Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself Into Print by Renni Browne

Feb 01, 2013 Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: library

I should have read this book seven years ago, which is when I bought it. I find non-fiction (and any story lacking the presence of aliens) difficult to focus on, though. Maybe I thought having it on my shelf, or the simple purchase, itself, would make me a better writer. I could look up at the spine now and again and say, “Yeah. I have that book. I’m a writer.”

I am a writer—anyone can be one of those. But according to this book, I’m not a very good one. Yet. I’ll get there, but it won’t be becau...more I should have read this book seven years ago, which is when I bought it. I find non-fiction (and any story lacking the presence of aliens) difficult to focus on, though. Maybe I thought having it on my shelf, or the simple purchase, itself, would make me a better writer. I could look up at the spine now and again and say, “Yeah. I have that book. I’m a writer.”

I am a writer—anyone can be one of those. But according to this book, I’m not a very good one. Yet. I’ll get there, but it won’t be because I have such books lined up on my shelf keeping me company. Won’t be because I’ve read them, either. It will be because I kept writing, reading, recognizing my errors and working to fix them. Because I practiced.

I recently submitted a story to a publisher. To my astonishment and joy, they offered me a contract. Then they sent me four pages of first pass edit notes. Astonishment morphed into that squicky feeling at the bottom of my stomach and joy simply evaporated. I think I actually whined at my laptop. My editor referenced Self-Editing for Fiction Writers and suggested I read the first chapter. I looked up at my reference shelf and studied the row of shiny, un-cracked spines. Yep, there it was. Pristine, perfect and pathetically untouched.

I read the first chapter (the squicky feeling in my gut revolved a few times while I seriously considered replying to my editor, “Why for the love of all that is holy did you buy my story? It’s CRAP!”) and then I read the second chapter. Aliens had not made an appearance by the third, but I kept reading and the sick feeling moved through several recognizable stages along the way. Mountains and valleys of elation and depression. I also babbled out loud. “So that’s what that’s called. Okay, I can do that. Oh, my God, I do that all the time. Hey, I can do that. I do do that. I don’t do that. I’m good at that.” And so on.

Needing to read this book made it a more relevant and therefore enjoyable experience. The tone is not condescending and the advice is dispensed with good humor. There are plenty of examples to make every point and every chapter is followed by a checklist and exercises. The lessons are very clear; I understood the purpose of each chapter and I understood why certain things don’t work or how they can be improved. I didn’t put the book down and think, “Forget it. I can’t do this.” I put the put book down and wrote this review instead.

Now I’m going to print out my story and work through it from beginning to end, using what I have learned. No doubt, it will be a soul crushing exercise. But I feel prepared to tackle it.
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Oct 22, 2012 Daniel Roy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: writing, non-fiction

A quick, instructive read. Although this book didn't teach me anything new per se, it explained a lot of the groundwork of solid writing and editing in a clear, concise manner, with some great examples. For instance, the authors dissect and re-edit some parts of The Great Gatsby using modern editing sensibilities (for instance by ditching dialog adverbs), and the effect is immediate and striking.

The two chapters on dialogues were the most insightful to me. Although I've long since inherited Step ...more

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Aug 02, 2008 Taka rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: japan_jul07-aug10, writing_reference

Great tips--

As a writer, I winced at every amateur mistake they listed that applied to me. The book tells you how to write a story and edit it so that the reader can identify with the characters and enjoy the story.

It's not catering to the mainstream.

It's about the craft.

Sure, they cite many obscure and minor authors and bash literary giants like Melville et al, but frankly, many of literary giants come to their prominence not because of their story-telling talent, but often because of somethin...more Great tips--

As a writer, I winced at every amateur mistake they listed that applied to me. The book tells you how to write a story and edit it so that the reader can identify with the characters and enjoy the story.

It's not catering to the mainstream.

It's about the craft.

Sure, they cite many obscure and minor authors and bash literary giants like Melville et al, but frankly, many of literary giants come to their prominence not because of their story-telling talent, but often because of something else. Who could read, for example, Joyce's Ulysses and lose track of time in the same way you do when reading Harry Potter? And who can read it and understand it without guidance? I, for one, read it with a guidebook and enjoyed it, but decisively NOT in the same way I enjoyed reading The Kite Runner and other less literary reads.

