Ken RandBesprekingen

This is perhaps the best book I've read on editing the sentences of my work. I can never complete all the steps because it begins to change by voice, but I like my writing even more after using this process.

Quick summary of the process:
1. Use random inputs to get a subject-verb-object seed for a story idea.
2. Turn the idea around and play with it to find an original and exciting story.
3. Consider the story idea for a while. Let the seed story tune your subconscious antenna to pull ideas from the ether. Sleep on it. Let it germinate, ferment etc.
4. Write fast. Write often. Write.
5. Use the other brain to edit.
6. Use that disciplined part of the brain to submit and sell the stories.

A must have, must read book for every writer. Full of humor, the book nonetheless takes its task quite seriously and many writers have greatly improved their work as a result, myself among them.

Ken Rand is a funny guy. Even his nonfiction sparkles with humor. So I bought this book expecting to be thoroughly entertained by his humor. Unfortunately, I found this book more strange than funny. It did have some humorous moments, like the conversation where the men discuss languages the Golem might speak. "Maybe he speaks Spanish." Another man suggests Russian. "I speak some Mexican." The idea that Mexican and Spanish are distinct made me laugh, because you do hear people who think that in rural America. But overall, while the story was oddly compelling, I don't think the book was great, just average.

I re-read this book every time I have to polish one of my own manuscripts. It's an essential tool for me, and as important as my red pen.
For example, I slimmed my latest draft down from 102,000 words to 90,000, and a lot of that was thanks to the 10% solution.