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The Writer's Guide to Character Traits
 
 

The Writer's Guide to Character Traits (Hardcover)

by Linda Edelstein (Author) "Writers ask me all kinds of questions: "What makes a man have an affair? ..." (more)
2.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Writer's Digest Books (1 Mar 2001)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0898799015
  • ISBN-13: 978-0898799019
  • Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.9 x 2.9 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 73,636 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
Stereotypes exist for a reason. Usually, because there's an element of truth to them. With The Writer's Guide to Character Traits, psychologist and professor Linda Edelstein has created a basic guide for Writers. Her goal? "To create a friendly reference" for writers who want "to create believable characters and need accurate information about personality and behaviour." Sure, disparage it if you like. But wouldn't you like to know which of your protagonist's offspring is most predisposed to warming up to their new stepfather? What kind of criminal is likely to have a religious mother? The traits of people who commit suicide? Edelstein has included over 400 lists: of traits associated with child development, psychological disorders, criminal styles, sexual styles, love and marriage, life-changing events, physical problems, career, and the like. "Even when a writer's imagination soars to places more fascinating than reality," says Edelstein, "characters must possess an internal cohesiveness: they must make sense." And let's face it: "People," she adds, "are more consistent than not." (The book includes real-life character anecdotes from Edelstein's own work and a huge character-trait cross-referencing index at the end.) --Jane Steinberg

Product Description
From serial killers to business tycoons to politicians, The Writers Guide to Character Traits profiles the mental, emotional and physical qualities of dozens of different personality types. Featuring a highly accessible format, writers can mix and match the traits of specific personality types to create original, complex characters. Unique personality styles and types are profiled including psychopaths, cult members, overachievers, addicts, amnesia victims, social climbers, career criminals and philanthropists. In addition, this guide includes sections on child personality types;

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6 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
2.8 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars An interesting book that's sure to have its uses., 7 Jan 2003
By A Customer
However, I don't feel it's as easy to reference as it could be and some of the listings seem a little terse. If you took this too seriously you'd be tempted to look up everyone you know, or worry yourself sick over the clothes you happen to wear. As a writer I feel you have to temper these traits with other aspects of life. If I choose to wear loose clothing it may be because I need ease of movement for some reason and not because I wish to appear invisible, so I think it's best to approach this from the other direction and think of the character you wish to portray - look up aspects pertaining to that type of person and decide what you wish to use to give your character more life, make him or her more plausible. I haven't seen a book like it elsewhere in the market though and like I say I'm sure if you feel the need for it, it will have its uses.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Useful reference on human nature, 19 Oct 2004
By Bibliomaniac (Somewhere in England) - See all my reviews
This is a big book crammed with a wide range of information about human nature and character traits. It's all based on recent psychological and psychiatric research, so is as trustworthy as any writing on human nature can ever be.

The fact that it's research-based is also its biggest problem. It contains heaps of information on the sort of things psychologists research, and nothing on what they don't. This makes the material biased towards extreme and unusual behaviour rather than what normal people do. (Of course, you probably know enough normal people to do your own research into what they do.)

As an editor, I also have a quibble with the standard of editing. The various sections are thrown together with no overall style, and even the layout and type style fall down in places. This is annoying to read, but doesn't damage the information itself.

All in all, I'm glad I have this book on my shelf. If I need a handy guide to (for instance) childhood development, the effects of divorce, stages of mourning, or types of personality disturbance, this is the first place I'd look. By all means follow it up by talking to real live people if you can, but this is a good place to start.
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13 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars conceptually flawed?, 6 Nov 2003
By sam (UK) - See all my reviews
  
The idea that people in certain roles have common charateristics is beyond doubt, the whole of business recruitment is based on that fact. The problem with the book is it tells us that we can write convincing characters who are tycoons, artists, addicts and hooligans just by reading the book. Does the writer ever need to go out and meet these people and observe them for themselves? Do they ever need to form fresh insights? Or is recycling psychological data enough?

I think that writers should stick to writing what they know, rather than trying to take other people's opinions to extend into unknown territory. You want to write a football hooligan? Go out and meet one.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Could be better
The book I recommend to my creative writing class is Catherine Coulter's Homeopathic Portraits. Odd? Certainly. Read more
Published 6 months ago by D. Maceoin

1.0 out of 5 stars Completely pointless
This book is so awful I felt compelled to write a review. There is nothing of worth in here unless you are completely lacking in imagination and insight into even the slightest... Read more
Published 15 months ago by M. Joannou

4.0 out of 5 stars Extremely helpful & interesting
I dont know why I am the first to review this book? Surely it cant be because it is not any use & no one is buying this book!! Read more
Published on 28 Nov 2000 by gnicol5498@aol.com

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