Creating Characters: How to Build Story People

Years ago, at a garage sale, I stumbled on a copy of Swain's other book, Techniques Of The Selling Writer. Took it home, looked at it and decided it was beneath me -- or at least below the level I fancied I was writing at. A few years later, after three more novel rejections, I took it out and read it. Really read it. It's a basic book, I won't say it isn't. But it covered so much stuff I'd somehow missed. Like the creation... Read Full Review

Dwight Swain taught writing for many years and helped dozens of writers on their way to publication, including me. He practiced what he preached and sold successfully all his lifetime. There is no mystification in this guide, but solid how-to. An indispensable tool for the beginner and useful tips for the professional. Highly recommended. Jeanne Williams, Award-winning author of over 60 books

There are some books you read and then put away and there are books you'll use. This is one you'll use. Swain tells us how to create all types of story characters, how to make them credible, how to describe them, how to motivate them and much more. The book's easy, fun-to-read style makes it ideal for beginners, though more experienced writers can profit as well. Every page offers something worthwhile!

Over the years I've bought a lot of books on writing, and I can honestly say that the insights presented here are among the practical and useful.Swain understands that characters are NOT folks but instead are constructs, partially based on folks and partially based on the author's needs.I can highly recommend this book.

I purchased the first edition of Creating Characters: How to Build Story People in September 1990 and have had endless hours of inspiration and continuous hours of story people development fun. The examples given in this book open the gate of your creativity, along with opening your mind to wonderful ideas of building story people.From this book you'll learn barn-brush characterization. All you need to start. It focuses... Read Full Review