All you writers,
How many passes did you make at that first manuscript, before you molded it into a marketable book?
Just curious,

LOTS...AND LOTS....and lots. I lost count, actually.

I think 5 times...and now I'm sick of it.

JJ, have you ever heard of Bookbusters? It's a site that claims they send your query to over 600 agents. They charge $ 85.00. Would you know if it's a scam?
Also, JJ, could you recommend a good writer's site? I'd really, really, really appreciate that.

Bonnie, I wrote the first manuscript and threw it away. Not that it was bad but I developed a better idea for the wording, etc. by doing one first and then, I started all over again. Then, my editor did chapter by chapter so it depended on how busy she was to how fast she finished. All in all I would say 18 months total. Oh, that doesn't count the changes I had to make after the publisher got ahold of it! Nothing drastic but a lot of eye strain.

Never heard of Bookbuster's but maybe someone else on here has? I would never do something like that unless I could find someone who had, and ask tons of questions. I'm so cautious...sometimes, I think TOO cautious, you know?

Now as far as a good writing site, I am wondering what you needs are? To read good articles on writing, I subscribe to a lot of good E-zines that bring valuable info to me either weekly/monthly, or even quarterly.

I think sites like Writer's Digest has SOME good things on it, but they are not interested in me as a writer, they want to SELL me something. So I wouldn't use them for "stuff."

C. Hope Clark site, http://www.fundsforwriters.com/ is a good, overall site and she has some great ebooks to purchase at very reasonable prices, depending on what you want out of your career. She has E-zines that are free and some that cost a small amount per year. I'm thinking 12.00 a year if I'm not mistaken, and let me tell you, they are ALWAYS valuable to me as a writer. She also gives places to submit your work. I don't share the ones she provides in her paying ezine because that wouldn't be fair. If you sign up for her free newsletter, tell her I sent ya. She's just a doll! And smart as a whip!

Another informative site you will want to visit and bookmark is Moira Allen's Writing-World site at: http://www.writing-world.com/index.shtml It is chocked full of articles to read about the craft. I mean chocked full! And there are contest postings there along with other great stuff.

I need to find another word besides stuff, but that says it all, eh?

Anyhoo...will this help for starters?

STAY AWAY FROM PEOPLE WHO TELL YOU THEY WILL PROMOTE YOU FOR $25.00 AND GET YOU ON ALL THESE RADIO SHOWS, ETC...

You can do that on your own. Trust me...

Bonnierose, I've not published a book yet but can vouch for the sites JJ has recommended. They are great!

Many many rewrites. Too many to count.

Stephen King says you should write the book through full forward, without trying to fix each chapter or make changes (other than noting them down) and 'tell yourself the story'. Then put it away for six weeks before you do any revisions.

So far, I've not been able to follow that advice! The changes I make are usually plot changes so I feel compelled to write them. The two novels I actually finished each took about two years to write, revise, get critiqued, and polish. I have a friend who's become successful with genre mystery novels and she's required to write a complete new book every FOUR MONTHS.

I'm doomed.

JJ, thanks so much for your valuable advice. I'm going to stay away from Bookbusters.

I'll check out the links today. I need to pinpoint my resources as to finding an agent or publisher. I have so much information it is laming me. I hope that one of these writer sites can just advise me step by step how to finally get my book published. I'm wasting so much time in the internet reading and searching...I want to just be submitting.

What kind of book did you write bonnierrose? Mine is a women's fiction…Hah! The next Gone With The Wind…is at the verge of Gone in the Wastepaperbasket…
Oh yes, you'll get those up and down feelings every once in a while too. That's all part of the game. I think it helps when you are stubborn; that I am…to the very bitter end.

Find out where they are located and do a BBB search. There was a company that offered this service for screen plays and they actually did a great job for a friend. You never know.

Thank you ladies. I read S. King's "How 2" book, as well.
And on one of the other sites, they say to put the manuscripts aside for up to 18 months, then go back and polish. I'm working on 2 books: my sister's life story; and my own. The motive behind these is to make the public more aware of the long-range effect child abuse has on a victim's life. I'm passionate about it. And I won't give up until I've succeeded, unless the Lord calls me home!
I self-published both stories but they bombed. I couldn't find proofreaders who'd give honest, truthful feedback. Plus, I had PTSD and didn't know it. I'm trying to write my way through that.
Prayers and blessings,
bonnierose