Writing Character (Lit Starts): A Book of Writing Prompts

Lit Starts

by San Francisco Writers' Grotto, Constance Hale

A book of writing prompts from the San Francisco Writers’ Grotto, authors of the best-selling 642 Things series.
 
Focus on a single aspect of the craft of writing with help from the San Francisco Writers’ Grotto. Writing Character begins with an essay by author and educator Constance Hale, who offer pointers for observing and capturing human complexity. The rest of the book consists of prompts and space to think, providing opportunities for you to develop your own characters. Among other ideas, you’ll be asked to a sketch of a famous person you admire 
a portrait of someone based on the items on his desk 
a positive take on someone you loathe 
a description of your mother’s emotions as they are expressed by her eyesa scene involving a group of people, focusing exclusively on how they use their hands 
 Take to a café, on vacation, or on your morning commute and practice your creative writing a little bit at a time.
 
Special FeaturesAdvice from a published writer, followed by promptsPart of a collection of single-subject writing prompt books by the San Francisco Writers’ Grotto Check out the other books in the Lit Starts Writing Action, Writing Dialogue, and Writing Humor
 

Genres: Writing

Kindle Edition

Published July 5, 2022

Reviews

[Mills College Library]

808.042 S2249c 2019

[Aline Soules · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan of all the lit starts books, not only for myself, but for the students in my creative writing classes. There's a brief chapter at the beginning of each book, plus a page of "tips," followed by prompts that you can either "fill in" or write about in your own notebook or on your own computer. Many are unusual and mind-stretching. So good for writers.

[Meghan Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious. I ordered the whole set of Lit Starts book and plan to buy more for gifts for student and writer friends.

[Rachel Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing Character was the first Lit Starts book I picked up, because the introductory essay here is by Constance Hale, author of one of my all-time favorite writing books, Sin and Syntax. Her new short but advice-packed little book is also a gem. Hale draws on examples of masterful portraiture from the New Yorker, Louise Erdrich, and her own verbal sketchings (which proves she can walk the talk!). Her voice is encouraging and non-pretentious. Her concluding list of six tips should be tattooed inside the eyelids of every aspiring magazine writer. What a helpful book. It left me revved to write.

[Zoe Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Writing Character to be a smart, charming little book, perfect for both writing teachers or writers, whether new or experienced. The opening essay by Constance Hale is worth the price of admission alone. It lays out a number of clearly stated, inspiring writing ideas, and provides vivid examples of well-executed character "sketches." The books provides interesting prompts and room to jot them down. Most inspiring to me was Hale's reminder that "a simple sketch of a face can turn into a poetic vignette, a chapter, a novel." A perfect stocking stuffer for the writers in your life.

[Abha Sarma · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book that every creative person should keep

'Writing Character', with its illustrative examples, encourages you to think, observe and work at the details essential to developing characters. The fill-in prompts help overcome fear of a blank page and get you started in no time. The book is easy to carry and work with, be it an outstation trip, daily commute or simply a long walk. I have enjoyed it, learnt a lot and found my writings greatly improved.

Congratulations to Constance Hale and Writers’ Grotto for this great work!