Critique for Bridge to Destiny

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I just got off the phone with two people with the American Writers Association regarding their evaluation of my novel. First thing, they asked if I'm in love with the title "Bridge to Destiny." I told them no, but I just can't think of anything better. They then had some good comments and LOTs of praise for my writing. Several times they pointed to passages that showed great character development, great background information (Vietnam War), Great drama, etc. They said they'd found a couple of grammar glitches, but couldn't point them out. Guess I'll have to read through it again to find them. They didn't like my old chapter 1. Like that publisher recently told me, they agreed it lacked a hook. Too much detail about the accident in chapter 1. They told me I should combine that chapter with the funeral scene. They did say my original chapter 1 was very well written, and the new chapter 1 needed more in the way of character development and drama, though the drama there was good and Mark came across as sympathetic. They then asked to see my query letter, so I'm anxious to see what they think of that. Next, I know, they're going to want me to pay them $700 to market my novel to agents and publishers. That ain't gonna happen, but I didn't let them know that. They said their critique services were free, so I'm not under any obligation, plus there's no way I'll be able to come up with that much money. Overall, I think their evaluation was OK, not great, but OK.
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About Paul West

Paul West is a freelance writer and novelist. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Paul claims to be a "Prune Picker," though he now makes his home in Taylorsville, Utah.

You can follower him on Twitter: @PaulWWest

Published: Thursday, August 14, 2014

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