A review by personalcurio
Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction, by Jeff VanderMeer
Did not finish book.
I thought I would enjoy this, but unfortunately I actually find the artwork and interjected modules distracting. The text will often cut abruptly off mid-idea or argument, because the next page is actually a POV essay.
These essays can be interesting, but would be better suited at the start or end of relevant chapters. As the book is laid out now it feels like I have to stop every 3 pages to find out where to pick up the thought and then wonder if I should pause and read the next page, or maybe finish and go back, or maybe...you get the idea.
They also lay out a person's credentials when they are introduced (author, who's work has appeared in such and such review and so-and-so quarterly), which is kind! But is also awkward to repeatedly read.
Love a craft book. This is a pass for me.
These essays can be interesting, but would be better suited at the start or end of relevant chapters. As the book is laid out now it feels like I have to stop every 3 pages to find out where to pick up the thought and then wonder if I should pause and read the next page, or maybe finish and go back, or maybe...you get the idea.
They also lay out a person's credentials when they are introduced (author, who's work has appeared in such and such review and so-and-so quarterly), which is kind! But is also awkward to repeatedly read.
Love a craft book. This is a pass for me.