{"product_id":"writing-sci-fi-fantasy-horror-for-dummies-isbn-9781119839095","title":"Writing Sci-Fi, Fantasy, \u0026 Horror For Dummies","description":"\u003cb\u003eTake your shot at becoming the next Tolkien, Asimov, or King with this simple roadmap to transforming your fiction into works of art\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eWriting Sci-Fi, Fantasy, \u0026amp; Horror For Dummies\u003c\/i\u003e is your skeleton key to creating the kind of fiction that grips readers and compels them to keep turning pages (even if it's well past their bedtime!) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou'll start with the basics of creative writing—including character, plot, and scene—and strategies for creating engaging stories in different forms, such as novels, short stories, scripts, and video games. After that, get beginner-friendly and straightforward advice on worldbuilding, before diving headfirst into genre-specific guidance for science fiction, horror, and fantasy writing. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book also offers: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eStrategies for editing and revising your next work to get it into tip-top shape for your audience\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eWays to seek out second opinions from editors, experts, and even sensitivity readers\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eTechniques for marketing and publication, working with agents, and advice for writers going the self-publishing route\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe perfect beginner's guide for aspiring writers with an interest in horror, fantasy, or science fiction, \u003ci\u003eWriting Sci-Fi, Fantasy, \u0026amp; Horror For Dummies\u003c\/i\u003e is the first and last resource you need before you start building your next story about faraway lands, aliens, and fantastic adventures. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIntroduction 1\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbout This Book 1\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFoolish Assumptions 2\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIcons Used in This Book 3\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBeyond the Book 4\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhere to Go from Here 4\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart 1: Getting Started: The Basics of Story 5\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 1: Taking Journeys into the Imagination 7\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking Closer at the Big Three Genres 8\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eImagining possible worlds — Sci-fi 8\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eImagining wondrous worlds — Fantasy 9\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eImagining fearful worlds — Horror 10\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreating Characters 11\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePursuing Writerly Success 12\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRevising your words 12\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTurning to pros for help 12\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFocusing on the three Ps 13\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSetting the right goals for you 14\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaking the Most of This Book 15\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 2: Creating Characters 19\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFocusing on Your Characters’ Wants 20\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking outside — External goals 21\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReflecting inward — Internal needs 21\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking a bit deeper — Hidden desires 22\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntroducing the Cast of Characters 22\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeading the way — Protagonists 23\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStanding in the way — Antagonists 25\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntroducing supporting characters 26\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eManaging your supporting cast — Tips and tricks 29\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrom Whose Eyes? Choosing Point of View 29\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFirst person 30\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThird-person limited 31\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThird-person omniscient 31\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThird-person objective 32\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTelling “Telling Details” 33\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eZeroing in on appearance 34\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDigging into a character’s psychology 34\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrusting an inner circle 35\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYou Don’t Say? Using Dialogue 36\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRecognizing the types of dialogue 36\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKeeping track of dialogue tags 38\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWriting script dialogue 39\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 3: Laying the Foundation — The Power of Plot 41\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEngineering Great Drama 42\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExamining values 44\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreating compelling conflict 44\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStarting with Freytag 46\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinding the tension 48\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConsidering character arcs 51\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKeeping up the pace 52\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBuilding Story Structure 54\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding scenes 54\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsing scene sequels — Action\/reaction 56\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdding variety to your scenes 57\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThinking bigger — Sequences 59\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExamining Key Elements of Plot 60\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBeginning with a bang 60\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaintaining audience interest — Magical middles 62\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFulfilling story promises — Knockout climaxes 63\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinishing strong — Satisfying endings 64\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 4: Crafting Many Worlds, Many Media 65\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWriting Prose — An Oldie But a Goodie 65\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNovels 66\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNovellas 67\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eShort stories 68\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWriting for Screens Both Big and Small — Scripts 69\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFilm 69\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTV 71\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePodcasts 72\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlays 73\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eComics 74\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInviting Audiences to Co-create — Interactive Stories 74\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eVideo games 75\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTabletop games 75\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eImmersive experiences 76\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart 2: Worldbuilding: Journeys to Other Worlds 79\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 5: Building a World Like No Other 81\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreating Worlds Worth Exploring 82\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaking your place interesting 82\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKnowing how your world works 83\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis place is awesome! — Your pitch 84\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBuilding Worlds for Conflict 87\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinding a problem around every corner 87\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreating characters from conflict 89\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFocusing on What’s Important — The Iceberg Rule 89\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eShow the characters and conflicts 89\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDon’t show everything 90\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 6: Letting Your Research and Imagination Run Wild 93\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStart with Earth: Inspiration and Adaptation 94\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTapping into the power of piggybacking 94\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eControlling cognitive dissonance 97\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsing Research to Balance Science and Fiction 98\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStriving for accuracy 99\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCasting a wide net when researching 100\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHeading straight to the sources 102\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 7: Showing the Explosion: Exposition That Thrills! 