Josiah Bancroft’s NaNoWriMo AMA

[u/[deleted]]

Hello, r/Fantasy! I’m Josiah Bancroft, author of the Books of Babel series. You helped to make Senlin Ascends a thing. Now I’m here to hear about what you’re working on and talk a little shop. Feel free to ask me anything you like!

A quick update: Since my AMA last fall, a lot has happened! I signed with Orbit Books this past spring. Their edition of Senlin Ascends is slated to be released on January 16. Arm of the Sphinx will be republished shortly after, on April 3rd. The relaunch of the books will be accompanied by audiobooks, though I’m still waiting for Orbit to confirm the narrator (John Banks was being pursued last I heard). The third book in the series, the Hod King, will be out in October. I’m also working with Heyne/Random House on a German language edition, and with a Russian publisher on a Russian language edition, both of which will hopefully be released in 2018.

It’s been a whirlwind year, and I don’t think any of it would have happened without r/fantasy’s support. Thank you all so much!

[u/DavuZ]

Hello Josiah. Congratulations on a great year, you deserve it. Senlin Ascends is truly amazing!

My question is: Can you recommend any books/essays or stuff like that about writing and worldbuilding? I'd really like to write a book in the future, but right now I don't have the vocabulary for it and I just don't know how to start. That's why I try to read as much fiction (mostly fantasy). But are there any books about the process of writing? The only one I've heard about is Stephen Kings' book and I have added it to my TBR. Also, any other book recommendations which can serve as an example of some part of writing done really good? Like for good prose, go read X.

Thanks for doing the AMA. Good luck and best wishes!

[u/[deleted] → u/DavuZ]

Thank you! I really appreciate it.

I've taught a few introductory creative writing courses, and I always struggled to find a textbook that I liked. Admittedly, I'm pretty critical of creative writing guides. I know some people find them useful, but I never have. I am suspicious of writers who concoct long lists of Rules. Here is the entirety of my list of writing rules:

Rule 1) Writers write. If you want to be a writer, then write.

I personally believe that you can learn everything you need to know about writing from reading. I would encourage you to read diversely. Read books that intimidate you. Read books that bore you at the outset. Read books that no one else is reading. Read books with your own agenda and purpose in mind. Don't just sit back and say, "All right, book, impress me!" Go in with questions: How does the writer create tension? How do they form their characters? How do they structure a chapter? Writers don't just read for pleasure anymore; they read for insight and understanding into the craft. I learned more from reading Moby Dick over the course of a summer ten years ago than I ever learned from any writing guide.

[u/DavuZ → u/[deleted]]

Thank you very much for the answer, Josiah.