{"product_id":"the-art-of-character-9780143121572","title":"The Art of Character","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eProvides an entertaining blueprint to all the elements of characterization - from initial inspiration to realization - with special insights into the power of secrets and contradictions, the embodiment of roles, managing the \"tyranny of motive,\" and mastering crucial techniques required for memorable dialogue and unforgettable scenes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eThe Art of Character\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"David Corbett has written a wise, inspiring love letter to all the imaginary creatures inside our minds—so we might conjure them whole on the page. I predict that massively underscored copies of \u003ci\u003eThe Art of Character\u003c\/i\u003e will rest close at hand on writers’ desks for many years to come.\"—\u003cb\u003eCheryl Strayed\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eWild \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eTorch\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“David Corbett has combined his unique talents as a gifted writer and an extraordinary teacher to create a superb resource on character development. Deftly crafted and impeccably researched, \u003ci\u003eThe Art of Character\u003c\/i\u003e is a thoughtful and insightful book that is immensely readable and practical. Suitable for beginners to best-selling authors, \u003ci\u003eThe Art of Character\u003c\/i\u003e should be on every serious writer's shelf next to Strunk and White's \u003ci\u003eThe Elements of Style\u003c\/i\u003e, Anne Lamott's \u003ci\u003eBird by Bird\u003c\/i\u003e, and Stephen King's \u003ci\u003eOn Writing\u003c\/i\u003e. Highly recommended.”—\u003cb\u003eSheldon Siegel,\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e Best Selling Author of \u003ci\u003ePerfect Alibi \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eIncriminating Evidence\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“I once made the mistake of writing a story with David Corbett.  The man smoked me.  He can delineate the character and personality of an accordion on three strokes.  I didn't even know accordions had character.  Imagine what he can do with people. This act of generosity and wisdom from a very good writer will help anyone who is staring at a blank page, any day, any time. Highly recommended.”—\u003cb\u003eLuis Alberto Urrea\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eQueen of America \u003c\/i\u003eand\u003ci\u003e The Hummingbird’s Daughter\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Corbett’s \u003ci\u003eThe Art of Character\u003c\/i\u003e is no \"how to\" book or \"writing by numbers\" manual. It is an artful testament to the writers’ credo – that a story is only as affecting and meaningful as the characters who tell it – that writing, essentially, \u003ci\u003eis\u003c\/i\u003e character. \u003ci\u003eThe Art of Character\u003c\/i\u003e is a writer’s bible that will lead to your character’s soul. Corbett writes with the grace and authority of a seasoned professional, but offers much more than the usual inventory of method and strategy. With clarity and compassion, he gets to the very thing that lies deep within us, that longing we share to discover that one distinct and authentic voice. \u003ci\u003eThe\u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003eArt of Character\u003c\/i\u003e is itself a work of art, an indispensable resource for writers of any genre, and a pedagogical tool for teachers of writing at any level.”—\u003cb\u003eElizabeth Brundage\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eA Stranger Like You\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Doctor’s Wife.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Well-delivered character development - an issue that can so easily intimidate a writer - is crucial to the richness of the narrative, because characters are not simply at the heart of the story - they are the story.  David Corbett's \u003ci\u003eThe Art of Character\u003c\/i\u003e offers a deep inquiry into the creation of character for the novice writer, with valuable nuggets of wisdom for the seasoned storyteller. If you are a writer, it should be on your desk.\"—\u003cb\u003eJacqueline Winspear\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e Bestselling Author of \u003ci\u003eElegy for Eddie \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eMaisie Dobbs\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Corbett shares his secrets for making characters come to life on the page, from presenting their back stories and motivations to crafting memorable dialogue and great scenes that flesh out characters and move the plot forward at a compelling, tension-fueled pace. Corbett has a clear and elegant style that’s easy for would-be writers to absorb..”—\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Writer Magazine, \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eselected as one of the Top 13 Writing Guides of 2013\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e “Both inspiring and practical, \u003ci\u003eThe Art of Character\u003c\/i\u003e belongs on every writer’s shelf. David Corbett brilliantly illustrates those elusive tools writers need to breathe life into their characters with greater confidence and deeper insight.”