THE ICE PICK

The Writer’s Complete Fantasy Reference, from the Editors of Writer’s Digest Books. Cincinnati: Writer’s Digest Books, 1998. ISBN 0-89879-866-3. $18.99.

I’m always suspicious when a book claims to be the "complete" anything, but this book comes as close as any I’ve seen to fulfilling its promise. In addition to European medieval culture, it covers the cultures of Africa, Asia, and Oceania, as well as North, South and Mesoamerica, and it does so in enough depth to let you decide if that is a culture you might want to use.

You may want to research more about some particular aspect that interests you or about daily life, e.g. how homes were heated and lighted, how fires were kindled or cooking done, but the basic overviews are done very well. And enough information and terminology is given so you can proceed with your research in an efficient manner.

For the traditional, medieval fantasy, the authors discuss in depth: arms, armor, clothing, punishments for crimes, military information, and economics, including fascinating details, like what colors were typically worn by different classes and what kinds of animals were used to carry messages.

The chapters on magic and witchcraft discuss everything from rituals, symbolism, and terminology, to the "tools of the craft" and include information from many different world cultures. Lists of "power animals," herbs, and the sounds, gestures, and materials used in various rites are given.

There is a chapter on the various fantasy races from dwarves and elves to the Maoris’ tipua and David Weber’s Hradani. And another chapter discusses "creatures of myth and legend" from the Irish banshee to the Tibetan yeti.

The final chapter is devoted to castles and even includes a brief description of Japanese castles. Castle life, terminology, construction, and defense are covered.

The index is excellent, as are the illustrations and the commentary with them. You can learn a great deal just by studying the pictures.

If you write fantasy or medieval romance, you should have this book. Not only might it keep you from making blunders, but the information may spark wonderful story ideas for you.

{Published in GPIC, the Oklahoma Science Fiction Writers Newsletter, Mar. 2001. Reprinted in AuthorShowcase, Aug. 2001; and in SF & Fantasy Workshop Newsletter, Jan. 2002 & Mar. 2002.}