How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy (Genre Writing)

This book is not a guideline. And books like this shouldn't be, because when writing fiction, it is your ideas that bring the story along - not a step-by-step, how-to book.

In these pages you will find suggestoins and helpful guidelines concerning perspective and environment. I know this sounds vague, but there's not much room here. The book does seem a little on the short side, but it really is helpful. Buy it. Consider what he has to say, and it will help you write better.

How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy (Writer's Digest Genre Writing Series) - and Characters and Viewpoint (Elements of Fiction Writing) - are each invaluable, even if all you do is READ books! This is a master storyteller, divulging clear, concise strategies for creating literature - which is something he does as well as any writer alive (and most of the dead ones!).

Both books offer brilliant insight, whether you write Speculative Fiction (Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror) or not!

There should NOT be an English or Literature classroom without multiple copies of both! No exaggeration, these books are the genome of great writing.

Card writes in a way that engages, even in these nonfiction works. It will stretch your own Viewpoint, and possibly your Character as well - all without ever condescending, or transcending the reader's understanding.

I wish i weren't so notorious for exaggeration, because these books changed me as a writer, as a reader, and yes, along with his other works - as a human.

Writer's Digest is to be praised for the presentation of these books, and for bringing two essential masterpieces to the writer's tool belt. (I just love a maimed metaphor, don't you?)

A wonderful book! In it, Card adresses some of the key issues addressing writers in the speculative fiction field. In the first few pages of this book, Card explains he does not intend this to be a book about writing, in general. Rather, it is a book about writing Science Fiction and Fantasy, in particular. Things like viewpoint, theme, etc. that writers of every genre need to cover are not addressed. So if the book seems lacking in that area, that's the reason. That said, there are some wonderful tips for SF writers, both technical and practical, both for writing and being a writer. For instance, should a SF writer get an agent first, or send books to a publisher first? Card gives his answer, and it's different than other genres. Also, he explains how to use a Wise Reader to handle problems with exposition. Full of interesting anecdotes, useful tips, and valuable guidelines, this has remained one of the textbooks of the field.

This is an excellent book for someone just getting started in the genre. His do's and dont's are indespensible (even as a refresher course for the advanced) though his examples are opinionated and dry. But because this is a book about HOW to write and not why we write, the most valuable information he shares is the art of conveying the most in as few words as possible. The masters of fantasy/Sci-Fi know how to accomplish this with dynamisim and grace. If this is what you want to learn, or you just want a refresher, then by all means buy the book but do not rely on it as your sole source of information.

Even if you are not planning on writing science fiction or fantasy today, this book is worth your time if you are 1) interested in Orson Scott Card and how he gets and develops his ideas, and what he likes to read, or 2) you are interested in writing of any kind, even non-fiction. If you have even a fleeting interest in any of these subjects, Card will tell you more in a little book than almost anyone else in a very big book.