WRITING SPECULATIVE FICTION
Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Horror
Student Edition
Paperback: 340 pages
ISBN-10 : 1640084401
ISBN-13 : 978-1640084407
ASIN: B073JW7YQ1
Genre: Non-Fiction / Educational
Author: Lelia Rose Foreman
This textbook develops an 18-week program designed to guide
PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS through creating their own speculative fiction story, that is, a science fiction, fantasy, or horror story.
Designed for homeschoolers and small-school settings, this textbook draws on excerpts from dozens of speculative fiction authors and writing experts.
It gives detailed information about genre, cultural world building, physical world building, plot, character, character arc, heroes, villains, sidekicks, bystanders, description, conflict and tension, editing and revising, "your first chapter," voice, words and worldview, science fiction, fantasy, and horror.
Each chapter in the course contains exercises for students, including extra credit activities, in addition to guiding the creating of an individual short story.
REVIEW
This textbook is incredibly helpful and well put together. I found myself highlighting and note-taking like crazy.
Explanations were clear, concise, and supplemented with sections from published speculative fiction novels.
As a former homeschooler, I can absolutely recommend this for homeschool parents looking for a good textbook to teach the art of writing speculative fiction.
And, even if you aren't homeschooled (or even currently in school), this book is certainly worth a read. I learned some new tips, was reminded of old ones, and came away feeling excited by the whole experience.
Also: This book includes a list of recommended readings for both nonfiction and fiction. It also includes helpful websites.
I say this as somebody who rarely reads textbooks or instructionals on creative writing: This book is an extremely helpful resource for teachers, students, and writers in general.
-Hannah Heath, from Goodreads.
