Writing Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters

by Mary Kole

Writing Crafting Irresistible Characters is not just another writing guide—it’s an invitation to transform your approach to character creation and storytelling. Its unique focus on interiority, combined with practical insights from a former literary agent and freelance editor, makes it an indispensable resource for writers at any stage of their career.

Master Interiority: Delve into the art of interiority, the heartbeat of compelling fiction and memoir writing, ensuring your characters resonate deeply with readers across four levels of depth. Explore your protagonist’s thoughts, feelings, reactions and interpretations, expectations, and inner struggles to create a rich, immersive experience.Create Multidimensional Characters: Uncover the essentials of crafting a character’s backstory, objective, need, internal tension, worldview, and growth arc to explore profound themes and add human resonance to your plot.Enrich Your Story: Gain invaluable advice on integrating secondary characters, turning points, stakes, and world-building.Raise Your Voice: Explore how writing voice intertwines with interiority so that your personal style stands out on crowded shelves.Engagement and Connection: Learn the secrets to making readers care deeply about your characters through groundbreaking original analysis of over sixty contemporary novels and memoirs.Whether you’re an aspiring writer, an established author, or somewhere in between, this guide will empower you to create characters who live and breathe on the page, fostering an unbreakable bond with your audience. If you're ready to transform your creative writing, deepen your characterizations, and perhaps change your writing skill set forever, explore the depths of what’s possible with Writing Crafting Irresistible Characters today.

Genres: Writing

538 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 22, 2024

Reviews

[Vivianne Israel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MUST READ Guide & Reference

As an author new to writing fiction, I will be re-reading this incredible guide multiple times to ‘bake it into my DNA” of writing.

This book offers exquisitely curated knowledge, excellent discussion, dissection, and guidance presented in an easily serachable format. Covers multiple perspectives of interiority, across multiple genres, and also addresses character voices.

It truly is a “guide”. Readable, and so well structured into segments that it will become a well-worn reference. I need it as both an e-book and a paperback. I envision needing to get a new paperback copy in four years, having worn-out the first one I purchase.

Thank you, Mary Kole, for the incredible effort that must have gone into this books creation. I truly need this book.

[Jamie Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all of Mary Kole's books, Writing Interiority exceeded all of my expectations.

I knew I needed to show more character interiority in my writing, however my understanding of the topic was limited to showing the characters' thoughts and feelings. Now, I realise that interiority is so much more.

This book explains step-by-step how to create and convey character thoughts, feelings, reactions and interpretations, expectations, and inner struggles on the page. With examples from more than fifty books, it is a masterclass on the topic and I'm sure I will reference it for years to come.

I've recommended it to all my writing friends as a must-read book on the topic of creating engaging characters that readers are compelled to read about. Thank you Mary for writing such an invaluable resource.

[Roger Alix-Gaudreau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tons of Insight and Examples

As an early-career writer, I’ve struggled with the concept of interiority and executing it well. (I see myself as a plot-first writer, and I need to develop better skill at presenting layered and nuanced characters.) I found this book to be chock-full of insights into many ways to present interiority and to use it to develop character and advance a story. I know I haven’t internalized most of it, and I expect I’ll refer back to it often, but it has given me a lot to think about as I sit down to do the next revision pass on my first novel. I like to think I’ll be able to make my characters deeper, and this book will help me show that depth more effectively to the readers I hope pick up and enjoy my books.

[Zane Re-Bloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

WRITING INTERIORITY is for all writers ready to level up. Once again, Mary Kole has delivered an entire master class within one volume. I was fortunate enough to work under Mary's tutelage a couple of years ago in the Story Mastermind writing program (aka the best thing I ever did for my craft), and this book is a close second. It digs into the ins and outs of developing your character's inner monologue—something many writers struggle with. Mary touches upon the concept within WRITING IRRESISTIBLE KIDLIT, and this book picks up where the former left off. I highly recommend WRITING INTERIORITY for your next craft book.

[Janis Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is crafted for guaranteed learning. Awesome reference tool to assist your writing endeavours. The craft and techniques contained within the lines are a goldmine for those wishing to find joy and new directions in their writing. The book is written to spark maximum reading and retention. The styling and content brings to mind the Feynman technique—readers can unlock their full potential, understand and demystify important concepts. The author is amazing in writing talent and full mastery…only someone with understanding can make this look so simple. A very rewarding read, so stick with it, give it time—to supercharge your writing.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for aspiring and experienced authors. When I first read the title, I expected a book about how to write interiority from the standpoint of deep POV, character thoughts, character emotions. But Mary Kole goes below the surface and back to the beginning. She tells you everything you need to build 3-dimensional characters, weave their stories with a strong plot, and develop their relationships with other characters. In other words, she tells you have to craft a strong novel with fascinating characters. A great resource for your writing bookshelf!

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The craft world needed this book! Such a difficult concept to do right if it doesn't come naturally. This book will give me better tools to improve my skills. It was broken up so clearly and logically.

[K. Maier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a master class! It's an amazing intro if you're new to writing or want to seriously level up your characters. Mary Kole provides easy to follow overviews and detailed breakdowns on each aspect of character. She dives into numerous examples that highlight the nuances of creating characters that feel grounded & propel your story forward.

This is my favorite craft book I've read in a long time. I'll definitely be purchasing a print copy! I can see myself returning to this many times in the future.

*I received a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Susan B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good info. And her footnotes are hilarious.