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Intuitive Editing: A Creative and Practical Guide to Revising Your Writing
"I trust Tiffany Yates Martin with the editing process even more than I trust myself. Read this book and steal her secrets!"—Kelly Harms, Washington Post bestseller of The Overdue Life of Amy Byler “Tiffany Yates Martin is an exceptional editor, so of course her advice and counsel in Intuitive Editing is exceptional as well. Whether you’re a seasoned author looking to fine-tune your craft, pacing, or tension or just starting out and looking for guidance on building overall structure and engaging characters, this book is a must-read that will take you from idea to finished manuscript.”—New York Times–bestselling author Allison Winn Scotch “This book is a must have tool every author needs in their toolkit. When you are ready to go deeper, to dig into the revision process, using Tiffany’s Intuitive Editing strategies will help you take your writing to the next level.”—New York Times– and USA Today–bestselling author Steena Holmes “Authors, if you can’t be lucky enough to have Tiffany as your editor, then Intuitive Editing is the next-best thing. Her advice is sound, thoughtful, no-nonsense and given with the compassion that every author and their book deserves.”—Elisabeth Weed, literary agent, the Book Group "A creative and specific guide for writers, fiction and nonfiction alike—fun, easy to read, covers all the topics we need to think about, and it’s not boring. That’s a gift. A fabulous guide!"—Kaira Rouda, USA Today bestselling author of Best Day Ever Editing your own writing can feel like doing your own brain surgery. After you’ve completed your manuscript and you’re standing at the foot of Revision Mountain, climbing to the summit can feel impossible. It’s hard to look at your own writing with the objective eye needed to shape it into a tight, polished, publishable story—but just like writing, self-editing is a skill you can learn. Developmental editor Tiffany Yates Martin has spent her career in the publishing industry honing practical, actionable techniques to help authors evaluate how well their story is working, where it might not be, and how to fix it. With a clear, accessible, user-friendly approach, she leads writers through every step of deepening and elevating their own work, as well as how to approach the edit and develop their “editor brain,” and how to solicit and process feedback. Intuitive Editing doesn’t offer one-size-fits-all advice or rigid writing “rules”; instead it helps authors discover what works for their story and their style—to find the best version of their vision. Whether you’re writing fiction, narrative nonfiction, or memoir; whether this your first story or your fiftieth, Intuitive Editing will give you the tools you need to edit and revise your own writing with inspiration, motivation, and confidence. In more than 25 years in the publishing industry, developmental book editor Tiffany Yates Martin has worked both with major publishing houses and directly with authors (through her company FoxPrint Editorial), on books by New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling authors and award winners as well as newer writers.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2020
238 people are currently reading
985 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
June 25, 2020
I found this book to be perfect for a "before the writing started," versus after a manuscript made it into the first draft. It worked well to help me outline and develop my characters from the start. I've read many books on craft and always find each of them helpful in their own right. And this was one to have dog-eared pages and highlighted sentences. I'll be using this for the rest of my writing career (and wish I had it sooner!)
July 13, 2020
I read this book after wrapping up a first draft of new novel, but its wisdom is something I will apply to shiny first drafts moving forward, too. That's the beauty of this book - it was written to help writers learn to edit, but everything in here applies to the actual writing phase, as well. Building characters, maintaining tension, how to structure your story--all of it easily explained in a way you can apply to your own story. A must-read for every author!
May 5, 2020
"Tiffany Yates Martin has given an immeasurable gift to writers - expert help on the all-important stage of editing. In a crowded field of craft books, this stands out by digging deep into what happens after the writing. With copious examples of familiar favorites and probing questions that will help a writer take an honest look at their work, Martin's book will be one that you'll want to read and reference again and again. Be prepared to roll up your sleeves! And to be wowed by what is possible."
May 5, 2020
Tiffany Yates Martin is a super successful development editor, so I knew that if she could get a hundredth of what she teaches writers one-on-one into this book, it would be an absolute winner- which it is!
What bothers me the most with some craft books is how they are filled with rules and things not to do. But in focusing there, they avoid the true hard work of explaining how you create a compelling novel. e.g how do you take a protagonist your beta readers are saying is unlikeable and make them relatable? Or take a set of scenes that is moving along, but just ho-hum in terms of the reader being immersed, and make them truly live and feel your characters’ emotions?
What Tiffany teaches is how to critically look at your own work and ask how to let it flower into the beautiful story it can become, using your own intuition. Yes, you can still take a methodological approach to analyzing and revising your story, but most importantly, it starts with a sense of compassion for your own work.
