This is a concise book jammed full of the kind of information it often takes beginning writers years to learn. Ken Rand offers his own advice and twenty-five years of experience for the benefit of other writers.His no-nonsense approach to editing fiction will do more to make writing more professional.
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Editorial Reviews
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"Ken Rand has put together a succinct book packed with the kind of useful information it generally takes struggling writers years to learn on their own. The 10% Solution is concise, precise, and points out the kind of small but important trouble areas to help build a powerful narrative voice and a more firmly controlled style. 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 Hexes and The Dead Past
"The Ten Percent Solution is proof positive that effective books on writing need not be long or tedious. This is the best tool for writers that I've seen in many, many years. I've written fiction for thirty-five years, and taught fiction writing for twenty. During all those years I could have used The Ten Percent Solution. It would have helped me, and it would have saved my students a world of time.
"The Ten Percent Solution is proof positive that effective books on writing need not be long or tedious. This is the best tool for writers that I've seen in many, many years. I've written fiction for thirty-five years, and taught fiction writing for twenty. During all those years I could have used The Ten Percent Solution. It would have helped me, and it would have saved my students a world of time.
"Ken Rand's twenty-five years of writing experience have produced a book that every writer needs. It is especially important for the writer who is still trying to break into publishing, but I would recommend it to the most experienced writers. It's a reminder that we should not get loose or sloppy." -- Jack Cady, author of The Off Season
"You could spend a gazillion bucks patronizing the Famous Writers School. Or you could pick up Ken Rand's economical text and pay scrupulous attention. The Ten Percent Solution is the Real Thing. The Write Stuff. Ken Rand and I share a common background, so I know right where he learned his hard lessons. This little book offers no magical shortcut; but it does distill many years'professional experience and common sense. When I suspect that one of my own stories is working, it's inevitably for one or more of the reasons Ken enumerates herein. 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 Flirting With Death
From the Author
Since 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 K.Rand@Genie.com.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's the most helpful book on revision I've ever read.,
By A Customer
This review is from: The 10% Solution (Paperback)
Take this book and read it cover to cover. It won't take forever. Then sit down with a story you wish to polish and follow Ken's method, his 10% solution for trimming the wordiness from your prose. It works. He explains how his solution came about, how it helped him and how it can help you. Then he details the method, step by step. Lastly he demonstrates how it worked on his own writing. It made all the difference in my writing. I now keep his book next to me when I revise my writing. It's that good.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
The nuggets of information are gems...,
By A Customer
This review is from: The 10% Solution (Paperback)
...unfortunately, the rest of the book is mud.I do think it's worth getting, but keep this in mind: The first 31 pages are infomercial: "Let me show you how this 10% solution will change your life!" The second 31 pages are useful: "Follow these steps to find the padding that slows your writing" and it is helpful. The catch is this: at the end, to show how one can be succinct, Rand includes the 500 word magazine article describing this "10% solution" process. All the info in this $5 book boils down to 500 words. The rest is fluff. Those 500 words are very valuable, helpful, and insightful words, and I'm glad I paid my penny a word, but I guess he couldn't sell a 500 word book to a publisher, so he "fluffed" it to 61 pages. Ironic how this review can be 1000 words ... twice the length needed to describe the 10% solution.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The most succinct approach to editing I've seen.,
By jvanpelt@mesa.k12.co.us James Van Pelt (Colorado) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The 10% Solution (Paperback)
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. Ken's style is funny and concise. He shows you how to go through your manuscript to tighten it, emphasizing accuracy, clarity and brevity. I've been selling professionally (Analog, Realms of Fantasy, Weird Tales) for several years, and Ken's approach still managed to trim over 500 words from a 5,000 word story that later went on to sell to a pro magazine. I've bought 20 copies to give to friends and students.
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