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10 Steps to Creating Memorable Characters by Sue Viders, Lucynda Storey, Cher Gorman, Becky Martinez (2006) Paperback
Create characters that leap off the page!Characters are the life force of any novel or movie. They drive the plot. They generate the conflict. They are the story. Ten Steps to Creating Memorable Characters is a one-of-a-kind step-by-step guide to developing truly great characters for any kind of fiction writing. This practical workbook is packed with suggestions, ideas, exercises, and lists to help plan every imaginable area in a character’s “life.� Writers, screenwriters, playwrights—everyone who writes fiction will be able to create their own dynamic, memorable characters with this exciting yet practical book. Great for screenwriters, novelists, playwrights, anyone who crafts fiction Practical exercises, brainstorming ideas, lists, much more
- GenresNonfiction
Paperback
First published September 1, 2006
1 person is currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Sue Viders
29Ìýbooks1ÌýfollowerSue Viders, with a B.F.A. degree, began writing in national art magazines to help artists market their creative endeavors, but then switched over to teaching writers, around the world, how to better organize and write more effectively so their books would sell better. Her most well-known nonfiction book often called the Bible of building characters, is THE COMPLETE WRITER'S GUIDE TO HEROES and HEROINES, SIXTEEN MASTER ARCHETYPES.
Approaching the big Nine 0, and having survived numerous bouts with cancer, and other interesting medical problems, along with raising five children and assisting her attorney husband with her typing skills, she is proud to present her essay book. It all started with her newspaper articles, which gradually morphed into the OUT-OF-THE-BOX ESSAY book, containing 44 short thought-provoking and humorous comments on life and living.
However, she also has other numerous nonfiction books, WRITING A NOVEL, CREATING A GREAT VILLAIN, and a card game, DEAL A STORY, THE WRITER'S TOOL BOX, for aspiring writers available with several more writing workbooks on the drawing board.
Approaching the big Nine 0, and having survived numerous bouts with cancer, and other interesting medical problems, along with raising five children and assisting her attorney husband with her typing skills, she is proud to present her essay book. It all started with her newspaper articles, which gradually morphed into the OUT-OF-THE-BOX ESSAY book, containing 44 short thought-provoking and humorous comments on life and living.
However, she also has other numerous nonfiction books, WRITING A NOVEL, CREATING A GREAT VILLAIN, and a card game, DEAL A STORY, THE WRITER'S TOOL BOX, for aspiring writers available with several more writing workbooks on the drawing board.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 4, 2008
I don't think this book told me anything new. But it did provide a framework for me to work in should I want to, and emphasised the fact that everything you include in your novel has to have a point. "What family background does your character have?" it asks. And then, "Will that be important in your story? Why?"
The book organises information well and includes worksheets which I think will prove helpful if I ever decide to completely design a character before writing (I usually don't -- make of that what you will).
Again, I'd say it's nothing new. But this time I would recommend it if you like the thought of following a step-by-step guide to building up characters. I have to say, it does work in making memorable, lifelike characters, as far as I can tell. As I went through, I designed three characters in my head, and they're probably the best characters I've ever produced in so short a time.
The book organises information well and includes worksheets which I think will prove helpful if I ever decide to completely design a character before writing (I usually don't -- make of that what you will).
Again, I'd say it's nothing new. But this time I would recommend it if you like the thought of following a step-by-step guide to building up characters. I have to say, it does work in making memorable, lifelike characters, as far as I can tell. As I went through, I designed three characters in my head, and they're probably the best characters I've ever produced in so short a time.
February 12, 2016
I have mixed feelings about this book. While the depth of what it covers is useful, the 'forms, checklists, and exercises' it advertises are very disappointing. Aside from the few included in the back appendix, all the charts are the same, and they're extremely bare bones at that. I was hoping for something more along the lines of what personality tests are like--more detailed and more structured. What's provided is more like suggestions than checklists. It's a good basis to start from, but not as advanced as I'm looking for.
August 6, 2011
A great book that helps you flesh out your characters. It has lots of examples to help you understand and helpful questions that help writer's learn more about their characters' backgrounds, childhoods, apppearences, and other facets of personality to create a well-rounded character. It's well worth the money in my opinion. This a book to buy if you're serious about creating likable characters or improving your writing.
July 20, 2012
I wanted to make sure that my characters were fairly well-rounded. I like the outline of the book and they make more than a handful of suggestions that I didn't think about when I created my characters. The book is fairly simplistic, but still a good handbook.
I just wish they had a website where I could download the templates.
I just wish they had a website where I could download the templates.
August 12, 2012
It lays out steps to help you create characters that are complete with a back story and gives you a better understanding of who you want your characters to be and how they will behave in your imagined world. I found it very helpful in creating people that were believable.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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