So if some people criticize this book for advocating a dumbing down of your manuscripts, well, it may be true in some respects. But if you're going for the effect and resonance, I think, this is the way to do it.

And if you're telling a story, shouldn't it be exciting, fun, engaging?

Don't get me wrong, though. I love literature and I write literary fiction - whatever that means. But I've come to realize that I need to learn the basics of effective story-telling before creating something truly - in my own definition - "artistic." A story is artistic in my skewed definition, when it tells an engrossing story and tries to do something entirely new using a unique voice and language. It doesn't consist solely in abundant poetic expositions and descriptions; nor does it consist in strafing the reader with difficult words. It's about telling a unique, engaging story in a unique language and style. Experimental writing is totally cool as long as it contributes to the story in one way or another.

After all, it's every writer's duty, so I believe, to deliver something worthwhile for your readers who's taking their precious time reading YOUR story above all the others they could be reading.

So this book is a gold mine of awesome tips in shaping your story effective and engaging. It's something that every fiction writer should learn and incorporate whatever they like. And after that, it's up to the writer to impart their own unique style and voice into it.

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Feb 03, 2013 Sheli Ellsworth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Every time I read a "how to write" book, I get my hopes up. Eventually I come to the realization that if I glean only one thing from the book, it is a win. This one was a win. I had to read the book for a class I took from a literary agent several years ago. The money I paid for the class was a waste, the agent was neither literate nor much of an agent, but the book was a keeper.

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May 14, 2008 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: any writer

This book came recommended to me so I bought it and then didn't have time to get to it until it came recommended once again. I took it on vacation with me for six weeks and worked on a chapter a day. This worked out great because it gave me time to absorb the information and do the exercises at the end of each chapter.

It's definitely filled with practical advice any new writer needs to know. If you're more experienced, don't let that sway you. We all need reminders from time to time. I saw thing...more

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Apr 10, 2012 Beth Cato rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: in, 2009, writing

This was a highly rated editing book on Amazon, but even then, I was concerned that it would be dry or boring. I shouldn't have been. I can see why the ratings were so high - it is an excellent guide to honing technique, bit by bit. The thing that makes this book so compelling is that there are constant examples of mistakes or correct usage from both published and non-published stories. They covered a wide range of genres, too (I was happy to see an excerpt from a YA/sci-fi book I loved as a kid...more

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Apr 27, 2013 Tyra rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

I didn't like this book as much as many of its reviewers. For one, it is laced with cartoons about writing, which is OK, but cartoons? Many of them were poorly reproduced so that I often missed the point of the humor. Also, Browne's examples of good writing I did not agree with. One was The Lovely Bones. I hated everything about that book, the story, as well as the writing. I bought it at a library's book sale and was grateful that I didn't pay more than a few bucks for it. Browne gave other exa...more

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Feb 23, 2013 Scott Moon rated it 5 of 5 stars

I highly recommend this book. There are clear examples of how to improve a manuscript through editing and revision. Familiar topics such as ‘showing versus telling’ are handled with fresh clarity, and though I have heard the advice hundreds of times, I found Browne and King’s discussion of the topic exciting to read. The examples and analysis are helpful. (I did not do all the exercises, because I wanted to apply the techniques to my writing rather than labor over the text provided in the book....more

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Dec 13, 2012 Rondi Wagener rated it 5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition. I am new to writing and I’m trying to soak up as much information as possible in the least amount of time. This book covers many crucial points, including: point of view, clichés, using idiomatic langue in dialogue, narrative distance, amount of white space and paragraph length to determine the tone and tenseness of a scene. How to reveal and distinguish characters, and warnings on using speaker attributions and repet...more

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Sep 28, 2012 EMW rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a must-read but it’s more about how to write professionally than how to edit professionally. It takes you through the tenants of what a professional work should look and sound like and helped me see what I’ve sensed was wrong in my writing but couldn’t identify.

However, I’m still seeking a detailed How-To on professional editing. Meaning, how do the pros tackle a novel? Is there a session where they map out the story, look at structure, or is it just a chapter-by-chapter review? How lon...more

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Aug 29, 2012 Summer Ross rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book hit home for me as a writer. It explained how to make some of the revisions I needed in my novel as well as gave examples and exercises that I could use for practice.

