Book Review: Write and Revise for Publication by Jack Smith

[image error]I have read a few writing books, and I think this is one of the better books out there. It is optimistic and encouraging. Rather than telling you all the things you shouldn’t do when writing fiction, Jack Smith focuses on all the options of what you can do. The book could be summarized as saying whatever you do, do it intentionally and with focus. I felt like this book took everything I learned about writing in high school and college and then enhanced it with purpose.

Write and Revise for Publication by Jack Smith creates a 6-month plan for taking an idea and crafting it into a full-length novel. He covers techniques for brainstorm ideas because you will need more than one idea for a book. I have heard it said that you need probably six or so ideas for a good novel. Then, he talks about outlining, but it isn’t required. In the end, he suggests plowing ahead and writing anything, and everything thinks of for your story as fast as possible. It is only in the revision process in which the book becomes good. This summary covers only the first few chapters. The rest of the book includes how to revise your writing to make it polished.

Write and Revise for Publication is a great first book, but I would highly recommend that beginning writers do not stop here. I would use this book as a launching point to then pursue books that tackle your more specific writing issues in depth. Your manuscript will be a readable novel by the end of the 60 days, but it most likely will need still another level of polish and sparkle to sell really well. Again, we all have to begin somewhere, and so this is the book I would offer as the perfect starting point. Great book!