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Ideas and Inspiration for Fantasy and Science Fiction Writers
If you want to spark new ideas for worlds, plots or characters, you want Ideas and Inspiration for Fantasy and Science Fiction Writers. Medicinal corpses, the jargons of thieves and carnies, Nazi UFOs, the colonization of space and green children from nowhere are only a few of the topics covered. This sourcebook is for all writers of fantasy or science fiction--whether novels, short stories, games, or any other form of storytelling.
The following topics are
5-Alpha-Reductase Deficiency
Albinos, African, Murder of
Alphabets, Sympathetic
Animals, Characteristics Wrongly Attributed to
Animals, Unnerving Behaviors of
Antarctica, Secret Nazi Bases In
Banditry, Social
Batavia, the, Wreck of
Bear-Baiting and Variants
'Bear', Meanings of Native Words For
Bethlem Hospital, Tours of
Body Parts Used for Medical Purposes
Book Curses
Bourdin, Frederic
Cat Pianos
Colors, Impossible
Counting Coup
Cydonian Hypothesis, The
D'Aubigny, Julie
Delusional Misidentification Syndrome
Dinosaur Civilization
Doomsday Argument, The
Drapetomania
El Dorado
Emperor Frederick II, Experiments of
Eternal Recurrence
Experiments In the Revival of Organisms
Fermi's Paradox
Feuding
Fox-Tossing
Freaks, Faked
George V, Death of
Ghosts and Visions In English and American Court Cases
God, Names of
Green Children of Woolpit, The, and Other Green-Skinned People In Folklore
Hands of Glory
Heads, Disembodied or Severed But Apparently Conscious
Hell According to Emanuel Swedenborg
Hendley-Freegard, Robert
Hermits, Hiring of
Hero's Journey, The
Hinterkaifeck Murders, the
Icke, David
Jinmenken
Kennings
Lord of the Rings, The, Possible African Inspiration For
Lost Continents
Lovecraft, H.P., Selections From the Commonplace Book of
Love, Origin of
Magicians
Magic, Principles of
Mandrake Root, The
Marriages or Sexual Relations Between Humans and Inanimate Objects
Mars, Late th and Early th Century Western Depictions of
Mengele, Josef, Identification of American Serial Killers With
Mordake, Edward
Morning of the Magicians, The
Names, Magical Properties of
Nemi, Priesthood of
Odin, Titles of
Pharaohs, the, Curse of
Preestablished Harmony
Psalmanazar, George
Pythagorean Brotherhood, The
Quantum Suicide and Quantum Immortality
Quotes, Miscellaneous
Rampa, Lobsang
Rat Kings
Raubal, Geli
Rubinstein, Sylvin
St. Germain, Comte de
Santa Muerte
Satan, Names and Titles of
Schaefer, Paul
Science Fiction, Generating Ideas For
Scientific Questions, Unanswered
Senses Other than the Traditional Five
Simulation Argument, The
Solly, Elmer
Space Colonies
Stock Characters of the Past
Thieves' Cant, Carny Lingo, and Similar Expressions
Thirty-Six Dramatic Situations, The
Tides, Magical Properties of
Time Travel, Carl Sagan on the Possibility of
Toft, Mary
Traveler's Tales
Tuho, Proprieties to be Observed Before Playing
Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, The
UFOs, Dreams of
Underground Worlds
Venus In th Century Science Fiction
Victorian Era, Grotesqueries of
Waste, Nuclear, Warning Future Cultures Away From
Zombies
The following topics are
5-Alpha-Reductase Deficiency
Albinos, African, Murder of
Alphabets, Sympathetic
Animals, Characteristics Wrongly Attributed to
Animals, Unnerving Behaviors of
Antarctica, Secret Nazi Bases In
Banditry, Social
Batavia, the, Wreck of
Bear-Baiting and Variants
'Bear', Meanings of Native Words For
Bethlem Hospital, Tours of
Body Parts Used for Medical Purposes
Book Curses
Bourdin, Frederic
Cat Pianos
Colors, Impossible
Counting Coup
Cydonian Hypothesis, The
D'Aubigny, Julie
Delusional Misidentification Syndrome
Dinosaur Civilization
Doomsday Argument, The
Drapetomania
El Dorado
Emperor Frederick II, Experiments of
Eternal Recurrence
Experiments In the Revival of Organisms
Fermi's Paradox
Feuding
Fox-Tossing
Freaks, Faked
George V, Death of
Ghosts and Visions In English and American Court Cases
God, Names of
Green Children of Woolpit, The, and Other Green-Skinned People In Folklore
Hands of Glory
Heads, Disembodied or Severed But Apparently Conscious
Hell According to Emanuel Swedenborg
Hendley-Freegard, Robert
Hermits, Hiring of
Hero's Journey, The
