Intuitive Editing: A Creative and Practical Guide to Revising Your Writing

Like so many people, I have a dream of someday writing the great American novel. I've been working on mine for several years, during which time, I've taken tons of classes, participated in writing critique groups, and read lots of books on craft. In December, I finally finished my first draft and prepared to start the editing process. To do so, I went out and bought a couple of highly rated books on the topic (of course!). But, it was slow and tedious work and I just always felt like I wasn't sure I was doing it right or focusing on the right things. Some of the editing books were short (maybe too short) and sweet and got right to the point, but they felt a bit lightweight and I couldn't get over the feeling that I was missing something. Some were longer and more detailed, but they were too dense, too lofty, too "literary" (and not in a good way). I could barely force myself to read them and wasn't sure I was getting the full picture when I did. Then someone recommended this book and THANK GOD! This is the best book on editing I've read so far. It feels thorough. It gives me a concrete plan of attack for my work. Gives me good questions to ask to help me identify weak points. The examples are excellent and really illustrate the points and I love that the author uses books, movies and popular tv shows. Using a broad array of media in the examples ensures that usually I will be familiar with at least one of them, so I have a better sense of the point she's trying to make. Also, this is meaty, but it's an easy read. I can zip right through it and the points stick with me, instead of laboring over a chapter and then trying to remember what I read. I don't know if it's the best editing book out there because obviously, I can't read them all. But it's definitely the best I've come across so far and like a lot of writers, I tend to hoard books, particularly books on craft, so I do have more than my fair share. So, the bad news is after reading this I realize how much work I have to do to whip my draft into shape. But the good news is that I know exactly where it needs that work and how to fix it. I love this book so much that I honestly wish I'd read it before I started writing. If I had, I think I'd have written a much stronger first draft to begin with. But luckily, it's not too late,

Intuitive Editing has a unique perspective on the writing process through studying the editing process. I really enjoy Tiffany Yates Martin's online classes through Jane Friedman's website, so I purchased the book to compliment the classes.

If ten stars was a rating, I would give this book 11. Not only is Tiffany Yates Martin my dream editor, she also proves in this book her genuine desire for authors to write their best and succeed. The image in this post is not the usual digital image I use for other reviews. The image is of my personal, beat up, worn, and often used copy of her book. I recommend this to all of my coaching clients and use this guide as well to keep me on track with editing. I would read THIS book before reading Stephen King's "On Writing". As an audio type learner, I did listen to this book in its entirety (at 2x speed, because ADHD) on Audible and made notes in the physical book as I went along. Martin narrates the audio version and the quality is of the highest caliber, as she is a former actor. Her formal training shines. The audible was like hanging out with her for ten hours while also learning every secret to editing yourself she could possibly think of. There are no tips and tricks left to reveal. If you want a methodical system to make sense of editing that won't fizzle out 2/3 into your book, Intuitive Editing is definitely something you will benefit from. While (as of writing this review) she has limited availability for new clients, I know from experience her newsletter is just as helpful and encouraging. Buy the book. Sign up for the newsletter and thank me later.

If you are looking for a practical, approachable, and fearless way to edit your own work, stop reading this review and buy this book. Editing a novel or other longer work is a monumental task, but Tiffany breaks down the process and shares her own approach to editing, which makes the whole task seem a lot less daunting. I liked how she used the analogy of building a house to editing. First you have to have the foundation in place (structure), then the framework (plot, character, stakes), then all the plumbing and wiring (tension, point of view, suspense, pace), then finally, the fun part, decorating (line edits, polishing your prose). It stressed the importance of editing in order, because if you spend a lot of time polishing your prose, then go back and decide to axe some scenes because they don't belong in the foundation, then you've just wasted all that time fixing sentences that you end up deleting. The one thing that Tiffany wrote that really resonated with me is that you have to be your own champion. You have to believe in your work and yourself in order to get through the editing process, because it's where a lot of writers give up. I have several trunked novels that could benefit from a good edit, but at the time I wrote them, the whole process seemed insurmountable. Now, with this book, I feel more empowered and ready to tackle something that I've just walked away from before. Tiffany also has great tips on how to work with and find critique partners, writing groups, and beta readers. She gives advice on how to find, vet, and work with a professional editor. If you've been putting off editing your own work because you think you can't, or because you're afraid, this book will change everything.

