Kitty’s post sent me to my bookshelf looking for books on revision. The one I searched for had some good information. The one I found was even better.
”Getting the Words Right: How to Revise, Edit and Rewrite,” by Theodore A. Rees Cheney is an old book, copyright 1983. (It appears he released a newer version in 1990 and again,with a slightly different subtitle, in 2005.) As I scanned this book, I discovered a treasure written in an easy conversational style and overflowing with information sure to refine and polish my writing.
According to Cheney, there are three ways to revise: reduce, rethink and rearrange, and reword.
- Reduce
- Stand back from the manuscript and look objectively at the major chunks. Do they all belong?
- Move in a little closer. Are there paragraphs or sentences the manuscript could live without?
- Lean over the pages still closer. Are there idle, cluttering phrases or words.
- Finally, get out your magnifying glass. Could shorter words express the thought as clearly? Could some words be shortened, even by a letter? Would contractions here and there be appropriate to the tone?
- Rethink and Rearrange
- Create unity
- Concentrate on one subject and avoid digressions
- Keep episodes unified
- Keep a consistent point of view
- Keep verb tenses consistent
- Create cohesion
- Organize according to a logic
- Use parallel structure
- Establish coherent beginnings
- Create emphasis.
- Put the right parts into right proportions
- Put important things anywhere but the middle
- Use careful word choice
- Reword
- Develop and recognize your own style
- Use effective repetition of words, phrases, sounds and ideas
- Limit modifiers
- Keep verbs active
- Appeal to senses
These are just a few of Cheney’s suggestions. He explains in simple terms, gives examples and provides lists of alternate words and phrases. His before and after examples are especially helpful, illustrating and giving substance to his suggestions. This book is a treasure chest of information. No wonder I still have it.
What treasures do you have on your bookshelf?
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3 users responded in this post
45 Master Characters is a book I go to over and over again. I think I use it more than any other writing book I own.
Long-time favs on my bookshelf are: Techniques of the Selling Writer (Dwight Swain) and How to Write a Damn Good Novel (James N. Frey).
Jeanne, I have both of those and you are right, they are great resources. Stormy, I don’t have 45 Master Characters, but I have read it. It is very useful. It’s in my local library, so when I want it, I go check it out. If I don’t curb my book-buying, we’d have no room to walk.
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