The Writer's Digest Sourcebook for Building Believable Characters
Marc McCutcheon
Writer's Digest Books
Nonfiction, Writing
*****
DESCRIPTION: Why do some authors' creations leap to life off the pages, and others remain forgettable puppets of the plot? What is it that makes us care about, hate, love, or feel we know people who only exist in a fictitious world? It's the characterization: how the author goes about making that person (or animal, or thing) real, and conveying it to us readers. This book contains hints, tips and exercises for would-be writers to help them make their characters memorable... and it explains why memorable characters make for far better stories.
REVIEW: Like The Writer's Complete Fantasy Reference (reviewed elsewhere), one reading doesn't do this book justice. After repeated skimming and paging and thought, the true value of these Writer's Digest books really comes through. This makes an excellent aid to wannabe authors like me (even if I've yet to actually implement any of the suggestions.)
You might also enjoy:
No Plot? No Problem! (Chris Baty, Writing - A no-excuses guide to writing a novel draft in 30 days or less)
The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them) (Jack M. Bickham, Writing - A list of mistakes that sink stories, and ways to stop making them)
Sometimes the Magic Works: Lessons from a Writing Life (Terry Brooks, Writing - Anecdotes and advice on writing)
How to Avoid Making Art (or Anything Else You Enjoy) (Julia Cameron, Creativity - A guide to avoiding any artistic expression)
How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy (Orson Scott Card, Writing - A guide to writing sci-fi and fantasy stories)
Writing Down the Bones (Natalie Goldberg, Writing - Thoughts on how, what, and why to write)
Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy (Crawford Kilian, Writing - How to write sci-fi/fantasy stories that sell)
Bird by Bird (Anne Lamott, Writing - Anecdotes about writing)
Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly (Gail Carson Levine, YA Writing - Great advice and inspiration for writers of all ages)
The Complete Book of Magical Names (Phoenix McFarland, Nonfiction - Unusual and meaningful monickers)
The Writer's Complete Fantasy Reference (Writer's Digest Books, Writing - An overview of what it takes to create an interesting, believable fantasy)
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