Manuscript makeover : revision techniques no fiction writer can afford to ignore

395 Pages·2008·1.48 MB·English

by  Lyon

Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Epigraph
INTRODUCTION
PART ONE - Style Speaks
CHAPTER ONE - Inside-Out: The Voice of Style
CHAPTER TWO - Outside-In: Simple Revisions for Style
CHAPTER THREE - Outside-In: Advanced Revisions for Style
PART TWO - Craft Works
CHAPTER FOUR - Revise for Genre
CHAPTER FIVE - Whole Book: Five-Stage Structure
CHAPTER SIX - Whole Book: Journeys and Less Common Structures
CHAPTER SEVEN - Movement and Suspense
CHAPTER EIGHT - Time and Pace
PART THREE - Characterization Endures
CHAPTER NINE - Viewpoint
CHAPTER TEN - Character Dimension and Theme
CHAPTER ELEVEN - Character-Driven Beginnings
CHAPTER TWELVE - Character-Driven Scenes and Suspense
CHAPTER THIRTEEN - Character Personality and Voice
CHAPTER FOURTEEN - Character-Driven Narration
PART FOUR - Marketing Pays
CHAPTER FIFTEEN - Copyediting
CHAPTER SIXTEEN - Query Letters and Synopses: Polishing for Marketing
Acknowledgements
Index
About the Author
Praise for Elizabeth Lyon
Manuscript Makeover
“Whether you’re learning the craft, revising your manuscript, or looking to
position it for the best chance of getting published, read Elizabeth Lyon.
Manuscript Makeover maps out exactly how to revise and rewrite. A Writer’s
Guide to Fiction provides practical tips to bring your characters to life and to
improve your plot, and The Sell Your Novel Tool Kit is the best book I’ve ever
read on how to write a query letter and synopsis that will get an agent and an
editor’s attention. I wouldn’t be published without either book.”
—Robert Dugoni, author of New York Times bestseller The Jury Master and
Damage Control
“In her new book, Manuscript Makeover, Elizabeth Lyon makes excellent use of
her years as a book editor. Any writer is sure to take away some inspiring
anecdote or advice that will make their writing go where it could not before.”
—Kathy Hepinstall, bestselling author of The House of Gentle Men and
Absence of Nectar
“Elizabeth Lyon is a writer’s best friend. With masterful clarity and gentle
humor she coaches us through the full range of techniques (from liberating our
voice to producing a presentable product) that will improve and enhance our
manuscripts and make us better at what we do. Manuscript Makeover is a must.”
—Barbara Corrado Pope, author of Cézanne’s Quarry
“With Manuscript Makeover, Elizabeth Lyon converts the complex process of
revision into a step-by-step method of upgrading your plot, style, and characters.
The book answers the daunting question of ‘Where do I begin?’ and is loaded
with simple revision techniques any writer, at any level, can use to craft a better
novel.”
—Carolyn Rose, author of the Casey Brandt series “From overhauling
structure to deepening characters, fine-tuning imagery, mastering mechanics,
and setting your style apart—Manuscript Makeover does it all. This is the one
book on revision every writer should own.”
—Mike Nettleton, coauthor of The Hard Karma Shuffle
A Writer’s Guide to Fiction
“A Writer’s Guide to Fiction is a terrific resource for authors; positive in tone
(very important to aspiring writers), well organized (a critical point for both
authors and the librarians who are often called upon to advise them in these
matters), and concise.”
—Jayne Ann Krentz “A must-read for anyone about to embark on fiction
writing or anyone enjoying a writing career. As agents, we are recommending all
our clients read it either as an inspiration or as a valuable refresher course. Lyon
never talks down to the writer but simply puts up clean, clear signposts to follow
the fiction rules of the road. Highly recommended.”
—Anna Cottle and Mary Alice Kier, Cine/Lit Representation, literary
agency and media consultants “A superb introduction to the basics. Don’t start
your novel without it.”
—Donald Maass, literary agent and author of Writing the Breakout Novel
“A detailed, confident, no-nonsense guide for the serious fiction writer . . .
Highly recommended.”
—Library Journal
The Sell Your Novel Tool Kit
“If you’re serious about selling your novel, Elizabeth Lyon is here to coach you
with the skills, the inside information, and the inspiration you’ll need.”
—Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club and Diary
“Every novelist . . . should own this gem.”
—Kathleen Dougherty, novelist and editorial associate for Writer’s Digest
School “Elizabeth Lyon has written a masterly work that belongs on any writer’s
bookshelf.”
—Jean Naggar, literary agent “[Not] just another how-to puff, this is an
operations plan. Read it.”
—Donald E. McQuinn, author of eight novels “A pragmatic marketing guide
written for and about real writers in the trenches. It’s like having a five-star
general drop into your foxhole not only to show you a map of the entire
battlefield, but to give you tips on marksmanship and battlefield survival.”
—M. K. Wren, author of eight Conan Flagg mysteries “Here’s the work
writers must research before they approach me or any agent. This will be
required reading for any potential client.”
—Denise Marcil, literary agent “Throw away all of your other how-to books;
The Sell Your Novel Tool Kit is the only book you’ll need to break into print. My
dog-eared first edition helped me draft a query that landed an agent, which
ultimately resulted in a three-book, six-figure deal.”
—J. A. Konrath, author of Whiskey Sour
A Writer’s Guide to Nonfiction
“In [Lyon’s] confident, optimistic writing primer, the first in the Writer’s
Compass series, she shows would-be authors how to find their area of expertise
and turn it into an article, essay, or even a book . . . Lyon crafts a detailed and
practical course for the nonfiction novice. This detailed and practical guide may
not guarantee writing hopefuls a book deal, but it distinguishes itself from other
writing how-tos by its concrete and economical advice.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Readers interested in the practicalities of publishing and marketing their work
will find [A Writer’s Guide to Nonfiction] useful.”
—Library Journal
Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write
“The perfect tool with which to create a successful book proposal.”
—Mary Alice Kier and Anna Cottle, Cine/Lit Representation, literary
agency and media consultants “Elizabeth Lyon knows book proposals the way
a surgeon knows anatomy.”
—Gary Provost, author of twenty-two books including 100 Ways to Improve
Your Writing
A PERIGEE BOOK
Published by the Penguin Group
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Ltd.) Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank,
Johannesburg 2196, South Africa Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80
Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England While the author has made every effort to
provide accurate telephone numbers and Internet addresses at the time of
publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for
errors, or for changes that occur after publication. Further, the publisher does not
have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-
party websites or their content.
Copyright © 2008 by Elizabeth Lyon
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or
electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage
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PERIGEE is a registered trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Lyon, Elizabeth, 1950-
eISBN : 978-0-399-53395-2
1. Editing. 2. Fiction—Technique. I. Title.
PN162.L96 2008
808.3—dc22 2007046161
808.3—dc22 2007046161
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Special Markets, Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York,
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Dedicated to my beloved and amazing family:
Ella, Don, and Jim Redditt
Louis, Chris, and Elaine Lyon