105\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eShowing Your World at Work 106\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaking memorable first impressions 106\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLetting actions bring the world to life 107\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRelying on Narrative Exposition: Stories That Explain and Entrance 108\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTelling a tale within a tale 108\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWriting exposition that causes conflict 109\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGetting to the point with point of view 110\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrusting and Provoking Your Reader 112\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSolving a puzzle: 1+1 112\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGiving characters revelatory actions 112\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSending systemic signals 113\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStorytelling at Every Level of Engagement 113\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLevel 1: Bold strokes 114\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLevel 2: Fine nuances 114\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLevel 3: Hidden depths 114\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLevel 4: Beyond the text 115\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePutting the levels all together 115\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 8: This Planet Will Eat You: Worlds Are Characters, Too 117\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRecognizing That Worlds Want Something 118\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReacting to your characters 118\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaintaining ecosystems and equilibrium 118\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUpholding the societal status quo 119\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWanting equilibrium 121\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBuilding Spaces and Places for Drama 122\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaking maps memorable 122\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNavigating story spaces 123\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart 3: Science Fiction: Journeys into the Future 129\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 9: Answering “What If?” 131\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAsking Big Questions 131\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking closer at your questions 132\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvoking curiosity and imagination 133\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnswering questions with characters 134\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInventing the Big New Thing 135\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding what the Big New Thing is 135\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDistinguishing between hard and soft sci-fi 137\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAsking Key Questions about Your Sci-Fi Story 138\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 10: A Spaceship for Every Occasion, an Occasion for Every Spaceship 139\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eVoyaging Far from Home: Vessels for Isolation and Adventure 140\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLaunching the ship 140\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMeeting the crew 142\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCompleting the mission 143\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Physics and Drama of Space Travel 144\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eObeying the speed of light 144\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTraveling through space faster than light 147\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConsidering other speculative technologies 148\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1, 2, 3, 4 — I Declare a Space War! 151\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWar as storytelling by other means 151\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eActivating weapons of war 152\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeploying systems of defense 154\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 11: Encountering Aliens That Audiences Want to Know, Love, and Fear 157\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaking Sense of Alien Metaphors 158\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiscovering differences 158\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlienating audiences 160\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRelating aliens to your audience 161\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlaying Their Part: Alien Dramatics 162\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlien enemies 163\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlien protagonists 163\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlien allies and rivals 164\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlien mysteries 164\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlien obstacles 165\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreating Alien Emotions 166\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRousing wonder — Sublime aliens 166\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvoking revulsion — Grotesque aliens 166\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreating unease — Uncanny aliens 167\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInspiring hope — Power fantasy aliens 167\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eProducing smiles — Adorable aliens 167\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntroducing audiences to your aliens 168\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 12: It’s Alive! Or Is It? — Imagining Robots and Artificial Intelligence 171\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreating Artificial Life 172\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAsking questions of meaning 172\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eContemplating questions of responsibility 176\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreating Artificial Life as Characters 178\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutomated roles 178\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eComputers are (sometimes) people too 181\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBuilding Your Own Beings 182\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDetermining its purpose 182\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFiguring out what it thinks about that purpose 182\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinding similarities and differences between creators and their creations 183\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEstablishing its range of emotion 183\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentifying the limits it operates under 184\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRecognizing society’s strong feelings about it 184\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 13: Constructing Planetary Plots and Earth-Changing Stories 185\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExploring Other Earths 185\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRemembering a different past 186\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThinking about the near now 187\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWorrying about the looming future 188\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eVoyaging to a whole new world 189\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eImagining a different future 190\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTraveling through time 191\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaking Everything Worse (or Better) 192\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEnvisioning your story — Dystopian fears and utopian hopes 192\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePunks, punks, punks! Writing sci-fi with attitude 194\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsing steam, sun, and cells 196\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart 4: Fantasy: Journeys into the Imagination 197\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 14: Bringing Wonder to Your Story 199\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreating Wonder 200\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding the meaning of wonder 200\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMost wonderful yet believable 201\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMatching magic to the mundane 203\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsing the MMMaM Index of Wonder 203\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGoing High to Low with Fantasy 205\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDistinguishing between high and low 205\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEmploying fantastic elements 206\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChoosing a Fantastical Point of View 208\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePortal — Moving from the real world to a magical world 208\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eImmersive — Inhabiting the magical world 209\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntrusive — Moving the magical world into the real world 211\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 15: Worldbuilding on the Shoulders of Giants, Faeries, Dragons, and Hobbits 213\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdapting Myth and Legend 