I was visiting another writer's site a few days ago, and in his "Writing Tips" he suggests "when writing popular fiction: the stuff that ordinary people buy. Write a wonderful story and editors will probably want to buy it even if it's got some flaws. Poor grammar or the odd writing flaw can be fixed, but if there's a lousy story beneath your scintillating prose, no editor will touch it."
An interesting concept; and I agree that a smashing story is essential to grab the reader (and the first true reader will probably be at a magazine or book publishing house). But poor grammar and writing flaws will usually have even the unique story quickly in the reject pile. Even this writer site hinted this when later was written, "More than 90% [of manuscripts] are rejected on the first page, and 99% by the end of the first chapter, so your absolute best writing has got to be up front, just to get the book read."
I see way too many manuscripts that read like they went from the author's brain to the keyboard through the printer and then to my desk. No rewrites, some with no spell check. "absolute best writing" can't be achieved that way.
Oh, did you noticed the infelicity in the quoted material? :-)
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