by Mike Klaassen

Created on: March 28, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

Book Review of
SELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS: How to Edit Yourself into Print
Second Edition
By Renni Browne and Dave King
2004, HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

WORTH STUDYING

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition, by Renni Browne and Dave King, is well worth studying. I read the first edition years ago and found it very helpful. Let's face it, writing means rewriting, and that means self-editing.

When I received my copy of the second edition, I tossed the old one out and read the new one cover to cover. I marked my new copy with lots of yellow ink and took a bunch of notes for further reference.

Chapter titles include: Show and Tell, Characterization and Exposition, Point of View, Proportion, Dialogue Mechanics, See How It Sounds, Interior Monologue, Easy Beats, Breaking It Up Is Easy To Do, Once Is Usually Enough, Sophistication, and Voice.

Although I liked most of the material and its presentation, I don't believe this book lives up to its potential. There are plenty of other self-editing subjects that could be have been addressed, or covered in more detail. I believe the book would be better if it was structured around the five elements of fiction: character, plot, setting, theme, and style. Writing modes and scene & sequel weren't adequately addressed.

But everything considered, this book is worth studying.

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