The book walks through how to look at your work one layer at a time, starting with character, stakes and plot, before diving deeper into more micro-level edits involving point of view and pacing, and structure.
The appeal is that Tiffany’s paradigm is different. Her message is to stop being so hard on yourself and thinking about your book or your early work as broken, but instead hone your intuition by looking at other great storytelling, and approach your work one layer at a time, with the love and care it deserves.
Every writer needs this book, and what it teaches. The best craft writing book that's released in years.
What bothers me the most with some craft books is how they are filled with rules and things not to do. But in focusing there, they avoid the true hard work of explaining how you create a compelling novel. e.g how do you take a protagonist your beta readers are saying is unlikeable and make them relatable? Or take a set of scenes that is moving along, but just ho-hum in terms of the reader being immersed, and make them truly live and feel your characters’ emotions?
What Tiffany teaches is how to critically look at your own work and ask how to let it flower into the beautiful story it can become, using your own intuition. Yes, you can still take a methodological approach to analyzing and revising your story, but most importantly, it starts with a sense of compassion for your own work.
The book walks through how to look at your work one layer at a time, starting with character, stakes and plot, before diving deeper into more micro-level edits involving point of view and pacing, and structure.
The appeal is that Tiffany’s paradigm is different. Her message is to stop being so hard on yourself and thinking about your book or your early work as broken, but instead hone your intuition by looking at other great storytelling, and approach your work one layer at a time, with the love and care it deserves.
Every writer needs this book, and what it teaches. The best craft writing book that's released in years.
February 17, 2021
As someone new to the holy-crap-I-actually-wrote-a-book club, I was expecting a book on self editing to be a rigid list of dos and don’ts. This is not that book. What Intuitive Editing does accomplish is giving authors approachable insights to help measure if they’re servicing their story well. Intuitive Editing is an easy read and gives just enough examples without weighing down the flow of information. Tiffany Yates Martin takes the reader through broader scope items such as character, stakes and plot, to more technical subjects such as line editing.
This book would’ve also been a great read before I sat down to write my actual story. I can definitely see myself coming back to reference Intuitive Editing in the future as I begin new projects.
This book would’ve also been a great read before I sat down to write my actual story. I can definitely see myself coming back to reference Intuitive Editing in the future as I begin new projects.
December 20, 2021
A very practical guide, and a book that I'll keep on my shelf so I can refer back to it.
August 21, 2021
This little book was easy to read and had enough helpful things to say that I'm going to keep it on my shelf to refer to. It focuses mostly on the developmental edit, asking foundation questions about your plot, voice, pace, characters, etc., questions most authors ought to ask before/as they write, I think, not afterwards. As such, it really was largely a writing book. I shouldn't be to the editing stage without knowing the different POV options, you know? So it seemed to have a lot of basic information. However, I don't have a lot of writing books yet, so I'll refer back to it to double check and make sure I'm remembering everything I'm supposed to. There was a small bit at the end about line editing and nothing about copyediting except that it exists. The end of the book talked about critique groups, beta readers, and hiring professional editors.
Another thing is that as small as this book was, she kept saying things and pointing to other chapters- "read more about this in the suspense and tension chapter" - and I began to feel like she was taking up too much room being redundant and directing us around the book, which isn't big enough to get lost in.
This book would be most helpful to new authors (like me) and writers who are familiar with enough popular books and movies to internalize all of her examples. (The last is not necessary to understand what she's getting across but would increase your enjoyment of the book.)
Another thing is that as small as this book was, she kept saying things and pointing to other chapters- "read more about this in the suspense and tension chapter" - and I began to feel like she was taking up too much room being redundant and directing us around the book, which isn't big enough to get lost in.
This book would be most helpful to new authors (like me) and writers who are familiar with enough popular books and movies to internalize all of her examples. (The last is not necessary to understand what she's getting across but would increase your enjoyment of the book.)
June 13, 2020
Even though I am not in the editing phase of my current novel, I still found this to be a helpful and encouraging book. I strongly recommend it to anyone who is in the midst of editing, or thinking of writing their own book(s)!
May 4, 2022
One of the best books I've read on editing so far.
A comprehensive guide that's easy to understand, gives some great examples, and offers fantastic advice.
Initially, I listened to this on audiobook, but loved it so much that I bought a hard copy too - it's a brilliant resource and one every writer should have.
A comprehensive guide that's easy to understand, gives some great examples, and offers fantastic advice.
Initially, I listened to this on audiobook, but loved it so much that I bought a hard copy too - it's a brilliant resource and one every writer should have.
