What do you think?
Rate this book
Writer's Craft #18
Writing Vivid Characters: Professional Techniques for Fiction Authors
Do you want to create compelling characters about whom the readers care deeply? This book reveals professional technique to invent individuals who are so real that your readers will love or hate, fear or root for them, and so fascinating that your readers will remember them forever.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
82 pages, Paperback
Published July 11, 2016
230 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Rayne Hall
115 books1,437 followersRayne Hall writes fantasy and horror fiction, some of it quirky, most of it dark. She is the author of over sixty books in different genres and under different pen names, published by twelve publishers in six countries, translated into several languages. Her short stories have been published in magazines, e-zines and anthologies.
After living in Germany, China, Mongolia and Nepal, she has settled in a small Victorian seaside town in southern England. Rayne holds a college degree in publishing management and a masters degree in creative writing. Over three decades, she has worked in the publishing industry as a trainee, investigative journalist, feature writer, magazine editor, production editor, page designer, concept editor for non-fiction book series, anthology editor, editorial consultant and more. Outside publishing, she worked as a museum guide, apple
picker, tarot reader, adult education teacher, trade fair hostess, translator and belly dancer.
Currently, Rayne Hall writes fantasy and horror fiction and tries to regain the rights to her out-of-print books so she can republish them as e-books.
Her books on the writing craft (Writing Fight Scenes, Writing Scary Scenes, The Word-Loss Diet, Writing Dark Stories, Writing About Villains, Writing Short Stories to Promote Your Novel, Writing About Magic, Twitter for Writers) are bestsellers.
Rayne Hall is the editor of the Ten Tales anthologies:
"Bites: Ten Tales of Vampires"
"Scared: Ten Tales of Horror"
"Haunted: Ten Tales of Ghosts"
"Cutlass: Ten Tales of Pirates"
"Beltane: Ten Tales of Witchcraft"
"Spells: Ten Tales of Magic"
"Undead: Ten Tales of Zombies"
"Seers: Ten Tales of Clairvoyance"
"Dragon: Ten Tales of Fiery Beasts"
"Cogwheels: Ten Tales of Steampunk"
with more titles coming soon.
The stories in her Six Scary Tales series and the Thirty Scary Tales collection are subtle horror: suspenseful, creepy atmospheric, unsettling. Although they contain little violence and gore, they may not be suitable for young readers. Many of these stories have been previously published in other books or magazines.
British English: All Rayne Hall's books use British words, spellings, grammar and punctuation. If you're allergic to British English, avoid them. ;-)
Mailing list:
http://eepurl.com/boqJzD
Website: http://sites.google.com/site/raynehal...
YouTube "Ten Random Facts about Rayne Hall" (2 minute video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXR4T...
Contact Rayne Hall on Twitter
@RayneHall follows back writers and readers. http://twitter.com/RayneHall
After living in Germany, China, Mongolia and Nepal, she has settled in a small Victorian seaside town in southern England. Rayne holds a college degree in publishing management and a masters degree in creative writing. Over three decades, she has worked in the publishing industry as a trainee, investigative journalist, feature writer, magazine editor, production editor, page designer, concept editor for non-fiction book series, anthology editor, editorial consultant and more. Outside publishing, she worked as a museum guide, apple
picker, tarot reader, adult education teacher, trade fair hostess, translator and belly dancer.
Currently, Rayne Hall writes fantasy and horror fiction and tries to regain the rights to her out-of-print books so she can republish them as e-books.
Her books on the writing craft (Writing Fight Scenes, Writing Scary Scenes, The Word-Loss Diet, Writing Dark Stories, Writing About Villains, Writing Short Stories to Promote Your Novel, Writing About Magic, Twitter for Writers) are bestsellers.
Rayne Hall is the editor of the Ten Tales anthologies:
"Bites: Ten Tales of Vampires"
"Scared: Ten Tales of Horror"
"Haunted: Ten Tales of Ghosts"
"Cutlass: Ten Tales of Pirates"
"Beltane: Ten Tales of Witchcraft"
"Spells: Ten Tales of Magic"
"Undead: Ten Tales of Zombies"
"Seers: Ten Tales of Clairvoyance"
"Dragon: Ten Tales of Fiery Beasts"
"Cogwheels: Ten Tales of Steampunk"
with more titles coming soon.
The stories in her Six Scary Tales series and the Thirty Scary Tales collection are subtle horror: suspenseful, creepy atmospheric, unsettling. Although they contain little violence and gore, they may not be suitable for young readers. Many of these stories have been previously published in other books or magazines.
