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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
I'm not saying the information in this book isn't useful, as it is, but it is primarily common sense, or at least it was for me. The bad part is that it is presented in such a dry manner that it bored me and I took forever to get through it. I might have thought better of the book--perhaps assuming that such a topic must be dry like this--if I hadn't read On Writing by Stephen King, which is a terrific read while telling me a lot of similar great information.
Very approachable and easy to read little book about characterisation - with a particularly interesting section on the use of points of view.
Difficult to slog through even the first few pages because of author's backwards worldview.
Orson Scott Card is a phenomenal writer. If I can internalize a small fraction of his advice, or better yet, the technique illustrated in the vivid examples he offers throughout this book, I'll be set!
Fairly fundamental discussion of characters and POV, although it's a very good review. Card's writing is always engaging.
Orson Scott Card never disappoints me. Not in his fiction writing nor in this detailed handbook. I learned from it why some of my writing didn't work and now have strategies on how to make my work sing like never before. Thank you, Mr. Card!!!
Not my cup of tea when it comes to writing advice. This WD book was very basic and most of the guidance on characterization is focused on creating characters before you start writing and not fleshing out those characters on the page. Toward the end of the book when Card does finally begin to address what happens to characters in the actual novel/manuscript he gets a bit preachy and theoretical and makes more than few statements that I do not believe are accurate around POV and tense.
Overall I felt this book was incredibly dated and failed to address key areas of characterization. If you're just starting out, it is a quick read and good basic info to be aware of but more advanced writers may find it less than satisfactory.
Overall I felt this book was incredibly dated and failed to address key areas of characterization. If you're just starting out, it is a quick read and good basic info to be aware of but more advanced writers may find it less than satisfactory.
This book has been sitting on my shelf for YEARS. Glad I finally picked it up! Most of the advice is stuff I already know (and stuff you will know too if you study craft) but there are still quite a few gems here.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Very informative on the topic and reflected on the things it promised and more. I enjoyed the way the author would provide in-depth explanations of the concept he was discussing and then use his characters Nora and Pete to show how it works in practice. One of the best books on writing I have read thus far!