I think this book would be a good resource for beginning writers and some intermediate writers.

Here are some examples of the kind of information and advice you can expect to find in this book:

"But telling your readers about your characters' emotions is not the best way to get your readers involved. Far better to show why...more

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Aug 19, 2012 Tina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In short: As valuable as I found this book, I don’t feel it (and you) should be your ‘only editor’. KDP/PubIt make it simple for anyone to publish their writing, but an investment in an editor (please make the investment if you’re going to charge people to read it) is an obligation all writers have—it’s not just about the readability of the work, it’s about evolving as a creator--no writer can do it without a set of independent eyes. Self-Editing for Fiction Writers is an excellent way to fashio...more In short: As valuable as I found this book, I don’t feel it (and you) should be your ‘only editor’. KDP/PubIt make it simple for anyone to publish their writing, but an investment in an editor (please make the investment if you’re going to charge people to read it) is an obligation all writers have—it’s not just about the readability of the work, it’s about evolving as a creator--no writer can do it without a set of independent eyes. Self-Editing for Fiction Writers is an excellent way to fashion the basics while you develop your style and build your voice.

I'm making the move from writing graphic novels to writing fiction, and I’ve learned they’re two VERY DIFFERENT disciplines. I was arrogant in my assumption that being a published graphic novels writer, I’d easily transition to writing novels, but there’s a big difference between writing for an artist, and writing for readers—the latter must have the ability to visualize on their own. Self Editing for Fiction Writers hammers that into you by teaching you to tailor your work for readers of the age (readers living in a time where hand-held media give them the internet and 500+ channels of programming).

I learned the almighty R.U.E. (Resist Urge to Explain) editor’s use when working on manuscripts, and was guilty of explaining too much. I placed way too much action in my beats. I used a ton of -ings and -ly's and 'as'(s). This book's helped me shake off the veneer of 'noob'.

I’ve seen negative reviews blast Self Editing for Fiction Writers for daring to “correct” what they feel is established literature from likes of Fitzgerald and others. The truth is, if those authors wrote like that today, they’d never be published—there’s no need to devote four pages describing a New England beach during the summer; we can get it in just one, but it's not bad writing because a majority of readers back then didn’t have access to the information overload we have now. That was the point of the editors breaking down these great works that some consider, above reproach. Yesterday’s literary necessity is today’s millstone necklace.

This book is essential for every self-producer; its highlights all you need--without the filler found in other books like it.(less)

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Ross Browne Agreed 100% that diligent implementation of SEfFW's principles alone isn't likely to get a book ready for publishing. One reason is that it deals with...more
Aug 21, 2012 11:04am

Tina Ross wrote: "Agreed 100% that diligent implementation of SEfFW's principles alone isn't likely to get a book ready for publishing. One reason is that...more
Aug 23, 2012 10:17pm

Dec 06, 2011 Carol Kean rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: all fiction writers

Recommended to Carol by: I found it at a book store

The "bible" for all writers, the most-recommended of all the many how-to-write books out there. You'll still want your Strunk and White if you don't understand grammar and syntax, but this book is the most articulate, easy to read and understand of the fiction writing manuals. A great investment. Funny thing is: you'll read this and think, "I know exactly what they mean. Of course I don't write like that." Then you'll submit your manuscript to a critique group (most likely, all members are disci...more

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Jul 18, 2010 Jacqui rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: writing

I am a big self-editor. I don't want a professional editor or even my writer's group to see my writing before it's as good as I can get it. I'm like that in all parts of my life. I clean the house before my house cleaner shows up so she never knows how messy I really am.

I have a long list of self-edits I go through (checking for passive, the use of 'was', repeated words, etc.), but I found a book I like called Self Editing for Fiction Writers, by Renni Browne and Dave King. It covers everything...more

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Jul 22, 2009 Becka Sutton rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: all writers

There are three kinds of writing books.

* Those that try to tell you how to get published. These books generally claim to have found the magic formula to get publishers to accept your book. The problem with this - as the blog entry I linked in my previous post pointed out - is that there is no magic formula.
* Then there are those that try to tell you how to write in the first place. They tend to be a formula the writer found worked for them to get the words out and therefore assume will work fo...more There are three kinds of writing books.

