Customer Reviews

The Craft of Writing Science Fiction That Sells

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Though I admit I'm not so keen on Bova's writing style in itself, he offers good advice on the actual mechanics of building a story: character, plot, conflict, etc. He rightfully recognizes that most budding writers have the talent but are rejected because of poor *craft*, which he says can be taught. The book goes a long way in doing so.

I have read the negative reviews on this site. I'd like to say that those reviewers don't know what they are talking about. Perhaps they are hack writers who think the label "Science Fiction" means there are no rules to follow. If so, they are wrong. There are tons of bad science fiction stories written by people who don't take their craft seriously. Unfortunately, some of the bad stuff winds up getting published. However, if you seriously want to write quality science fiction then you need to read this book.

This book is an excellent guide in how to create stories. It somewhat focuses on short stories, but also has chapters on novels. Ben Bova does cover the special requirements of science fiction and ways to work with them.

This book discusses what good writing actually requires. And Ben Bova is someone who ought to know, given his career. Good writing is good writing, no matter the genre. Ben Bova spells out what is good and what is not. I think this might have bothered some of the other reviewers.

Another review mentioned Orson Scott Card's book on writing Science Fiction, and I suggest reading that one as well. But, Card's book focuses on the special requirements of Science Fiction and Fantasy and does not cover the basics of how to write something that people will actually pay their hard earned money to get a chance to read. Ben Bova's book does cover that.

I found this book to be most instructive. It offers practical advice and a checklist of things to look for when writing a novel. In fact, it is valuable advice for any type of novel, not just a Science Fiction novel. But if you are interested in writing Science Fiction, there are valuable details that you won't find in other books. If you want to write either a novel or fictional short story, this is a must-read.

Finally elected to go with five, not because it's a "perfect book", but because I think it should be a staple on the bookshelf of any science fiction writer, right alongside Card's book, and probably Damon Knight's one on short stories if you do shorter works.

I own the book in hardcover, and was tickled to see it coming back into print again. I specifically sought out the hardcover some years ago, because it was hard to fine but I recalled it from my early writing days as a good book. I wasn't disappointed - the book was as good as I had remembered. I think you'll appreciate the solid advice, too.

Understand, this IS one of those books which uses short stories to illustrate a point - Bova includes some shorts to show what he's talking about. If that's not your cup of tea, than you might be better with some other book. Many writers find that being able to see examples of what's being discussed helps a great deal. Up to you.

The table of contents of Bova's excellent 1981 book contains many of the same items, including the two story examples. This new book is an update and expansion of the old one.

I've read my share of books written for writers. Some of them, like Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird and Stephen King's On Writing, have been quite helpful. But, for me, Ben Bova's The Craft of Writing Science Fiction, has provided the best practical advice I've ever read. Perhaps it's the format. Chapters are divided into sections--theory, short story example, and checklist. (The checklist provides a practical summary of each chapter; and, it's an added bonus for a checklist fanatic like me.) If you're looking for good solid writing advice, this book will deliver even if you're not a science fiction fan.

Ben Bova should know SF. He ran two of the most respected magazines in SF in his day and has the Hugos to prove it. In addition, he's written a number of SF novels admired for his attention to scientific realism and detail. The target audience for this book is writers of science fiction in the specific sense of the term. If you're looking for literary SF, this may not be the book for you, but if you like traditional SF, look no further.

While I also heartily recommend Orson Scott Card's How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy, it's not on Kindle (I hope this changes), and it has a different focus than Bova's. In fact, Bova was Orson Scott Card's editor of a number of his early short stories, such as his classic "Ender's Game." Moreover, Bova's advice really resonates with what Card manages to do in his own fiction--aspects that Card mentions but not quite as directly.

Other writing anthologies have made use of the idea that the writer put his money where his mouth is: That is, he reprints his own fiction to put on the chopping block, to examine how the stories work. They may not be literary classics, but they are quite effective at doing exactly what recommends. This one's worth more than one read. Cheers to Mr. Bova.

I've always been irritated by the writing how-to books that tell you to work, work, work, but don't tell you what tasks that work might include. Bova takes on that problem - he uses his own stories as the basis, and then shows how specific principles ("the craft" in his words) were applied. For example - and I hadn't noticed this before - stick to the first person in a short story. Make certain the main character changes in some fundamental way from beginning to end (no change, no story). There's a lot more, and it's all very, very practical.

If you have trouble thinking up ideas for SF stories, this book isn't for you. If you've got more ideas than you know what to do with but can't seem to work them into stories, then give it a try. I found it very helpful. Is it the last word on writing? Of course not. But it tackles some important, nuts and bolts subjects that more august volumes miss.

Recommended.

Don't buy this book! This is no more than a short story collection with Bova comments. He only showed you how to write the story of his kind. BTW, this book taught you how to write a story rather than write a SF.

If you want to learn how to write a story, buy Syd Field's Screenplay and Robert Mckee's Story Structure.

Then, if you want to learn how to write science fiction, buy Orson Scott Card's How to write SF&F. Card shows you how to build your own world and setting.

The title of this book should be like the one in the heading of this article instead of what it prints! Ben Bova is a good writer but did not show you how to write good SF in this book. If you really want to write SF, go Orson Scott Card's "how to write science fiction and fantasy"