The Science of Science Fiction Writing

Rating:
Summary: Very Helpful; Thanx Scarecrow
Review: After reading this book my writing was better tenfold and found myself writing longer better stories al of the time. I got my copy from the ALA convention in New Orleans from a representative of Scarecrow publishing and now thing that I should have paid the full price for it. Thanx for the book, Sarah!

P.S. i know this was a little later than expected, but with school and writing I just got around to... writing this... in school?!LOL Hope to see you soon.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, interesting, useful
Review: As a writer and teacher of fantasy and science fiction, I have read a =lot= of how-to books over the years. Most of them range from terrible to so-so. Many can be destructive to an inexperienced or uncertain writer.

This is a wonderful exception, one of only two books I consistently recommend (the other is Orson Scott Card's CHARACTERS AND VIEWPOINT). I have been assisting at Gunn's summer workshop at the University of Kansas for years now, mostly because I think he's one of the best writers -- and teachers -- in the genre. Now he's put the wisdom of his decades in the field into a book which I think can be useful to every writer, regardless of experience.

I really cannot recommend this highly enough.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating, instructive, and inspiring!
Review: Incredible! The Science of Science Fiction Writing is a sheer delight; this book could not have been better. James Gunn, longtime historian and participant in the world of science fiction, has also been one of it's biggest cheerleaders. Now he has put his 30 year plus experience into this truly exceptional book. Professor Gunn's book gives an overview of the science fiction field, a detailed history, and personally profiles some of the biggest names in the genre. While this in itself would be sufficient, more than half the book is dedicated to the writing of science fiction (or any type of fiction). Unlike most books of this type, Gunn is remarkably entertaining in his teachings, and his enthusiasm for the subject richly shines through on every page. Stephen King's latest book, On Writing, is another great book on the subject, yet it doesn't come close to Gunn's absorbing prose, or his ability to teach what he knows to others. This is one hell of a book, one you will find yourself returning to again and again. Thank you James Gunn!

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating, instructive, and inspiring!
Review: Incredible! The Science of Science Fiction Writing is a sheer delight; this book could not have been better. James Gunn, longtime historian and participant in the world of science fiction, has also been one of it's biggest cheerleaders. Now he has put his 30 year plus experience into this truly exceptional book. Professor Gunn's book gives an overview of the science fiction field, a detailed history, and personally profiles some of the biggest names in the genre. While this in itself would be sufficient, more than half the book is dedicated to the writing of science fiction (or any type of fiction). Unlike most books of this type, Gunn is remarkably entertaining in his teachings, and his enthusiasm for the subject richly shines through on every page. Stephen King's latest book, On Writing, is another great book on the subject, yet it doesn't come close to Gunn's absorbing prose, or his ability to teach what he knows to others. This is one hell of a book, one you will find yourself returning to again and again. Thank you James Gunn!