Customer Reviews

The Complete Writer's Guide to Heroes and Heroines

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the book on characterization that I have been looking for. I have an entire shelf of how to write books, and nothing I have has come close to the clarity and simplicity they bring together in their book on literary archetypes.

The book is set up in four different main sections with each of the sections actually delivering and surpasing what is promised.

Section I Hero Archetypes

Section II Heroine Archetypes

Section III Using the Archetypes to Create Characters

Section IV Archetype Interactions

Each of these sections gives not only easy to read `straight' explanations of each of the archetypes but it also references them to familiar movie and literary characters in a way that really solidified the different archetypes in my mind.

This is the best book on character development that I have ever read. It's layout is so easy to read and use and its explanations are so clear and concise that when I brought it to work to show a co-worker she went on-line and ordered one for herself and her daughter. Reading it has brought to mind so many ideas that I am not sure where to start first.

All I have to say, is what took you so long! Finally, an owner's manual for all the people in your life, as well as the characters running through a writer's imagination. Because of the organized way the information is presented, this reference can be used on the fly when a character might be giving a writer trouble or can be devoured as a whole. Without solid, 3-dimensional characters, a writer doesn't have a story and this resource is invaluable for helping a writer create story people that jump off the page and into a reader's life. Through the authors' masterful use of abundant examples, characterization is demystified. This resource puts a name to sixteen archetypes (eight female and eight male) that have existed throughout literature and film.

This book is practical and incredibly interesting. If you write fiction, you'll want to have this book! I can't imagine having to do characterization without it! BRAVO, Caro, Sue and Tami!

In the quest of refining character, I have devoured a number of psychology texts and writer's guides, and I do believe that this one may be the best book on that topic I have ever discovered. I would quibble with Cowden, LaFever and Viders in their assertion that the 16 Master Archetypes are the only archetypes, but it's such a small point that it doesn't detract from what they present. Peppered with easily accessible examples, their book breaks down character into strong, clearly sketched components and then discusses how the palates may be blended--in individual character development and interpersonal relationships. I don't know if I would ever use any guide to create a character from scratch, but I'm always happy to find something to help me ensure that my characters behave consistently once they've been created. I expect this book to prove valuable for that, and I highly recommend it.

When I was taking Writer's Workshop back at Bowling Green, there was a lot of talk about characterization, but not a heck of a lot of solid advice on how to do it. As a "concrete" sort of guy, I like exact methods for accomplishing what I'm after. This book gives a very easy to understand, structured framework for keeping control of your characters and their conflicts. (If you're ambitious and want to see 'live' examples, check out the movies recommended in the back!) These archetypes are sort of like other archetypes lists you've probably seen. Ever since Jung, archetypes have been hot, but these are the first I've seen that help me create a good, believable, well-motivated character and keep him that way throuought 120 pages of script. If you want to write fiction of any sort, you really should read this book. Honest!

This was an excellent writer's reference, which explores gender and roles in writing. Is your character a Charmer? Bad Boy? or Free spirit? Each section defines the Character's basic traits, likely occupation, and gives examples of character's which fall into each from television in film. Further, each section goes on to describe how characters interact with each other.

My only quibble with this book, is the manner in which it is divided by gender. Some of the archetypes could easily be either male or female: such as Crusader, Nurturer, Free Spirit, Charmer, Warrior etc. But these were carefully slanted towards either feminine or masculine. For instance, I can easily see a male "Crusader" a female "Lost Soul" or a Female "Warrior" and yet this cross-gender archetypes were not explored. Perhaps in a later edition?

Overall, an excellent reference, sure to delight!!

I am a self-proclaimed how-to-book junkie and have been collecting books on characterization for a while now, always looking for the one that made this essential part of fiction make sense. Well, now I can toss out those other books - I've finally found a winner! After hearing the three authors speak at the RWA National conference in Chicago, I knew I had to have this book. One year later, I finally have it. It's like they cracked the secret code of characters. Thank you ladies. I know this will make a difference in my life!

Begin with Hero Archetypes and learn about the Chief or the Lost Soul or the Warrior. See what might make them tick.

Move to your Heroine Archetypes to visit with the Free Spirit, the Nurturer or my favorite the Spunky Kid. Learn how they got to be who they are.

Then you will learn how to use the Archetypes to Create Characters. As most writers understand, great characters are not one-dimensional and flawless. It is their layers that make them truly intriguing. Indiana Jones' fear of snakes made him believable.

Finally play with Archetype Interactions and see how the Waif might react to the Professor type. What if the Waif were layered with the Librarian and the Professor had a bit of the Swashbuckler in him. What would these two encounter? Where would they take your story?

Tami et al's book is invaluable to me. If I had no other book on characterization, I would be fine. My only quibble is that we didn't get the Villains, but Tami teaches a Villains Archetype class online as well as face-to-face. I just recently had the pleasure of taking that class with From The Heart Romance Writers.

Put this on your "must have" list if you want rich, complex characters.

This book has a forgotten place on my how-to shelves. I never use it. I thought it would provide guidance on how to write characters, but the information is on artificial aspects of characters. Stereotypical. A lure to writers who are hoping it may help them with the complex task of creating characters.

I would rather bring unique characters to life than copy a pigeon-holed personality and wonder why my story is flat. Imagine one page devoted to "this personality" and hints at what might have happened in their past, a few suggestions of how they handle conflict and how well they match up with the other "personality types". Don't forget the few side notes in the margins, because they're so helpful. Even if they are only four words long.

So, you begin to shape a character, but realise this has given you no real information as like a snowflake, a fingerprint, each has their own pattern. No two humans are exactly the same. How are you supposed to build believability when you are stuffing formulaic mannerisms into the viewpoint of your novel?

My daughter is great at writing stories and I wouldn't want her anywhere near this book. It would be like trying to get a bird to walk backwards when it already knows how to fly. Box them up, if you will. After all, the characters are yours to shape, although don't expect to scratch the surface.

If you're thinking this book will provide key traits which will help you form your personalities, they are nothing more than a 'captain' is bossy and him and the 'free spirit' who is gutsy, will clash. Duh.

I don't want flat-packed, carbon copied sameness. I can't build any story on this information.

I'd started looking into archetypes not long ago, and found myself frustrated because many of the books I found dealt with the male aspect while I was looking for female characteristics also. Talk about perfect timing (and examples that I could visualize ... or at least rent at the video store)!

Here it is - the most complete, most straighforward explanation of literary archetypes ever presented. This book not only helps with the creation of dynamic male and female characters (and despite the title, writers will find lots of ideas for villains and secondary characters, too), but also serves as a wonderful brainstorming tool for plot development.

I've attended workshops presented by the authors, and had long awaited the arrival of this book. It was well worth the wait. My plots are stronger, because the motivation of my characters is clearer.

This is a book that every fiction writer should read, and reread!