British English: All Rayne Hall's books use British words, spellings, grammar and punctuation. If you're allergic to British English, avoid them. ;-)
Mailing list:
http://eepurl.com/boqJzD
Website: http://sites.google.com/site/raynehal...
YouTube "Ten Random Facts about Rayne Hall" (2 minute video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXR4T...
Contact Rayne Hall on Twitter
@RayneHall follows back writers and readers. http://twitter.com/RayneHall
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 9, 2020
Offensive garbage
Hard pass. This book is full of advice that is racist and ableist, as well as tone deaf and just plain lazy. She tells you to make your characters likable by making them disabled and garnering sympathy. But don't have them complain about their disability because no one cares.
The 'author' also tells you that hey, do you have editors, publishers and minorities breathing down your neck about your books being white washed? Just change the characters names from John, Bill, Susan, Ms. Jones and Dr. Willborough to Abdul, Sergej, Sunita and Dr. Wong. Ta da! Instant diversity.
A subsequent quote from the book:
"For a more significant change, pick one of the major characters- perhaps the MC's sidekick- and give him a different ethnicity. Consider what it means to belong to a minority in this society [...] or does he actually get advantages as the token ethnic person in 'politically correct' contexts, or because people imagine that everyone of his race has remarkable talent."
TRASH. Trash words by a trash person, who, when told people were finding her work offensive, typed "LOL" and said that people "who want to take offense at something will always find something to take offense at." She's churning out these books for money, without having published anything else that was widely/successfully circulated, and without any great character references except for unknowns from her own books, and people are following this terrible lazy ass advice.
Ugh.
Hard pass. This book is full of advice that is racist and ableist, as well as tone deaf and just plain lazy. She tells you to make your characters likable by making them disabled and garnering sympathy. But don't have them complain about their disability because no one cares.
The 'author' also tells you that hey, do you have editors, publishers and minorities breathing down your neck about your books being white washed? Just change the characters names from John, Bill, Susan, Ms. Jones and Dr. Willborough to Abdul, Sergej, Sunita and Dr. Wong. Ta da! Instant diversity.
A subsequent quote from the book:
"For a more significant change, pick one of the major characters- perhaps the MC's sidekick- and give him a different ethnicity. Consider what it means to belong to a minority in this society [...] or does he actually get advantages as the token ethnic person in 'politically correct' contexts, or because people imagine that everyone of his race has remarkable talent."
TRASH. Trash words by a trash person, who, when told people were finding her work offensive, typed "LOL" and said that people "who want to take offense at something will always find something to take offense at." She's churning out these books for money, without having published anything else that was widely/successfully circulated, and without any great character references except for unknowns from her own books, and people are following this terrible lazy ass advice.
Ugh.
no-thank-you
May 9, 2020I've seen multiple screenshots of pages from this book on Twitter (https://twitter.com/sabinapost/status...) that strike me as just appallingly ableist and racist, from a book that just isn't that old. The author has been politely informed on her own Twitter that she might want to review her material and re-think, and has responded dismissively and in a tone I would be embarrassed to hear my 12 year old use if he was informed he'd hurt someone's feelings.
That's what I think people miss when they classify people reacting negatively to portrayals of people *just like themselves* as "being offended." Being offended isn't a hobby folks are running around doing for fun. They speak up because it *hurts* to see yourself constantly portrayed in media in a negative way. So when a writing craft book actually recommends strategies for portraying characters that are likely to produce *more* negative portrayals, it's entirely appropriate for prospective customers to ask the writer to re-evaluate their advice.
And if you are a good person and someone says "ouch, you stepped on my foot," you don't respond with the equivalent of "lol, some people are always looking for something to complain about."
That's what I think people miss when they classify people reacting negatively to portrayals of people *just like themselves* as "being offended." Being offended isn't a hobby folks are running around doing for fun. They speak up because it *hurts* to see yourself constantly portrayed in media in a negative way. So when a writing craft book actually recommends strategies for portraying characters that are likely to produce *more* negative portrayals, it's entirely appropriate for prospective customers to ask the writer to re-evaluate their advice.
And if you are a good person and someone says "ouch, you stepped on my foot," you don't respond with the equivalent of "lol, some people are always looking for something to complain about."
May 10, 2020
Contains perhaps the worst, most privileged take on "writing the Other" I've ever seen. Reprehensible advice that is hurtful to people of color or from other underrepresented groups.
