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Loading... The Craft of Writing Science Fiction That Sellsby Ben Bova
   None No current Talk conversations about this book.   ) jennelikejennay | Dec 31, 2020 |  The book emphasizes four aspects of writing: character, background, conflict, and plot. For each of these aspects, Bova spends a chapter setting up general principles ("theory"). Then, he includes one of his own short stories. Finally, a third chapter explains how that story embodied the principles he set up ("practice"). It's a nice format, let down slightly that (on the basis of this book, at least; I haven't read much by Bova), he's a fairly middling sf writer. Three of the four stories here were good ideas, but coolly written; Bova has set-ups and ideas that could make you feel, but don't. One, "Crisis of the Month," is decidedly poor. However, they are useful at illuminating his ideas, and my plan is to pair his ideas with stories from The Best Science Fiction of the Year for 2018. I like his ideas, especially his take on how to write interesting characters. I do wish he spent more time focusing on what specifically is science fictional in each of the four categories: the background section does this the most, but a lot of his advice is fairly generic to all short fiction. All that said, if you want a book about writing science fiction and just science fiction, it appears to be one of the strongest out there. My perusal on Amazon was not very promising; a lot of his competitors are unfocused (taking in many speculative genres) or spend a lot of time on basic elements of writing (which Bova assumes one already knows, and is how I would prefer to tackle my class), or just are chaotic (the table of contents for Jeff VanderMeer's Wonderbook, for example, overwhelmed me, though I might take a second look at it). It's not a perfect book, but I suspect it will teach well-- Bova has a very straightforward writing style, very businesslike-- which is the point for me. I guess we'll see this fall! Stevil2001 | Aug 24, 2019 |  ) darushawehm | Oct 24, 2015 | This book is a practical guide in construction techniques for writing fiction. The special requirements in the science fiction field are demanding. It is vital, exciting, and offers a close and immediate interaction between readers and writers. This book divides character, background, conflict and plot into three parts. With examples this shows how theoretical ideas were handled in an actual story. Then chapters on background, conflict and plot: theory first, then a short story, followed by a chapter on practice using the story as illustration. Then the different demands writing makes on the novelists, and how challenges are met. Next is preparation and the writing task. Marketing novels and short fiction, followed by ideas, style and other successful storytelling techniques. This book is a path of putting information into neural wiring that is basically unchanged. Homer, Goethe and Shakespeare used these techniques. I see this book as the fabric of successful writing, never simple or mechanic. This book offers valuable instruction, and would be perfect as a reference in a personal library. I own a copy of this book. ( ) JanettLeeWawrzyniak | Feb 9, 2013 | no reviews | add a review
Contains
"Ben Bova, best-selling author and six-time Hugo Award winner for Best Editor explains step by step all the elements you need to write profesionally selling science fiction. Bova was editor of both Analog and Omni magazine, two of the best-ever markets for short fiction, as well as a best-selling novelist and former President of SFWA a " so nobody knows what sells better than Ben Bova. The book breaks down every aspect of writing and analyzes it in depth, including with complete example short stories that he examines for how they tick. The book targets science fiction in particular since it's one of the hardest genres to write, but his explanations are applicable to fiction of any genre. This is a must-read for anyone trying to break into the professional science fiction writing field. CONTENTS: Chapter One - How to Get Out of the Slushpile Chapter Two - Science Fiction Chapter Three - Character in Science Fiction: Theory Chapter Four - Character in Science Fiction - Fifteen Miles - A Complete Short Story Chapter Five - Character in Science Fiction: Practice Chapter Six - Background in Science Fiction: Theory Chapter Seven - Background in Science Fiction - Sepulcher - A Complete Short Story Chapter Eight - Background in Science Fiction: Practice Chapter Nine - Conflict in Science Fiction: Theory Chapter Ten - Conflict in Science Fiction - Crisis of the Month - A Complete Short Story Chapter Eleven - Conflict in Science Fiction: Practice Chapter Twelve - Plot in Science Fiction: Theory Chapter Thirteen - Plot in Science Fiction - The Shining Ones - A Complete Short Story Chapter Fourteen - Plot in Science Fiction: Practice Chapter Fifteen - Think Before You Write: Preparing for the Novel Chapter Sixteen - The Long Siege: Writing the Novel Chapter Seventeen - Into the Cold, Cruel World: Marketing Your Fiction Chapter Eighteen - The Thematic Novel Chapter Nineteen - Ideas, Style and Inspiration Bibliography ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ben Bova, author of more than eighty futuristic novels and nonfiction books, has been involved in science and high technology since the beginning of the space program. Formerly president of Science-fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and President Emeritus of the National Space Society, Bova is a frequent commentator on radio and television, and a popular lecturer. He has also been an editor and an executive in the aerospace industry. His novels, such as Mars, The Exiles Trilogy, and The Grand Tour series, combine romance, adventure, and scientific accuracy to explore the impact of technological developments on individuals and on society as a whole. His nonfiction books, such as Welcome to Moonbase and Assured Survival, show how modern technology can be used to solve economic, social and political problems. Bova has taught science fiction writing at Harvard University and at the Hayden Planetarium in New York City. He lectures regularly on topics dealing with the space program, energy, the craft of writing, and the art of predicting the future. His audiences have included the National Geographic Society, government and corporate executive groups, writers' workshops and university students. He has worked with film makers and television producers, such as Woody Allen, George Lucas and Gene Roddenberry. Bova has appeared on hundreds of radio and television broadcasts. He was a regular guest on CBS Morning News, and has appeared frequently on Good Morning America and the Today show. He was editorial director of Omni magazine and editor of Analog magazine. He received the Science Fiction Achievement Award (the "Hugo") for Best Professional Editor six times. Don't keep making the same mistakes a " take your writing to the next level by reading THE CRAFT OF WRITING SCIENCE FICTION THAT SELLS today!."-- No library descriptions found. |
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 Google Books — Loading...GenresNo genres Melvil Decimal System (DDC)808.38762Literature By Topic Rhetoric and anthologies Rhetoric of fiction Genre writing Mysteries, horror, westerns, science fiction and fantasy Writing Science fiction and fantasy Writing science fictionLC ClassificationRatingAverage: (3.74)
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