Writing Science Fiction & Fantasy
10 best books like Writing Science Fiction & Fantasy (Isaac Asimov): Creating Short Fiction: The Classic Guide to Writing Short Fiction, Deadly Doses: A Writer's Guide to Poisons, How to Write a Damn Good Novel, II: Advanced Techniques for Dramatic Storytelling, Worlds of Wonder: How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy, Novelist's Essential Guide to Crafting Scenes, How to Write Tales of Horror, Fantasy and Science Fiction, Armed and Dangerous: A Writer's Guide to Weapons, The Writer's Guide to Character Traits: Includes Profiles of Human Behaviors and Personality Types, The Writer's Complete Fantasy Reference: An Indispensable Compendium of Myth and Magic, Plot
| Author | Damon Knight |
| ISBN | 0312150946 |
Distilled from decades of teaching and practice, this book offers clear and direct advice on structure, pacing, dialogue, getting ideas, working with the unconscious, and more. Newly revised and expanded for this Third Edition, Creating Short Fiction is a popular and widely trusted guide to writing...
| Author | Serita Stevens |
| ISBN | 0898793718 |
I've carted this reference book to each of the dozen or so places I've lived since college, and I've only used it a few times, but it's one of those books that is so well done that I can't let it go. You can look up poisons by reaction time, symptoms, foods that disguise them, and many other characteristics...
| Author | James N. Frey |
| ISBN | 0312104782 |
"Damn good" fiction is dramatic fiction, Frey insists, whether it is by Hemingway or Grisham, Le Carre or Ludlum, Austen or Dickens. Despite their differences, these authors' works share common elements: strong narrative lines, fascinating characters, steadily building conflicts, and satisfying...
| Author | David Gerrold |
| ISBN | 1582970076 |
This is a really useful and enjoyable little book. Not perfect, but I find books on writing to be much of a muchness. Depending on where you are on the curve, there will be a lot that you've read before, and usually a few really thought provoking new ideas, but in the end, as Gerrold says here, these books are...
| Author | Raymond Obstfeld |
| ISBN | 0898799732 |
Writing page-turning fiction depends on your ability to create rock-solid, believable scenes. Scenes act as dynamic structures that thrust both your characters and readers forward through conflict, baiting them with goals that may–or may not–be obtained. Writing good scenes makes the difference...
| Author | J.N. Williamson |
| ISBN | 0898794838 |
How to Write Tales of Horror, Fantasy and Science Fiction isn’t just a “How to” book, but a series of talks from some of the best names in the field. Indeed, think of it as a creative writing course with different lecturers every week and you’ll get more out of this 242 page book than you would from...
Armed and Dangerous: A Writer's Guide to Weapons
Talk about murder! Inaccurate information about weapons can kill your story before a potential publisher has even finished reading your manuscript. Today’s readers of mysteries, thrillers, Westerns, true crime, police procedurals, and romantic suspense are better informed about weapons...
This was a good idea but completely useless. Nothing went into enough depth to be useful, but the biggest problem is that although it was written in 1999, most of the sources used were already out of date and obsolete then. She uses Masters & Johnson from the 60's for information about homsexuality....
| Author | David H. Borcherding |
| ISBN | 1582970262 |
Fantasy writing must be grounded in both truth and life experience if it is to work. It can be as inventive and creative as the writer can make it, a whirlwind of images and plot twists, but it cannot be built on a foundation of air. The world must be identifiable with our own, must offer us a frame of reference...
| Author | Ansen Dibell |
| ISBN | 0898799465 |
"There are ways to create, fix, steer and discover plots--ways which, over a writing life, you'd eventually puzzle out for yourself," writes Ansen Dibell. "They aren't laws. They're an array of choices, things to try, once you've put a name to the particular problem you're facing now."
That's...
| Author | Kenneth Atchity |
| ISBN | 0393312631 |
Expanding his focus now, Kenneth Atchity adds a substantial new chapter, "Breaking into Show Business," and new material about recapturing the "high" of creativity and maintaining confidence despite setbacks. He shows you how to transform anxiety into "productive elation," how to separate vision...
| Author | Stanley Schmidt |
| ISBN | 0898797063 |
This is the first volume in a four-volume set put out by Writers Digest Books under the umbrella Science Fiction Writing Series. This entire series is highly recommendable, and you'll probably see the other volumes reviewed here by me in the future. Aliens and Alien Societies features 11 chapters,...
