Creating Characters: The Complete Guide to Populating Your Fiction (Creative Writing Essentials) Paperback – November 1, 2014

Used this to help update some of my character maps and it really did help. Most of the things that were in it I knew but just don’t put much thought into. But this book makes you stop and really consider a lot of details that we normally don’t think much on. Good way to make you characters well rounded and interesting.

I'm rereading this book, as I found it full of useful information for the rewriting process. I like that it was easy to skip chapters not relevant to my type of writing, and it is also a great reference-type book. This book has a front spot in my writing-book collection, and it is full of highlighted text and post its. This book is worth the money for any novel writer, no matter the level.

What I liked best about this writing craft book is the variety of approaches to character development. This is not just one teacher’s view, nor one way to build your characters. We have over 20 authors’ advice. Screenwriter and novelist Chuck Wendig gives you “25 Things You Should Know about Character.” How the character is your vehicle through the plot, finding the 3 beats for your character, finding the darkness inside, and more. Novelist Joseph Bates discusses how external motivation and internal motivation achieves the conflict for suspense. James Scott Bell, best-selling suspense writer has got you covered on how to “Relate to Readers with a Lead Character.” How do you build sympathy for your character? There are 4 ways. How do you hook the reader on the first page? What are the rules for successful exposition? Bell has 3 you need to know and “do the iceberg” is one of them. I really loved this–so clear! What about character arc? Oh this one has 4 veteran authors showing you the path: Joseph Bates, James Scott Bell, Jeff Gerke, Jack Smith. Everything from creating the character arc, to the arc within plot, to that critical moment of truth, and how to rethink the characterization using the direct method and the indirect method. Award-winning author and novelist David Corbett will show you how to “Push Your Character to the Limits.” His pages on the role of contradictions is five-star: Jungian psychology, the Shadow, and subtext. If you're a writer in need of help with learning everything you can about developing characters, this is a good one.

I am halfway through this wonderful book and it's full of thought provoking tips discussing genre as well as developing characters to make them more life-like. A newbie to writing like myself will definitely benefit. Not only are tips clear, they give examples so we can practice doing whatever they are discussing.. Then you are given titles of published books written by popular authors whose particular book has used the example they are discussing. So we can practice using many tips, then read a bk that illustrates the concept so we can see how an author might put into use....No one is saying this is something you must read, but seeing all the tips I have written down several books I want to re or reread; when the tips's illustration seems to be something I might want to refer to later. I am a note taker so will write in book to ponder further. Any type book genre and any type character is discussed here.

As a first time writer, I found this book invaluable. Easy to read, great suggestions for all levels of writing. I have this book constantly at my fingertips. Never realized how much2my characters needed life. While I could see in my mi2exactly what they were doing, my readers could not. Highly recommended for all.

Great for what I love to do!

I feel most new to somewhat experienced authors need to read this. I fall into this category and found a plethora of tips that I truly think I’ll be able to apply.

This book is filled with valuable information. I'm writing a television series and was looking for a more precise way to flesh out the characters. Although the book was intended for aspiring novelists, I find it as equally helpful. The wealth of knowledge is priceless. I feel very confident after reading this book that I'll create characters that are memorizing and unforgettable. Very Good buy!

Not a bad book, a deep insight into the idea of character.

It's good enough. But is doesn't go really in depth and none of the material presented it is original in any way. If you've already read this kind of book before you will probaby get more or less the same tips and information. If you never did read one, I think this is a good starting book as it touches different aspects of character creation.