David Farland was an award-winning, international best-selling author with over 50 novels in print, and a tireless mentor and instructor of new writers. He built an audience with his "Daily Kick in the Pants" for writers, launched an editing service with MyStoryDoctor.com, created the Apex writing group, and he was one of the Founders of Superstars Writing Seminars (with Kevin J. Anderson, Brandon Sanderson, Eric Flint, James Artimus Owen, and Rebecca Moesta).

As a writing instructor, Farland mentored dozens who have gone on to staggering literary success, including such #1 New York Times Bestsellers as Brandon Mull (Fablehaven), Brandon Sanderson (Wheel of Time), James Dashner (The Maze Runner), and Stephenie Meyer (Twilight).

For many years he was the coordinating judge for L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest, perhaps the largest worldwide writing competition for new fantasy and science fiction authors, and he worked in Hollywood greenlighting movies and doctoring scripts.

In his own fiction, he won the Philip K. Dick Award for his first novel On My Way to Paradise, the Whitney Award for his historical novel In the Company of Angels, and the International Book Award for his fantasy thriller Nightingale. He is best known, however, for his New York Times best-selling fantasy series The Runelords, and his Star Wars novel, The Courtship of Princess Leia.

David Farland passed away in January 2022. WordFire Press is pleased to bring back into print this profoundly important and seminal book on writing.

Writing Wonder by David Farland

From the time when children first began gathering around campfires, we have been seeking tales of wonder—the feeling you get when something is strange and exciting. Most of the books we read are what I call "wonder literature", yet writing wonder is a lesson seldom taught. This book will delve into what "wonder literature" truly means and how to increase the level of wonder in your novel.

 

REVIEWS

  • "Aside from being a talented writer, David Farland is an excellent writing teacher . . . reading his written advice has helped me focus many of my own thoughts about the writing process. Those who would like to learn more about the craft of writing would be wise to pay attention."

    – Brandon Mull, New York Times Bestselling Author of Fablehaven and Beyonders

  • "I still use the writing techniques he discussed, and constantly reference him and his instruction when I teach creative writing myself"

    – Brandon Sanderson, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Wheel of Time, Mistborn

  • "Whether you're interested in making the transition to a professional author or are already published and wish to facilitate your move to the next level, Dave will give you the skill set necessary to make it happen."

    – Day Leclaire, award-winning, bestselling author of over 50 romance novels
 

BOOK PREVIEW

Excerpt

Wonder not only rewards you by stimulating pleasant emotions, it makes you want more. It motivates you to keep hunting, and helps you get past established or long existing mental blocks.

Well, there are many wonders in the world. There are beautiful songs to be heard and amazing places to visit, books to read, foods to taste.

So we constantly seek wonder.

As authors, we find that it is one of the most powerful emotions that we can arouse. This book reveals some ways to create wonder and to do it powerfully.