* Those that try to tell you how to get published. These books generally claim to have found the magic formula to get publishers to accept your book. The problem with this - as the blog entry I linked in my previous post pointed out - is that there is no magic formula.
* Then there are those that try to tell you how to write in the first place. They tend to be a formula the writer found worked for them to get the words out and therefore assume will work for everyone. They won't but they will work for some people and at the very least they give insight into the creative process.
* Then there are those that assume you have a functiomal first draft, but that being a first draft it's rather crappy and you want to make it better. These tend to be the most useful kind - in my opinion anyway.

"Self-Editing for Fiction Writers second edition" by Renni Browne and Dave King is the third kind of writing book. And in my opinion it is possibly the best of its ilk. The authors are not fiction writers but professional editors. They know their business and it shows. And when I say they are editors I don't mean copy-editors or proofreaders. The cover nothwithstanding this is not a book about grammar and spelling. It's a book about rewriting and I really, really like it.

The book opens with a chapter on "Show and Tell" which not only gives the best explanation of this fraught and confusing subject I've ever read, but also explains when it's not just okay but better to tell rather than show. This sets the pattern for the rest of the book. They give you the guidelines but also advise you that sometimes it's fine to break the rules they set out.

One of my favourite things about this book is that at the end of each of chapter there are exercises. They give passages containing the problems they've highlighted in the chapter and you get to edit it. Their answers are in the back of the book, but they also say no two people will edit a passage exactly the same way. Practice makes perfect and this book gives you practice before you unleash yourself on your own writing.

There are other books and websites where you can get some or all of this advice, but I have yet to see one that is as comprehensive and comprehensible in its explanations as this one. It's a book to keep and re-read regularly.

Very highly recommended.(less)

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Jul 26, 2012 Karl-Friedrich Lenz rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: writing-advice

So this is the first book I bought because I saw it here.

A couple of thoughts before I even start reading:

The success of this book for me personally will depend on if it contributes anything to my goals in writing. These are, in order of their importance:

Having fun. I doubt that this kind of book will contribute anything to that. It doesn't sound like fun getting all your mistakes pointed out.

Getting to know the rules, so that I can break them. I don't care what other people think "correct ficti...more

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Oct 12, 2011 Malin rated it 1 of 5 stars

Even though I think there's a need for a book that explains the basic "how-to's" for beginner writers, this book had too many good "bad examples" and too many bad "good examples" to be objective. The authors seem to have their own fixed way of seeing good writing without making room for the stylistic variations that occur between genres. The give no leeway for different tastes either, and I'm afraid they'll force many new writers into boxed-in space. They do state that the old version of this bo...more

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Oct 23, 2010 Josephine Myles rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: writing-books

This book didn't exactly cover what I was hoping for, which was a more general overview of how to go about editing a long manuscript for structural problems. There is some advice about proportion, but on the whole it focuses on polishing your writing scene by scene (or word by word). That said, it is a very useful resource and I've certainly learnt about a few ways I can improve my writing.

The strengths of this as a writing book are in the clear explanations and numerous examples to illustrate t...more

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Jul 03, 2012 Matt Hiebert rated it 5 of 5 stars

I've read a dozen books on writing, but can only recommend three: On Becoming a Novelist by John Gardner (not the James Bond one), Writing the Novel from Plot to Print by Lawrence Block and this one.

I had just finished my first novel when I discovered this book. I wish I'd discovered it before I ever hit the first key. Not only did it have answers to the "vague" problems that haunted my prose, it addressed them with unadorned confidence. There is no philosophical pining about how one should fee...more

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Sep 25, 2010 Joshua Graham rated it 4 of 5 stars

In this day and age, whether your are trying to get published through traditional routes or especially if your are self-publishing, it is crucial that a writer knows how to edit their own work to professional standards.

If you turn in a sloppy manuscript to a traditional publisher, you really need to have it polished as possible or you'll get passed up before the editor gives your book a chance.

If you self-publish, you need to have a professional quality book, or you will lose the confidence of y...more

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Aug 28, 2011 Lisa Ard rated it 5 of 5 stars

The minute I finished this (library) book I went on Amazon and purchased it. This is a must-have reference book, workbook and good read for every fiction writer out there.

