Adult and YA speculative fiction author Charlie Jane Anders (All the Birds in the Sky; Victories Greater than Death) approaches the craft of writing from an innovative point of view in this insightful, instructive essay collection.
Anders focuses on the cathartic and therapeutic aspects of writing fiction in this "mixture of encouragement, ideas for how to use writing to feel okay in a world that is not okay, and actual technical advice." Readers will find wisdom on traditional topics such as worldbuilding and creating dynamic characters, but Anders also discusses imposter syndrome, how to harness authentic emotion and fiction's place as a tool "to process the trauma of living through a moment when the whole world turns into flaming walls of [excrement]." She also relates moments in her own life when writing gave her strength or helped her to find her way through difficult times, from overcoming a learning disability in elementary school and writing a play with the help of a teacher to transitioning from male to female.
Originally conceived as a series of blog posts published on Tor.com during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, Anders's essays provide an inspiring testament to the power of art to bring clarity and healing. Aspiring writers will pick up tricks of the trade, but her advice about taking refuge in creativity could apply to any art. Never Say You Can't Survive reminds storytellers that they can "shape worlds, and the monsters are scared of you." --Jaclyn Fulwood, blogger at Infinite Reads