Table of Contents Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Epigraph INTRODUCTION PART ONE - Style Speaks CHAPTER ONE - Inside-Out: The Voice of Style CHAPTER TWO - Outside-In: Simple Revisions for Style CHAPTER THREE - Outside-In: Advanced Revisions for Style PART TWO - Craft Works CHAPTER FOUR - Revise for Genre CHAPTER FIVE - Whole Book: Five-Stage Structure CHAPTER SIX - Whole Book: Journeys and Less Common Structures CHAPTER SEVEN - Movement and Suspense CHAPTER EIGHT - Time and Pace PART THREE - Characterization Endures CHAPTER NINE - Viewpoint CHAPTER TEN - Character Dimension and Theme CHAPTER ELEVEN - Character-Driven Beginnings CHAPTER TWELVE - Character-Driven Scenes and Suspense CHAPTER THIRTEEN - Character Personality and Voice CHAPTER FOURTEEN - Character-Driven Narration PART FOUR - Marketing Pays CHAPTER FIFTEEN - Copyediting CHAPTER SIXTEEN - Query Letters and Synopses: Polishing for Marketing Acknowledgements Index About the Author Praise for Elizabeth Lyon Manuscript Makeover “Whether you’re learning the craft, revising your manuscript, or looking to position it for the best chance of getting published, read Elizabeth Lyon. Manuscript Makeover maps out exactly how to revise and rewrite. A Writer’s Guide to Fiction provides practical tips to bring your characters to life and to improve your plot, and The Sell Your Novel Tool Kit is the best book I’ve ever read on how to write a query letter and synopsis that will get an agent and an editor’s attention. I wouldn’t be published without either book.” —Robert Dugoni, author of New York Times bestseller The Jury Master and Damage Control “In her new book, Manuscript Makeover, Elizabeth Lyon makes excellent use of her years as a book editor. Any writer is sure to take away some inspiring anecdote or advice that will make their writing go where it could not before.” —Kathy Hepinstall, bestselling author of The House of Gentle Men and Absence of Nectar “Elizabeth Lyon is a writer’s best friend. With masterful clarity and gentle humor she coaches us through the full range of techniques (from liberating our voice to producing a presentable product) that will improve and enhance our manuscripts and make us better at what we do. Manuscript Makeover is a must.” —Barbara Corrado Pope, author of Cézanne’s Quarry “With Manuscript Makeover, Elizabeth Lyon converts the complex process of revision into a step-by-step method of upgrading your plot, style, and characters. The book answers the daunting question of ‘Where do I begin?’ and is loaded with simple revision techniques any writer, at any level, can use to craft a better novel.” —Carolyn Rose, author of the Casey Brandt series “From overhauling structure to deepening characters, fine-tuning imagery, mastering mechanics, and setting your style apart—Manuscript Makeover does it all. This is the one book on revision every writer should own.” —Mike Nettleton, coauthor of The Hard Karma Shuffle A Writer’s Guide to Fiction “A Writer’s Guide to Fiction is a terrific resource for authors; positive in tone (very important to aspiring writers), well organized (a critical point for both authors and the librarians who are often called upon to advise them in these matters), and concise.” —Jayne Ann Krentz “A must-read for anyone about to embark on fiction writing or anyone enjoying a writing career. As agents, we are recommending all our clients read it either as an inspiration or as a valuable refresher course. Lyon never talks down to the writer but simply puts up clean, clear signposts to follow the fiction rules of the road. Highly recommended.” —Anna Cottle and Mary Alice Kier, Cine/Lit Representation, literary agency and media consultants “A superb introduction to the basics. Don’t start your novel without it.” —Donald Maass, literary agent and author of Writing the Breakout Novel “A detailed, confident, no-nonsense guide for the serious fiction writer . . . Highly recommended.” —Library Journal The Sell Your Novel Tool Kit “If you’re serious about selling your novel, Elizabeth Lyon is here to coach you with the skills, the inside information, and the inspiration you’ll need.” —Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club and Diary “Every novelist . . . should own this gem.” —Kathleen Dougherty, novelist and editorial associate for Writer’s Digest School “Elizabeth Lyon has written a masterly work that belongs on any writer’s bookshelf.” —Jean Naggar, literary agent “[Not] just another how-to puff, this is an operations plan. Read it.” —Donald E. McQuinn, author of eight novels “A pragmatic marketing guide written for and about real writers in the trenches. It’s like having a five-star general drop into your foxhole not only to show you a map of the entire battlefield, but to give you tips on marksmanship and battlefield survival.” —M. K. Wren, author of eight Conan Flagg mysteries “Here’s the work writers must research before they approach me or any agent. This will be required reading for any potential client.” —Denise Marcil, literary agent “Throw away all of your other how-to books; The Sell Your Novel Tool Kit is the only book you’ll need to break into print. My dog-eared first edition helped me draft a query that landed an agent, which ultimately resulted in a three-book, six-figure deal.” —J. A. Konrath, author of Whiskey Sour A Writer’s Guide to Nonfiction “In [Lyon’s] confident, optimistic writing primer, the first in the Writer’s Compass series, she shows would-be authors how to find their area of expertise and turn it into an article, essay, or even a book . . . Lyon crafts a detailed and practical course for the nonfiction novice. This detailed and practical guide may not guarantee writing hopefuls a book deal, but it distinguishes itself from other writing how-tos by its concrete and economical advice.” —Publishers Weekly “Readers interested in the practicalities of publishing and marketing their work will find [A Writer’s Guide to Nonfiction] useful.” —Library Journal Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write “The perfect tool with which to create a successful book proposal.” —Mary Alice Kier and Anna Cottle, Cine/Lit Representation, literary agency and media consultants “Elizabeth Lyon knows book proposals the way a surgeon knows anatomy.” —Gary Provost, author of twenty-two books including 100 Ways to Improve Your Writing A PERIGEE BOOK Published by the Penguin Group Penguin Group (USA) Inc. 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.) Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England Penguin Group Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.) Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.) Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi—110 017, India Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, North Shore 0632, New Zealand (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.) Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England While the author has made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers and Internet addresses at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors, or for changes that occur after publication. Further, the publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third- party websites or their content. Copyright © 2008 by Elizabeth Lyon All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions. PERIGEE is a registered trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. The "P” design is a trademark belonging to Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Lyon, Elizabeth, 1950- eISBN : 978-0-399-53395-2 1. Editing. 2. Fiction—Technique. I. Title. PN162.L96 2008 808.3—dc22 2007046161 808.3—dc22 2007046161 Most Perigee books are available at special quantity discounts for bulk purchases for sales promotions, premiums, fund-raising, or educational use. Special books, or book excerpts, can also be created to fit specific needs. For details, write: Special Markets, Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014. http://us.penguingroup.com Dedicated to my beloved and amazing family: Ella, Don, and Jim Redditt Louis, Chris, and Elaine Lyon