Careers for Your Characters

by Obstfeld, Raymond; Neumann, Franz

• ISBN13: 9781582970837
• ISBN10: 1582970831
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-10-01
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books

Summary

Creating realistic, well-developed characters that readers can believe in is one of the biggest challenges authors face. Careers for Your Characters makes it easier than ever by providing detailed descriptions for the ninety-nine most written-about professions--everything from ad executives to waiters. Each entry consists of a written description and a breakdown of the fine details, including education, salary, jargon, hazards, rewards and a typical daily schedule. Packed with informative sidebars and call-outs, this reader-friendly, interactive reference enables writers of any skill level to create characters whose professional lives resonate with realistic details and insider insights. Raymond Obstfeld is the author of twenty-seven books including the Novelist's Essential Guide to Crafting Scenes. He heads the writing program at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California, and has taught at Cambridge University and the University of California at Irvine. He has written mysteries, suspense thrillers and mainstream novels that have been published in eleven different languages. Four of his novels have been optioned for movies. Raymond lives in Tustin, California. Franz Neumann has written two novels, numerous short stories and has published nonfiction in Salon.com. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing and resides in Long Beach, California.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(4)
Advertising	5	(25)
Director
Creative Director
Art Director
Copywriter
Graphic Designer
Web Designer
Production Artist
Programmer
Production Manager
Traffic Coordinator
Media Director
Media Buyer
Research Executive
Independent Contractor
Account Executive
Client
Architecture	30	(19)
Architect, Intern Architect, Architectural Drafter, Building Contractor, Interior Designer, Landscape Architect, Civil Engineer, Urban Planner
Clergy	49	(25)
Roman Catholic Priest
Roman Catholic Nun
Protestant Minister
Jewish Rabbi
Jewish Cantor
Correctional Chaplain
Military Chaplain
Instant Minister
Courtroom Professionals: Lawyers	74	(24)
Criminal Attorney
Public Defender
Civil Attorney
District Attorney
Judge
Bailiff
Denistry	98	(12)
Dentist
Dental Hygienist
Dental Assistant
Orthodontist
Forensic Dentist
Odontologist
Education	110	(22)
K-12 Teacher
Teacher's Aide
Principal
College Professor
College Teaching Assistant
Firefighting	132	(14)
Arson Investigator (aka Fire Investigator)
Smoke Jumper
Fire Dispatcher
Fire Chief
Journalism	146	(14)
Editor
Reporter
Publisher
Photo Editor
Copyeditor
Law Enforcement	160	(21)
Police Officer
Prison Warden
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Agent
Secret Service Agent
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Agent
Alcohol
Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Agent
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agent
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) Agent
Life Sciences	181	(21)
Zoologist
Biologist
Microbiologist
Animal Behaviorist
Animal Caretaker
Biochemist
Botanist
Medical Sciences	202	(22)
Emergency Room Doctor
Obstetrician Gynecologist (OB-GYN)
Pediatrician
Surgeon
Plastic Surgeon
Physician Assistant
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Registered Nurse (RN)
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Modeling	224	(13)
Agent
Talent Scout
Model
Artist's Model
Stylist
Fashion Photographer
Moviemaking	237	(39)
Producer
Director
Scriptwriter
Actor
Talent Agent
Literary Agent
Reader
Casting Director
Art Director
Cinematographer/Camera Work
Editor
Political Sciences	276	(17)
President
Member of the House of Representatives
Senator
Congressional Aide or Staffer
Lobbyist
Political Scientist
Political Cartoonist
Sex Industry	293	(16)
Prostitute
Exotic Dancer
Stripper
Phone Sec Operator
Web Camera Model
Porn Star
Index	309