.

That's where the million ways to say no come in. Here are a few examples of how an editor may let you down gently but still indicate what's wrong with your novel.

"Your story idea is intriguing" may mean she liked the basic idea, but you didn't

our manuscript comes back with a rejection letter. Disappointed, you read the letter several times, determined to understand what the editor didn't like about your book.

Here's where the writer's hope, dreams and ambition get in the way of reality. One of my writer friends once said about rejection letters that there are a million ways to say no and only one to say yes.

Any time an editor rejects your manuscript, it means she didn't like it well enough to buy. It's not her job to critique your work. An editor's job is to find manuscripts she knows the company can sell. Editors are nice people. Even if they don't want to recommend your novel, they don't set out to hurt your feelings or be cruel. They recognize the time and work you have put into the novel and perhaps even your talent for a promising future. They mention general areas to be helpful. They don't suggest specific changes because they may not be sure what will make the story work.

That's where the million ways to say no come in. Here are a few examples of how an editor may let you down gently but still indicate what's wrong with your novel.

"Your story idea is intriguing" may mean she liked the basic idea, but you didn't

letters that there are a million ways to say no and only one to say yes.

Any time an editor rejects your manuscript, it means she didn't like it well enough to buy. It's not her job to critique your work. An editor's job is to find manuscripts she knows the company can sell. Editors are nice people. Even if they don't want to recommend your novel, they don't set out to hurt your feelings or be cruel. They recognize the time and work you have put into the novel and perhaps even your talent for a promising future. They mention general areas to be helpful. They don't suggest specific changes because they may not be sure what will make the story work.

That's where the million ways to say no come in. Here are a few examples of how an editor may let you down gently but still indicate what's wrong with your novel.

"Your story idea is intriguing" may mean she liked the basic idea, but you didn't

Even if they don't want to recommend your novel, they don't set out to hurt your feelings or be cruel. They recognize the time and work you have put into the novel and perhaps even your talent for a promising future. They mention general areas to be helpful. They don't suggest specific changes because they may not be sure what will make the story work.

That's where the million ways to say no come in. Here are a few examples of how an editor may let you down gently but still indicate what's wrong with your novel.

"Your story idea is intriguing" may mean she liked the basic idea, but you didn't

ey may not be sure what will make the story work.

That's where the million ways to say no come in. Here are a few examples of how an editor may let you down gently but still indicate what's wrong with your novel.

"Your story idea is intriguing" may mean she liked the basic idea, but you didn't develop the plot well enough.

"Your protagonist isn't involved enough" can mean the protagonist didn't move the action forward and solve the story problem.

"The story doesn't come to a satisfying conclusion" may mean the action didn't build suspense and dramatic tension all the way through to make a strong finish possible.

These few examples give you an idea of how an editor can indicate weak spots without going into details. She's not implying a few revisions will make the novel salable. She’s not saying make these changes and send the manuscript to her again. If she wants you to do that, she will say so.

Pay attention to the comments, but don't revise or rewrite your novel on the basis of one critique by an editor, agent or other reader. If several editors comment on the same aspect of your work, it may be time to revise or rewrite. If you have any doubts about what changes to make or how to best do them, you may want to consider getting an independent professional opinion so your next letter from an editor is that one way to say yes: a contract to publish your novel.

Copyright 2007