Writing It Right! - Book Review

So, you've written a book, huh? You've polished that manuscript, perhaps you even forced Spell Check on it. Think it's ready to mail to a potential editor?

Think again.

More than likely, that story you've labored over needs a revision. Maybe two. Possibly even a third.

Writing It Right! - How Successful Children's Authors Revise and Sell Their Stories by Sandy Asher is a must-have reference book for any writer seeking publication. These 400+ pages are jam packed with example after example of draft to finished product.

Asher invites readers to jump in and join 20 authors, including Asher, as they work through the revision process. The premise is simple: Asher analyzes each story in three ways - before and after, line-edits, and extended visit.

But Asher takes the revision process one more step and points out nine questions to consider during revision. Each question pertains to story or character development. Trust me, these questions wouldn't need be limited to only children's' authors. No, these nine questions would provide valuable insight into work from any genre.

Asher breaks down examples into picture books, short stories, books for younger readers, and books for older readers. In each chapter, each story is introduced, a target audience listed, a brief story synopsis follows, along with author background material and the author's view of the revisions.

Then readers are shown the initial draft, highlighted with editorial notes. One or more drafts follow, including application of the nine questions. Finally, the published version is shown.

What works in Writing It Right! ? Everything!

The combination of editorial expertise and author perspective about the revision process make this a powerful resource for author's seeking to market their work.

Review by LuAnn Schindler. Read more of LuAnn's work at http://luannschindler.com.