Hinterkaifeck Murders, the
Icke, David
Jinmenken
Kennings
Lord of the Rings, The, Possible African Inspiration For
Lost Continents
Lovecraft, H.P., Selections From the Commonplace Book of
Love, Origin of
Magicians
Magic, Principles of
Mandrake Root, The
Marriages or Sexual Relations Between Humans and Inanimate Objects
Mars, Late th and Early th Century Western Depictions of
Mengele, Josef, Identification of American Serial Killers With
Mordake, Edward
Morning of the Magicians, The
Names, Magical Properties of
Nemi, Priesthood of
Odin, Titles of
Pharaohs, the, Curse of
Preestablished Harmony
Psalmanazar, George
Pythagorean Brotherhood, The
Quantum Suicide and Quantum Immortality
Quotes, Miscellaneous
Rampa, Lobsang
Rat Kings
Raubal, Geli
Rubinstein, Sylvin
St. Germain, Comte de
Santa Muerte
Satan, Names and Titles of
Schaefer, Paul
Science Fiction, Generating Ideas For
Scientific Questions, Unanswered
Senses Other than the Traditional Five
Simulation Argument, The
Solly, Elmer
Space Colonies
Stock Characters of the Past
Thieves' Cant, Carny Lingo, and Similar Expressions
Thirty-Six Dramatic Situations, The
Tides, Magical Properties of
Time Travel, Carl Sagan on the Possibility of
Toft, Mary
Traveler's Tales
Tuho, Proprieties to be Observed Before Playing
Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, The
UFOs, Dreams of
Underground Worlds
Venus In th Century Science Fiction
Victorian Era, Grotesqueries of
Waste, Nuclear, Warning Future Cultures Away From
Zombies
407 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 4, 2016
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 2, 2016
I received a copy of this book directly from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
No. Just no. This book was a DNF for me after the very first page—though to be fair, I did read through 68% of the book before I settled down on a solid DNF rating. Rather than Ideas and Inspirations for Fantasy and Science Fiction Writers, this book would have been better-titled Facts and Folklore, because that’s basically what this book was.
I was perhaps mistakenly under the impression that this book would be filled with inspirational writing advice, writing prompts, writing advice, or at the very least, a list of Science Fiction and Fantasy ideas… but that isn’t what I got. The book was basically a list of random facts and bits and pieces of folklore. gathered en-masse and regurgitated. There was no sense of the author’s individual voice, nor introduction to the various bits of information. It felt as if the author had spent some time roaming around Wikipedia researching and then copy and pasted that research into this book as–is, and called it done. As a writing resource for authors looking for some kind of inspiration for writing… it’s rather subpar.
At one point, I skimmed past a 20-page essay of sorts on a historical event. I was half convinced that this book was a scam at first, but I think it was honestly just poorly put together. I can’t in good conscience recommend any aspiring authors out there pick this up as a source of inspiration. It isn’t going to be helpful to you.
No. Just no. This book was a DNF for me after the very first page—though to be fair, I did read through 68% of the book before I settled down on a solid DNF rating. Rather than Ideas and Inspirations for Fantasy and Science Fiction Writers, this book would have been better-titled Facts and Folklore, because that’s basically what this book was.
I was perhaps mistakenly under the impression that this book would be filled with inspirational writing advice, writing prompts, writing advice, or at the very least, a list of Science Fiction and Fantasy ideas… but that isn’t what I got. The book was basically a list of random facts and bits and pieces of folklore. gathered en-masse and regurgitated. There was no sense of the author’s individual voice, nor introduction to the various bits of information. It felt as if the author had spent some time roaming around Wikipedia researching and then copy and pasted that research into this book as–is, and called it done. As a writing resource for authors looking for some kind of inspiration for writing… it’s rather subpar.
