Reading Journal – Self-Editing for Fiction Writers

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers

Renni Browne and Dave King

2^nd Edition, paperback

Instructional books that feature tools and techniques to improve the way you write are necessary additions to your bookshelf. This text has several modes of usefulness: (1) Read the book cover-to-cover and think about how many of the tools and techniques can be applied to your work; (2) Do the end-of-chapter exercises 1-2 hours per week and get used to using the tools and techniques; and (3) Use it as a reference when you are stuck.

These instructions will not immediately take your writing to the next level. There are two ways you can use the text to change the way you write – either slow the pace of your writing and learn to use the tools as you go, getting faster with practice; or use it as a revision tool, do the exercises and let the techniques become habit over time. Frankly, I already overthink my writing to the point of compulsive overediting. I need to write my first draft at top speed with no thought of readers or polish. I need to save that for the second or subsequent drafts.

Most of the excellent advice from Browne and King can be summarized in the acronym they provided. RUE = Resist the Urge to Explain. Convert some, but not all, narrative summary into scenes. Allow readers to interpret characters gradually through their actions. Develop characters through use of (1) other characters' viewpoints, (2) dialogues, (3) beats, and (4) character's worldview. Backgrounds and societies count as characters, so the same advice applies. Be aware of proportion and show more of what is important to the story, less of pet interests. Never explain dialogue. Convey information through dialogue by showing a character's background through word choice, cadence, and grammar. Misdirection (through characters lying, hedging, disagreeing, and misunderstanding each other) moves plot without explanation. Interior monologue is a way to tell the reader what this character would never say and beats are pieces of action that show aspects of the character they may not know they have. Use both sparingly. Eliminate repetition wherever possible.

There is good advice on every page. Browne and King use examples of what works and what doesn't. The cartoons in each chapter are funny and provide a shift in perspective that reminds us not to take ourselves so seriously.

I highly recommend this text to anyone with an interest in how fiction writing works.