"Characters & Viewpoint" by Orson Scott Card is an invaluable resource for aspiring writers seeking to improve their storytelling skills. Card, a master in character development, explores numerous facets of crafting believable and captivating characters, as well as effective storytelling techniques.
The book commences by emphasizing the significance of understanding a character's motivations and desires. Card stresses the importance of creating multi-dimensional and complex characters, noting how their goals and conflicts drive the narrative. He provides practical guidance on developing characters that are unique and relatable, enabling readers to form a strong connection.
Additionally, Card delves into the concept of viewpoint and its crucial role in shaping the reader's experience. He explores various narrative perspectives and offers advice on selecting the most suitable viewpoint for a given story. The author's analysis and explanations are concise and clear, enabling readers to grasp the impact of viewpoint on enhancing the storytelling process.
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Furthermore, Card addresses the challenges of constructing effective dialogue. He provides valuable insights into writing dialogue that not only propels the plot but also reveals essential aspects of the characters. Through examples and analysis, he showcases different techniques for creating engaging and authentic conversations, allowing readers to refine their dialogue-writing skills.
The book concludes with a discussion on the relationship between characters and plot, exploring ways to harmonize these elements to create a cohesive and impactful story. Card highlights that characters should not merely serve as pawns to advance the plot, but should instead organically drive the narrative. By offering practical advice and thought-provoking insights, Card empowers writers to craft stories that captivate readers with compelling characters and engaging plotlines.
What are readers saying?
Orson Scott Card's book, "Characters and Viewpoint," offers valuable insights into the art of writing and creating compelling characters and narratives. Many reviewers have praised the book for its comprehensive exploration of character development, finding it to be an invaluable resource for aspiring writers.
One common theme in the reviews is the book's in-depth coverage of character development. Readers appreciate Card's detailed explanations of various character types, their motivations, and how they interact with one another. These insights help aspiring writers craft more complex and authentic characters in their own writing.
Another aspect that reviewers highlight is Card's emphasis on viewpoint and perspective. The author effectively explains how to choose the most suitable perspective for a story and how it influences the narrative. This discussion is particularly illuminating and helps readers understand the impact of different narrative choices on the reader's experience.
Reviewers also praise Card's engaging and accessible writing style. They find the book well-organized and easy to follow, making complex writing concepts more approachable. Card avoids overwhelming readers with technical jargon and instead provides practical advice and examples that can be easily applied to their own writing.
Additionally, reviewers appreciate the balance between theory and practice in the book. Card not only delves into fundamental writing principles but also includes numerous writing exercises and prompts. These exercises are seen as valuable tools for applying the concepts discussed and improving writing skills.
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