writehollydavis's review against another edition
4.0
A comprehensive guide to fantasy (and some sci-fi), involving magic systems, world building, political systems, parts of a castle, mythological creatures, etc. I found parts that are very useful to me and that I will refer to in the future and even some terms and rules of space that I can use in my current manuscript! Woo hoo! Overall, it is a helpful guide to have, but I know I won't need to refer to it for every fantasy book I write.
iceprime5's review against another edition
4.0
The early part of this book is a good overview of how to create fantasy worlds. The later part is a lot of reference material about what terms to use, etc. I enjoyed the beginning more as I was looking for an overview, not an in depth dictionary.
timdams's review against another edition
3.0
Some very insightful stuff, but too much inked is 'wasted' on the author showcasing his brainstorming skill throughout. Parts of the book are a bit outdated by now (where/how to get published, etc) since the book is from 1990.
danguajars's review against another edition
3.0
Es un libro interesante, en el que aprendí la estrategia del M.I.C.E. que utilizo frecuentemente para destrabar mis arcos argumentales. Tiene buenos ejemplos y da buenos consejos.
El único problema es que el autor es uno de esos homofóbicos furiosos que buscan pasar leyes discriminatorias. Así que si no te molesta que el tipo sea un pelmazo y un boludo, entonces este manual te va a servir un montón para enfocar tu estritura de fantasía y ciencia ficción.
El único problema es que el autor es uno de esos homofóbicos furiosos que buscan pasar leyes discriminatorias. Así que si no te molesta que el tipo sea un pelmazo y un boludo, entonces este manual te va a servir un montón para enfocar tu estritura de fantasía y ciencia ficción.
themadmaiden's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty good. I skipped the fantasy part as I just wanted the sci-fi parts. I'll probably go back and read that part another time because it seemed pretty good as well.
daaan's review against another edition
2.0
Disappointing. There were a number of useful reference tables in here, much of which was stuff I was quite comfortable with, but this is very light on practical advice, which isn't really acceptable for a book that claims to tell you how to write great SF&F. It's worth addressing it section by section.
1) Orson Scott Card - This section was written in the 90s and it shows. There were a few interesting insights, but this was a direct reprint of another book.
2) Phillip Athans - This industry update was insightful, but I don't know why it was included at this point in the book. I get the impression sequencing was done in order of prestige.
3) Jay Lake - Steampunk is now quite clichéd, not something exciting and new so I feel this section is a little out of date.
4) Michael Varhola - This is where things really started going downhill. Not enough information to be interesting or informative, too much detail to be a summary. This would be better with a brief description followed by recommended reading for independent research.
5) Alla Maurer and Renee Wright - Dire, I don't know what this wanted to achieve, don't really care. I think it wanted to survey real world magical beliefs, but again, it struggled to hold interest or give anything specific of help.
I skimmed from here on out. I may use the tables in future, but the rest was fairly dire.
1) Orson Scott Card - This section was written in the 90s and it shows. There were a few interesting insights, but this was a direct reprint of another book.
2) Phillip Athans - This industry update was insightful, but I don't know why it was included at this point in the book. I get the impression sequencing was done in order of prestige.
3) Jay Lake - Steampunk is now quite clichéd, not something exciting and new so I feel this section is a little out of date.
4) Michael Varhola - This is where things really started going downhill. Not enough information to be interesting or informative, too much detail to be a summary. This would be better with a brief description followed by recommended reading for independent research.
5) Alla Maurer and Renee Wright - Dire, I don't know what this wanted to achieve, don't really care. I think it wanted to survey real world magical beliefs, but again, it struggled to hold interest or give anything specific of help.
I skimmed from here on out. I may use the tables in future, but the rest was fairly dire.