If you are interested in trying your hand at writing fiction (particularly science fiction) or if you just have an interest in writing generally I suggest that you find this book at your nearest bookstore and read the last chapter there, in the store, and save yourself the money. There are some good little...
| Author | Stephen L. Gillett |
| ISBN | 0898797071 |
CURRENTLY READING:
Okay, only page 7 and I've already found a big error. The author says that the diameter of the earth is less than one millionth its distance from the sun. In km that's 12,756/149,598,000=0.00008, or less than one TEN-THOUSANDTH.
He then says even the diameter of...
| Author | Theodore A. Rees Cheney |
The Secret to Good Writing
When asked by the Paris Review what compelled him to rewrite the ending of A Farewell to Arms 39 times, Ernest Hemingway replied, "Getting the words right." His answer echoes what every successful writer knows: The secret to all good writing is revision.
For...
| Author | Jack M. Bickham |
| ISBN | 0898796350 |
Even with great characters, a gripping plot and outstanding dialogue, a story isn't complete without the appropriate setting-the unifying element in most fiction. Jack Bickham shows how to use sensual detail, vivid language and keen observations to craft settings which help tell credible, interesting...
Writing Science Fiction & Fantasy (Writing Series)
| Author | Crawford Kilian |
| ISBN | 1551807858 |
Whether you are new to the genre or looking for inspiration, this book provides the tools you need to succeed.
Develop believable fantasy worlds
Challenge your readers’ imaginations
Practical techniques you can apply today
Written by a successful author of...
| Author | Sarah Domet |
| ISBN | 1582979979 |
Got 90 Days? Then You Can Be a Novelist...
Many famous authors write their novels in a matter of weeks. William Faulkner wrote As I Lay Dying in six weeks. Joyce Carol Oates often cranks out two or three books a year. Stephen King believes first drafts should take no more than three months to complete....
The Complete Guide to Writing Fantasy: Alchemy with Words
| Author | Darin Park |
| ISBN | 1896944094 |
Jeanine Berry, FictionFactor.com, author of Dayspring Dawning and Daysprint Destiny The Complete Guide lives up to its name and goes beyond the ordinary. Written by new and established voices of Science Fiction and Fantasy, Alchemy With Words offers something for writers at all levels. Its sage...
The Guide to Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction: 6 Steps to Writing and Publishing Your Bestseller!
| Author | Philip Athans |
| ISBN | 1440501459 |
Science fiction and fantasy is one of the most challenging--and rewarding!--genres in the bookstore. But with New York Times bestselling author Philip Athans and fantasy giant R. A. Salvatore at your side, you’ll create worlds that draw your readers in--and keep them reading!
Just as important,...
Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction
| Author | Michael A. Arnzen |
| ISBN | 0938467085 |
In Many Genres, One Craft, award-winning author Michael A. Arnzen and Heidi Ruby Miller gather the voices of today's top genre writers and writing instructors alongside their published students. It fosters the writing process in a way that focuses almost exclusively on writing the novel. Using a...
The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook
| Author | Sherrilyn Kenyon |
| ISBN | 1582972958 |
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Character Names
Back in print and better than ever, The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook has been updated and expanded to help you find character names and their meanings quickly and easily!
This one-of-a-kind resource was specifically...
The power of creation is at your fingertips!Orcs prepare for battle against high Elves, Dwarves retreat to the mountains and men march to the sea to reclaim crumbling fortresses. Fortunes are decided. Kingdoms are lost. Entire worlds are created. This book will teach you to bring your fictional realm...
| Author | Orson Scott Card |
| ISBN | 1599631407 |
Do you envision celestial cities in distant, fantastic worlds? Do you dream of mythical beasts and gallant quests in exotic kingdoms? If you have ever wanted to write the next great fantasy or science fiction story, this all-in-one comprehensive book will show you how. Writing Fantasy & Science...
