The Complete Guide to Writing Fantasy

Rating:
Summary: Extremely Handy
Review: I'm a published writer and needed information on horses and medieval banquets. Since my deadline was close, I didn't want to spend too much time researching; I remembered seeing references to these two subjects in "The Complete Guide to Writing Fantasy". I easily found the exact information I was looking for in the book. It is extremely handy (and very navigable!) when you need answers fast. Highly recommended to anyone working in the fantasy genre.

Rating:
Summary: Great Background Material
Review: I've picked up many "genre" writing books that have proved a huge disappointment -- maybe a chapter or two of genre info followed by the usual "how to type a manuscript" stuff. This book is a refreshing change! For anyone seeking to build a "realistic" fantasy world, it's a compendium of expert advice -- covering food, clothing, weapons, warfare, religion, even a fantastic (no pun intended) section on diseases. There have been criticisms of this book based on the fact that many of the contributors aren't "established" fantasy authors. What they ARE is experts in the fields upon which they are contributing, whether that field is medicine, weaponry, or what-have-you. In short, if you were going to look up "experts" to talk to about some aspect of the world you're building, these are the people you'd ask. This book will stay on my shelf! --...

Rating:
Summary: Great Background Material
Review: I've picked up many "genre" writing books that have proved a huge disappointment -- maybe a chapter or two of genre info followed by the usual "how to type a manuscript" stuff. This book is a refreshing change! For anyone seeking to build a "realistic" fantasy world, it's a compendium of expert advice -- covering food, clothing, weapons, warfare, religion, even a fantastic (no pun intended) section on diseases. There have been criticisms of this book based on the fact that many of the contributors aren't "established" fantasy authors. What they ARE is experts in the fields upon which they are contributing, whether that field is medicine, weaponry, or what-have-you. In short, if you were going to look up "experts" to talk to about some aspect of the world you're building, these are the people you'd ask. This book will stay on my shelf! --...

Rating:
Summary: Researchers can provide valuable assistance
Review: If you're a fantasy fan like me, you probably have a novel or story idea you want to write. This book will help.

The book is written by several fantasy authors, and they devote chapters to different aspects of fantasy: plot, characters, medieval medicine, medieval food, humor, marketing, etc.

I found the chapter on Magic to be worth the price of the whole book, as it sent my idea in a whole new direction. Great book.

Rating:
Summary: A great resource
Review: The Complete Guide to Writing Fantasy is a great reference guide for the aspiring fantasy author who is bubbling over with all the "How do I" questions. It is also a wonderful resource for those who have been writing in the genre for some time, but maybe need to understand one aspect of the genre more than another.

I personally found the sections on medieval food, medieval clothing and the sections on armor and combat very helpful.

You can't go wrong with this on your bookshelf.

Rating:
Summary: Extremely Handy
Review: The Complete Guide to Writing Fantasy is a great reference guide for the aspiring fantasy author who is bubbling over with all the "How do I" questions. It is also a wonderful resource for those who have been writing in the genre for some time, but maybe need to understand one aspect of the genre more than another.

I personally found the sections on medieval food, medieval clothing and the sections on armor and combat very helpful.

You can't go wrong with this on your bookshelf.