Such open, ill-advised, unreflexive, ingrained, systemic, privileged ableism and racism is frankly startling to read on the page.
I have seldom see someone express the appropriating nature of White folks' "diversity" efforts so shamefacedly.
Such open, ill-advised, unreflexive, ingrained, systemic, privileged ableism and racism is frankly startling to read on the page.
I have seldom see someone express the appropriating nature of White folks' "diversity" efforts so shamefacedly.
May 9, 2020
This is disgusting. First there are suggestions regarding ableism; disgusting ways to garner "sympathy". Than how to fake diversity; including hurtful stereotypes!
September 10, 2017
The book was amazing and cover every part you may need in crafting your characters. It will give you many ideas and quick fix to the problems you may face while writing and crafting your novel.
May 12, 2020
DO NOT READ OR TAKE ADVICE FROM THIS BOOK!!
The advice is offensive and the author is racist and ableist. We all tried pointing out her mistakes on Twitter and she blocked us and ignored the blatant discrimination against marginalized persons.
What's even sadder is the fact that I supported her and was a frequent reader of her other titles.
FOR SHAME!!!
I will be tossing her books in the trash and deleting the ebooks.
The advice is offensive and the author is racist and ableist. We all tried pointing out her mistakes on Twitter and she blocked us and ignored the blatant discrimination against marginalized persons.
What's even sadder is the fact that I supported her and was a frequent reader of her other titles.
FOR SHAME!!!
I will be tossing her books in the trash and deleting the ebooks.
May 12, 2020
Racist and ableist passages to the point where you feel gross reading it, so it was a DNF. The author also uses outdated language which shows just how much she's not equipped to even touch diversity.
September 3, 2020
Always good
I've always found the Writer's Craft series useful, whether I want some general advice or need to drill down to the nitty gritty of a specific problem. I have several of them in print and have discovered the others on Kindle Unlimited so I am well pleased.
This particular volume concentrates on creating three dimensional characters who leap off the page to the reader, or are so real they essentially write themselves. There are plenty of examples and a variety of writing exercises to get the creativity flowing.
While this is a quick read, if you use it properly, you will have hours of immersive fun making the people in your head speak to you and show you who they are. Noone likes to read a story or novel where the characters are flat, boring, and can't express themselves or interact with others. A reader will either stop reading or write a scathing review. This is an excellent resource.
I've always found the Writer's Craft series useful, whether I want some general advice or need to drill down to the nitty gritty of a specific problem. I have several of them in print and have discovered the others on Kindle Unlimited so I am well pleased.
This particular volume concentrates on creating three dimensional characters who leap off the page to the reader, or are so real they essentially write themselves. There are plenty of examples and a variety of writing exercises to get the creativity flowing.
While this is a quick read, if you use it properly, you will have hours of immersive fun making the people in your head speak to you and show you who they are. Noone likes to read a story or novel where the characters are flat, boring, and can't express themselves or interact with others. A reader will either stop reading or write a scathing review. This is an excellent resource.
December 21, 2016
I found this book very helpful.
September 1, 2017
Writing Vivid Characters is a non-fiction guide to help writers create compelling characters about whom the reader really cares. Rayne Hall gives you some deep, soul searching methods to make your characters feel real, fascinating and memorable, long after the book has ended.
If you are at a loss as to how to develop characters, but yearn for them to become your reader’s next best friend, then this book offers you many tools. There is advice on: the number of characters a book could have, their name choices, roles and methods to decide if the character enriches the story enough for you to keep or cut them.
Rayne suggests some serious role play may be the answer if ever you’ve had feedback with phrases like these: a too-large cast of characters, I didn’t connect with the protagonist, I didn’t care about what happened, I found myself skipping the boring bits.
A useful book for aspiring writers and ideal to read alongside another of Rayne’s Writer’s Craft books, Writing Deep Point Of View.
If you are at a loss as to how to develop characters, but yearn for them to become your reader’s next best friend, then this book offers you many tools. There is advice on: the number of characters a book could have, their name choices, roles and methods to decide if the character enriches the story enough for you to keep or cut them.
Rayne suggests some serious role play may be the answer if ever you’ve had feedback with phrases like these: a too-large cast of characters, I didn’t connect with the protagonist, I didn’t care about what happened, I found myself skipping the boring bits.
A useful book for aspiring writers and ideal to read alongside another of Rayne’s Writer’s Craft books, Writing Deep Point Of View.
July 26, 2020
This is a compendium of suggestions for making characters more believable and relatable. It is not as advanced as it claims to be, as the suggestions are somewhat hackneyed. These suggestions are rather safe, middle of the road, possibly shallow, but nevertheless it is useful to have a resource to make a start on refining certain points. Most of the suggestions are common sense, relating to providing characters with rounded personalities with depth that works with the plot rather than against it.
It is interesting that the author relates as a common problem the rebellion of characters against their assigned role in the plot. This happens often in my writing. However, the author offers no solution other than negotiating changes to the plot to suit the character, and changes to the character to return to the plot. If only it was that simple.
It is interesting that the author relates as a common problem the rebellion of characters against their assigned role in the plot. This happens often in my writing. However, the author offers no solution other than negotiating changes to the plot to suit the character, and changes to the character to return to the plot. If only it was that simple.
March 18, 2023
More people should read this series.
It's great, pragmatic, practical advice.
Short books, and to the point. It's a rare resource that promises you that in 80 short pages you'll have learned something to be a better writer, and then delivers it.
These books do just that. Not all the book was useful, some of the advice I already knew. But the one hour I spent reading it made me at least 3% better as a writer. If every book in the series does that, I'll be almost twice as good by the time I'm done, with barely a full workweek's worth of investment.
You can't really ask for more.
It's great, pragmatic, practical advice.
Short books, and to the point. It's a rare resource that promises you that in 80 short pages you'll have learned something to be a better writer, and then delivers it.
These books do just that. Not all the book was useful, some of the advice I already knew. But the one hour I spent reading it made me at least 3% better as a writer. If every book in the series does that, I'll be almost twice as good by the time I'm done, with barely a full workweek's worth of investment.
You can't really ask for more.
February 19, 2024
Great lessons in character development
In the past I've avoided craft books because I didn't want my work to be too formulaic. However, after writing and publishing two books (one sci-fi, one fantasy) I realized something was missing - great characters.
So I purchased this book and I am so grateful I did. This is a master class in building great characters. I especially enjoyed interviewing my characters from a professional stand point. I had never thought of that before. This is the kind of book you'll need to come back to time and time again to sharpen your writing skills.
Absolutely love it and the other books I've purchased from this author 😊
In the past I've avoided craft books because I didn't want my work to be too formulaic. However, after writing and publishing two books (one sci-fi, one fantasy) I realized something was missing - great characters.
So I purchased this book and I am so grateful I did. This is a master class in building great characters. I especially enjoyed interviewing my characters from a professional stand point. I had never thought of that before. This is the kind of book you'll need to come back to time and time again to sharpen your writing skills.
Absolutely love it and the other books I've purchased from this author 😊
October 9, 2017
Once again, Rayne Hall nails it with a handy book for intermediate to advanced level writers.
In here, you'll learn advanced techniques for creating believable characters that will grip the imagination of your readers. It will help you get an idea of how much you really need to know about each character, and it presents some fun techniques for finding the characters who will best suit the story you want to tell.
I honestly don't want to give anything away. If you write fiction, just get this book.
In here, you'll learn advanced techniques for creating believable characters that will grip the imagination of your readers. It will help you get an idea of how much you really need to know about each character, and it presents some fun techniques for finding the characters who will best suit the story you want to tell.
I honestly don't want to give anything away. If you write fiction, just get this book.
November 18, 2021
This book was a fun blend of informative, educational, and entertaining. Renown author of the book ‘Storm Dancer’ by Rayne Hall released a series of books, about, well, Books! More so what to (and not-to) do. They are a brilliant guide for authors everywhere, whether complete novices (like me) or thoroughly seasoned ones. This book was a very well-done insight into the secret to coming up with a well-rounded, insightful, and engaging character. I recommend people give it a try, whether looking to publish or not, this book is an excellent guide to understanding the world of writing.
November 18, 2020
Absolute necessity
If you are a writer or learning the art then this book is a must read. The ideas you get are priceless. I've already added details and it has forced me to change my villain. I love the unique style, addressing your characters as real people instead of two dimensional inventions. It will help you create living people that are truly memorable. Learn the lessons given here and you will be well on your way to writing a story with depth and a sense of reality.
If you are a writer or learning the art then this book is a must read. The ideas you get are priceless. I've already added details and it has forced me to change my villain. I love the unique style, addressing your characters as real people instead of two dimensional inventions. It will help you create living people that are truly memorable. Learn the lessons given here and you will be well on your way to writing a story with depth and a sense of reality.
