The Writer's Guide to Vivid Settings and Characters

by S.A. Soule

World-building isn't easy, but creating original depictions of characters, locations, weather, and mood can greatly enhance anyone's writing.

Evocative settings are more effective and compelling when they're visible, auditory, olfactory, and tactile. And character descriptions are much more visual and lifelike when they have unique physical attributes. This valuable reference and descriptive thesaurus offers writers a simplified way to depict vibrant settings and dynamic character descriptions flawlessly. This in-depth guidebook should be kept as a vital reference in every writer's toolbox.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Leslie Sanker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title is different in the above cover, but it's the Guide to Vivid SCENES and Characters that I have. I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK!
Like the others I read in her series, This is a guide to help with describing scenes and characters in your novels so the stories come to life. You are put IN the book and not just reading and TELLING...it's about SHOWING. And by using a Deeper POV, S.A. Soule shows you how to add rich wording to make it real and captivating. She deserves so much credit for this.
Her samples in the book help SO much because you can highlight them, reread them, and look at your own work and use the samples for inspiration. Reading this book made me want to get to my editing NOW, but I am working on writing a novel, so I am reading it in between times to remind me of how to freshen up my work as I go along. I don't stop and read her book as I write, but I will when I'm editing it so I can make it better. Right now, I study it and remember is as I write so when I come across a TELLING POV or weak description, I can mentally recall the book and be reminded to make it better NOW, rather than later.
I recommend this book to all the writers I know and I keep it with me along with the Emotions and Expressions books combo.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers the basics of scene and character development in an easy-to-understand way. There’s plenty of samples and word lists to prompt ideas for describing everything from faces to weather.

As an author with several published novels, the book proved to be a helpful refresher for me. The S.A. Soule’s topics often triggered ideas for sharpening descriptions in my current manuscript. Although there’s no index, the table of contents is clear enough to quickly find specific topics you might need.

The book is a quick read as there’s a fair amount of white space throughout the 220-page print version. The pages with word lists contain only one word per line, which wasn’t necessary. I also would have welcomed a link to a good thesaurus as well, but I do think that beginning writers will find this guide especially helpful.

[Susan Anderson Misey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book some time ago, thumbed through it and shelved it, disappointed. But taking another look at it, I see its value. There are some great lists/thesauri included--perhaps it was the layout that I found outputting, but now I see this is something I will reach for when I get stuck on creating an evocative setting. A nonfiction-reference case of "It's not you, it's me...no, wait a minute, maybe I do like you."

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this guide a pleasant surprise. The tools described and the way they could be used opened my thinking. Also, I was brought into contact with the deep point of view, a term I was not familiar with.
I'd certainly recommend it to anyone looking to enrich and add more depth to their fictional world.
A bit mind you, not to much.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

So the book did not improve in the following chapters. I gave up around chapter 34.

*****So, far at Page 51, it's fine. I mean, it's nothing I haven't read in other books.

Biggest problems:
-Author keeps using "tresses" to describe hair which is a pet peeve of mine on par with using "orbs" to describe eyes.
-"Please study this example." Constantly.
-The formatting (kindle e-book) is an utter mess. For examples:
>The "About this Book" and "Introduction" are listed as Chapters 1 and 2
>The quotes used at the beginning of the (actual) chapters have "Quote:" in front of them and little else to make them stand out.

[E.M. Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic resource for authors. I totally recommend this! Her examples are clear and concise, and the thesaurus is divided according to senses. I'll certainly be rereading it again when I write my next book.

[Shannon O'Connor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ironically the hook couldn’t hook me, I was super bored and HATED the random interviews

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straightforward and accessible book on Show Don't Tell

[Crystal Borror · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very repetitive, but has excellent examples. It is meant to be a reference guide not an educational book.