The topics are spelled out in the table of contents:
1. Show and tell
2. Characterization and Exposition
3. Point of View
4. Proportion
5. Dialogue Mechanics
6. See how it sounds
7. Interior monologue
8. Easy Beats
9. Breaking up is easy to do
10. Once is usually enough
11. Sophistication
12. Voice

Each topic includes examples, many from we...more

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Jan 17, 2013 Tracy Akers rated it 5 of 5 stars

All manuscripts need editing. It doesn't matter whether you are new to the craft, or a New York Times best-selling author, ALL manuscripts need editing. And the first person to do it is you. Self-editing isn’t easy. As authors, we are closer to our work than anyone else, so don’t always see what others see. But we still need to make our writing the best it can be. Only then should we have others read, edit, and comment on it. I have many books on my shelf about the writing craft, but there is on...more

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Jun 23, 2010 Jae rated it 4 of 5 stars

It's a very good guide to avoiding looking like a hack writer. One of the most important lessons you can learn is to treat your readers intelligently. You may not even be doing it intentionally, but over-describing, over-attributing, among other things insults them, even if subconsciously and they'll yawn and say your book sucks (and at the time it may).

I don't agree with everything it said, but it had some great eye opening moments and I believe it's improved my writing. I'd also say to aspirin...more

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Nov 29, 2012 Maraich rated it 5 of 5 stars

Pretty much the best book I've read in terms of helping writers learn the actual mechanics of hunting down and fixing the little horrors that creep into our writing. Once I finished the book I immediately picked up Chapter 1 of my story and went through it utilizing the knowledge I had gained. It was quite amazing how much my ability to see problems with my writing improved.

In terms of how the book presents material, it's quite straight forward. They generally provide an excerpt from a well-know...more

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Apr 02, 2011 Jane rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: about-writing

There are lots of writing craft books around, but this one has an excellent reputation among writer groups. I can see why. It's a thorough, yet not overwhelming, primer on how to look at your own work with critical eyes and edit the living daylights out of it. The authors emphasize that you shouldn't follow their prescriptions too rigidly (as, so they say, people tended to do with the first edition of this book) and thus stay on the fine line between allowing writers the freedom they need to be...more

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Oct 12, 2009 Kevin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: writing

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers proves to be a valuable tool from the first paragraph to the final word. The book is separated into 12 chapters, each chapter ending in Checklist and a Exercise.

Chapter's:

1: Show and Tell Chapter
2: Characterization and Exposition Chapter
3: Point of View Chapter
4: Dialogue Mechanics Chapter
5: See How It Sounds Chapter
6: Interior Monologue Chapter
7: Easy Beats Chapter
8: Breaking Up Is easy To Do Chapter
9: Once Is Usually Enough Chapter
10: Proportion Chap...more

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Apr 03, 2013 W rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-read

A guide for writers at all levels to help them improve their work by looking at common issues and how to fix them. Each chapter includes exercises to practice.

You want your readers to pay attention to your dialogue, not the means by which you get it to them.

I’ve spent the last five months in the never-ending world of novel editing, working on the story that I wrote back in November. This book was highly recommended on a writing message board that I frequent, and from the description, it seemed...more

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Feb 28, 2010 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

What a fantastic book! I think I learned more in the four days I spent reading this book than any other book I've read on writing. I feel like my eyes have been open to mistakes I was making but not quite understanding exactly what was wrong. Showing not telling, dialogue, repetition and sophistication-it is amazing how the small things but such a huge difference in your writing, and the writers of this book have done an excellent job or explaining all of these things clearly.

I'm fighting the ur...more

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Jan 23, 2013 Martin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: writing, non-fiction

A must-read for self-publishing authors who do not have the resources to hire a professional editor.

It might not be a good idea to read this until you have, at least, finished the first draft of your own book. They authors warn emphatically against writing your book and reading this at the same time. Writing and editing are very different processes and the former definitely comes before the latter. By all means buy it, just put it aside until you are ready to edit.

With exercises and checklists a...more

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Jan 08, 2011 Shayne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

I found this very readable, and surprisingly entertaining. The authors have down-to-earth advice on identifying and correcting common problems, with useful examples and exercises.

I like the fact that Browne and King don't talk in terms of hard-and-fast rules, and they give cogent reasons for why they recommend/don't recommend a particular usage or method. They also embrace the idea that different works have different needs - stark, distanced prose is not automatically "right", and neither is ri...more

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