Write well. Write often. Edit wisely.
The blog has seen a lot of visitors and new subscribers since the print version of The Magic of Fiction was published two years ago, so I thought it time to let new blog readers know more about this fiction resource.
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Writer or editor, if you’re looking for a comprehensive reference book on fiction, The Magic of Fiction is for you. Whether you’re just starting your first manuscript or you’re ready to rewrite and edit, this book has what you need to put a piece of long fiction together and refine it.
In it, you’ll find information on point of view, narrative tense, plot, setting, characters, conflict, dialogue, and the other fiction elements.
The book provides tip after tip for rewriting and editing, necessities whether you plan to self-publish or intend to pursue a traditional path to publication through an agent or publisher.
There are do’s* and don’ts, practical fixes, lots of checklists, and loads of examples.
And there’s an expanded version of Punctuation in Dialogue, the most accessed article here at the Editor’s Blog.
I’m not impartial. I wrote the book, so I think it’s a good one. A necessary one. But the point isn’t that I wrote it but that I wrote it with fiction writers and editors—with their needs—in mind. A whole lot goes into a novel, into writing of any kind. But with practice, knowledge, and help, you’ll be able to rework shaky areas and head off problems before they become hopelessly entangled in your stories. My intention is for this book to become one of your go-to sources for some of that knowledge and help.
My intent is to help you become a stronger writer and editor.
Check out The Magic of Fiction, the comprehensive guide to writing and editing fiction.
A Few Excerpts
Setting Sets Your Stories Apart
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Available at Amazon and other booksellers worldwide.
*Using do’s rather than dos is a style choice.
Tags: Magic of Fiction, reference book Posted in: Books, How to
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Copyright © 2010-2018 E. A. Hill Visit Beth at A Novel Edit
Write well. Write often. Edit wisely.
An excellent resource from an editing maven. Truly.
Thanks for saying so, John.
This is truly a great book!!! I’m a user…and it’s getting worn. But it’s oh so helpful for the new novel writer. I’m on the Beth recommended ‘read it out loud’ stage edit, and it’s so valuable to pick up the flaws.
Thanks again and again for this resource.
Carolyn, I’m both dismayed and delighted that the book is getting worn. That’s a great recommendation.
Reading aloud can be difficult—do you have an audience to read to? That can help. Or you can practice for recording the audio version and go over the top with the drama, have a little fun with it. 🙂
As soon as I saw the asterisk near “do’s” I started to laugh. I’m sure if you hadn’t added that, you’d have all kinds of comments from people correcting you.
Thank you in advance for what sounds like a wonderful book I’ll be adding to my editing resource collection! I strive to give solid advice while editing, and am always on the lookout for books geared toward both writer & editor.
Yes, might as well head off possible confusion. I even included do’s and don’ts in my style sheet in the back of the book.
I hope the book proves useful for you and the writers you advise. And a thank-you back to you for adding it to your resource collection.