Worlds of Wonder: How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy

The first time I read this book i hilighted the most helpful parts. I went through three hilighters. This is a must read for any writer! I myself don't really like books that teach writing but this one is amazing. It covers everything from grammer to the difference between sex scenes and love scenes. It talks about how to think through your plot logically and some helpful little tricks to making your story extra interesting. It discusses how to construct your first and last lines and it is written extremely well and on a level anybody can understand. If I could I'd give this book a hundred stars. Not only was it helpful but it was able to keep my attention, a feat very few fiction books can do.

When my sci-fi fanatic brother handed me this book and raved about Gerrold's exemplary writing style as well as his abiity to coach on the craft itself, I was skeptical. What can a sci-fi/fantasy writer offer a writer of mainly creative nonfiction? The answer is EVERYTHING. I haven't read any of Gerrold's works, but now I want to. His style, voice, and realism stand out even in a book about writing. I've highlighted nearly every page for either tips I want to remember far into the future - especially when revising and perfecting my own work - or for quotes on the craft or life in general that match my own philosophies. This isn't just a book covering the practical how-to of writing something others will be glued to but also a book on viewing life in general and how writing and life go hand-in-hand, if they aren't one and the same. Gerrold's clear advice broken into palatable chunks applies to all writers and is guaranteed to introduce new elements to consider for your own work and draw you out of your comfort zone. New ways of looking at the basics, as well as more in-depth knowledge/techniques, such as memes and writing in E-prime, are covered. Sure, Gerrold uses his own work in example, but that doesn't bother me. Why would you buy a book BY a successful writer if you weren't looking for his own take on writing and how he's developed his own ideas? I've read technique books by lesser authors who, frankly, don't even have enough successful works to quote from. Gerrold doesn't have to mention his own published titles to plug; his name on the cover of the book already does that. The fact is that he knows what he's writing about and his own work provides perfect examples of all the thought he proves he puts into his creations to make them as near perfect as possible. That's why the book is an excellent resource for writers. P.S. Gerrold also sites examples from several other authors. :)

1) PRO: Nice small chapters. Clearly demonstrates the points to be made and uses Sci-fi/fantasy stories as examples.2) CON: Most of the examples used are from the authors own writings. A few times I wanted to shout, "Marketing ploy", but he was honest enough in his sharing that the irritation was short-lived.3) PRO: This is the book to the art of Writing, that drafting a mission statement is to running a business. You get the insipriation, the vision, for where the writing needs to go in many areas without the speicific checklist on how the logistics need to flow. The logistics is what he encourages me as a writer to discover for myself...as I write. I left this book feeling "empowered" to write. I have my mission statement.4)PRO: One of the most eye-opening chapters were, Memes and To Be Or Naught To Be. I walked away enlightened to the greater universe of possiblities that are at my fingertips as a writer.

Worlds of Wonder starts out like a lot of other books of this type, but after the first few chapters you'll find some really useful and specific advice. My favorite sections are those on writing in E-prime (shunning the passive verb "to be"), writing in the discomfort zone, making critical distinctions and creating powerful paragraphs. Gerrod has two long chapters on fantasy and alien world building which I found useful even though I'm not a fan of fantasy worlds. I like Gerrold's style. It's easy to follow and entertaining. Yes, it seems self indulgent when he uses his own examples in every chapter but he's also a big fan of classic science fiction and uses Robert Heinlein, Theodore Sturgeon and others for balance. This is a really superb book. Writers outside of science fiction could benefit from the advice, but I'm glad to see it focusing on science fiction. Gerrold offers writers a great deal of insight and enthusiam. My favorite line comes near the end, "If you haven't written a million words, it's all practice."

When did the bright eyed kid from Van Nuys-obsessed with Heinlein, Sturgeon, Van Voght, and the worse B movies of all time-become such a major talent that he has joined his boyhood hero's ranks? Only after 3 decades of writing over 40 books, winning numerous awards, and creating the most beloved televison shows of all time. And David Gerrold has done it again.Worlds of Wonder is an truly exceptional `how to write' book. Gerrold is at the top of his form in this work, taking the reader through all the gritty details of writing science fiction and fantasy. Except, like his fiction, Gerrold's writing is irresistible, and his instructions and exercises are more of a pleasure than a chore. Each chapter is littered with complex ideas and fascinating tales. Be prepared for detailed tours of Tatooine, the bridge of The Enterprise, and Middle Earth. Gerrold tells aspiring writers what works; and more importantly what doesn't. And what other writer do you know that can make a chapter on `metric prose' not only entertaining, but desirable.Of course the best thing about this book is the inclusion of some of Gerrold's best fiction. Used to illustrate specific points, it is an extra treat to read how it is done correctly but one of the genre's major talents. In his first book published way back in 1973, Gerrold described how the science fiction writers he worshiped were `special dreamers', and how he longed to be one of the dreamers. It would be great to hand that teenage boy a copy of WORLDS OF WONDER, written by his future self. WORLDS OF WONDER would be an excellent capstone to Gerrold's career, except if you have read his most recent books, you know he is just getting started.