Wonderbook by Jeff Vandermeer
Looking for some advanced fiction writing techniques? This book has everything from worldbuilding to properly using beats. All packaged between wonky illustrations that will make you wonder if you ended up in one of Tim Burton’s stories. Written for authors by authors with all the twisted imaginings you would expect from the crazy minds of writers. Even with amazing advice from George R.R. Martin and Neil Gaiman, this book doesn’t take itself too seriously and is super fun to read.
I especially love the famous author commentary. Like Neil Gaiman on how American Gods began and was shaped. George R.R. Martin on how he tackles writing. Lauren Beukes on writing outside your experience and culture. How Lev Grossman handles revision. Or how Karen Joy Fowler creates stories that leave room for interpretation by using messiness. These snippets into the minds of successful authors give the book a warm, conversational aspect to it.
