Revision And Self-Editing (Write Great Fiction) |
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| Title: | Revision And Self-Editing (Write Great Fiction) |
| Author: | James Scott Bell |
| Publisher: | Writers Digest Books |
| Type: | Book / Paperback |
| Publication Date: | 05 May, 2008 |
| ISBN / ISBN-13: | 1582975086 / 9781582975085 |
| List Price: | $16.99 |
| You Save: | $5.44 |
| Amazon Price: | $11.55 |
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Editorial Review / Publisher's Information:
Product Description
Don't let the revision process intimidate you any longer. Discover how to successfully transform your first draft into a polished final draft readers won't be able to forget.In Write Great Fiction: Revision & Self-Editing, James Scott Bell draws on his experience as a novelist and instructor to provide specific revision tips geared toward the first read-through, as well as targeted self-editing instruction focusing on the individual elements of a novel like plot, structure, characters, theme, voice, style, setting, and endings. You'll learn how to: - Write a cleaner first draft right out of the gate using Bell's plotting principles
- Get the most out of revision and self-editing techniques by honing your skills with detailed exercises
- Systematically revise a completed draft using the ultimate revision checklist that talks you through the core story elements
Whether you're in the process of writing a novel, have a finished draft you don't know what to do with, or have a rejected manuscript you don't know how to fix, Revision & Self-Editing gives you the guidance you need to write and revise like a pro.
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Customer Reviews:
• Wrong Title
08 October, 2009
While named Revision & Self-Editing, this book really is a quick overview on the craft of a novel writing. Part one, 190 pages of the 262-page book, is entitled Self-editing. Yet, instead of specific revision tips and exercises, Bell skims through the basics on what's involved in writing a solid novel. It's all good advice, offering gentle reminders of what we may have forgotten. But, it's not on the topic his title promised. Part Two, entitled Revision, is only 60 pages, 10 of which discuss the need for discipline in writing. Meanwhile, the section on how to consider revisions for endings is only two pages.
While this book might be helpful to younger, less experienced writers, the books, plays and films he chooses as examples, i.e. The Maltese Falcon, The Odd Couple, and The Searchers , might not be familiar or relevant to that audience.
The book's main strength comes from Bell's easy, conversational style to make his brief, yet obvious, points.
The book's weakness is its title. It's misleading, and readers are sure to be disappointed.
If you're looking for a book about revision, pass on this one. This book misses its mark by not going far enough into the self-editing and revision process. Instead, it quickly offers obvious and basic advice in how to write a novel. And if you're looking for a book on crafting a novel, others work better.
- Amazon Customer Review
• Happily Mislead
22 December, 2009
Yes, the title is misleading--this book is so much more than just about editing your manuscript. It's about crafting a well-written story. And isn't that the whole point of editing in the first place?
For the beginning novelist, this book is like finding a full canteen in a desert--a very dry one, filled with mirages, and the skeleton of that guy who had the canteen before you did. It covers all the things I took writing classes to try to learn, read books like "Bird by Bird" and "The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing" to find out (by the way, the latter one is useless, unless you need to start a campfire).
It seemed those classes and books never had the specifics I needed. I had to learn on my own, watching movies and reading books that peeked my interest. I must admit, I feel vindicated: some of the techniques I've been using in my novel are recommended in this book.
DO buy this book if you want to learn:
How to make realistic dialog
Not bore your reader to death with distracting elements
Create a beginning which starts with a bang and keep your audience in suspense
Seed your novel with description which makes the reader feel like they're there
Keep your plot untangled and your scenes strong
Learn how to heighten your creativity and find your writer's voice
And yes, revise your manuscript (!)
DO NOT buy this book if you want:
Something which will tell you all about grammar
Something which will tell you how to write / edit a comedy (my one beef with it, comedy isn't covered)
Something boring and humorless (even though comedy isn't discussed, this book has some amusing moments)
Bell also includes a lot of exercises to help your writing improve. I could totally see a class being taught based on this book.
So yes, the title doesn't suit the book, but that's because it offers so much more than the title implies.
Do buy this book, if you're serious about writing, and you aren't Stephen King.
(If you are Stephen, what are you doing browsing for writing books? Have a little more confidence, Mr. King.)
- Amazon Customer Review
• If You Have His Plot And Structure, Don't Bother With This One
23 December, 2009
I bought this book hoping for a detailed how-to on revising my manuscript which is, currently, kind of a mess. This book provided little help. There are only two new chapters--the rest of the content is virtually identical to his other book, Plot and Structure. While there is good stuff in there, I would say, if you have one book, don't waste your money buying the other.
- Amazon Customer Review
• Revision & Self Editing
07 February, 2010
As an author I wrote my first book by instinct. If only I'd possessed James Scott Bell's Books on Revision & Self-Editing. And of course, Plot & Structure. Amazing the way he puts his finger on every single thing I wanted to know and then some. I've used every trick he suggests to make my next titles winners. A must for any author. Thanks James!
- Amazon Customer Review
• Fills In Many Cracks
22 October, 2009
This is in many ways a perfect companion to Bell's classic Plot & Structure. It covers virtually every aspect of the fiction craft and gives dozens of techniques for improving each. (Oddly, some comments seem to have missed this obvious point. There is almost no repetition of the material in the Plot book. These two volumes completely complement each other).
Here is one example, worth the price of the book: How to get HIP to your scenes. HIP stands for Hook, Intensity and Prompt. Understanding these concepts will make every scene in your novel more gripping, whatever genre you write in.
The Revision section is also one of the most helpful tools you'll find anywhere. It provides a systematic approach to editing, something all writers need. Using Bell's guidance, you won't find yourself flopping around wondering what to fix next. Bell helpfully points to the most common flaws you'll find when revising, with ideas on how to handle them.
What I love about this book, and Plot & Structure, is how down to earth and easily understood it is. Bell is not writing to puff himself up, but to help other writers. That is greatly appreciated by me.
- Amazon Customer Review
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