May 27, 2021
Tiffany Yates Martin
Intuitive Editing: A Creative & Practical Guide to Revising Your Writing
Start 2021.04.11
End 2021.05.25
Acquired 2021.04.07 Amazon
This is an excellent book for writers who have finished their first manuscript, and want to know “What now?” So much of the literature encourages you to write, write, write, with reckless abandon. But then what? There are other books on various aspects of editing, including a short one that functions more like a list. This book is the best that I have encountered and now is my “go to book” for being serious about editing.
Not only does the author lay out an overall approach to editing (multiple passes), she also breaks down the major components of it, from the macro edits of the “holy trinity” of storytelling: Character, Stakes, and Plot, to the micro edits that strengthen these elements and the overall story, including Suspense and Tension, Point of View, Showing and Telling, Structure, Momentum and Pace, and Voice. She also covers Line Editing and Getting Feedback on one’s manuscript.
Besides the thorough approach to editing, her explanations of the concepts are clear. For example, she explains Momentum and Pace by the statements “both Niagara Falls and the Mississippi River have momentum, but each is moving at very different paces.” She adds, momentum is a function of story, pace is a function of scene.
Often she illustrates concepts through bad and better worded examples.
Her style is engaging and humorous in places.
After reading her book, while I still have to steel myself for editing the 450 page manuscript, at least now I won’t be as clueless as I was when I too asked myself, and many other people, what now!
To the author—THANK YOU.
FB. An excellent, must own book for the first-time writer who, having finished a manuscript, wants to know what editing entails. A thorough and engaging approach to editing, with clear explanations of the concepts and multiple examples. It gave me the courage and confidence to edit a 450-page manuscript.
Intuitive Editing: A Creative & Practical Guide to Revising Your Writing
Start 2021.04.11
End 2021.05.25
Acquired 2021.04.07 Amazon
This is an excellent book for writers who have finished their first manuscript, and want to know “What now?” So much of the literature encourages you to write, write, write, with reckless abandon. But then what? There are other books on various aspects of editing, including a short one that functions more like a list. This book is the best that I have encountered and now is my “go to book” for being serious about editing.
Not only does the author lay out an overall approach to editing (multiple passes), she also breaks down the major components of it, from the macro edits of the “holy trinity” of storytelling: Character, Stakes, and Plot, to the micro edits that strengthen these elements and the overall story, including Suspense and Tension, Point of View, Showing and Telling, Structure, Momentum and Pace, and Voice. She also covers Line Editing and Getting Feedback on one’s manuscript.
Besides the thorough approach to editing, her explanations of the concepts are clear. For example, she explains Momentum and Pace by the statements “both Niagara Falls and the Mississippi River have momentum, but each is moving at very different paces.” She adds, momentum is a function of story, pace is a function of scene.
Often she illustrates concepts through bad and better worded examples.
Her style is engaging and humorous in places.
After reading her book, while I still have to steel myself for editing the 450 page manuscript, at least now I won’t be as clueless as I was when I too asked myself, and many other people, what now!
To the author—THANK YOU.
FB. An excellent, must own book for the first-time writer who, having finished a manuscript, wants to know what editing entails. A thorough and engaging approach to editing, with clear explanations of the concepts and multiple examples. It gave me the courage and confidence to edit a 450-page manuscript.
July 23, 2020
This is like no other book on editing I've ever read, as it gives an author a deeper insight into the editing process. This is not the line by line editing process, but moreover how to approach a first, second and third draft. I enjoyed this book immensely, I highly recommend any author, no matter where you are in your journey to buy this, read it thoroughly, then read it again. There are some great guidelines to make your stories even better.
May 8, 2020
Intuitive Editing is a gift from Tiffany Yates Martin that has endless potential to help writers and editors alike...or anyone who cares about effective storytelling. As a writer, I plan to read this book over and over and over. It’s never going to sit peacefully on the bookshelf. It is full of thoughtful tips and examples that I know will help me improve and develop my craft. As an editor, I’m excited that someone this knowledgeable and passionate has generously shared her wisdom with us about how to approach the all-important task of editing from the “micro” to the “macro.” The book’s organization and style work seamlessly to offer countless useful suggestions and ideas without being preachy, overwhelming, or academic. If you want to dabble in writing, or you’re working on your ninth book already, I swear this funny, caring, intelligent book is going to make you better at what you do.