At one point, I skimmed past a 20-page essay of sorts on a historical event. I was half convinced that this book was a scam at first, but I think it was honestly just poorly put together. I can’t in good conscience recommend any aspiring authors out there pick this up as a source of inspiration. It isn’t going to be helpful to you.
May 10, 2016
This resource is remarkably extensive and varied. There are articles on strange human behaviours, odd customs and traditions, peculiar animal behaviour, secret societies and events, curses, unusual illnesses, myths, fakes, religious peculiarities, odd individuals and many other topics.
This isn’t a book to sit and read, but a research and inspiration tool to use for those times when you have the urge to write something unusual or speculative but the ideas escape you. Here you’ll find ideas to stimulate and inform, those oddities that can form a platform from which the writer can dive into the world of the impossible, improbable, eclectic and strange.
It’s a veritable compendium of stimulants for the brain, a lever for the imagination, a cave of treasures for the storyteller in search of inventiveness.
If you write either fantasy or science fiction, you’ll come across ideas and events here to help you make your stories more interesting, intriguing, adventurous and yet strangely plausible. It’s a work to enjoy and keep at hand for those moments when the imagination lags and the ideas begin to dry up. Definitely worth the tiny sum I paid for it.
This isn’t a book to sit and read, but a research and inspiration tool to use for those times when you have the urge to write something unusual or speculative but the ideas escape you. Here you’ll find ideas to stimulate and inform, those oddities that can form a platform from which the writer can dive into the world of the impossible, improbable, eclectic and strange.
It’s a veritable compendium of stimulants for the brain, a lever for the imagination, a cave of treasures for the storyteller in search of inventiveness.
If you write either fantasy or science fiction, you’ll come across ideas and events here to help you make your stories more interesting, intriguing, adventurous and yet strangely plausible. It’s a work to enjoy and keep at hand for those moments when the imagination lags and the ideas begin to dry up. Definitely worth the tiny sum I paid for it.
July 7, 2017
When I started reading the book, I went back to the blurb provided to me. I was told that the book is a collection of articles that could trigger ideas.
The collection contains various topics that can be used for Sci Fi books and fantasy stories. Hence, the book attempts to deliver what it claims. But sadly, there is no introduction or a precursor to what to expect and the like. Thus, jumping straight into the content was like diving into unknown waters.
James has made concerted efforts in compiling the articles and kudos to him for doing so. The only thing I felt that could gave improved the writings were a personal touch or giving examples. There were facts, there were folklores. Yet, I felt something was amiss. Maybe, with a sentence or two in first person the reader would have felt like returning back to the article. Also, a bit of change in the writing style would have succeeded in creating better mental imageries. This would have led to topics becoming better and effective inspirational triggers. Otherwise, the language used is simple and can be easily comprehended.
One high point of the collection is that various interesting topics have been touched upon. The book could have been a wonderful source for Sci Fi and Fantasy writers suffering from a writer's block or seeking ideas and inspirations. However, the narration may act as a bit of a deterrent. A bit more tweaking could have converted this non-fiction into a more interesting read.
To sum up, the book is readable at least once for the efforts that the author has invested in compiling the articles. The collection is good enough to be flipped through at least once by writers wanting to write a science fiction or fantasy story.
P.S - Thank you James for sharing your collection of articles with me. I am sure as a writer you appreciate an honest opinion. Looking forward to your next which would definitely be better.
The collection contains various topics that can be used for Sci Fi books and fantasy stories. Hence, the book attempts to deliver what it claims. But sadly, there is no introduction or a precursor to what to expect and the like. Thus, jumping straight into the content was like diving into unknown waters.
James has made concerted efforts in compiling the articles and kudos to him for doing so. The only thing I felt that could gave improved the writings were a personal touch or giving examples. There were facts, there were folklores. Yet, I felt something was amiss. Maybe, with a sentence or two in first person the reader would have felt like returning back to the article. Also, a bit of change in the writing style would have succeeded in creating better mental imageries. This would have led to topics becoming better and effective inspirational triggers. Otherwise, the language used is simple and can be easily comprehended.
One high point of the collection is that various interesting topics have been touched upon. The book could have been a wonderful source for Sci Fi and Fantasy writers suffering from a writer's block or seeking ideas and inspirations. However, the narration may act as a bit of a deterrent. A bit more tweaking could have converted this non-fiction into a more interesting read.
