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Friday, January 31, 2014

1,000 Character Writing Prompts by Bryan Cohen


I have been looking for a book with good character writing prompts for awhile now.  After searching unsuccessfully, I think I've finally found it.  Cohen's clever ideas and detailed descriptions are a valuable tool for authors everywhere, regardless of genre.

I have not read through all of the prompts because I am curious to save some for a rainy day as a surprise to myself, but the ones I did read were original and thought-provoking.  Personally, I think that the fantasy/sci-fi genre could be represented a little more, but as Cohen challenges in the introduction, these prompts are to be used as a launching pad for greater things.  I plan on using some of them and changing one or two details and turning them into something different, something new.

In short, here is what I really like about the book:

  • Prompts are detailed, but short and concise enough that they leave much up to the imagination
  • Each section is organized by character type, which allows for ease of browsing
  • Many types of characters are represented from all different genres
  • Prompts induce thoughts on character motivation, background, and personality
  • Many prompts are relatable for authors to work with.  They include familiar themes, and are not so foreign that the writer does not know what to do with them.

Overall, I think the book is an excellent resource for writers and coupled with a good story line would create indelible plots and an unforgettable cast of characters.

I received this free copy in exchange for my review from Story Cartel.

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