July 21, 2020
You’re just starting to write, or perhaps you’ve finished the hard work of completing the first draft of your manuscript. Congratulations! Be sure to celebrate. But whether you’re still in the planning stage or have a manuscript in front of you, how do you improve a plot that sort-of works, characters that almost soar, and themes that aren’t quite there yet? This is the challenge that Tiffany Yates Martin addresses in INTUITIVE EDITING. Packed with great tips for identifying and (more importantly) fixing the problems that may lurk in your story, this is a beautifully organized resource that should be on every writer’s shelf. I read it straight through, pausing often to take notes, but I suspect I’ll reach for this book every time I sit down to edit. Reflecting years of editorial experience and packed with wonderful examples, INTUITIVE EDITING needs to be one of your writing references.
August 5, 2020
I want someday to make enough money to have Tiffany Yates Martin edit one of my books. Until then, I'll use this jewel-of-a-tool book to improve my writing and editing.
Her writing is so accessible and so interesting that you forget you are reading it for a purpose, and you just settle into it and enjoy learning. I shook my head at some of my own misconceptions or deficiencies, but I didn't feel bad about it. Instead, I felt as if I were having coffee with a very smart and likeable friend while getting some of the best advice out there.
I ordered the Kindle copy, but I'm also going to order the paperback. This is a book that I will use as a resource to continue to hone my writing and editing skills. I trust both can only get better if I follow her excellent advice.
Her writing is so accessible and so interesting that you forget you are reading it for a purpose, and you just settle into it and enjoy learning. I shook my head at some of my own misconceptions or deficiencies, but I didn't feel bad about it. Instead, I felt as if I were having coffee with a very smart and likeable friend while getting some of the best advice out there.
I ordered the Kindle copy, but I'm also going to order the paperback. This is a book that I will use as a resource to continue to hone my writing and editing skills. I trust both can only get better if I follow her excellent advice.
April 30, 2020
I've never understood how to edit. I just start reading, and more often than not, end up fixing clunky sentences, and never get to the deeper, more important part. Plot holes, cardboard characters, etc.
This book shows you HOW to edit. How to stand back and see your work through objective eyes. How much is that worth?!!! But wait, there's more ;) - I'm just thinking about a new book idea, and reading this book helped me fix problems BEFORE I wrote a word! Wow.
I had an ebook copy, and just bought the paperback, because I want to mark it up, fold pages and use post-it flags!
Seriously. If you're a serious writer, you've got to have this one on your shelf.
This book shows you HOW to edit. How to stand back and see your work through objective eyes. How much is that worth?!!! But wait, there's more ;) - I'm just thinking about a new book idea, and reading this book helped me fix problems BEFORE I wrote a word! Wow.
I had an ebook copy, and just bought the paperback, because I want to mark it up, fold pages and use post-it flags!
Seriously. If you're a serious writer, you've got to have this one on your shelf.
May 5, 2020
Note: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a blurb. All thoughts are my own.
Intuitive Editing takes the daunting task of revising fiction and transforms it into an approachable and (dare I say it?) exciting process. I walked away from this book with a powerful self-editing action plan and newfound confidence in my ability to successfully revise my stories. I'd recommend this gem of a book to any writer eager to overcome the overwhelm of the editing process.
Intuitive Editing takes the daunting task of revising fiction and transforms it into an approachable and (dare I say it?) exciting process. I walked away from this book with a powerful self-editing action plan and newfound confidence in my ability to successfully revise my stories. I'd recommend this gem of a book to any writer eager to overcome the overwhelm of the editing process.
December 13, 2020
Intuitive Editing lays out a plan for revising your rough draft (and subsequent drafts) that starts with macro editing, moves to micro editing, and then to line editing. It's a logical flow. Special attention is paid to developmental editing.
If you buy only one book on editing/revising/rewriting, then this should be it.
If you buy only one book on editing/revising/rewriting, then this should be it.
August 25, 2021
Very interesting read with lots of helpful advice and plenty to think about and return to. Sometimes I felt as though the advice was tailored to particular genres (or, I should say, ignoring particular genres), but I think if one was to dip in and out and take the advice that they felt they needed, this is an excellent resource overall.
July 2, 2020
Fantastic book! My only wish is that it would have been released back in 2012 when I was editing my first book. Tiffany's knowledge and expertise is clear and she conveys it in a way that is easy to understand. The examples she provides are priceless. Highly recommended!
August 1, 2021
This is a fabulous book. It covers all the important bases, from the macro edit all the way down to the minute details. It's arranged in a logical way, uses lots of relevant examples from books and film, and Yates Martin has an engaging voice. For me, the developmental sections were most helpful, but other writers may need the support in other places. I would highly recommend it for all writers - just skim through the parts you don't need as much and highlight effusively in other parts! Also a great choice for public library shelves. I purchased this for my 800s collection.
