Manuscript, “manu-soup”
Mom made soups as I grew up.
Now, as an award-winning author & editor, I’ve recognized: Crafting a manuscript is similar to making a delicious soup.
The scoup:
Ingredients matter. Quality ingredients make compelling, mouth-watering manuscript.
J.K. Rowling’s carefully crafted magical elements in “Harry Potter”
Frank McCourt’s vivid childhood memories “Angela’s Ashes”
Malcolm Gladwell’s diverse case studies “Outliers”
Proportions are key. Balance narrative elements like you would balance flavors.
George R.R. Martin’s balanced plotlines in “A Song of Ice and Fire”
Mary Karr’s blend of humor and tragedy in “The Liars’ Club”
Mary Roach’s swirl of science, history & humor in “Stiff”
Let it simmer. Both soup & stories improve with time, melding and developing fully.
Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” = 12 years
Jeannette Walls’ “The Glass Castle” = 20 years
Robert Caro’s Lyndon Johnson’s biography = multi-decades
Taste & adjust. Constant revision is crucial. Sample your work often, tweak as needed.
Ernest Hemingway rewrote the ending of “A Farewell to Arms” 39 times
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” received meticulous revisions
Anne Frank reshaped her diary into a structured narrative
A personalized recipe. Your “voice” is what makes your manuscript distinctive.
distinct style in “The Road,” Cormac McCarthy
unique humor in “Me Talk Pretty One Day,” David Sedaris
gonzo journalism in “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” Hunter S. Thompson
That first batch? Rarely perfect. Don’t be afraid to switch out a spice.
Stephen King’s “Carrie” initially discarded
Cheryl Strayed’s “Wild” evolved from an essay
Charles Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species” decades of revision
Sharing – mmm, delicious part. Both soup and stories are meant to be shared & enjoyed.
Global phenomenon of Harry Potter book release parties
“Educated” started discussions on education & family
How “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson inspired environmental movements
Whether you’re stirring the soup pot or typing away, patience and passion are your most important ingredients.
»»» What’s your secret ingredient in your writing “soup”?
A manuscript is like a fine soup, and
if the ingredients aren’t tasteful, it’ll be manu-soup, for sure.
Contact me for the excerpt recipe.
I love the examples you share. It is very funny that Charles Darwins' manuscript took so long to evolve.