214\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaking myths and faerie tales your own 214\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStart with Middle Earth? Not Exactly 218\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenre-defining characters and creatures — Wizards, hobbits, and elves, oh my! 219\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGetting indulgent with worldbuilding 221\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenerating deep history and wondrous geography 221\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe now-classic quest narrative 222\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding Tolkien and Dungeons \u0026amp; Dragons 224\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLosing hit points and gaining character levels in games 224\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStarting with the Forgotten Realms 225\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaking Deep History in Record Time 226\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBasing your story in reality 226\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaking your own myths 227\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentifying different people and places 227\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEnhancing conflict 228\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 16: Conjuring Story Magic 229\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGrasping the Role of Magic in Storytelling 229\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTaking the Reader on a Magical Journey 230\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaking Magic Dramatic (in Every Sense of the Word!) 231\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHeightening dramatic stakes with magic 232\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBeing aware of magic’s dramatic limitations 232\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSetting the Rules and Costs of Magic 233\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlaying by the rules 234\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSticking to the rules of magic in video and role-playing games 234\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAssigning costs to your story’s magic — Precious Things 235\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eForging Enchanting Artifacts and Objects — Items\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDesigned for Magic 236\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMagic items as objects of desire 237\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMagic items as character traits 238\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMagic items as obstacles 238\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMagic items as characters 239\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMagic items as worldbuilding elements 240\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 17: Forming Really Fantastic (and Fantastically Real) Monsters 241\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding What Monsters Are 241\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhat makes a monster a monster 242\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMonsters serve the story 242\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaking Monsters 244\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaking your monster realistic or fantastic 246\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDefining your monster’s characteristics 246\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart 5: Horror: Journeys into Fear 253\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 18: Creating Dread, Fear, and Terror 255\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eImagining the Worst about Everything 256\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEquipping your toolchest — The horror writer’s tools 256\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA formula for fear 258\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eProviding climax and catharsis 260\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFeeling Fearful Feels 261\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFear and worry 261\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePity and sorrow 262\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDisgust and revulsion 262\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDisoriented and discombobulated 263\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFascination and wonder 263\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTriumph and relief 264\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSchadenfreude 265\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentifying Sources of Horror 266\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGothic 266\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpiritual 266\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMonstrous 267\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCosmic 267\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHomicidal 267\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocietal 268\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEnvironmental 268\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe unexplained 268\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 19: Fashioning Fearful Plots and Sinister Scenes 271\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWho Goes There? Characters Who Journey into Darkness 271\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eControlling knowledge through point of view 272\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreating creepy and creeped-out characters 273\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlotting Your Host of Horrors 276\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe discovery plot — Unearthing dread secrets 277\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe overreach plot — One step too far 277\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe trespass plot — You shouldn’t be here 278\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe pursuit plot — The hunt is on 278\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe contest plot — Facing your fears 279\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe breakdown plot — It’s all gone to hell 279\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe weird plot — What the heck is that? 280\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreating Fear with Narrative Flow 280\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMixing and matching flows 281\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eShifting the narrative — Thrilling and chilling revelations 283\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 20: Shaping Your Scares — Menacing Monsters and Human Horrors 287\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMixing Up Your Monsters 288\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThreatening 288\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDisgusting 289\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHumanish 289\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnimalistic 290\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHeightened 291\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnnatural 291\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCorrupting 291\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCaptivating 292\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaking Metaphors Monstrous 292\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocietal flaws personified 293\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eVoice for the voiceless 293\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePersonal flaws made manifest 294\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeep difficulties turned terrifying 294\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUniversal experiences mutated 294\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePositive characteristics taken too far 295\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInterpreting the Classics 295\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAliens and cosmic entities 295\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCryptids and creatures 296\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDemonic and supernatural threats 296\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExperiments and evil scientists 297\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGhosts and evil spirits 297\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGolems and constructs 298\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLycanthropes and shapeshifters 298\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eVampires and the undead 299\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHunting Down Homicidal Humans 299\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConfronting all too natural-born killers 300\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSolving dramatic and mysterious murders 300\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExposing deadly cults 301\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWinning the duel of wits 302\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 21: Lurking in Every Shadow: Where Horror Resides 305\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConstructing Environments That Raise Dread 306\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIsolated or inaccessible 306\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntimidating and foreboding 307\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUncanny and unsettling 308\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAssembling Haunted Houses and Other Lairs of Fear 309\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRecognizing the types of haunted houses — What lies