Dynamic Characters: How to Create Personalities That Keep Readers Captivated

Kress is author of the widely read Beginnings, Middles & Ends of the Writers' Digest Elements of Fiction Writing Series. Those who have been inspired and taught by Kress' work in Writers' Digest Magazine will find this book filled with material from the "Fiction" column for which Kress writes. Kress has taken a systems approach to fiction, refusing to completely segment the different elements but rather bringing all elements together to dance and balance like one of John Bradshaw's mobiles. Dynamic Characters is divided into three parts -- covering "externals," "internals," and "plot." "Externals" deals with the character's appearance, name, setting, employment, and dialogue. Kress also includes two chapters designed to harness unhelpful characterization. "Internals" deals with internal thought processes, dreams and responses to newscasts, and villains & other unsympathetic characters. The third part on "plot" covers conflict, point of view, secondary characters, character change, and theme. The plot section also includes two chapters on where plots can come from. Right from the start this is the type of book that you'll want to hold in one hand so the other can create characters as you read. It is infinitely more helpful than the variety of "characterization checklists" available on the internet. While such checklists can be helpful for triggering some ideas, usually they are too clinical and fail to adequately suggest life for your characters. Kress helps the reader to see the possibilities inherent in each choice made for the character. Not only does she ask us to decide what kind of vehicle the character drives, but she also prods the reader to consider how the choice of vehicle affects and is affected by the character's personality. Those who are expecting a book in which every word is directly related to the process of characterization are bound to be disappointed or confused. At least four chapters have very little to do with characterization directly. Two chapters cover technicalities of the craft of dialogue and one covers internal monologue -- seeming out-of-place from the earlier chapters more obviously about characterization. Later, in the "plot" section, Kress has given us chapters on conflict and basic plotting. In each of these chapters Kress takes a break from strict characterization to focus on other elements of fiction craft which impact characterization indirectly. Kress's new book does include a checklist with a good deal of the information from Dynamic Characters included. It offers almost as much suggestion as it requests response. Example: BEDTIME Does he/she usually go to bed at a consistent time? ___Yes ___NoWhat Time?____________________________With Whom?___________________________When does a bedtime occur at a different time?___________________________________Does he/she usually fall asleep right away? ___Yes ___NoIf no, what is s/he doing in the meantime--Reading, watching TV, sex, tossing and turning, etc.?This ch

If you are a writer who adores reading and writing stories that focus on the characters, you'll fall in love with Dynamic Characters. The author provides an excellent guide to developing characters plus great direction on how to create a meaningful plot based on who your characters are. She also includes one of the best chapters on dialogue I've ever read. Her examples are crystal clear as well as inspiring to the creative muse (hmm, how could I apply this to my story? Oh, yes, this way and that way and...) Because Ms. Kress covers everything that matters to characterization, this book goes far beyond merely how to create fictional characters. It is instead one of the best comprehensive how-to-write books available.

Nancy Kress is the author of over a dozen books of fiction, including Beggars in Spain, which won both the Hugo and Nebula awards. She is the fiction columnist for Writer's Digest (WD) magazine, and her short fiction frequently appears in Omni magazine. She also teaches fiction-writing classes for universities and writing conferences.I've been a fan of Kress's fiction column in WD for a long time now, and this book is an extended version of her clear, enlightening advice. The topics covered in Dynamic Characters include: (1) the definition and purpose of characters; (2) naming characters; (3) the influence of setting on characterization; (4) how dialogue reveals characters; (5) choosing telling details to describe characters; (6) basing characters on real people; (7) internal dialogue; (8) dreams; (9) villains; (10) unsympathetic protagonists; (11) how plot affects characterization; (12) secondary characters; (13) conflict leading to violence; (14) growth and transformation in characters; (15) basing plot on real-life events; (16) connections between characters, plot and theme; (17) biographical questionnaire for characters.All of these topics are thoroughly covered in a clear, helpful manner. My favorite section of the book is the 14-page character biography form Kress calls an "Intelligence Dossier." I transcribed its questions into my computer and use it regularly to help me flesh out my characters when I am in the backstory phase.I highly recommend this book not only to brand new fiction writers, but to experienced ones as well. Kress provides an abundance of insights useful to authors of every level of accomplishment.

I look forward to reading Nancy Kress's column in WD Magazine. She knows how to get her information across in an interesting, thought-provoking way. Her book on character development is absolutely great. It covers all aspects of development, including themes, situations, and different points of view. Her characterization chart is extensive with details. Anyone who uses it will know their character(s) from the inside out. I can't wait to see what her next book will be about.

I read Nancy Kress's fiction column in Writer's Digest Magazine every month and find it always has very practical suggestions. This book on characters is a wonderful compilation of all her wisdom on a topic of particular interest to writers of popular fiction. She does an outstanding job. So much so that I found myself taking extensive notes in an attempt to burn in my brain all the great advice she gives. One of the most wonderful parts of the book is the extensive outline she provides for creating a biography for each of your major characters. This is extremely helpful! I plan to use it for all my future stories.