Ideas and Inspiration for Fantasy and Science Fiction Writers
by James Hutchings
Kindle Edition, 453 pg.
2016
You know what this book could’ve used? An introduction. Just something to ground the reader in the books intention, design, scope . . . something. It just dives in, you flip from the Table of Contents to the first entry.
The only way you know what the book is for is to have read the description from Goodreads/ebook seller:
If you want to spark new ideas for worlds, plots or characters, you want Ideas and Inspiration for Fantasy and Science Fiction Writers. Medicinal corpses, the jargons of thieves and carnies, Nazi UFOs, the colonization of space and green children from nowhere are only a few of the topics covered. This sourcebook is for all writers of fantasy or science fiction–whether novels, short stories, games, or any other form of storytelling.
The afterword touches on it a little, but who wants that at the end of a book?
Smoother writing, maybe a touch of personality to the writing would’ve been a plus, too.
It’s not something you can read cover-to-cover, it’s a resource book that you can consult, or flip through. I’m pretty sure I’ve read almost all of it over the course of a couple of weeks. It sparked an idea or two (not that I have time for them), but that’s about it.
I guess, this book set out to do what it intended, is thorough, easy to read, so . . . 3 stars? Next time you’re trying to prepare for NaNoWriMo or a Creative Writing course, give it a thumb-through.
Disclaimer: This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
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