books on editing a novel

One of the best is 'Self - Editing for Fiction Writers' by Renni Browne and Dave King. It offers practical advice on various aspects of fiction editing.

One of the great books is 'Self - Editing for Fiction Writers' by Renni Browne and Dave King. It offers practical advice on various aspects like dialogue, point of view, etc.

Sure. 'A Writer's Reference' by William Strunk Jr. It has a lot of grammar and usage rules that are essential for editing. Another is 'Writing Fiction for Dummies' which also has some good pointers on making your novel better during the editing phase. 'Plot & Structure' by James Scott Bell can be very helpful when you're looking at the overall structure of your novel while editing.

Well, 'Bird by Bird' by Anne Lamott is quite useful. It gives insights into the writing process which can be applied to editing as well. It helps you break down the huge task of working on a novel. 'Writing Tools' by Roy Peter Clark is also a good choice. It has 50 strategies for every writer, and many of these are directly applicable to novel editing, like how to tighten up your prose. And don't forget 'Stein on Writing' by Sol Stein, which offers comprehensive guidance on making your writing shine, especially useful for novel editing.

'The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers' by John Gardner can also be useful. It delves into the elements of writing a novel, which is closely related to editing as it helps you understand how to shape your work better. It covers things like character development, plot structure, and the use of language in a way that can inform your editing process.

'Editing Fiction: A Practical Guide to Making Your Novel the Best It Can Be' is a great resource. It covers all the bases from grammar and punctuation to more complex aspects like plot holes and character arcs.", "Answer2":: " 'Revision and Self - Editing' by James Scott Bell. This book is full of useful tips. For instance, it helps you to look at your novel from a fresh perspective and figure out what needs to be cut, added or changed. It's really practical for those who want to polish their novels.

Reading books before editing a novel can expand your vocabulary. You can pick up new words and expressions that might be useful in making your novel more vivid and engaging.

One of the best is 'Self - Editing for Fiction Writers' by Renni Browne and Dave King. It covers crucial aspects like dialogue, point of view, etc. Another great one is 'The Art of Fiction' by John Gardner, which offers in - depth insights into the elements of fictional writing and how to edit them effectively. Also, 'How to Write a Damn Good Novel' by James N. Frey has valuable tips on shaping and editing your fiction.

Character development is another key point. Books on editing a novel will teach you how to make your characters more believable and engaging. You might learn how to give them distinct voices and personalities through their actions and dialogue. Also, plot structure is important. They can show you how to build a strong plot, with a clear beginning, middle, and end, and how to create tension and conflict at the right points to keep the reader interested. And finally, they usually touch on style and voice. This helps you find the right tone for your novel, whether it's serious, humorous, or something in between.

Sure. 'The Art of Fiction' by John Gardner is a wonderful novel editing book. It covers many important aspects like creating believable characters and building engaging plots.