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sylveondreams's review
1.0
Took me literally a decade to read. I don't think writing books are built for me.
cypriaturge's review
5.0
Essential advice for the intermediate/advanced writer. Breaks down the craft in such an organic and intuitive way. Highly recommended.
ohclaire's review
4.0
I don't read a lot of craft books but this was pretty insightful! I liked all the inserts by other authors and the exercises at the end.
jamiejamie's review
Too basic for me. Would rather spend my time on more advanced craft books.
siraels's review
4.0
1st read
It was really good. I learned something new about how to write and even though it took me a long time to finish, I would like to read something similar because I want to get better at writing. And those pictures in this book were amazing.
2nd read
I still agree with the points I made after my first read of this book. It's quite interesting and made me learn a bit. I feel like now it gave me much more than when I've read it for the first time since I know a lot more about writing and I would call myself a more skilled writer. It was fun.
It was really good. I learned something new about how to write and even though it took me a long time to finish, I would like to read something similar because I want to get better at writing. And those pictures in this book were amazing.
2nd read
I still agree with the points I made after my first read of this book. It's quite interesting and made me learn a bit. I feel like now it gave me much more than when I've read it for the first time since I know a lot more about writing and I would call myself a more skilled writer. It was fun.
samrushingbooks's review
4.0
4.5
Great book filled with advice laid out in an interesting and thought-provoking way, and so very many writing exercises. I'm so glad I picked this book up.
Great book filled with advice laid out in an interesting and thought-provoking way, and so very many writing exercises. I'm so glad I picked this book up.
wicked_turtle's review
4.0
Jeff VanderMeer does a stellar job in going over the fundamentals for writing good stories. There are plenty of examples, and I enjoyed the guest essays that provided more insight (except "The Zero's Relapse" by Michael Cisco -- read it twice and still have no idea what the hell he's talking about). I also like how Wonderbook focuses on genre fiction -- there aren't many craft books that do so -- but the advice is applicable to any style of fiction.
More advanced writers may find some of the material elementary, but I thought it was a great refresher course. The worldbuilding chapter was especially useful. Wonderbook is a resource I'll probably refer to again and again in the future.
The appendix had additional essays showing how larping and gaming can be used as writing tools. They didn't really catch my interest. The interview with George R.R. Martin about craft was great, and the additional writing exercises looked like fun.
The artwork and illustrated exercises/guides are stunning. Kudos to Jeremy Zerfoss and the other contributing artists.
More advanced writers may find some of the material elementary, but I thought it was a great refresher course. The worldbuilding chapter was especially useful. Wonderbook is a resource I'll probably refer to again and again in the future.
The appendix had additional essays showing how larping and gaming can be used as writing tools. They didn't really catch my interest. The interview with George R.R. Martin about craft was great, and the additional writing exercises looked like fun.
The artwork and illustrated exercises/guides are stunning. Kudos to Jeremy Zerfoss and the other contributing artists.
zeke67's review
4.0
A great resource to add to your writing studies. Use it to help expand your imagination if you're writing speculative fiction and you happen to get stuck. Perfect for when the time comes to revise that manuscript and punch it up.