The Art of Character
Creating Memorable Characters, for Fiction, Film, and TV
With its:
- Depth of insight into human behavior and its artistic rendering
- Thematic unity, emphasizing the inextricable link between story and character
- Wealth of details, from fiction, film and TV
- Practicality, with an eye always on the how of characterization, not just the what
The Art of Character is destined to become the one desktop reference every writer requires on the craft of characterization.
The Art of Character delves deeply and thoughtfully into the human heart of characterization, showing students and readers how to plumb the rich source material in their own lives and the world around them to fashion credible, compelling characters. No book on character has ever addressed this material as profoundly, extensively or pragmatically.
Most importantly, unlike mere craft manuals and how-to books, The Art of Character is elegantly written: a thoughtful, literate gem. It is a gratifying and illuminating—a delight to read—and will not just instruct but inspire.
Praise
Selected by Barnes & Noble as one of the five craft guides every writer must have
Chosen one of the 13 Top Picks for Writing Guides for 2013 by The Writer Magazine
—Bestselling author Brian Deer
“I have finished The Art of Character, and will no doubt read it several times more. Couldn’t put it down. I love learning more about my craft, and this was a treat. I’m sure my next two books, currently in the planning stage, will be far richer for it. Full of ideas. It was not only educational, it was full of wisdom for life.”
—International Bestselling author Anne Perry
“David Corbett has written a wise, inspiring love letter to all the imaginary creatures inside our minds…. I predict that massively underscored copies of The Art of Character will rest close at hand on writers’ desks for many years to come.”
—Bestselling author Cheryl Strayed
—Edgar®-winning Author Megan Abbott
“Corbett’s The Art of Character is no “how to” book or “writing by numbers” manual. It is an artful testament to the writers’ credo—that a story is only as affecting and meaningful as the characters who tell it—that writing, essentially, is character. Corbett writes with the grace and authority of a seasoned professional, but offers much more than the usual inventory of method and strategy. With clarity and compassion, he gets to the very thing that lies deep within us, that longing we share to discover that one distinct and authentic voice. The Art of Character is itself a work of art, an indispensible resource for writers of any genre, and a pedagogical tool for teachers of writing at any level.”
—Bestselling Author Elizabeth Brundage
—Bestselling Author Robert Bausch
—Award-winning Author Robin Hemley