Overview

In 1977, the NEW YORK TIMES Trade Paperback Bestseller list - back then the almost exclusive province of self-help guides - played host to its very first work of fiction: THE SWORD OF SHANNARA, an epic quest through a mythical land, by first-time author Terry Brooks. In the quarter of a century since, nineteen NEW YORK TIMES bestselling novels have followed. Now, Terry Brooks tells the story of how he got there - from beginner to bestselling author - and shares his secrets for creating unusual, memorable fiction. More than just a writing guide, SOMETIMES THE MAGIC WORKS is Terry Brooks' self-portrait of the artist. Here are sketches of his midwestern boyhood, when comic books, radio serials, and a vivid imagination launched a lifelong passion for weaving tales of wonder; recollections of the fateful collaboration with legendary editor Lester Del Rey - an event that changed not only the author's life but the course of publishing history; and an eye-opening look at the ups and downs of dealing with Hollywood, gleaned while Brooks was writing official novels based on major movies by both Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. This book offers a rare and wonderful opportunity to peer into the mind of (and learn from) one of fantasy fiction's pre-eminent magicians.

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9780743468794

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Reviews

A MARVELOUSLY PRAGMATIC INITIATION TO THE ART OF WRITING. --DOROTHY ALLISON Author of Bastard Out of Carolina [A] SUCCINCT AND WARMHEARTED AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL MEDITATION ON THE WRITING LIFE. --Publishers Weekly Terry Brooks is adamant about dedicating oneself to the craft, while showing awe and humility for the creative process. . . . Every serious writer should refer to this book regularly for inspiration as well as solid crafting advice. --ELIZABETH ENGSTROM CRATTY Director, Maui Writers Retreat A wise, warm-hearted book--part autobiography, part how-to-do-it manual, with some amazingly candid behind-the-scenes material . . . Fantasy fans, novice writers, and even veteran pros will learn plenty from it. --ROBERT SILVERBERG Award-winning author of the Majipoor Chronicles

A MARVELOUSLY PRAGMATIC INITIATION TO THE ART OF WRITING. --DOROTHY ALLISON Author of Bastard Out of Carolina [A] SUCCINCT AND WARMHEARTED AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL MEDITATION ON THE WRITING LIFE. --Publishers Weekly Terry Brooks is adamant about dedicating oneself to the craft, while showing awe and humility for the creative process. . . . Every serious writer should refer to this book regularly for inspiration as well as solid crafting advice. --ELIZABETH ENGSTROM CRATTY Director, Maui Writers Retreat A wise, warm-hearted book--part autobiography, part how-to-do-it manual, with some amazingly candid behind-the-scenes material . . . Fantasy fans, novice writers, and even veteran pros will learn plenty from it. --ROBERT SILVERBERG Award-winning author of the Majipoor Chronicles

Author Information

Terry Brooks first novel, THE SWORD OF SHANNARA, began the post-Tolkien huge boom in epic fantasy in 1977. It was a NEW YORK TIMES bestseller for five months. Since then he has written seven more SHANNARA novels, five MAGIC KINGDOM light fantasies and the KNIGHT OF THE WORD dark fantasies series. Terry Brooks divides his time between Seattle and Hawaii with his wife, Judine.

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