To sum up, the book is readable at least once for the efforts that the author has invested in compiling the articles. The collection is good enough to be flipped through at least once by writers wanting to write a science fiction or fantasy story.
P.S - Thank you James for sharing your collection of articles with me. I am sure as a writer you appreciate an honest opinion. Looking forward to your next which would definitely be better.
August 28, 2017
Interesting resource
If you're a writer (or want to be) and are interested in sci-fi or fantasy, this book can give some ideas or even writing prompts. It also resembles an encyclopedia of information and can help with character development, story development or even additions to a current story. It's not the book you just sit down and read (unless you're reading to write a review, as I am), but it's a good resource and tool for any writer, even if you're writing a different genre. Whether it's a long novel, or short story, this book can be helpful. It is filled with information, and some maybe things you never even heard of, or the answers to questions you never asked but always wanted to.
If you're a writer (or want to be) and are interested in sci-fi or fantasy, this book can give some ideas or even writing prompts. It also resembles an encyclopedia of information and can help with character development, story development or even additions to a current story. It's not the book you just sit down and read (unless you're reading to write a review, as I am), but it's a good resource and tool for any writer, even if you're writing a different genre. Whether it's a long novel, or short story, this book can be helpful. It is filled with information, and some maybe things you never even heard of, or the answers to questions you never asked but always wanted to.
June 27, 2017
Like an UNCLE JOHN'S BATHROOM READER for adults, this is a collection of intriguing historical anecdotes, literary motifs, and other ideas to spark the creative juicer. Recommended.
April 28, 2016
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
You know what this book could've used? An introduction. Just something to ground the reader in the books intention, design, scope . . . something. It just dives in, you flip from the Table of Contents to the first entry.
The only way you know what the book is for is to have read the description from Goodreads/ebook seller:
The afterword touches on it a little, but who wants that at the end of a book?
Smoother writing, maybe a touch of personality to the writing would've been a plus, too.
It's not something you can read cover-to-cover, it's a resource book that you can consult, or flip through. I'm pretty sure I've read almost all of it over the course of a couple of weeks. It sparked an idea or two (not that I have time for them), but that's about it.
I guess, this book set out to do what it intended, is thorough, easy to read, so . . . 3 stars? Next time you're trying to prepare for NaNoWriMo or a Creative Writing course, give it a thumb-through.
Disclaimer: This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
---
You know what this book could've used? An introduction. Just something to ground the reader in the books intention, design, scope . . . something. It just dives in, you flip from the Table of Contents to the first entry.
The only way you know what the book is for is to have read the description from Goodreads/ebook seller:
If you want to spark new ideas for worlds, plots or characters, you want Ideas and Inspiration for Fantasy and Science Fiction Writers. Medicinal corpses, the jargons of thieves and carnies, Nazi UFOs, the colonization of space and green children from nowhere are only a few of the topics covered. This sourcebook is for all writers of fantasy or science fiction--whether novels, short stories, games, or any other form of storytelling.
The afterword touches on it a little, but who wants that at the end of a book?
Smoother writing, maybe a touch of personality to the writing would've been a plus, too.
It's not something you can read cover-to-cover, it's a resource book that you can consult, or flip through. I'm pretty sure I've read almost all of it over the course of a couple of weeks. It sparked an idea or two (not that I have time for them), but that's about it.
I guess, this book set out to do what it intended, is thorough, easy to read, so . . . 3 stars? Next time you're trying to prepare for NaNoWriMo or a Creative Writing course, give it a thumb-through.
Disclaimer: This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2016
Who would love a book with topics like "Book Curses", "Hand Of Glory", "The Possible African Inspiration for The Lord Of The Rings", "H.P. Lovercraft" & "Zombies"?
This book truly have it all, you are sure to find some inspiration or spark in this book for your imagination to grow and to create your next masterpiece.
If your in a slump or having writers block or even nust want to expand your knowledge or is like me, very curious, then give this book a shot and see your imagination forming.
This book truly have it all, you are sure to find some inspiration or spark in this book for your imagination to grow and to create your next masterpiece.
If your in a slump or having writers block or even nust want to expand your knowledge or is like me, very curious, then give this book a shot and see your imagination forming.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews