Finally, Orson Scott Card's Hugo award-winning classic on the art and craft of writing science fiction and fantasy is available in paperback! Card provides invaluable advice for every science fiction and fantasy writer interested in constructing stories about people, worlds and events that stretch the boundaries of the possible...and the magical. They'll learn: * what is and isn't science fiction and fantasy, and where their story fits in the mix * how to build, populate, and dramatize a credible, inviting world readers will want to explore * how to use the MICE quotient--milieu, idea, character and event--to structure a successful story * where the markets are, how to reach them and get published There's no better source of information for writers working in these genres. This book will help them effectively produce exciting stories that are both fascinating and market-ready.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
It's OK but not worth the money:
I received this book and was very excited to learn things that my writing has been missing. After reading this book I realized that this is not where I will find the answers. The basics of the information is OK, but I agree with what a previous reviewer said having never had any formal writing training outside of highschool english class myself that what we have here is basically just the common sence basics. It's OK for a refresher course for those who haven't done any writing since school, but if you're... more info
Extremely Good:
Well written, with lots of great insights and real confidence builder. Card also give a lot of resources for further study. At one point (from memory) he says that you must simultaneously believe that the story you are working on today is the greatest story ever written ... so that you have the confidence to move forward. And that the current story you are working on is drivel (my word), so you can take the criticisms and rejection and move on. The advice he gives on how to query magazines and... more info
Good coverage of the Subject:
When you come down to the nuts and bolts all how to write books present the same or similer information as each other. The only difference is the presentation style of the writer and possibly the empasis of some particular aspects over others. I found this book to be the right book at the right time for me. Some areas like the treatment of reader expectations was new (at least to me). Other points where presented well. A lot of the examples are based on personal expirence, and why shouldn't they... more info
Don't buy this book:
Honestly, buying and reading the book isn't worth the money or effort. By all means, buy this book if you:
- want to hear accounts of the author's problems related to writing
- want to see his obviously opinion-based views of the publishing aspects of SF&F writing
- want to be reminded of the obvious topics that you should know already [as an aspiring writer] Overall, the book gives more out-of-date examples and opinion-based reasoning than it's worth. Throughout the book,... more info
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