Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print 
asked by madfool on November 24, 2006 3:15 PM
There's not much of the old-style editing going on at publishing houses today. Renni Browne, veteran of William Morrow and other publishers, founded the Editorial Department in 1980 to teach fiction writers the techniques professional editors (many of whom have gone independent) use to prepare a manuscript for publication. In this book, she and senior editor Dave King share their accumulated expertise in a series of brilliantly compact lessons. One page from their simply and markedly improved version of a scene from The Great Gatsby alone would make a compelling advertisement for their techniques. Very highly recommended. --MTB
Reviews
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This is one of the best books I've ever studied on the nuts and bolts of write-craft. After applying the intensely practical and clearly illustrated principals, the quality of my writing took a quantum leap forward. Even non-fiction writers can glean much from this book, since non-fiction also uses many story-telling techniques. Highly recommended!
reviewed by sumbuddy on November 29, 2006 3:38 PM
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Book was received in excellent condition, just as described
and FAST shipping. Thank you, I would definately purchase books
from this seller anytime!
and FAST shipping. Thank you, I would definately purchase books
from this seller anytime!
reviewed by blueoasis on November 29, 2006 7:26 PM
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I would have to say that this book should be a must for all aspiring authors. Even, dare I say, to many established authors who make many of the mistakes that this book talks about. And I don't say this because I blindly follow what this book says. Nay, I have read books and I have been annoyed or bothered by their unrealistic dialogue, their page long speeches over and over again, using too much description, and finally the author patronizing the reader by trying to force feed everything. That is why I found this book to be amazing, because what I had already been shaking my head at was found in this book to be big no-nos.
That being said I was amazed while reading. There were some chapters that were rather basic, such as chapter 1, "Show and Tell", but then there were other chapters that I know, as an amateur writer, will greatly help my already written work as well anything in the future. Such chapters as "Proportion", "Dialogue Mechanics" and "Breaking Up Is Easy To Do" are all great chapters.
I would most definitely recommend this book to all beginning writers, even to those already established just to refresh their editing styles. A quick read that is well worth it.
5 stars.
That being said I was amazed while reading. There were some chapters that were rather basic, such as chapter 1, "Show and Tell", but then there were other chapters that I know, as an amateur writer, will greatly help my already written work as well anything in the future. Such chapters as "Proportion", "Dialogue Mechanics" and "Breaking Up Is Easy To Do" are all great chapters.
I would most definitely recommend this book to all beginning writers, even to those already established just to refresh their editing styles. A quick read that is well worth it.
5 stars.
reviewed by kmf on November 29, 2006 7:32 PM