An MS Isn't Just For Reading

Since I've sprained my ankle for the third time in two weeks (I really shouldn't be let out of the house), I decided I'd see what goodies were in my previous posts file to share with you all.

Congratulations. After many long hours, days, weeks, months (sometimes years) of doing this:

Image: Hyperbole and a Half

You have turned you bubbling mass of ideas into a book type thing. Okay, a book. 

Now what? 

Obviously you've let it simmer. You've edited it into submission. You've passed it around your critique group/beta readers/people who read your stuff. But what about those printed copies?  The ones with the red pen of doom scrawled across them that sit in an unloved pile? 

Fear not, I have some handy uses:

1) Got an annoying door that won't stay open? Use that MS as a literary doorstop. When people trip over it you can tell them it's your book. Instant conversation starter. 

2) Stand on it for extra height when talking to taller people. 

3) Want a unique focal point? Wallpaper. A room covered in your words = priceless.

4) Do your friends/family/co-workers pester you to read your book? Give them a birthday/Christmas treat by wrapping their present in your pages. Not only will it look chic, but they'll get a sneak peak of your writing. Two birds, one MS. 

5) Build a fort. Okay, it may be the first small brick, but the foundations are important. And a book fort would be pretty awesome... until it rains.

 

I'm off to ice my ankle (and elevate it on a few drafts of old manuscripts). Any more creative uses for hard copy manuscripts I've missed?

A few quick reminders:

 

Got a query you'd like some feedback on? Angelica announced another awesome Query Critique Contest on Monday. Want a chance to win some feedback on your query? Enter here.

 

You can also enter the Copper Girl blog tour giveaway here.