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Characters make your story
The object of this book is to help fiction writers make the most of their talents and write stories and novels that will sell. It succeeds in this goal by intensive analysis of the primary source of all good writing: characterization!
Characters come first, plot second. In fact, plot arises from characters in conflict in all types of imaginative writing. If you can create living characters who are true to life and seem real to your readers, all else will follow.
Written by a highly successful teacher of professional writing with practical experience in editing and publishing, this book is the answer to the question most frequently asked by writers: "How can I make my characters live?"
Step by step, from the simple to the complex, the technique and art of characterization are revealed. At every stage, the author gives examples of what to do and how to do it.
Characters Make Your Story is written in an informal and lively style. An appendix analyzing four successful published stories--one in its first and final forms--clearly demonstrates how you can put the author's specific advice to work for you.
Characters come first, plot second. In fact, plot arises from characters in conflict in all types of imaginative writing. If you can create living characters who are true to life and seem real to your readers, all else will follow.
Written by a highly successful teacher of professional writing with practical experience in editing and publishing, this book is the answer to the question most frequently asked by writers: "How can I make my characters live?"
Step by step, from the simple to the complex, the technique and art of characterization are revealed. At every stage, the author gives examples of what to do and how to do it.
Characters Make Your Story is written in an informal and lively style. An appendix analyzing four successful published stories--one in its first and final forms--clearly demonstrates how you can put the author's specific advice to work for you.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
303 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1947
4 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 20, 2011
The writing syle and examples are a bit dated [a sentence on page 101 reads, "The figurative writing of today is as modern as stratosphere flying and television."] but the principles are timeless and this is a great book for any fiction writer that wants to strengthen his or her characters.
June 9, 2013
A great book on the craft that describes various ways to create simple and complex characters. Written in 1942, some of the examples are a tad dated, but still relevant and helpful for building character traits.
April 29, 2023
Why isn’t everyone talking about this book? This is the most educational book I’ve ever read. Forget what I learned in my MFA in Creative Writing! If I had read this before starting my MFA it would have revolutionized my educational experience. This is a must read for writers of all levels.
Want to read
February 19, 2025Dice Ray B. que hay que leerlo, pues se lee.
July 13, 2008
An informative book full of fundamental advice. A great review for experienced fiction writer's and a crucial step in the right direction for beginners.
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December 28, 2011Methods of characterization in fiction. See Notes for complete toc.
October 11, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews