Customer Reviews

Characters Make Your Story

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
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I got more out of the first thirty pages of this book than I did from every current book that I have read on characters combined, and that includes at least scanning most of them.
It matters not that Characters Make Your Story was written over sixty years ago; the differences in fictional presentation between then and now do not affect the technique of characterization. Mrs. Elwood tells exactly what is required, how to attain the skills, and how to incorporate them into your own writing, and she does so in a direct and clear way, with no superflous or wordy paragraphs. No fill, no self-aggrandizement on her part. Her presentation is sharp and to the point.
Maren Elwood not only tells us in a straightforward way how to make characters come alive, how to make them intrigue and captivate the reader, to make him or her care about them, but she does so in a dynamic way that makes learning her methods stimulating if not exciting.

The five dollars I spent on the hardcover version at a used bookseller five years ago is the best $5 I ever spent on a fiction writing resource.

In an engaging, easy to understand manner, the author explains the importance of characterization and how to do it well, providing vivid illustrations of her points. The book focuses on Character, but covers the topic so thoroughly that it addresses other aspects of story writing, including plotting, conflict, dialog, short stories, novels, children's stories, radio, movies, etc. Tips from this book can rescue a manuscript that is falling flat and revive an author who is getting stuck at some point. Skip the forumulas, the 20 great plots and the writer's ego boosters. I have found in this book a challenge to write well, a resource to know how and flint to spark my imagination.

Read it through, then put it on your reference shelf, near at hand. Over 60 years later, this book is still readable and relevant for novice and experienced writer alike: Characters Make Your Story is an unparalleled classic.

This book was given to me on my birthday over twenty-seven years ago. I glanced at it briefly, and since that time it sat on my bookshelf gathering dust. What a mistake. Just the other day I was having some trouble with a story character, and piled it up with some others covering the same subject for later use. What a gold mine of incisive instruction! I can't put it down. Although written in 1942 (ironically the year of my birth), absolutely everything Ms. Elwood presents today is right on target. Writtten with step-by-step perfection, she teaches "show not tell" better than any "live" instructor I've ever sat under. You must have this book!

Character development is quickly becoming a lost art. It seems publishers are following formulas (you basically have the same story written but you change the location and names and go for it) and more authors don't want to take the time to learn the craft.

If you are truly interested in learning about Character development, Characters Make Your Story is an excellent place to begin. This older title steps you through the what, how and why of character development and is the best book I've read on the topic (and I've read quite a few).

Loved the book. I've read many of the reviews and didn't think much of it. To be honest, the only reason I bought it was because my favorite author suggested it. I'm glad I listened to her advise. Loved it! Probably the most helpful I've read.

The book was published first way back in 1942, so there is a definant past feel to it. As in, it's not written the way these types of books are in the present. Not sure if I'm even saying it right. Just got this tone to it that sometimes can be hard to follow.

Overall: Really glad I bought it. It's really got me paying attention to other author's stories and the way they portray there characters. Has helped me with my own tremoundously.

If you don't own it, BUY it. It's worth it even if it is outdated a bit. Better then reading 100 books written in the present on the same subject. Trust me, I've read many of these.

This is the third book I've read on Characterization. I'm on a mission to learn all I can about developing Characterization in my writing. I've owned this book for years and maybe even decades and never took the time to read it. I should have. I've read Creating Character Emotions by Ann Hood and Characters & Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card and I have three more books to read by three other authors after I finish Maren Elwood's book. So far Elwood's book is the most detailed with the least fat. She covers every possible element of developing your character. She has impressed me with how serious she must have been when she sat down to create a book to teach future writers and maybe some older one's too how to create characters that will leap off the page and run around the house. Any serious writer, who wants to develop his or her craft, should read one of Elwoods books on Character development. I could go into greater detail about the book but it would be better if you just bought one and read it for yourself.

I was attracted to this book by a review that simply said that
if you were only allowed one How-To book on creative writing,
this would be it. I have a collection that would fill the
average-sized bathroom. I found that the report was correct.
It's not a recent book, written in 1942, but it's as up-to-date
as anyone would like since these rules don't change. All one
really needs is a good book on plot-driven stories and this one
on character creation. Get this one first, since character stories
are better literature than action stories.

This is an attempt to correct a grievous mistake. I can't say anything but good about this seller and this book. I have been treated as a valued customer even to the point of receiving e mail from the seller prior to shipping. They wanted to make sure I was being completely cared for. I wrote an equally honest review about another item (not a book) that was not flattering. The worst is that somehow that latter review ended up in the wrong place. This is my attempt to correct this unfortunate mistake. Doing business with sellers such as this one who provided me with this book makes doing business with Amazon a real pleasure. I will certainly purchase other books from this seller. Beyond trying to correct this misunderstanding, the material in the book is extremely useful. This material is a lot like a work book with studies and activities at the end of the chapters. This book was provided by the author and used through the decades as the best possible source material to the aspiring writer. I highly recommend this book if you are one of the aspiring.

This is an excellent book shipped timely and in advertised condition. WWW.Amazon provides us with a fool proof method of buying quality goods, especially books. The seller provided me with personal attention in the exchange and this act made me feel sure and confident. I would certainly purchase other books through this seller because of the way they treated me and shipped the book. I received the book exactly as promised. Not only that but the content of the book is incredibly educational and useful to me. Sellers such as this one makes buying through Amazon.com a real joy.