December 7, 2021
I'm a fan!
This book has provides a simple, make sense approach to what was beginning to feel like a much too complicated and intimidating task. Now instead of feeling intimidated, I am by rather excited about writing my first novel. If you, like me, feel too bogged down in the process or wonder where do I go from here, this is the book for you!
I'm so glad I found this author! I cannot wait to start her next read!
This book has provides a simple, make sense approach to what was beginning to feel like a much too complicated and intimidating task. Now instead of feeling intimidated, I am by rather excited about writing my first novel. If you, like me, feel too bogged down in the process or wonder where do I go from here, this is the book for you!
I'm so glad I found this author! I cannot wait to start her next read!
April 3, 2018
Direct and to the point.
I'd recommend this read to any aspiring writer. A lot of good advice is contained in this little book. Even though I have a good idea and experience in how to create a character, having it all spelled out was a helpful reminder for me to cover all the bases. Thank you, Rayne Hall, for the techniques you shared.
I'd recommend this read to any aspiring writer. A lot of good advice is contained in this little book. Even though I have a good idea and experience in how to create a character, having it all spelled out was a helpful reminder for me to cover all the bases. Thank you, Rayne Hall, for the techniques you shared.
February 22, 2019
Great practical tips
Rayne Hall breaks up the points necessary to enrich your characterisation with great skill. The tips are helpful and the assignments at the end of each chapter are great fun but also push you to develop your writing ability. This is the second Rayne Hall book I am reading and once again she covers the topic unlike any other author I have come across.
Rayne Hall breaks up the points necessary to enrich your characterisation with great skill. The tips are helpful and the assignments at the end of each chapter are great fun but also push you to develop your writing ability. This is the second Rayne Hall book I am reading and once again she covers the topic unlike any other author I have come across.
June 16, 2019
More valuable than character sheets
I’ve been trying to find more technical, less theoretical writing advice and stumbled upon Hall’s series. This one had some interesting lessons and exercises that I’ll be using. The later chapters might be interesting for others, but I felt they were fluff.
I’ve been trying to find more technical, less theoretical writing advice and stumbled upon Hall’s series. This one had some interesting lessons and exercises that I’ll be using. The later chapters might be interesting for others, but I felt they were fluff.
January 29, 2024
This is such a great book for character development but particularly for the protagonist. It goes into both physical and mental attributes, highlighting the key areas to provide a connection with readers. Those who dislike it when writers say a character told them what to do, may struggle with this book. Overall, a very useful read.
July 1, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. It's short, concise and straight to the point. It says more than a lot of longer books on the craft of writing that are mostly filler and no useful information. It also gives really helpful advice for anyone wanting to write better characters.
January 28, 2019
This book contains lots of useful tips on a wide variety of aspects relating to the creation and development of fictional characters. It also includes helpful examples and suggested exercises that the reader can try to practice.
November 8, 2019
Packed with great info
This book was chuck-full of great stuff. Exercises, examples and easy-to-understand instruction. I learned a lot about how to improve my characters, something every fiction writer can do.
This book was chuck-full of great stuff. Exercises, examples and easy-to-understand instruction. I learned a lot about how to improve my characters, something every fiction writer can do.
November 19, 2019
Very helpful and quick
Does not reinvent the wheel but offers some fresh insight and inspirational advice in an entertaining, easy to absorb manner. I enjoyed the discussion of the author’s own characters.
Does not reinvent the wheel but offers some fresh insight and inspirational advice in an entertaining, easy to absorb manner. I enjoyed the discussion of the author’s own characters.
January 11, 2020
I really enjoy this series of bite-size books when I splurge on Kindle Unlimited. A lot of it is obvious, but none of it is padded and there's always something that unsticks whatever I'm working on. This one was particularly good.
September 1, 2020
Get this book!
All a writer needs is this book and a piece of paper to write as a professional! If you follow Rayne's advice then you can create great characters that will propel your work to the next level.
All a writer needs is this book and a piece of paper to write as a professional! If you follow Rayne's advice then you can create great characters that will propel your work to the next level.
September 4, 2018
Rayne Hall always delivers. This contribution to the writing craft is excellent, very readable and thought provoking. Get it to keep you on your toes!
October 7, 2018
Love this entire series. Rayne gives great tips. These books have taught me how to improve my writing skills.
April 30, 2019
Any books by Hall are well worth the money and a must for any writer!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews