Creating Unforgettable Characters

[JamesSavik]

Creating Unforgettable Characters

 

Linda Seger, Henry Holt & Company, 1990.

 

 

Ms. Seger is a writing consultant for Hollywood that has worked on a number of successful projects for television and movies. This book follows her Making a Good Script.

 

While this book is aimed primarily at screenplays, the concepts are applicable for any type of writing. Any story from print to the big screen benefits from strong characterization. Ms. Seger book explores the means and methods by which they are created.

 

Each chapter outlines a piece of the puzzle. Chapter 1 talks about character research, and how to go about it. Chapter 2 discusses how characters are defined and how they must be consistent but how paradox's add dimension to them.

 

Character back story, character psychology, relationships, supporting and minor characters, duologue, stereotyping and character problems are discussed at length in the book using examples like Dustin Hoffman's character in the Rainman. Other examples come from big named movies or television shows.

 

My take on this book is that it is useful but non-essential. The concepts and methods are covered elsewhere in books more applicable to literary applications.

 

It is worth reading but... check it out from your library.