—\u003cb\u003eCara Black\u003c\/b\u003e, bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eMurder at the Lanterne Rouge\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"David Corbett's \u003ci\u003eThe Art of Character\u003c\/i\u003e belongs on every writer's shelf beside Elizabeth George's \u003ci\u003eWrite Away\u003c\/i\u003e and Stephen King's \u003ci\u003eOn Writing\u003c\/i\u003e. An invaluable resource for both the novice and the experienced novelist, it's as much fun to read as a great novel.\"—\u003cb\u003eDeborah\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003eCrombie\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eNo Mark Upon Her\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"David Corbett is a guy who knows his business. Reading this book, I learned things I didn't know and was reminded of ones I did. I recommend \u003ci\u003eThe Art of Character\u003c\/i\u003e to every writer, at any level.\"—\u003cb\u003eS. J. Rozan\u003c\/b\u003e, award-winning author of \u003ci\u003eGhost Hero\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Indispensable. Few are the writer’s guides that are written as beautifully, cogently, and intelligently as a well-wrought novel (or a well-rendered character) itself. This is one of those books.”—\u003cb\u003eMegan Abbott\u003c\/b\u003e, Edgar Award-Winning author of \u003ci\u003eThe End of Everything\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eDare Me\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"The topic of character development begins and ends with David Corbett’s \u003ci\u003eThe Art of Character\u003c\/i\u003e. This is \u003ci\u003ethe\u003c\/i\u003e book on the subject, destined to stand among the writings of John Gardner, Joseph Campbell, and the others of that select few whose work is fundamental to understanding the craft of storytelling.\"—\u003cb\u003eCraig Clevenger\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Contortionist’s Handbook\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"It is rare to find the deep philosophical questions of literature (and life) met with such straight-forward and inspiring instruction. But David Corbett is that writer, and \u003ci\u003eThe Art of Character\u003c\/i\u003e is that book.\"—\u003cb\u003eRobert Mailer Anderson\u003c\/b\u003e, author \u003ci\u003eBoonville\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e “David Corbett, himself a master crafter of riveting and remarkable narratives, delivers up in this highly readable guide, a smorgasbord of smart examples of memorable characters from literature and popular culture, to create an addictive and helpful primer on this most central of narrative ingredients.  Clear-headed and confident, Corbett takes us through the steps in a manner that resists formula while at the same time demystifying a process that has likely daunted every writer since Homer.”—\u003cb\u003eRobin Hemley\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eTurning Life into Fiction\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e “This fine book is about as thorough an examination of character and what it means in all sorts of imaginative writing as you're likely to find anywhere. A terrific starting place for those who wish to sharpen or enhance their skill at making sharp, believable, meaningful characters, it also has practical uses that go far beyond the ordinary creative writing text. This is an exploration of the phenomenon of character -- in as wide a variety of fiction and drama as there is. It will help any writer create and sustain human beings who make you forget you're reading, who are alive, who are worthy of our attention and sympathy.”—\u003cb\u003eRobert Bausch\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eOut of Season \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Writers—pay attention! \u003ci\u003eThe Art of Character\u003c\/i\u003e is a tremendously useful and important book. David Corbett delivers in-depth analysis and practical wisdom on every page.”—\u003cb\u003eSam Barry\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eWrite That Book Already! The Tough Love You Need to Get Published Now\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e “Character is the beating heart of fiction and with \u003ci\u003eThe Art of Character\u003c\/i\u003e novelist David Corbett has written a clear, in-depth, and highly entertaining exploration of how to create remarkable characters. This an essential guide to students of the writer’s craft at all levels.”—\u003cb\u003eMark Haskell Smith\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eBaked\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Penguin Books Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48864190857559,"sku":"9780143121572","price":13.49,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9780143121572.jpg?v=1722270820","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/the-art-of-character-9780143121572","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}