Difference between revisions of "Book Recommendations"
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| + | = Recommended books for novelists = | ||
== Recommended books for novelists == | == Recommended books for novelists == | ||
| + | *'''[http://www.amazon.com/Techniques-Selling-Writer-Dwight-Swain/dp/0806111917/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223221588&sr=1-1 Techniques of the Selling Writer] by Dwight V. Swain''' -- a must-read book on the mechanics of writing scenes and structuring your book to hook the reader | ||
| + | *'''[http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Emotional-Impact-Karl-Iglesias/dp/1595940286 Writing for Emotional Impact], by Karl Iglesias'''. -- Great book! Tells you how to manipulate the emotions of your reader to great effect. | ||
| + | *[http://www.amazon.com/Plot-Structure-Techniques-Exercises-Crafting/dp/158297294X Plot & Structure: Techniques and exercises for crafting a plot that grips readers from start to finish, by James Scott Bell] | ||
| + | *[http://www.victorialynnschmidt.com/BIAM.htm Book In A Month, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt] | ||
*Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott | *Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott | ||
*On Writing by Stephen King | *On Writing by Stephen King | ||
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*Writers on Writing | *Writers on Writing | ||
*The Writer's Digest Handbook of Novel Writing edited by Tom Clark et al | *The Writer's Digest Handbook of Novel Writing edited by Tom Clark et al | ||
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*Telling lies for Fun and Profit by Lawrence Block | *Telling lies for Fun and Profit by Lawrence Block | ||
*You Can Write a Novel by James V. Smith | *You Can Write a Novel by James V. Smith | ||
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*So You Want To Write by Marge Piercy | *So You Want To Write by Marge Piercy | ||
*Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing: A Novelist Looks at His Craft by David Morrell | *Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing: A Novelist Looks at His Craft by David Morrell | ||
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| + | === Books on World Building === | ||
| + | TrudyG wrote: | ||
| + | ''So, does anyone have any good book recommendations for worldbuilding, in any categories of world creation, maps, culture, creatures, beings, political units, etc? I have the start of a collection of them, and I’m always interested in new ones. Note that all the ones I list have at least some things in them I’ve found useful, even if it’s basics.'' | ||
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| + | Available at Amazon: | ||
| + | * Creating Life: The Art of Worldbuilding Book 1 by Randy Ellefson: Looks at creating creatures, beings, and some elements of culture. | ||
| + | * Creating Places: The Art of Worldbuilding Book 2 by Randy Ellefson: Looks at creating worlds, continents, countries, etc. including basics of mapping. | ||
| + | (Note that both the above do have a potentially irritating amount of references to the author’s website, but they can be useful.) | ||
| + | * Way With Worlds Book 1: Crafting Great Fictional Settings by Steven Savage: Looks at basic philosophies, essentials, magic & tech, religion, sex, species, and characters. | ||
| + | * Way With Worlds Book 2: Details and Discussions by Steven Savage: Looks at heroes, villains, & author’s pets, utopias & dystopias, conflicts, communication, tools & techniques, skills, and originality. | ||
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| + | Available on Smashwords | ||
| + | * Pantheon Building by Julie Ann Dawson: Looks at creating gods and religions, for both stories and RPGs | ||
| + | * Worldbuilding 101 by Julie Ann Dawson: Looks at the basics of worldbuilding for both stories and RPGs; based on a workshop that she holds. | ||
| + | Both the above are short and were created more for RPGs, but can be useful for fiction worldbuilding as well. | ||
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| + | WriterofNumenor wrote: | ||
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| + | Storyworld First by Jill Williamson is the best! | ||
| + | |||
| + | = References = | ||
== Links with Book Recommendation Lists == | == Links with Book Recommendation Lists == | ||
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* [http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Books-Genre-Novelists-Should/lm/1DAFASHU4VYQV Amazon Writing Books Genre Novelists Should Read] | * [http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Books-Genre-Novelists-Should/lm/1DAFASHU4VYQV Amazon Writing Books Genre Novelists Should Read] | ||
| − | = | + | = Favorite SF books = |
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| − | + | == Favorite SF books for reading/inspiration (feel free to add yours) == | |
| − | The | + | * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childe_Cycle The Childe Cycle] by Gordon R. Dickson (also known as the Dorsai books. Tactics of Mistake and Soldier, Ask Not are very good) |
| + | * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_in_Flight Cities in Flight], by James Blish (imagine New York city in flight through space...) | ||
| + | * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverworld The Riverworld series], by Philip Jose Farmer (imagine everyone who ever lived on Earth suddenly all being resurrected on the banks of a million-mile long river...) | ||
| + | * Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card | ||
| + | * Speaker for the Dead, by Orson Scott Card | ||
| + | * Ender's Shadow, by Orson Scott Card | ||
| + | * Pastwatch, Orson Scott Card | ||
| + | * Startide Rising, by David Brin | ||
| + | * Eon and Eternity, two excellent, thought-provoking novels by Greg Bear | ||
| + | * Last Legends of Earth, an epic SF adventure by A. A. Attanasio | ||
| + | * Replay, by Ken Gibson | ||
| − | + | = Favorite Fantasy books = | |
| − | + | == Favorite Fantasy books for reading/inspiration (feel free to add yours) == | |
| − | + | * Black Easter and the Day After Judgement, by James Blish (what if the forces of heaven lost?) | |
| + | * Three Hearts and Three Lions, by Poul Anderson (fantasy about Ogier du Danske) | ||
| + | * The Compleat Enchanter, Le Sprague de Camp and Fletcher Pratt | ||
| + | * The Gift, by Patrick O'Leary (wonderful adventure tale with magic) | ||
| + | * Seventh Son, by Orson Scott Card | ||
| + | * Lyonesse, by Jack Vance | ||
| + | * The Green Pearl, by Jack Vance | ||
| + | * Madouc, by Jack Vance | ||
| + | * The Black Company, by Glen Cook (great fantasy series with terrific, memorable characters and neat concepts) | ||
| + | * Neverwhere, Neil Gaiman | ||
| + | * American Gods, Neil Gaiman | ||
| + | * Stardust, Neil Gaiman | ||
| + | * The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman | ||
| + | * 9 Princes in Amber, Roger Zelazny | ||
| + | * The Hollowing, Mythago Wood and Lavondyss, by Robert Holdstock | ||
| − | + | <headertabs /> | |
