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Writing Lessons from the Front #2
Creating Extraordinary Characters
Scarlett O'Hara, Anne Shirley, Wilbur the pig, Katniss Everdeen. Why do we love these characters? Why do we remember them long after we've forgotten the details of their stories? In this second book in the Writing Lessons from the Front series, Angela Hunt explains how you can create unforgettable characters that will bring your fiction to life.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
54 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2013
21 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Angela Elwell Hunt
271 books1,981 followersChristy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected in novels from this versatile author. With nearly six million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 165 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to novels.
Now that her two children are grown, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Turner and Hooch and Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards--one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City.
Afterward, the dog gave out pawtographs at the airport.
Angela admits to being fascinated by animals, medicine, psychology, unexplained phenomena, and “just about everything” except sports. Books, she says, have always shaped her life— in the fifth grade she learned how to flirt from reading Gone with the Wind.
Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, and American Christian Fiction Writers bestowed the same award in 2019.
In 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree and completed her second doctorate in 2015. When she’s not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course.
Now that her two children are grown, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Turner and Hooch and Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards--one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City.
Afterward, the dog gave out pawtographs at the airport.
Angela admits to being fascinated by animals, medicine, psychology, unexplained phenomena, and “just about everything” except sports. Books, she says, have always shaped her life— in the fifth grade she learned how to flirt from reading Gone with the Wind.
Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, and American Christian Fiction Writers bestowed the same award in 2019.
In 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree and completed her second doctorate in 2015. When she’s not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 16, 2017
Excellent tips to get started quickly. I, like the author, don't tend to put a lot of detail in my writing, so I appreciate her tricks to do what is necessary for creating great characters go faster.
August 17, 2016
Keep your religious nonsense out of your books
Think about this: you're reading a book about writing, and every so often, the author decided to moralise at you: what would Jesus do, abortion is wrong, and more God/church/bible quote nonsense.
I'm sorry.
I bought a book about writing CHARACTER, not to have juvenile religious beliefs shoved down my throat.
Here's a tip: WRITE ABOUT WRITING.
No one wants to know about your religious delusions.
Think about this: you're reading a book about writing, and every so often, the author decided to moralise at you: what would Jesus do, abortion is wrong, and more God/church/bible quote nonsense.
I'm sorry.
I bought a book about writing CHARACTER, not to have juvenile religious beliefs shoved down my throat.
Here's a tip: WRITE ABOUT WRITING.
No one wants to know about your religious delusions.
October 20, 2013
Woo, this was a fantastic quick little read! With some incredibly practical advice for making characters feel real - all without intruding on your personal character creation process - Hunt basically delivers a punch to the face of the idea that it's too hard to create ordinary-extraordinary characters. This was a wonderful resources for the last two weeks before NaNo. Totally worth $5!
December 29, 2017
I thought this was a really quick & fun read!
I loved learning about ways to craft characters & why we love them so much!
Learning how to construct characters is a valuable skill!
I can't wait to make some of my own!
I loved learning about ways to craft characters & why we love them so much!
Learning how to construct characters is a valuable skill!
I can't wait to make some of my own!
April 27, 2018
Loved it
Lots of helpful new information in character development. I’d recommend it for any writer, at any stage in their career.
Lots of helpful new information in character development. I’d recommend it for any writer, at any stage in their career.
April 1, 2016
Free kindle download read
August 2, 2013
Excellent! Angela captured the essence of how to create interesting characters with easy to understand guidelines and tips. I highly recommend it.
June 2, 2014
Very creative take on characterization.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews