Book review: How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy

[game_byrd]

How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy is a book by Orson Scott Card. I snagged it out of the books my ex took with him after the divorce, since it was one of the few I thought I might get around to reading some day. So after I was finished with the monster of Mind/Body Health, I picked the shortest book on my 'Books I Have Not Read' shelf and

Comments

[black_sluggard]

I read the book several years ago, and I remember getting an awful lot out of it as well.

Though it's interesting that you bring up the way the relationship between published writers and the reading audience has changed, especially in terms of knowing their causes. I was quite a fan of Card's fiction in high school, and later appreciative of this book in particular, but what I've since come to learn about his politics is disgusting. :(

[game_byrd]

Yes, very true. While I was reading, I found myself examining his politics even more than I usually would. All the heroes, protagonists, and interesting characters he mentioned were male. The default was also assumed to be male. Female characters, when they existed at all, were healers, homebodies, and/or existed to love the male bring him closure and emotional growth. Card had turned all his finances over to his wife due to his own fiscal irresponsibility and he had trained her to be his beta reader. While neither of those are bad things, they show a continuing trend of viewing the woman as someone who exists to help you, the male, the important person. She does not exist as an important person herself. One wonders what Card would have the people do in a world without males, because they would be purposeless and empty

[black_sluggard]

I think a lot of it may be less "product of his time" than a "product of his religion". When it comes to the subservient wifey mentality, there are few faiths the Mormon's don't beat. :/

[cheetobuzz]

interesting.I've read and liked some of Card's work,but I've gotten used to and glossed over female characters nearly being cloned and made subservient.I also assumed it was a times thing and never made a fuss over it because it's so common.Got a used and cheap copy coming to me to check out,but really might look into it and using ideas it suggests because even when I write science fiction,the main and many of the side characters are often female.Having plans to write an interesting fantasy book/trilogy that has a bit of romance on the side (sexually natured,but nothing graphic),this will still be read,but may be laughed through at parts.Writing a fantasy storyline with some of the characters being lesbian and at times in the middle of hectic,saving fights would not fit in any of Card's beliefs you describe....this may be an interesting read as well as possibly helpful :)

[game_byrd]

One thing I found useful was his advice to read the works that defined the genre. I put these on my wish list that he recommended:

The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Vol. 1: 1929-1964 by Robert Silverberg (Paperback)
Dangerous Visions (SF Masterworks) by Harlan Ellison (Paperback)
The Best of the Nebulas by Ben Bova (Paperback)

They're all available used and cheap. I'll pick them up someday.

[cheetobuzz]

oh yes,used books sold cheap on amazon!something I really have to watch not overdoing at times....