Writing Worth Reading
Writing Worth Reading
“This is a text book really that’s been around for donkey’s years but it’s extremely practical and absolutely packed with good advice. It’s a very positive approach to revision.”
And now to your last book, “Rewriting: A Creative Approach to Writing Fiction”.
This is a text book really that’s been around for donkey’s years but its extremely useful and absolutely packed with good advice on things such as effective openings, the teaser and the grabber, saying: ‘You have to interest readers to propel them out of the opening.’
There’s a paragraph here I think is very important: ‘You have finished the first draft, it's a mess you know but that’s ok and there it sits. Maybe you put it aside for a few days or weeks or months. Now you can approach it with fresher, more objective eyes.’ It is vital to do this, I heartily recommend it. While it is important not to immediately go through it again, I don’t believe you should leave it too long because you can lose your connection with it. Leaving some time before revising means you can get ideas for your work that you wouldn’t have had before.
It’s a very positive approach to revision because some people hate revision. Actually, I’ve learnt to love it.
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A journalist for more than 25 years, Jane Bidder writes fiction under the pen-name Sophie King. She is a frequent contributor to national British newspapers and magazines, including the Times and Good Housekeeping, and has authored a number of non-fiction books. She teaches creative writing at Oxford University, is writer-in-residence at a high-security prison and has recently published her fifth novel, “The Wedding Party”. Today she recommends the best books for aspiring writers.
