The Writer's Guide to Character Traits: Includes Profiles of Human Behaviors and Personality Types (Writer's Market Library) (0898799015) - Reviews and Prices
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The Writer's Guide to Character Traits: Includes Profiles of Human Behaviors and Personality Types (Writer's Market Library) (0898799015) - Customer Reviews, Information, Ratings, and Prices
The Writer's Guide to Character Traits: Includes Profiles of Human Behaviors and Personality Types (Writer's Market Library) (0898799015) - Reviews and Prices
From serial killers to business tycoons to politicians, The Writer's Guide to Character Traits profiles the mental, emotional and physical qualities of dozens of different personality types. Featuring a highly accessible format, writers can mix and match the traits of specific personality types to create original, complex characters. Unique personality styles and types are profiled including psychopaths, cult members, overachievers, addicts, amnesia victims, social climbers, career criminals and philanthropists. In addition, this guide includes sections on child personality types; physical disorders that influence personality; and outlines of typical and atypical human development.
Stereotypes exist for a reason; usually, because there's an element of truth to them. With The Writer's Guide to Character Traits, psychologist-professor Linda Edelstein has created a kind of Psych 101 for Writers. Her goal is a "friendly reference" for writers who want "to create believable characters and need accurate information about personality and behavior." Sure, disparage it if you like. But wouldn't you like to know which of your protagonist's offspring is most predisposed to warming up to their new stepfather? What kind of criminal is likely to have a religious mother? The traits of people who commit suicide? Edelstein has included more than 400 lists: of traits associated with child development, psychological disorders, criminal styles, sexual styles, love and marriage, life-changing events, physical problems, career, and so on. "Even when a writer's imagination soars to places more fascinating than reality," says Edelstein, "characters must possess an internal cohesiveness; they must make sense." And let's face it: "People," she adds, "are more consistent than not." (With real-life character anecdotes from Edelstein's own work and a huge character-trait cross-referencing index at book's end.) --Jane Steinberg
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Good book, serves its purpose:
Very interesting read for someone who has no background in psychology. The text is very readable and broken down into manageable segments. I am reading it for a graduate school class and it is among the more enjoyable reading assignments of my program.
Fabulous Writing Tool!!!:
This book was an amazing tool for developing characters. I refer to it frequently, and so do my other writing friends. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like a guide to creating believable personality types-- or even anyone who wants to learn more about different types of people in general, outside of writing. Simply a very informative guide... Perfect for writers of any genre!
So So:
The book is okay if you want to create sterotype characters or get some basic layout. The main drawback is the that while it does give some information and a few layouts, some parts of it come off as being sexist. some roles are typecasted as male or female. In the child development section it constantly lists males as agressive or addicted to sex almost from childhood while girls are more focused on emotions and shortcomings. It may be good but it could be better if Dr. Edelstein used a more objective... more info
Excellent Writing Tool:
This book really helps get into the nitty-gritty of any character. It uses simple texts and it is easy to find the exact kind of character you want to create. I discovered some character traits I hadn't even thought of before reading this book. Great tool, it will always be next to my dictionary on my desk.
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