Write Iconic Characters: Unlocking the core motivations that fuel unforgettable stories

by Claire Taylor

Iconic characters build unforgettable stories.Iconic characters stick with us long after the final page. They become touchstones, reference points with which we describe friends, enemies, and ourselves.

Creating just one iconic character can transform your writing career. Readers will forgive all sorts of minor flaws in your stories if your characters strike deep into their humanity, connecting with both their light and shadow.

Write Iconic Characters reveals the psychology behind unforgettable characters by exploring the nine core fears and desires that drive human behavior. Master these forces, and you'll craft characters whose every choice feels inevitable and stories that readers can't put down.

Buy Write Iconic Characters today!

Genres: Writing

285 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 13, 2025

Reviews

[Janine]

A very interesting look on the ennegram in looking into how to create iconic characters. Full review later.

[Julie]

I backed this book on Kickstarter and was excited to see it was just released. I’ve read a fair few books on the Enneagram by this point, including Taylor’s two previous books (“Reclaim Your Author Career” and “Sustain Your Author Career”), so I’m always on the lookout to see what new facets someone can bring to the “Enneagram 101” formula that so many of these books employ. The main one here, of course, is that Taylor’s target audience is other authors. To that end, I found the most interesting parts of the book to be areas where that shines through: how certain types are easily confused, how types show up in dialogue (super-interesting!), and the deep-dives into an iconic character of each type. I also appreciated the chapter on overlays (something I don’t see discussed very much in other books) and practical types for incorporating Enneagram theory into writing (key tip: start simple!). All told, a nice, relatively entry level Enneagram book with some interesting aspects I haven’t seen anywhere else.

[Lizzie Jenks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a HUGE help in creating characters that really live and breathe in ways that feel recognizably human, and yes, iconic. This is NOT all theory and good luck to you in implementing it — it IS 100% actionable. If you want your characters to jump off the page and live on in readers' minds long after they finish your book, get this book!

[Tess Manchester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I have a new understanding on writing characters, emotional depth and stakes, and practical tips to put into practice. Fabulous book!