This is an excellent book for writers who have finished their first manuscript, and want to know “What now?” So much of the literature encourages you to write, write, write, with reckless abandon. But then what? There are other books on various aspects of editing, including a short one that functions more like a list. This book is the best that I have encountered and now is my “go to book” for being serious about editing. Not only does the author lay out an overall approach to editing (multiple passes), she also breaks down the major components of it, from the macro edits of the “holy trinity” of storytelling: Character, Stakes, and Plot, to the micro edits that strengthen these elements and the overall story, including Suspense and Tension, Point of View, Showing and Telling, Structure, Momentum and Pace, and Voice. She also covers Line Editing and Getting Feedback on one’s manuscript. Besides the thorough approach to editing, her explanations of the concepts are clear. For example, she explains Momentum and Pace by the statements “both Niagara Falls and the Mississippi River have momentum, but each is moving at very different paces.” She adds, momentum is a function of story, pace is a function of scene. Often she illustrates concepts through bad and better worded examples. Her style is engaging and humorous in places. After reading her book, while I still have to steel myself for editing the 450 page manuscript, at least now I won’t be as clueless as I was when I too asked myself, and many other people, what now! To the author—THANK YOU.

They say that intelligence is individual. And that we all learned in different ways. Intuitive is definitely a type of intelligence that some possess more of than others. This book speaks to the intuitive person definitely. For the first time I totally get editing and the process of organizing my writing thoughts and writing my book. I recommend this to all sensitive writers as it must have for your writers library. It’s also a fun read, which is also a pleasure. Kudos to the author to make it so concise and so exciting. Look forward to future works by the same author.

Based on the title, I expected Intuitive Editing to teach some secret method to editing that was different than everything else. While I didn’t get some magical editing method, what I did get was even more valuable in the form of a primer and masterclass of editing/revising a novel. From the big edits for character and plot, to line editing and everything in between, it’s all covered and broken down to approachable steps instead of one giant task. Instead of running around for hours finding editing tips online or spending hundreds of dollars on an editing course, this book demystifies the editing process and only costs a few dollars. While I didn’t 100% agree on all the tips, much of it will improve your writing really fast. Why it’s called Intuitive Editing is that Tiffany Yates Martin teaches you to train your editing brain to use your own intuition to edit, not to rely on hard fast rules that many other craft books and blogs tend to rely on. Following rules were a big pitfall for me, and so glad there’s no reliance on rules here, but instead, relying on your gut to make the story better. Part of me wished I got this book years ago!

I bought this book after doing an online zoom class. This book further discussed specific topics. The author is thorough and touches upon many useful aspects of revision and anatomy/ construction of compelling fiction. She uses excellent examples to drive the points home. I'm restarting to revise my manuscript. Now I have a more concise way and systematic points to review. I recommend this book and the author's classes.

Just what it says on the tin: a well written, concise and clear guide to editing your own fiction writing - for those of us without the deep pockets to spend on professional editing!

I'm only through the first chapter and already my writing and my process has improved. I'm writing prescriptive non-fiction but the principles can still be applied. Thank you Tiffany.

Straight forward and comprehensive, it offers a balanced—not dogmatic—approach to editing. It covers developmental edits as well as line, with a warm easy tone.

I have bought many writing craft books over the years. Creation has never been a problem for me, but I do find editing a real drag and have left many manuscripts gathering dust because I can't face it! Intuitive editing is by far the most thorough and useful book on the subject that I have read. if you're sick of hearing the phrase 'show, don't tell' without fully appreciating its meaning (although I swear I believed I did understand before!) this book will provide you with vivid examples and suggestions. The section on characters alone is worth the price of the book. I am due to publish my second novel this year and am forever learning. Highly recommend to any writer who is trying to do better and be better.

hands down the most practical book I purchased in 2020. As a first time book writer (nonfiction) Yates Martin's book walked me through the 'big picture' (macroedits) to focus on, followed by the micro/line edits. We basically go inside the head of an established and experienced book editor to understand what keeps readers engaged while also plugging any holes in the story, character, etc. It was exactly what I needed to take my manuscript from "done" to "polished" and, hopefully, a book that will be a page turner. I felt great knowing that my editor will have a more polished version to work with, which will ultimately hopefully lead to a better book. THANKS TIFFANY!!