October 25, 2022
Refreshing.
That's usually not the word I associate with a book on editing. But Intuitive Editing was just that.
I was drawn in by the title, since I wholeheartedly believe intuition is both a writer’s and editor's most important tool. Although the book did not focus entirely on intuition as our guide to editing, it more than kept its promise by delivering a simple yet comprehensive collection of valuable wisdom and insights from the author's vast experience as a dev editor. It is indeed a wonderful resource, one that would be beneficial to have in any library.
That's usually not the word I associate with a book on editing. But Intuitive Editing was just that.
I was drawn in by the title, since I wholeheartedly believe intuition is both a writer’s and editor's most important tool. Although the book did not focus entirely on intuition as our guide to editing, it more than kept its promise by delivering a simple yet comprehensive collection of valuable wisdom and insights from the author's vast experience as a dev editor. It is indeed a wonderful resource, one that would be beneficial to have in any library.
October 6, 2021
Excellent, thorough book on the revision process. Definitely one I will read again.
December 23, 2023
Thorough with many illustrative examples.
June 30, 2024
A lot of good, basic-level information on writing craft - I reccomend this for writers just starting out!
June 23, 2020
Great book that clearly explains all the components of editing your book by breaking it down into small manageable steps . Covers everything you could think of! Bravo!
December 13, 2024
A very well done book. The author keeps readers engaged with excellent organization, pertinent examples, and a bright, casual, don’t-take-yourself-too-seriously tone. Very informative. As a nonfiction editor, I learned a lot about storytelling.
May 20, 2021
Despite being predominantly about fiction editing, this book was pretty much everything I was hoping for when I picked up Copyediting for Dummies: easy to read, accessible and actually up to date.
Fiction editing is something I've always wanted to try my hand at, but never known where to start. And if nothing else, this book has reinforced my desire to upskill in this area (rather than just focusing on non-fiction, which is what I've mostly done so far). Reading it has also made me slightly squirmy about the mistakes I've made in the one fiction copyedit I've done in the past. At least I'll know better for next time!
On top of that element, reading Intuitive Editing has given me some really great ideas for what I want the book I'm looking at writing - about non-fiction self-editing - to be. And you can believe that I'll be citing Ms Yates Martin in several places if/when I write mine because she has some really useful, practical information in here for all writers - especially in the last third of the book.
Outside of what I've found personally useful in the book, I also very much enjoyed the writing style - it's fun, engaging, and full of example references to books and movies I've actually heard of. (OK, not all of them - but many).
Overall, a practical, enjoyable read, and I'll be keeping an eye out for other books by this author.
Fiction editing is something I've always wanted to try my hand at, but never known where to start. And if nothing else, this book has reinforced my desire to upskill in this area (rather than just focusing on non-fiction, which is what I've mostly done so far). Reading it has also made me slightly squirmy about the mistakes I've made in the one fiction copyedit I've done in the past. At least I'll know better for next time!
On top of that element, reading Intuitive Editing has given me some really great ideas for what I want the book I'm looking at writing - about non-fiction self-editing - to be. And you can believe that I'll be citing Ms Yates Martin in several places if/when I write mine because she has some really useful, practical information in here for all writers - especially in the last third of the book.
Outside of what I've found personally useful in the book, I also very much enjoyed the writing style - it's fun, engaging, and full of example references to books and movies I've actually heard of. (OK, not all of them - but many).
Overall, a practical, enjoyable read, and I'll be keeping an eye out for other books by this author.
January 21, 2022
Writers at every level will find gems upon gems in this book.
June 13, 2020
Another solid craft book for when you've finished a decent first draft and are ready to move your writing to the next level. Read it, follow its advice, and improve your writing.
July 19, 2020
A very comprehensive guide of what to tackle while revising and how to go about it. I loved how she divides each section, going from the major elements to revise (plot, stakes, setting) to micro edits like voice, show and tell, POV, etc. to the last step of line editing. Yates Martin explains how these elements should work and how to find what is lacking in your manuscript and how to fix them.
I recommend this book for any writer, at any stage. I knew most of what is discussed but having it all in a step-by-step format really helps make revising a novel much more streamlined. It also helps to make sure you cover all your bases and not miss anything. If you buy only one writing craft book, buy this one.
I recommend this book for any writer, at any stage. I knew most of what is discussed but having it all in a step-by-step format really helps make revising a novel much more streamlined. It also helps to make sure you cover all your bases and not miss anything. If you buy only one writing craft book, buy this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews