Apr 1, 2011

A is for Amazing Writing Books

I've read a LOT of books on the craft of writing, but only a tiny fraction of all the great books out there on how to write. Here is a review of one for fantasy writers:


Adventures in Fantasy is a textbook for teachers of creative writing. The cover suggests it is aimed at grades 5-9, but I found this could easily be adapted for use in the classroom for any year and is especially helpful for adult writers wanting to explore the craft of fantasy writing.

I'm currently editing The Costume Maker, a fantasy novel about an old gypsy who banishes a rude young customer into a dangerous world of dragons, evil fairies and superstitious gypsies. Only the gypsy's granddaughter can save the girl who has been so mean to her. I had never tried to write fantasy before and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it (my usual genre is mystery). This book is so clear and has some great tasks to try to strengthen your world and characters.

My mistake with this book was to purchase the Kindle version, there are a lot of handy worksheets that need to be photocopied and they didn't come up big enough on the Kindle. The book is so good though, that I've now ordered the paperback as well. If you write fantasy, or you want to try fantasy, this is the book to get.

27 comments:

  1. Great start to the challenge, Wags. I love your new look :)

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  2. Awesome! Of course, you have a headstart on April, being a few hours ahead of me here in the center of North America. I joined the A-Z challenge just last night!

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  3. Sounds like a great resource. Thanks for the head up on the Kindle version.

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  4. I could actually use this to help the students I tutor. Thank you so much!

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  5. Thanks for suggesting the book, will look forward to it! Good luck with the challenge.

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  6. Looks like a great book. Hadn't thought about flowcharts and Kindle, must keep that in mind :)

    Hugs,

    Rach

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  7. You can view kindle books on your PC (with free software) which might help in future.

    I know you have a lot of how-to books on writing, hope you can give us a glimpse of a few more.

    regards
    mood
    Moody Writing Blog

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  8. I like the sound of this. I will add it to my wish list :O)

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  9. Great start to the challenge and sounds like have a vast knowledge of these books! So nice of you to share :)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  10. Even though the cover is, as you said, suggestive of being aimed at grades 5-9, I find that we all need to go back to elementary school from time to time to refresh those simple concepts we seem to overlook.

    I agree the glitch with Kindle and not showing some things such as worksheets a weak link but hopefully we'll get a fix on that in the future.

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  11. AWESOME! Thanks for the book recommendation; it sounds like a good 'un.

    I had never thought of printing from Kindle, since I only have Kindle for PC. Hmmm.... Sounds like something to try, doesn't it? Put the book into Kindle for PC, go to the page and print screen....

    Marian Allen
    Fantasies, mysteries, comedies, recipes

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  12. I love this and thanks for sharing! I think there is a lot of mystery in fantasy and you will do really well~

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  13. This one does sound good, though I don't think I would have guessed it from the cover....don't judge, right?

    Good to know about the Kindle issue...I haven't gone there yet, but I'm gathering notes for a future date.

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  14. I haven't tried fantasy yet, but I'm writing this title down in case I do!

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  15. oooh, I wish we would have had something like that for me when I was in school. Thanks for the heads up!

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  16. Thanks for the tip about Kindle.

    I never figured I'd write fantasy, so it's good to know that it's a new genre for you, but you are enjoying it.

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  17. That is interesting. I am always trying to get my daughter to write more.

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  18. I have written some stories about a sort of spiritual super hero. It's written mostly in rhyme, but I think this book can help me. Of course, I started this project a million years ago. Will I ever finish it? Hope that's not my fantasy.

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  19. Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

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  20. There are definitely advantages and disadvantages to ebooks.

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  21. Wow, thanks for all the comments.

    I agree, the cover does not do this book justice and I almost didn't get it because of the dated look on the cover. But, must say its instructions are clear and in achievable steps. You start with Worldbuilding and map making :-)

    We have iPad in our home as well, so I can read things that are too small for Kindle on that, and I do have Kindle for PC - but I just recommend the paperback for this book because it would be simpler to just photocopy all the activity pages.

    And for those of you who read my post on how many books I have on my Kindle about writing - yes, I'll be trying to get around to covering them all!

    Hope everyone is enjoying the A-Z challenge!

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  22. Oh, this looks like something I need too. You can never learn too much. But you have to practice what you learn. That is my stopping point.
    Oh well,I will get there yet.

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  23. Charmaine, Thanks for the tip about that resource. I have added it to my "want" list. :0)

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