Creating Characters

by Swain, Dwight V.

• ISBN13: 9780898796629
• ISBN10: 0898796628
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1994-07-01
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

The basics and fine points of successful fictional characters: traits, relationships, motivations, emotions, humor, strong dialogue, and - above all - the ability to care. A first-class lesson in empathy and believability for all writers.

Table of Contents

Preface
The Core of Character	1	(4)
What's the one key element any major character must have?
The ability to care
Searching Out Your Characters	5	(10)
How do you find the right character?
You scan the applicants until you locate one who turns you on and fits the part
Labels, Labels	15	(6)
Why do you label a character?
Your reader needs some clue or two to help him recognize each of your story people
Fleshing Out	21	(12)
How do you make a character real?
You provide him or her with appropriate tags, traits, and relationships
The World Within: 1	33	(6)
How do you motivate a character?
You devise something that he or she must change in order to win happiness
The World Within: 2	39	(14)
How do you keep a character moving?
You point that character towards his or her private future
The Breath of Life	53	(8)
How do you bring a character to life?
You make the character reveal emotion
Bent Twigs	61	(15)
How much background should you give a character?
Only enough to make your reader-and you-believe in him
Wild Cards	76	(12)
What goes into building an offbeat character?
The same elements that you use in creating any story person-only more so
The Role of Roles	88	(20)
How do you treat a hero?
You shape the hero to fit the job he or she has to do
The Light Touch	108	(20)
How do you make a character amusing?
You replace reader assumptions with offbeat alternatives
The Right Words	128	(9)
How do you describe a character effectively?
You build the character with significant specifics that lead readers to feel the way you want them to feel
The Things They Say	137	(9)
How do you write good dialogue?
You pay as much attention to feelings as to words
Variations on A Theme	146	(11)
How do you treat characters in the various lengths, media, and genres?
You design your people to fit your market
The Character Out of Time	157	(12)
How do you get people to read about characters in unfamiliar worlds?
You provide emotional insight into the world and individuals involved
The Dynamics of Disbelife	169	(13)
How do you cope when readers don't believe in your characters and stories?
You plug the gaps where belief leaks out
The Search for Zest	182	(5)
How do you maintain your cutting edge as a writer?
You draw on the stimulus of story people
Appendix: For Further Reading	187	(2)
Index	189