within 309\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWelcome, foolish mortal 311\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTapping into what came before 311\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSizing up the scene 312\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA ghost will follow you home 313\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart 6: The Journey from Writing to Publication 315\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 22: Revising and Editing Like a Pro 317\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreating a Revision Plan 318\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePutting on your reader’s cap 318\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRemaking the outline 319\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGoing high tech 320\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGoing low tech 320\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnswering first-draft questions 321\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsing second opinions 322\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRevising First, Editing Later 322\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFiguring out who this story \u003ci\u003ereally \u003c\/i\u003eis about 322\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiscovering what this story \u003ci\u003ereally \u003c\/i\u003eis about 323\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFocusing on Theme — It Isn’t Just for Eighth-Grade Book Reports 324\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding what theme is 324\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinding an elusive theme 325\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRevising for theme 326\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBuffing, Polishing, and Shining — The Final Edit 328\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrusting your ears 328\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEditing your way to a better story 328\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 23: Getting Second Opinions: Editors, Experts, and Sensitivity Readers 331\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReceiving Good Story Feedback 332\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaking the most of a critique group 332\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCultivate a golden reader 335\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHiring freelance editors 335\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSupporting Your Story with Expert Help 337\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTalking to subject matter experts 338\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTapping into the universe of universities 339\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsing sensitivity readers 339\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsing cultural consultants 341\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking beyond your own experiences 341\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 24: The Three Ps: Publication, Pitching, and Promotion 343\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTeaming Up: Agents, Editors, and Producers 343\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRecognizing what an agent does 344\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFiguring out whether you need an agent 344\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLanding an agent: The how and where 345\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePitching Like a Pro 347\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrafting the query 347\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBreaking down the three-floor elevator pitch 348\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentifying the challenge before you 349\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGoing It Alone: A Self-Publishing Success Plan 350\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnswering whether you can really do it all 351\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSucceeding in self-publishing 351\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePutting the crowd to work for you 352\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePromoting You and Your Work — Making the Most of Marketing 353\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStanding high on a platform 354\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaking the most of conferences 356\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart 7: The Part of Tens 357\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 25: Ten Ways to Jump-Start a Stalled Story 359\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExtra, Extra — Reading Story Headlines 360\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTaking a Ride on the PPE Story Machine 360\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWriting to Free Up Your Blocks 361\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNoodling in Notebooks 361\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTaking a Field Trip 362\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFiguring Out What the Story Is 363\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnswering the Great “What If?” 363\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBlending, Stirring, and Mixing 364\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBeginning with an Idea 364\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsing Someone Else’s Words 365\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 26: Ten Common Pitfalls in Writing Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror 367\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePutting Surface before Substance 368\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOverrelying on Coincidence 368\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWorldbuilding with Endless Details 368\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot Reading Enough 369\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReusing Aliens\/Werewolves\/Elves 370\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEmbracing a Richer Worldview 370\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFollowing Trends Too Closely 371\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOverusing Fantastic Language 371\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eForgetting the Promise of the Genre 372\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUtilizing Clichés 372\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 27: Ten Popular Story Modes 375\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDanger at Every Step — The Adventure Story 376\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e“It’s the End!” — The Apocalyptic Story 376\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGags, Sketches, and Snark — The Comedy Story 377\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCapers, Cons, and Heists — The Crime Story 378\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDoom and Gloom — The Dark Story 379\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Grandest of Scales — The Epic Story 380\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Power of the Past — The Historical Story 381\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFighting on the Frontlines — The Military Story 382\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSleuthing Out the Truth — The Mystery Story 383\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Heart of the Matter — The Romance Story 384\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndex 385 \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRick Dakan\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eRyan G. Van Cleave, PhD\u003c\/b\u003e are professors at the prestigious Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida, where they teach such courses as Writing Science Fiction, Writing for Video Games, and Writing for Shared Worlds. Both of them have ended a D\u0026amp;D campaign with a single well-placed fireball.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEnthrall audiences with wondrous stories \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAspiring writers of science fiction, fantasy, and horror look no further in your quest for a guide to help you transport your audience to faraway lands or alternate timelines. As you envision distant futures and write about new worlds, this handy guide is here to help you improve your technique. You’ll find out how to see your work through the eyes of your audience (is that a magic power or a horror plotline?), so you can perfect your characters, build mystery, create conflict and resolution, write realistic space battles—and, of course, get published! Turn your wildest imaginings into captivating prose.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eInside...  \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaster the basics of plot, character, and setting\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eBuild believable worlds\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ePut the science in sci-fi\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eConjure a mighty magic \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eWrite hair-raising horror\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eEdit and polish your work\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eFind a path to publication\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"For Dummies","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47990511403237,"sku":"NP9781119839095","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781119839095.jpg?v=1761788122","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/writing-sci-fi-fantasy-horror-for-dummies-isbn-9781119839095","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}