Rating: 
Summary: Most helpful writing book I've seen
Review: I also must disagree with the criticism that Card must be dispensing worthless advice because he wouldn't give away his "secrets." The contrary is very clear to anyone who has actually read the book. You have to keep in mind that most sci-fi writers are also sci-fi fans, and have been for longer than they've been writing professionally. There's a natural motivation to help new writers because some of the most satisfying reading will come from new writers. This book is full of very clear and helpful techniques and strategies specific to science fiction that can help any writer improve his/her work. Not nebulous rules (you have to create suspense!!) but concrete advice on how to do this and other things. I think this book can help any aspiring writer.
Rating:
Summary: Most helpful writing book I've seen
Review: I also must disagree with the criticism that Card must be dispensing worthless advice because he wouldn't give away his "secrets." The contrary is very clear to anyone who has actually read the book. You have to keep in mind that most sci-fi writers are also sci-fi fans, and have been for longer than they've been writing professionally. There's a natural motivation to help new writers because some of the most satisfying reading will come from new writers. This book is full of very clear and helpful techniques and strategies specific to science fiction that can help any writer improve his/her work. Not nebulous rules (you have to create suspense!!) but concrete advice on how to do this and other things. I think this book can help any aspiring writer.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful reading
Review: I am not biased for or against Orson Card. I simply own the book, and I have the right to say that there is nothing wrong with it. I've noticed people complaining that the author doesn't keep up with science, is biased against Star Trek, gives nonsemsial info in order to confuse you, etc. This is not true. Moreover, that is not what the book is for. The author encourages you, gives you examples, and makes you comfortable with writing fiction. Card doesn't give you specific advice ( insert character A here). He gives you examples of tone. He doesn't give you a compendium of data on the medieval world. He shows you what it feels like to write about it. He points you in the right direction, gives personal pointers, uses fine humor. You supply your own storylines. Enjoy this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining, but not helpful
Review: I found the book fun to read, but I must say that in retrospect it is not helpful. Most of it consists of anecdotes about his personal experiences and his personal life... interesting for fans, but not really helpful for the aspiring writer.
Rating: 
Summary: Great for beginners
Review: I found this book helpful in writing fantasy. I did sense that the book focused more on science fiction and the various ways to write sci-fi. Card has a concise and direct way of writing. The reader has a clear picture of what Card is conveying.
Rating:
Summary: A Real Treat
Review: I have no desire to ever write science fiction or fantasy, but this book is still a great read. Very entertaining and informative. It definitely made me a better reader of all types of fiction.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent resource for any writer.
Review: I picked this book up by chance, as I have been a long time fan of Mr. Card's work. This book has been exceptionally helpful in my own work. It covers concepts writers from all genres can appreciate, and was entertaining to boot. I strongly recommend this title.
Rating:
Summary: surprisingly helpful
Review: I was pleasantly surprised by this book, and in fact found more tips on plot in this book than I did in another book I have that is devoted to plot mechanism itself. It contains many practical ideas and examples to illustrate Card's various points, and is also written in an easy-to-read, easy-to-understand style. Card's MICE quotient theory is also one of the best I've ever seen when it comes to story structure. Card has admitted in several of his essays that he got into writing almost by accident, and made many classic mistakes along the way. In this book he does so again, and offers advice and ideas for avoiding the pitfalls he encountered. He also pays attention to the fact that the audience for science fiction is unique indeed and spends some time exploring the differences between the sf audiences and general reading audiences. There are also many helpful ideas in here for the aspiring writer whose resources are a bit limited and who may not really have an in-depth understanding of the writing field. I particularly found a list of good places to try "breaking in" to be very helpful. While it's probably a little too elementary for an experienced writer, and can sometimes come across as a bit preachy, I'd recommend this book for any aspiring sf writer's library; get the hardcover if you can manage it. You'll find yourself turning to it again and again and valuing the practical advice.
Rating:
Summary: surprisingly helpful
Review: I was pleasantly surprised by this book, and in fact found more tips on plot in this book than I did in another book I have that is devoted to plot mechanism itself. It contains many practical ideas and examples to illustrate Card's various points, and is also written in an easy-to-read, easy-to-understand style. Card's MICE quotient theory is also one of the best I've ever seen when it comes to story structure. Card has admitted in several of his essays that he got into writing almost by accident, and made many classic mistakes along the way. In this book he does so again, and offers advice and ideas for avoiding the pitfalls he encountered. He also pays attention to the fact that the audience for science fiction is unique indeed and spends some time exploring the differences between the sf audiences and general reading audiences. There are also many helpful ideas in here for the aspiring writer whose resources are a bit limited and who may not really have an in-depth understanding of the writing field. I particularly found a list of good places to try "breaking in" to be very helpful. While it's probably a little too elementary for an experienced writer, and can sometimes come across as a bit preachy, I'd recommend this book for any aspiring sf writer's library; get the hardcover if you can manage it. You'll find yourself turning to it again and again and valuing the practical advice.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book, for beginners or not
Review: I'm just a beginning writer, but I found that what Card says agrees with what I have discovered on my own. I've found it very helpful and informative, but--obviously--if you really want to be a writer, you'd better go out there and write. I read a lot, and everything he says agrees with what I have observed in books, good and bad. Someone commented that Card wouldn't give away his secrets for success. What secrets? There IS no formula for success. How does Card do what he does? Talent, experience, and most of all--practice. He writes, keeps writing, keeps writing. That's how he gets better. The more you write, the better you get. There's no secret formula, however much one would like to believe it. What works for Card may not work for you--but you have to write and find out what works for you. I found this to be a very helpful book. I truly admire Card--I've read many of his books, and he is a master writer. (I highly recommend his award-winning _Ender's Game_) He's not some dry academic who hasn't written a thing beyond grammar textbooks. He is very practical, and every bit of his advice is useful. (It's also a source for some good books. He shows examples from others' writing, and I intend to look up those books.) Even if I were not a fledgling writer, I would still have enjoyed this book. His prose is clear, and even entertaining. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in writing, and anyone who would like to know more about how (good) writers write.
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