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How to Write Magical Words: A Writer's Companion
"This is the best idea for a writing book that I've ever seen. It's like sitting in a room full of professional writers, and after each one delivers a riff on one aspect of writing, the others weigh in to buttress, amplify, refine, or add to what was said. It's an extended conversation with writers who know what they're talking about--and what matters in writing fiction that really communicates with readers."
--Orson Scott Card . . . . . . How To Write Magical A Writer's Companion is a compilation of essays originally published on MagicalWords.net, a popular writing blog with thousands of regular followers. Distilling three years worth of helpful advice into a single, portable volume, it contains nearly 100 essays covering such wide-ranging topics - Getting Started . . . Again
- Creating Characters in Small Spaces
- Storytelling Belief
- Binding Character and Point of View
- Word Choice and Pacing
- Metaphors, Similes, and Analogies, Oh My . . .
- Writing Action Scenes
- The Beginning of the End
- Developing Your Internal Editor
- Artistic Choices and the Market
- Business Realities for the Writer Many of these essays are accompanied by comments and questions from the blog's readers, along with the author's response, making this volume unique among how-to books on any subject. The core members of Magical Words--David B. Coe, A.J. Hartley, Faith Hunter, Stuart Jaffe, Misty Massey, C.E. Murphy, and Edmund R. Schubert--have experience writing and editing fantasy, mysteries, thrillers, romance, science fiction, non-fiction, and more. This group is uniquely qualified to cover the full spectrum of writing-related issues. How To Write Magical A Writer's Companion is a book that belongs in the library of anyone interested in the craft of writing, the business of writing, and the writing life.
--Orson Scott Card . . . . . . How To Write Magical A Writer's Companion is a compilation of essays originally published on MagicalWords.net, a popular writing blog with thousands of regular followers. Distilling three years worth of helpful advice into a single, portable volume, it contains nearly 100 essays covering such wide-ranging topics - Getting Started . . . Again
- Creating Characters in Small Spaces
- Storytelling Belief
- Binding Character and Point of View
- Word Choice and Pacing
- Metaphors, Similes, and Analogies, Oh My . . .
- Writing Action Scenes
- The Beginning of the End
- Developing Your Internal Editor
- Artistic Choices and the Market
- Business Realities for the Writer Many of these essays are accompanied by comments and questions from the blog's readers, along with the author's response, making this volume unique among how-to books on any subject. The core members of Magical Words--David B. Coe, A.J. Hartley, Faith Hunter, Stuart Jaffe, Misty Massey, C.E. Murphy, and Edmund R. Schubert--have experience writing and editing fantasy, mysteries, thrillers, romance, science fiction, non-fiction, and more. This group is uniquely qualified to cover the full spectrum of writing-related issues. How To Write Magical A Writer's Companion is a book that belongs in the library of anyone interested in the craft of writing, the business of writing, and the writing life.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
324 pages, Paperback
First published January 3, 2011
7 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 21, 2013
How to Write Magical Words is a very good how-to writers book. But face it, there are dozen such books out there.
But not from seven different authors, each giving what works and doesn't work for them. A tool that might work for one might not work for you - but with seven different people throwing out examples and hints, at least one set of tools will fit your needs. Faith's metaphoric examples, David's technical knowledge, Misty's beginner's enthusiasm and doubt, Edmund's editor's perspective ... each author brings something unique to the table.
The best part for me was the Self-Editing section. As someone interested in self-publishing and not yet able to pay an editor - this is the true gem of the book. Describing crutches, and the difference between revising and copyediting, and how to revise dialogue. All gems. "BIC and Rewrite Tips" is something I am going to read through every time I complete a flirt from now on. In fact this book as a whole just became a must-read after completing each of my books and before I post it to Amazon.
(BIC means "butt in chair")
The only issue is book covers the first 3 years of the MagicalWords.net blog - 2008 to 2011, and the section on "Business" is getting a little long in the tooth. Vanity press and POD is covered, but not the true self-publishing now available. For that you need to monitor the magicalwords.net blog and attend sci-fi/fantasy writer's conventions such as ConCarolinas and ConDFW. The business has changed so much in the past three years and will continue to change dramatically for the near (and maybe far) future.
But not from seven different authors, each giving what works and doesn't work for them. A tool that might work for one might not work for you - but with seven different people throwing out examples and hints, at least one set of tools will fit your needs. Faith's metaphoric examples, David's technical knowledge, Misty's beginner's enthusiasm and doubt, Edmund's editor's perspective ... each author brings something unique to the table.
The best part for me was the Self-Editing section. As someone interested in self-publishing and not yet able to pay an editor - this is the true gem of the book. Describing crutches, and the difference between revising and copyediting, and how to revise dialogue. All gems. "BIC and Rewrite Tips" is something I am going to read through every time I complete a flirt from now on. In fact this book as a whole just became a must-read after completing each of my books and before I post it to Amazon.
(BIC means "butt in chair")
The only issue is book covers the first 3 years of the MagicalWords.net blog - 2008 to 2011, and the section on "Business" is getting a little long in the tooth. Vanity press and POD is covered, but not the true self-publishing now available. For that you need to monitor the magicalwords.net blog and attend sci-fi/fantasy writer's conventions such as ConCarolinas and ConDFW. The business has changed so much in the past three years and will continue to change dramatically for the near (and maybe far) future.
August 30, 2011
A good, solid discussion among writers about things most writers worry about (or at least talk about). I don't agree wholeheartedly with all stated among the opinions and advice, but it's a good read for anyone who wrestles with words for a living, especially those of us in the genre-moors. :)
October 12, 2011
This was written by some of my closest friends in the business, so I'm not going to say that I'm the most unbiased reviewer. But it's a very, very good writing book.
January 13, 2012
It has been a very useful tool for my work. Outstanding job at making the points clear and concise. Thank you!!
July 31, 2013
Best book on writing I've ever read. This one didn't find a home on the bookshelf. It's on the writing desk next to Strunk and White.
March 19, 2013
A wealth of information. I learned a ton.
July 25, 2013
A great collection of essays for fiction writers, overall.
January 5, 2012
Wonderful craft book from popular YA and Fantasy authors whose work I admire!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews