Want a guide to help you write a better novel?

Isn't this cover design stunning? I wanted to let readers know of a wonderful book on the craft of writing, Jordan Rosenfeld'sWriting the Intimate Character: Creating Unique, Compelling Characters Through Mastery of Point of View. Out in October from Writer's Digest Books, the book includes incredible advice for writers, and I've been enjoying reading it because of its wit and incisiveness. It's inspiring, it spurs motion for writers, and delivers analysis of a tricky issue (point of view) that breaks it down into understandable components. Jordan and I did a quick interview over email and I'm happy to share it with you here. Q: You've had great success with your Writer's Digest books. What's thebest piece of feedback you got in response to one of them? Did anyone havea breakthrough or reach new understanding because of reading your words? Jordan: The two biggest compliments I've received are for Make a Scene and AWriter's Guide to Persistence. Several people have called Make a Scenetheir "writing bible" and many have said it has changed their understandingof scenes. However, I've been most moved by the comments on Persistence,like a 70 year old woman who heard me talk at a Writer's Digest conferenceand came to me, crying after, to say she had all but given up on herwriting and now she knew it wasn't too late, that she could still write forherself, no matter the outcome. Q: What's the best piece of advice in your latest book? Jordan: In Writing the Intimate Character, the best piece of advice is most likelyto remember that the best way to demonstrate all character experience, aswell as their point of view, is through sensory experiences: that is, howdo emotions and experiences feel in the body? Can you use all the senses,plus images, to show the reader fear, for example, as something writhing ina person's chest, rather than saying "he was mad."  Q: Who do you think is the best audience for your latest book? Jordan: Absolutely anyone who wants a better understanding of point of view and howto develop strong characters.  That's pretty much any writer, at any stage of development and experience. I found much to learn from with this book and highly recommend it! Jordan's had a fantastic career of teaching writing and writing craft books that distill her knowledge into fun and likeable books. Her voice is friendly and instructive, and draws you in. Jordan Rosenfeld is the author of seven books, most recently the novel Women in Red and the writing guide Writing the Intimate Character. Her freelance work has appeared in such places as The Atlantic, New York Times, Salon, Scientific American, The Washington Post and more.
Order Writing the Intimate Character by clicking on the image below. And: Happy New Year!

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