An insightful and well-researched resource for any writer of speculative fiction.
Eugen Bacon explores creative and critical approaches to writing in her insightful book, Writing Speculative Fiction. Her book begins with an enchanting short story to actively illustrate ‘where you can go with a dollop of whimsical thinking’. This short story captures the essence of this book: ‘vibrant storytelling of speculative fiction that is fun to write, and potentially to read, and it crosses genre’.
Bacon analyses the classic works of speculative fiction, exploring the differences in world building, characterisation, hook/tension, and plot/theme. She then explores the science or ‘the alternate’, the fantastical, or the ‘fear, revulsion, or spook’, as seen in the subgenre of horror or paranormal. Furthermore, she contextualises the practical applications and approaches in light of the e-publishing phenomenon.
As a resource, Writing Speculative Fiction provides definitions, examples, and exercises that can be utilised in a writers’ group setting or simply for the individual who writes – or wishes to write – in a world beyond our own. Bacon defines speculation in its generality, ‘encompassing fantasy, science fiction, horror and the paranormal and cross genre’, as ‘exploring possibilities, while establishing a relationship with the reader’s experience.’ Each fascinating chapter concludes with an exercise which Bacon encourages the reader/writer to undertake as they are led and inspired. The exercises can be used independent of the content and certainly aren’t a prerequisite to move forward within the text.
Bacon offers advice and quotes from some of the greats – Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, and Ursula Le Guin – along with timeless tips such as those found within Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey and Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Bacon explains the importance of exploring the works that have gone before our own. ‘Consider reading as a quest for meaning, with the self as the source of value and interpretation’. As writers, we can use the lessons already learned by others to improve our own craft.
Bacon’s own style of writing balances the interesting with the educational. She provides facts with story and offers insight to the genres and subgenres within speculative fiction without bias. Her intentions within the text are clear. Even when exploring critical and cultural theories, she takes the time to clarify that ‘this is not a book about literary theory’, but rather that her aim is to ‘connect critical and cultural theories and how they might apply to the writing of speculative fiction’.
Writing Speculative Fiction is a resource worth revisiting again and again. It is a book designed for notetaking, highlighting, and dog-earing pages – the perfect companion for any writer of speculative fiction.
Reviewed by Willow Banks
Distributed by: Macmillan International Higher Education
Released: May 2019
RRP: $39.95 paperback, $32.95 eBook
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