Create Complex Characters
How do you create a main character readers won't forget? How do you write a book in multiple-third-person point...
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reviews
Oct 26, 2010
Karen
rated it: 
Need help with characters? I do. Since non-fiction is more my thing, I was hoping that this book would assist me with character development. It does! Author Nancy Kress makes good on her promise to provide “Techniques and exercises for crafting dynamic characters and effective viewpoints”.
The author of sixteen novels, Kress is well versed in what makes characters tick. From defining what readers want to putting it all together, she outlines everything needed to create compelling ch More...
The author of sixteen novels, Kress is well versed in what makes characters tick. From defining what readers want to putting it all together, she outlines everything needed to create compelling ch More...
Jan 29, 2012
Amy
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I think I'm going to end up liking this entire series. This book was slightly more obvious to me, but only because I've professionally studied literature for so long. However, one should never underestimate the need to read those tips that seem "obvious," at least as a reminder to 1)Remember what you're doing and 2)Realize that you know what you're doing (at least part of the time). I also learned about several aspects that I had never really considered, and I find these exercises perh
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Jun 14, 2010
Jaime
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This book was more textbook-like than most of the writing books I have, but I found it quite useful, even if it was slow reading (But not dry! The writing was entertaining.). The parts I found most useful were about using humor and emotion, and the differences between types of point of view. I often get confused between the various types of third person and omniscient, so it was nice to have it explained and see some examples. There are also writing exercises at the end of each section. I have
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Jan 20, 2012
Rebecca
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It's funny, Nancy Kress' stories don't always do it for me, but she knows her writing chops. I've gotten feedback that people don't always connect emotionally with the characters in my stories. After reading this book I have some specific ideas how to address this. The book benefits by not having to cover every aspect of writing (there are other books in this series on dialogue, plotting, description, etc.). I know of Nancy Kress because of her genre writing, and this book is definitely genre fr
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Nov 06, 2009
Palindrome
rated it: 
Some excellent material here for aspiring writers. The single greatest lesson it teaches is the importance of characters and how much they drive the plot of any successful story. All too often, writers (even published writers) treat their characters as secondary to the story, forgetting that it is generally the characters themselves that most readers will seek to identify with, love with or despise. It is the connection between a reader and a character that matters most, and Nancy Kress emphasis
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Dec 13, 2007
Suzanne
rated it: 
This book, by Nancy Kress, was OK. Sure, it got me thinking about my characters but.. did it really do anything else?
I read the majority of it, occasionally skipped around. [I don't need to read about first person, I'm in third. I don't need to choose genre characters, it's literary.] It was helpful but... I just didn't care for it much.
And yet I find myself wanting to suggest it to people. There are some really good ideas in it, and true I am thinking about my characters dif More...
I read the majority of it, occasionally skipped around. [I don't need to read about first person, I'm in third. I don't need to choose genre characters, it's literary.] It was helpful but... I just didn't care for it much.
And yet I find myself wanting to suggest it to people. There are some really good ideas in it, and true I am thinking about my characters dif More...
Jan 18, 2009
James
rated it:
Somewhat traditional but useful. All of Nancy Kress's stories are top-notch so it's good to get some insight into how she thinks about character. Little summaries at the end of each chapter are a little embarassing, though.
May 16, 2010
Chey
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I liked this book. It really gave me some awesome pointers. I am not sure how much it really helped with emotion in my writing at all, but I suppose it could have helped with other things. Who knows.
May 26, 2011
Matthew
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I gained some very valuable tips that I think will definitely help my writing. I'd recommend this book ro anyone looking for advice with developing their characters.
Oct 18, 2011
Margaret
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As a reader I always love the novels that have fabulous characters. So I want mine to be as strong as possible. This was a great tool in my arsenal.
Jun 23, 2010
Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Dynamic Characters and Effective Viewpoints (Write Great Fiction) by Nancy Kress (2005)
Dec 19, 2011
Katriena
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A bit higher level than other books of this type. The chapter on POV is particularly interesting.
Feb 21, 2010
Misty
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I found this book very helpful. There were several chapters worth skipping since they didn't apply to my current projects, but it will be a great reference.
Jan 03, 2012
Jonathan
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This book got me thinking about my writing even when the focus was old hat. What more could I ask for?
Jun 23, 2010
Karyn
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This has a lot of good ideas and techniques, especially for the beginner. But most importantly, it got me excited about my characters again. I'm ready to tell their story!
Jan 13, 2008
Kathrynn
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Wonderful book that explains a great deal about the writing process. Would make an excellent teaching book, too, as there are exercises in the back of each chapter. The author explains a topic, gives examples from other published books, recaps and has exercises. Very nicely done and this had to have taken a great deal of time to put together. Excellent tool!
Aug 13, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
Excellent reference book for fiction writers. Most first time novelists don't realise how important viewpoint is. And characters. Everyone starts writing a novel without knowing who the baddie is - that's why they can't finish it.Great book. Highly recommended.
Mar 13, 2009
Bella
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Really helpful for my story, although, dare I say, there were a few dry spots in the book. But that's alright. Overall, it was a really good book.
Aug 15, 2011
Marie
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Decent wrap of of the more technical aspects of writing: 'what it says on the tin' pretty much. Some good exercises at the end of the chapters (really, the only reason I go for "how to write" books.
Feb 13, 2008
Michael
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A nice little book that gave me quite a few good ideas. A quick read; easy to skip sections that don't apply to you. Good index at the back.
Feb 11, 2012
Feb 09, 2012
