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The Science of Writing Characters

Using Psychology to Create Compelling Fictional Characters
By Kira-Anne Pelican
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4.22 goodreads logo

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Science of Writing Characters is a practical handbook that guides writers in crafting psychologically credible and engaging characters. Rooted in the latest psychological theories, including personality and evolutionary science, the book teaches how to build complex characters using the 'Big Five' personality dimensions. It shows how personality traits influence actions, relationships and dialogue, supported by examples from well-known films and novels such as Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri, Game of Thrones, The Bonfire of the Vanities and The Goldfinch.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$5899
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for screenwriters, novelists and writing students seeking to deepen their understanding of character psychology and enhance their storytelling skills through scientifically informed methods.

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"Based on contemporary psychological research, The Science of Writing Characters provides writers with a completely new way of developing compelling and psychologically-credible fictional characters"--

Based on contemporary psychological research, The Science of Writing Characters provides writers with a completely new way of developing compelling and psychologically-credible fictional characters.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Science of Writing Characters is a comprehensive handbook to help writers create compelling and psychologically credible characters that come to life on the page. Drawing on the latest psychological theory and research, ranging from personality theory to evolutionary science, the book equips screenwriters and novelists with all the techniques they need to build complex, dimensional characters from the bottom up.

Writers learn how to create rounded characters using the 'Big Five' dimensions of personality and are then shown how these personality traits shape action, relationships, and dialogue.

Throughout The Science of Writing Characters, psychological theories and research are translated into handy practical tips, which are illustrated through examples of characters in action in well-known films, television series, and novels, ranging from Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri and Game of Thrones to The Bonfire of the Vanities and The Goldfinch.

This very practical approach makes the book an engaging and accessible companion guide for all writers who want to better understand how they can make memorable characters with the potential for global appeal.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Praised by industry experts, including Paul Brett, Executive Producer of The King's Speech, this book is hailed as an essential guide for making character ideas real and truthful. William Indick, Associate Professor of Psychology, highlights its value in providing a structured, clear approach to character development for screenwriters at all levels, emphasising its use of engaging examples from classic and contemporary films and TV series.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781501357244

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 November 2020

Country: United States

Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic

Illustration: 66 bw illus

Audience: Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 10.0mm

Width: 147.0mm

Height: 224.0mm

Weight: 298g

Pages: 200

Collections

Arts & Culture Education & Reference Kira-Anne Pelican Non-Fiction

About the Author

Kira-Anne Pelican, PhD, is a writer, speaker and script consultant with 25 years of experience working in the British, American and Chinese film and television industries. She began her career assisting director Stanley Kubrick, took posts in visual effects production on The Matrix films, before working as a screenwriter, academic and script consultant. Her original screenplays have been optioned by the BBC, ITV and other independent producers and she has lectured on character development across the world.

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