- Paperback: 231 pages
- Publisher: Memory Makers; Revised edition (8 July 2011)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1599632128
- ISBN-13: 978-1599632124
- Product Dimensions: 22.8 x 15.6 x 1.7 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
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- #92 in Books > Reference > Publishing & Books > Authorship
Elements of Fiction Writing - Characters & Viewpoint
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Vivid and memorable characters aren't "born" they have to be "made"
This book is a set of tools: literary crowbars, chisels, mallets, pliers and tongs. Use them to pry, chip, yank and sift good characters out of the place where they live in your imagination.
Award-winning author Orson Scott Card explains in depth the techniques of inventing, developing and presenting characters, plus handling viewpoint in novels and short stories. With specific examples, he spells out your narrative options—the choices you'll make in creating fictional people so "real" that readers will feel they know them like members of their own families.
You'll learn how to: Draw characters from a variety of sourcesMake characters show who they are by the things they do and say, and by their individual "style"Develop characters readers will love—or love to hateDistinguish among major characters, minor characters and walk-ons, and develop each appropriatelyChoose the most effective viewpoint to reveal the characters and move the storytellingDecide how deeply you should explore your characters' thoughts, emotions, and attitudes
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought this book mainly because it would handle viewpoints. I have come across too many vague articles about viewpoints, and it is a subject I really wanted to see explained well. I got what I wanted, and more.
The first and third person are explained in detail, with very good examples that show you the difference between the degrees of depth and approach. That doesn't mean I always agreed with the author's vision, but in those rare cases it certainly provided me with a decent enough foundation to explore further on my own.
Concerning characters, I always thought there wouldn't be much to learn about them from a book. Man, was I wrong! I don't think there's an angle the author left untouched.
This is a most excellent book, with clear examples that support the different aspects the author touches. I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves to write and wants to create and write even better characters.
The first and third person are explained in detail, with very good examples that show you the difference between the degrees of depth and approach. That doesn't mean I always agreed with the author's vision, but in those rare cases it certainly provided me with a decent enough foundation to explore further on my own.
Concerning characters, I always thought there wouldn't be much to learn about them from a book. Man, was I wrong! I don't think there's an angle the author left untouched.
This is a most excellent book, with clear examples that support the different aspects the author touches. I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves to write and wants to create and write even better characters.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Orson Scott Card's book is one of the best books on the art and craft of writing. It gives useful, practical information which will immediately improve any writer's confidence, skill and range of choices.
Having read this I then sought out his fiction and became a great fan of his Ender novels.
Martin Lake
The Lost King: Resistance
Wasteland (The Lost King)
For King and Country
Mr Toad's Wedding
Nuggets
Having read this I then sought out his fiction and became a great fan of his Ender novels.
Martin Lake
The Lost King: Resistance
Wasteland (The Lost King)
For King and Country
Mr Toad's Wedding
Nuggets
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
10 reviews
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Very objective and rich
12 Jan 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A few weeks ago I discovered in Speaker for the Dead how distinct and memorable are Orson Scott characters. So, I decided to buy this book for learning the craft. And I'm very pleased. The author goes straight to the point with all the things a writer should consider for creating memorable characters, and how to do it.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Tools for Creating Vibrant Memorable Characters
7 Jan 2012
Format:Paperback
In "Characters and Viewpoints" Orson Scott Card provides the writer with the tools for constructing colorful credible characters.
Card grabbed my attention as I scanned the table of contents. I immediately followed this by perusing the bold headings within the chapters. After reading the book I find it an important resource in my collection of books for the writer.
The book is divided into three parts. Card begins with pointers on inventing characters, where they come from, potential audience, and choosing names.
He moves on to help the reader/writer construct characters, including the protagonist, supporting, and minor characters. I particularly needed help in the area of voice, presentation, and person. Card included illustrations from well-known authors to reinforce the writing principles presented throughout the book.
"The Elements of Fiction Writing - Characters and Viewpoint" is an important tool for new writers. The book is filled with definitive techniques for creating vibrant memorable characters.
Card grabbed my attention as I scanned the table of contents. I immediately followed this by perusing the bold headings within the chapters. After reading the book I find it an important resource in my collection of books for the writer.
The book is divided into three parts. Card begins with pointers on inventing characters, where they come from, potential audience, and choosing names.
He moves on to help the reader/writer construct characters, including the protagonist, supporting, and minor characters. I particularly needed help in the area of voice, presentation, and person. Card included illustrations from well-known authors to reinforce the writing principles presented throughout the book.
"The Elements of Fiction Writing - Characters and Viewpoint" is an important tool for new writers. The book is filled with definitive techniques for creating vibrant memorable characters.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Inspiring
5 Mar 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have purchased 3 books dealing with similar topics. This is the first I was able to read all the way through. A testament to Mr. Cards prowess as a writer. The examples in the book are not disguised advertisements for the authors works. There are a wide range of examples given, all spot on to illustrate the current topic. My only complaint is that some of the novels mentioned as examples of a certain type of viewpoit are now out of print or at least in very limited supply (to expensive for me to buy as research). I will be going back through this work in a few months with a more practiced eye, hoping to gain a deeper understanding of Character and Viewpoint.
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