Mary Catelli's Erraticly Updated and Exceedingly Ill-Organized Journal

Sauron Defeated: The History of The Lord of the Rings, Part Four by J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien

Rounding out the tale of how The Lord of the Rings was written, ( Read more... )

Beren and Lúthien by J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien

For people who want to understand what happened to the tale in its various revisions before it reached the form that Christopher Tolkien put in the Silmarillion and which gets alluded in The Lord of the Rings.

I find it interesting to watch his concept of Middle-Earth shift with world-building.

I have heard Phoebe and Her Unicorn compared to Calvin and Hobbes.  I have also heard Frazz compared to Calvin and Hobbes. . . .

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Style is the Rocket: and Other Essays on Writing by Tom Simon

Essays. I read them online (and commented there, too, the Mary Catelli cited in one is indeed me), and now in dead tree form. Plus a new essay exclusively for the books.

Most of the examples are drawn from fantasy, but may be of more general interest. The title essay discusses what, exactly, is the significance of style in fiction. And the others touch on ways to write, inspiring effects of other fiction, taking apart Heinlein's Rules, and more.

Aspects of the Novel by E.M. Forster

An interesting look at some aspects of fiction.

The difference between just telling events and having cause and effect. The use of flat characters. Fantasy, which just brushes on the edge of the genre as we know it.

Some parts I didn't like -- like his unexplained contempt for pure story. And the writer may find it a bit abstract.

The Treason of Isengard by J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien

The continuing analysis of the writing process.

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Language Of The Night by Ursula K. Le Guin

A collection of her works on literature. Includes the famous "From Elfland to Poughkeepsie" essay.

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On Stories: And Other Essays on Literature by C.S. Lewis

A collection of essays.  All on literature in some way.

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The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers by John Gardner

this one is, as the subtitle says, a how-to-write book.  Leans toward the literary and draws on his creative writings classes.
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Selected Literary Essays by C.S. Lewis

Exactly what it says.  Be forewarned that this is the professional, professor side of his writing.
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