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I checked this book out 3 times at the library before finally deciding to buy it. Written in an engaging mentor to student kind of voice, I found myself really enjoying Orson Scott Card's take on Character development and viewpoint.I'm currently attending college, pursuing a degree in creative writing and I have to say even with all the thorough (and very expensive) classes I take, this book is really a gem. He breaks down character functions, pacing, character arc, etc. For $15 you get what you might never learn in a workshop.
The high ratings this book has received helped me decide to buy it. There aren't any writing exercises in this book. As a beginning writer, I need all the help I can get. This book sounded like it would help me understand how to create characters, but with no exercises, it is of little use to me at this time. Perhaps it would be useful to a more experienced writer than I am.
Buying anything online you want 2 things, an accurate description and for it to arrive when they say it will. Both of those things were met from this seller 100%. I couldn't be happier.
I have written a non-fiction book, but never attempted fiction. This book gave me some good, solid information on character development and voice.
For me the plot is something that usually either works or doesn't; it's fairly black or white. I just finished reading it, and I have to say it's a good one for any writer's toolbox. I originally picked up this book because Chris Paolini recommended it during his presentation at Comic-Con 2003 (and because I think Ender's Game is nothing short of genius). But characters lead me into that gray area where I'm never quite confident if other people are going to find them as interesting as I do. Orson Scott Card walks you through everything from what "makes" a character, to how characters change through the course of a novel, to the various point-of-view choices you have when telling a story. Honestly, I think characterization is one of the hardest things about writing. This book presents a lot of good questions to consider for your characters, and Orson Scott Card isn't afraid to break some of those writer's rules you hear such as "show don't tell" (he explains the benefits of each) or that there is actually any such thing as a standard for "good characterization" (the optimal depth of your characters depends on the type of story you are trying to tell). Good stuff.
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