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 Fiction is full of advice from master authors
offering definitive instructions on world building, character creation,
and storytelling in the many styles and possibilities available to
writers of speculative fiction.
Combining two Writer's Digest classics, Orson Scott Card's How to Write
Science Fiction & Fantasy and The Writer's Complete Fantasy
Reference, along with two new selections from award-winning science
fiction and fantasy authors Philip Athans and Jay Lake, this new book
provides the best of all worlds. You'll discover:
- How to build, populate, and dramatize fantastic new worlds.
- How to develop dynamic and meaningful themes that will expand the
cannon of sci-fi and fantasy storytelling.
- Exciting subgenres such as steampunk, as well as new developments in
the sci-fi and fantasy genres.
- How to imbue your tales with historically accurate information about
world cultures, legends, folklore, and religions.
- Detailed descriptions of magic rituals, fantastic weapons of war,
clothing and armor, and otherworldly beasts such as orcs, giants, elves,
and more.
- How societies, villages, and castles were constructed and operate on a
day-to-day basis.
- Astounding methods of interstellar travel, the rules of starflight,
and the realities and myths of scientific exploration.
- How to generate new ideas and graft them to the most popular themes
and plot devices in sci-fi and fantasy writing.
The boundaries of your imagination are infinite, but to create credible
and thrilling fiction, you must ground your stories in rules, facts, and
accurate ideas. Writing Fantasy & Science Fiction will guide you
through the complex and compelling universe of fantasy and science
fiction writing and help you unleash your stories on the next generation
of readers and fans.
