Worlds of Wonder showcases the range and power of the human imagination, transported across strange worlds, lost civilizations, and brave new realities. Now, with the help of David Gerrold, Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author, readers will learn, step-by-step, how to turn their words into works of wonder.
Drawing on a career spanning three decades of writing and teaching, Gerrold also uses examples from numerous classic books and films to support their growth within the genre. Readers will gain insight into the craft as well as practice techniques that will immediately improve their writing as they are charmed and challenged by Gerrold's infectious passion for his craft and profession. Worlds of Wonder will ignite the engines of readers' enthusiasm in ways that will astonish them.
* Written by one of the biggest, most-recognized and most-honored names in the field! * The science fiction and fantasy genres are currently riding a new wave of popularity
While both science fiction and fantasy evoke "a sense of wonder in the audience," says David Gerrold in Worlds of Wonder, science fiction "is about what's possible," while "fantasy is about what's not." Writing for both these genres is a lot like "playing with a set of Lego bricks," Gerrold says: you're creating your own world, but you have to work within a logical framework. Like other forms of storytelling, says Gerrold (best known for his "Trouble with Tribbles" Star Trek episode), science fiction and fantasy rely on mysterious first sentences, effective exits, and surprises in every sentence in between. The difference is that your characters inhabit whole worlds of your own making, worlds that may be "marvelous and surprising to the reader," but must remain ordinary to the story's characters. To carry this off, says Gerrold, "you have to write each moment"--no matter how improbable--"as if you lived it yourself."
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Amazing!:
The first time I read this book i hilighted the most helpful parts. I went through three hilighters. This is a must read for any writer! I myself don't really like books that teach writing but this one is amazing. It covers everything from grammer to the difference between sex scenes and love scenes. It talks about how to think through your plot logically and some helpful little tricks to making your story extra interesting. It discusses how to construct your first and last lines and it is written extremely... more info
Applies to All Writers:
When my sci-fi fanatic brother handed me this book and raved about Gerrold's exemplary writing style as well as his abiity to coach on the craft itself, I was skeptical. What can a sci-fi/fantasy writer offer a writer of mainly creative nonfiction? The answer is EVERYTHING. I haven't read any of Gerrold's works, but now I want to. His style, voice, and realism stand out even in a book about writing. I've highlighted nearly every page for either tips I want to remember far into the future - especially... more info
The Best for Up-and-Comers:
Though definately geared more toward those wanting to become science fiction writers, a fantasy writer will find heaps of useful advice in this book as well. It starts out with the authors beginning struggles to become a writer, something all young writers wish to hear, and Gerrold guides you from there to the What Ifs of the genres, the specific definitions, and many other technical aspects, but always with a light heartedness that sooths you into what is often harsh advice in other How-to books. By far... more info
An unconventional, noteworthy reference.:
Although this book doesn't qualify as a traditional how-to reference, but mainly as a collection of tips, tricks and techniques on improving your science fiction and fantasy writing, it does rank high above the majority of references available on this topic, which are usually only aimed at psyching up the reader with nothing more than fluffy, feel-good advice that's completely useless to anyone with little more than some basic schooling, some common sense, and a few hours of writing practice.
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