The 10% Solution

Description

Originally published in 1998 as a saddle-stapled chapbook, this edition is a MUST for fans of Ken Rand's amazing reference book on self-editing. With exciting new cover art and expanded references, it is not to be missed.**Review"Pay scrupulous attention . . . The guy knows what he's talking about. If you're a long-time successful writer, pick this up as your refresher course. If you're an ambitious novice, consider this your bible." --Edward Bryant, author of Cinnabar"This is the best tool for writers that I've seen in many, many years . . . Ken Rand's twenty-five years of writing experience have produced a book that every writer needs." --Jack Cady, author of The Jonah Watch"A succinct book packed with the kind of useful information it generally takes struggling writers years to learn on their own . . . Kudos to Ken Rand for putting his own advice into practice and offering to give others the benefit of his hard-earned knowledge." --Tom Piccirilli, author of The Last Kind Words"Ken Rand's short, no-nonsense approach to editing your own work, properly applied, will do more to make your writing appear professional than anything I've seen like it." --James Van Pelt, author of The Summer of the Apocalypse"Think of [The 10% Solution] as a lint-brush, something that tidies things up and makes sure every sentence that you're sending out into the world to represent you is doing so beautifully." --Cat Rambo, author of Beasts of Tabat"In my opinion, this book belongs on the shelves of every serious writer out there. " --Dean Wesley Smith, author of Writing into the DarkFrom the AuthorSince The Ten Percent Solution: Self-editing for the Modern Writer came out at World Fantasy Convention in Monterey, Calif., in Oct. 1998, many writers have commented to me on the book. For example: -- Poet Bill Ransom says poets understand that syllables are the basic component of rhythm, of sound. Syllables form the foundation of language--and The Ten Percent Solution. -- Novelist Kevin J. Anderson noted his own pet peeves on the passive voice which should have been included in the book. -- One writer who bought the book noted "writer's block is a thing of the past." This writer credits the book with helping him write 1,000 words an hour. -- Despite efforts by editor Patrick Swenson and myself to carefully edit this book about self-editing, a typo got in. Good. It helps illustrate a point about the methodical technique central to The Ten Percent Solution. -- Readers have mentioned how-to books that echo The Ten Percent Solution. However useful, many of those books could have benefited from the Ten Percent techniques. For example, Peter Elbow's Writing With Power has it right but takes too long to say so. In developing The Ten Percent Solution, I've offered almost 30 years experience as a writer, editor, PR flack and so on to writers who want to write better. My other reason for writing the book: to learn from readers. School is never out. I invite reader comments and critiques--not only to help make a better second edition (if sales merit one!), but to help me learn how to use my own technique better. If you have comments or suggestions, contact me at [email protected].