The Fiction Writer's Handbook: 10 Minute Edits

By Dennis Hays

The Fiction Writer’s Handbook is not another grammar book, as if we need any more of them. This is the only book addressing overlooked writing problems which are killers when you seek publication and sales. Taking the time to fix these issues will make you a stronger writer. There is no sure formula to becoming successful. There are, however, many editing problems you can address to increase your success. If you're a self-publisher, The Fiction Writer's Handbook: 10 Minute Edits is a must-have item in your toolbox. Use it before you publish to polish your book and make shine.

Some of the issues addressed in this book are dialog, overused words, adding texture, information overload, using contractions, parallel construction, and more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dennis Hays
• Release date: Nov 12, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370920846

Dennis Hays

Dennis Hays lives in upstate New York, USA, where he hides himself from his family, two dogs and five cats, and pounds on a keyboard to try and make sense of the words and images in his head. Writing, he says, is an invisible performance art. He considers himself to be a renaissance man, stuck in time, working with various media, including photography, to express himself. While most of his books and short stories are contemporary romance, he is secretly working on other genres in his underground lair.Above this lair, he lives with his wife and various furry friends. As he is a reverse snow bird from Florida, Dennis relishes the four season climate, but hates cleaning the snow off his car in the winter.

Book preview

The Fiction Writer’s Handbook:

10 Minute Edits

By

Dennis Hays

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2017 by Dennis Hays. All Rights Reserved.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with someone, please purchase an additional copy. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite eBook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover designed by Dennis Hays

Dennis Hays

Visit my website at www.HaysDesign.com

Table of Contents

This is a Dynamic Book

Why?

On Publishing

The Tools of the Trade

It’s the Story!

Story Beats

Creating Tension and Release

Dialog Part 1: Emotional Tags

Dialog Part 2: Dialog for Two

Dialog Part 3: Using Character Names Within the Dialog

Dialog Part 4: Contractions

Painting Characters

Three Words: Really, Very, and [Modifier]-Unique

Three More Words: That, Had, and Just

Bridging the Gap

How Do You Feel?

Unwanted Repetition and Parallel Construction

Seem to Seem-Less

Information Overload – Heavy Narrative

Let’s Begin

Sells, Colors, and Textures

I Ain’t Got Nobody

Writing the Ending

Never say never, and always avoid always.

[Anne P. Hays, my mother]

When I was in college, my mother sometimes sent back letters I wrote to her edited in red ink. And on another occasion, Mom complained I haven’t written her in a long time and pleaded with me to drop her a line. I did. I sent her a blank sheet of paper with a line drawn down the middle.

My love for the written word comes from this woman, who taught me to read when I was four years old; she was my first English teacher.

This is a Dynamic Book

If you send me your name and email address, I’ll keep you on my list of those to receive free updates to The Fiction Writer’s Handbook. Your information will never leave my control, and I promise it won’t become a source for SPAM. Believe me, I hate SPAM as much or more than you.

To add a little drama and try and thwart giving away free copies of this book, send your name and email address to [e-mail]. Include the last word in the second paragraph under the topic Bridging the Gap.

If you do this, not only will I send you updates, but I will also send a PDF copy of the book formatted for printing on letter-size paper. Whenever I make a change, I’ll send you an updated PDF file.

When there are updates, I’ll send them no more often than once per calendar quarter. And if you want to download an updated electronic copy, please let me know the format (Amazon Kindle, Kobo, etc.) for your electronic reader and I’ll ensure you get a fresh copy.

Why?

Years ago, I smiled and pounded my fist in the air when I got my first book contract. My editor challenged me every step of the way until we deemed the book finished, and then I waited for it to be published. However, my dreams were dashed when the publisher folded. With a little effort, I contacted a few authors, and eventually one of them sent me a lead to another publisher.

I have since written a few books and many short stories, collaborating with editors of varying abilities. While working on one of my novels, the owner of the publishing company asked if I would freelance edit for them. I agreed and between then and now, learned more about fiction writing than I expected. Throughout my freelance editing, I collected some common errors, which is what I used as the basis for The Fiction Writer’s Handbook.

Writing