The Complete Writer's Guide to Heroes and Heroines (Paperback)

by Tami D. Cowden (Author), Caro LaFever (Author), Sue Viders (Author) "What is a hero? The word has its origins in ancient Greek, where it referred to a mythological or legendary figure, often with divine ancestry..." (more)
Key Phrases: layered archetype, original trade paper, evolving archetypes, Harrison Ford, Indiana Jones, Billy Ray (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Many books attempt to show writers how to create believable characters. This one is unlike the majority: it specifically identifies 16 "master archetypes," complete with thumbnail sketches and descriptions of specific qualities, flaws, background, styles, and possible occupations. The authors, all writers and writing instructors, detail eight male and eight female archetypes in Sections 1 and 2 and then in Section 3 discuss how the characters can interact and evolve, often warning that "a writer cannot simply lift the archetypes from these pages." Although these archetypes from these pages." Although these archetypes are admittedly rather stereotypical (e.g., the Chief, the Bad Boy, and the Warrior, or the Seductress, the Waif, and the Nurturer), the book does provide a thought-provoking exploration of character development and its myriad possibilities. Useful examples from literature, television, and cinema are included in the appendex. Although the book is written in an easily accessible writing style, it nevertheless contains more detail than would be needed for most undergraduate programs. It is therefore more suitable for advanced creative writing programs. Recommended for midsize to larger public libraries.
Angela M. Weiler, SUNY Libs. at Morrisville
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
An invaluable resource for writers working in any genre.... -- Prof. Richard Walter, Screenwriting Chairman, UCLA Dept. of Film and Television, letter to author, 5/4/00

Finally! Fiction Archetypes made easy. . . . Stuffed with examples and cleverly organized, [this book] earned a spot on my crowded bookshelf. -- Debra Dixon, author GMC: Goal, Motivation & Conflict, 1996; and Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes, 2000; email to authors 4/00

The Complete Writers Guide to Heroes and Heroines takes the mystery out of creating compelling and memorable characters. Every writer should own a copy. -- Deb Stover, award winning author of nine time travel and historical romances, email to authors. 4/00

The authors have developed a clear and usable system for creating memorable characters. -- Kevin J. Anderson, best-selling co-author of Dune: House Atreides, email to author, 5/25/00.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Lone Eagle (July 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580650244
• ISBN-13: 978-1580650243
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #44,348 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This deserves a sixth star, July 23, 2000

By	Shawna Lanne "Shawna" (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews

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.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At last, a writer's resource with MEAT!, July 15, 2000

By	Lisa Craig (Lone Tree, CO USA) - See all my reviews

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!

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye-Opening and Entertaining, July 30, 2004

By	A. Reid (NC, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.