Manuscript Mentoring With Emily

​Finishing A Manuscript Is The Goal
I designed my Manuscript Mentoring Programs for people who are committed to completing the first draft of a manuscript.

Whatever your level of writing experience, this is an incredible goal but one that is attainable!

My years of experience as a writing coach and published novelist have shown me that it is much more important to write the entire first draft of a 300-450 page manuscript than it is to focus on far fewer pages and try to make those pages "perfect".
​The reason for this is that many ideas about your characters and plot can be seen only from the vantage point of the finished first draft of a manuscript. My experience allows me to look at your first draft and effectively see how to integrate the various plots, more fully develop your characters, and improve individual scenes.

Below are eight steps I take to lead you from the blank page to a finished novel:
  1. Together, we’ll work out a writing schedule for you, because nothing happens if you don’t write! While this may seem like an obvious step to take, what I have found is that even with the best of intentions, many people don't write enough throughout the week.

  2. I have a great deal of experience in keeping my students on their writing schedules. One of the most simple and effective ways I've devised is that twice a week, you call me at an agreed upon time. We'll talk for 10-15 minutes about where you are in your novel, specific problems you're having with plot or character, and what you’d like to write next. Then we hang up and you write for an agreed upon time! 
      
  3. As our work together on your first draft continues, we do not focus on endlessly editing and polishing your manuscript while you're writing. Your characters and story-line will often deepen and change with the second draft, so it is much better to have a 300-450 page first draft manuscript completed, rather than focusing on far fewer pages and trying to make those pages "perfect". 

  4. Believe it or not, completing a 300-450 page draft in a year is quite possible if my student remains dedicated to the writing schedule we set. It’s only 8-12 pages a week. A big part of my job as your writing mentor is to use my own experience to keep you moving on!

  5. As you move ahead, I'll show you how to recognize and develop powerful characters, and add compelling twists and turns to your plot. I'll also show you how to spot hidden jewels – often not apparent to you – that, once polished, will become highlights of your novel.

  6. One of the most difficult aspects of writing your first draft is learning how to move out of your mind and let your characters drive the story. Most writers don’t understand how to do this. I will show you how.

  7. Structure… it’s very hard to put a structure on the novel while you're writing your first draft. You can’t tell the novel what its structure is. You have to watch the structure emerge and evolve. This is not always easy, but it's something I know well and will teach you.
    ​
  8. Together, we'll celebrate each milestone as you write your manuscript!

To contact Emily with any questions or to begin working with her, you can call her at (914) 962-4432, or you can send her a message.