How to Subdue and Properly Use your Editor

The 10% Solution –by Ken Rand  (Self-editing for the Modern Writer)

Nonfiction

95 pages

Footnotes/Endnotes: No

Illustrations: No

Suitable for eReaders: Yes

If you are a writer, you need this book. You need to read it, and read it again, and probably again through the years. It belongs on your desk, within arm's reach.

Do you know a writer? Buy them this book!

The most difficult thing for a writer to do is write and turn off her editor. The editor is loud, obnoxious, and says, "Me, me, me" until the writer agrees to let the editor play. The editor must be told, with great firmness, that he can play when the writer is finished. Rand explains how to do that.

He also explains, in very easy steps, how to edit your own manuscript. I've known about cutting 10% for years, but he shows the how, as well as explains the why, to get it done.

This is not the end-all be-all 'How To' book for writers, but it is an important book to have in one's library. Actually, it should be on a writer's desk, right next to her copy of Stunk & White's The Elements of Style.

I've known for years this book existed, and I'm sorry I didn't get my copy sooner.

I would write more, but I have a story I need to edit....

Write Fast, Not Good

From Idea to Story in 90 Seconds: A Writer's Primer –by Ken Rand

Nonfiction

89 Pages

Footnotes/Endnotes: No

Illustrations: No

Suitable for eReaders: Yes (but harder to use a pen for margin notes or a highlighter;-)

Rainy Day attended a writer's conference a while back, and noted there were several books on the Door Prize Table, a couple of which she really, really wanted. Well, her name was called first, and she thought she would get to pick her book, ohboyohboyohboy, was she ever excited. She got up to the table to claim her prize and was handed From Idea to Story in 90 Seconds: A Writer's Primer. Not, she hastens to tell you, one of the books she had her eye on!

However, Rainy Day spent time, several years ago, doing volunteer work with Shanti, and one of the things they emphasized was to 'trust the system' so she decided to trust the system, and excitedly accepted her book, put it in her purse, and forgot about it. (She has a big, black purse, and the book is small, dark, and slender – easily lost in the cavernous bag;-)

The other day, she found the book, while waiting for the Dentist to call her. And she started reading it. She was not happy at the interruption of her reading. She had trusted the system, and discovered somewhat belatedly, she got the bestest book on the table. She doesn't even remember the ones she thought she really, really wanted.

This is a 'how to' book every Writer and Wannabee Writer should have on their desk. Not their bookshelf, unless the bookshelf is within reaching distance of their chair. Ken Rand is a writer who presents his theories, practices, and ideas in a humorous and accessible way.

Where do you get your story ideas? Try the grocery store. At one end find your antagonist, at the other end your protagonist. (Grocery shopping for Rainy Day may never be the same again, she might actually enjoy it a tad, now;-)

Got Writer's Block? The solution is on pages 42 and 43.

Want to write with a partner? There are some things you really need to know, and Ken Rand tells you how -- or expect failure. (It's a Right Brain/Left Brain thing times two.)

If you are an established author or a beginning writer, this is a book that should be in your library. Trust Rainy Day on this one! Buy this book. Read it. Write!