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Book Review & Contest Insights from Real Reviews and Submissions
What separates great books from the rest? Below are articles with insights from real reviews and contest submissions—what works, what doesn’t, and how to improve your book. You’ll also find a wide range of articles covering writing, publishing, marketing, and more. Each article has a Comments section so you can read advice from other authors and leave your own.
Why Some Books Win Awards (And Most Don’t) — Insights From Real Contest Submissions New!
What separates award-winning books from the rest? After evaluating contest submissions across a wide range of genres, certain patterns become clear. Some books consistently rise to the top. Others, even with strong ideas and clear effort behind them, fall short. The difference is rarely dramatic—it...
What We’ve Learned From Reviewing Hundreds of Thousands of Books (And Why Most Don’t Stand Out) New!
After reviewing and evaluating books across thousands of submissions over the past two decades, certain patterns become impossible to ignore. Some books immediately stand out to reviewers. Others—even well-intentioned ones—fade into the middle or fall short. The difference is rarely luck. It comes down to...
The Character Casting Call: Holding Auditions for Your Characters to Explore their Depths
Rich and dynamic characters are the lifeblood of compelling storytelling, much like the perfect casting for a successful film. As writers, we embark on a thrilling journey akin to a casting call, where we 'audition' our characters to unveil their depths and complexities. This process involves immersing characters in various scenarios, posing thought-provoking questions, and observing their interactions, all in the pursuit of creating well-rounded characters that drive the narrative forward.
The character auditions commence with the empowering task of crafting detailed profiles. We delve beyond the surface, exploring personal history, personality traits, strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. This step is pivotal, as it allows us to understand what each character truly represents. Following this, scenario testing becomes a powerful tool. Here, the writer orchestrates a series of diverse and sometimes unconventional challenges, observing how the characters respond and evolve, thereby revealing their levels of solidity.
Character interviews, a vital part of the process, offer a deeper understanding of our creations. Probing questions about their motivations, fears, and desires, such as 'What is your greatest fear?' or 'What drives you to pursue your goals?' unveil profound insights into their inner workings. The exploration of interactions among characters further enriches the narrative, highlighting dynamics and conflicts that add depth and authenticity, drawing the audience deeper into the story.
Consider Alex, a 22-year-old blacksmith who discovers his latent magical abilities, inadvertently setting a tree ablaze. His initial panic and swift resolution to extinguish the flames reflect his fear of his uncontrolled powers and sense of responsibility. In interviews, Alex may express his greatest fear of inadvertently harming loved ones and his drive to protect his village from looming threats. A heated debate with his friend Emma, who urges him to embrace his newfound abilities, shows his defensive nature and eventual willingness to evolve.
Contrastingly, Lydia, a 35-year-old ambitious politician in a dystopian future, seeks control to foster societal change. When tempted by a bribe to overlook a crime, Lydia contemplates its implications but ultimately rejects it to maintain her moral compass and long-term ambitions. Her fear of losing control over her empire drives her relentless pursuit of power, believing she alone can shape a better society. Discussions with her mentor reveal her calculated approach to risks, adding layers to her character.
Character auditions can stimulate creativity and flexibility in storytelling in addition to enriching character depth and narrative coherence. Often, writers discover new aspects of their characters, including unexpected plot twists, after involving themselves fully in the activity. Such an investigation may promote a growth in theme depth and organic plot development following a transformative arc within a story caused by challenges posed during the audit as characters evolve from one stage to another. Character auditions play out as a tactical weapon in making sure that you have character-driven plots that will sound realistic to readers. Those writers who use it will always find that they will be able to produce more refined personalities.
Also, it is through the process of holding auditions to search for characteristic attributes in people that every character inconsistency that might be overlooked finds its way into the scene. As characters grow through these auditions, their evolution contributes to a richer, more cohesive narrative, encouraging writers to explore new plot possibilities and enhance overall impact. In conclusion, a character audition is a valuable tool for writers who want authenticity and depth in their stories.
Written by Readers’ Favorite Reviewer Manik Chaturmutha