Maria McErlane

While I don't work in publishing, he knows I'm a keen reader.

I was nervous about starting it and kept putting it off.

About a month after he sent it, I received a message guilting me for not yet responding.

So I finally sat down to read it.

It was bad.

Nevertheless, I took notes and sent him a detailed response with constructive criticism, encouraging him to develop what felt like the best bits and trim the others.

He thanked me but said he's not interested in revisiting it as all the literary agents he sent it to have rejected it.

Now he's sent me another manuscript and asked me to read it as well.

I don't want to.

How can I tell him I'd really rather not read it?

Or should I be blunt and tell him I think his writing is truly bad?

I've suggested he do a creative writing weekend or a novel writing course.

But he's not interested.

Chuck.

Chuck.

Chuck the novel.

Chuck, I mean, I feel your pain.

That is awks.

Yeah, that's very awks.

Especially as he seems to be so kind of resistant to any of your criticism, you know, constructive criticism and advice in order to get this published.