Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets A Novelist Can Learn From Actors

Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn from Actors, by Brandilyn Collins, is not your average writing how-to resource. I began reading this book with the expectation that I would find basic ideas about character development. However, I was delighted to find that, while the book does deliver those ideas, it also does so much more.Getting Into Character approaches character development through the system of Method Acting, a set of techniques formalized by Constantin Stanislavsky. In this system, method actors use the techniques of Personalizing; Action Objectives; Subtext; Coloring Passions; Inner Rhythm; Restraint and Control; and Emotion Memory to delve deeply into a character’s emotions and motivations so that they may portray characters in a fully-developed way. Brandilyn Collins identifies each of these techniques very briefly, then spends one chapter per technique discussing in detail how to apply each to developing story characters.I am only one third of the way through this resource, but already I have learned so much. For example, I have knownfor a while that, in order to build a rich plot, characters should have internal and external goals and those goals should be somewhat related. However, in the chapter on Action Objectives, Collins coaches readers to state these goals as a two-pronged Desire in which a plan of action is followed by an ultimate goal. Collins then goes further to detail to discuss how this two-pronged Desire helps create scenes of conflict that are organic to the story and fight the dreaded mid-story plot sag.These tidbits alone have helped me streamline my writing process, transforming the plot development of my third novel in such a way that, by itself, this technique makes the book worth what it costs. I can’t wait to see what the rest of this resource holds.

I’ve read many books on writing but Brandilyn Collins’ book is one of the most unique and helpful books I’ve found. Creating significant characters is extremely difficult and Brandilyn’s perspective from an actor’s point of view speaks to me. I’ve had difficulty bringing myself to the page but after working through the activities of the seven secrets she talks about, I am more optimistic about becoming an author. What makes this book special is that in addition to many examples, she analyzes a well known work and one of her own at the end of each chapter. I respect the risks that she takes in sharing these and look forward to learning more about her work. A special thanks to Jerry Jenkins for introducing her on the Writers Guild.

I've been writing for years. I never read anything about writing theory, style, etc. Ive always read books about ensuring you don't get writer's block or write yourself into a corner. That said, all of those books were worthless and this is not. This book helps when you can write and you can't. You absorb your characters into yourself and create value systems for them that really flesh them out. Things like mannerisms, and ways of speaking; its pretty crazy. After you get it down, it's like your stories write themselves, and you characters are super believable. I highly recommend it.

This book stands so far above the general class of "let me help you with my way" books it is in a class of its own. The book is not about word choice and sentences, and it is not about plot-theme-narrative structure. It is about approaches to use to deeply understand your characters so that your readers can come to understand your characters.Based on Stanislavsky's training for actors, this book isn't just a useful read - it should be considered a course of study. It has brought my attention and focus to a new primary perspective, and has restructured my approach to my writing.Brandilyn Collin's work is not 'wares for sale', it is a gift.Thank you, Brandilyn.

I finished this book in one sitting. I could not get enough, drinking the knowledge, hungry for more, and more, as she revealed tricks and secrets, techniques and acronyms, drawing me in, making me crave it, need it. I had to discover everything she knew! Brandilyn Collins is one amazing writer. Whether you are an aspiring writer or a multi-published author I'm betting this book has something in it you have not discovered yet. And, oh, my God, is it amazing! I will never look at writing, or life for that matter, the same way again. Writers: Get. This. Book. You will not be disappointed. You owe this to yourself. I am so thankful someone turned me onto it. Wow. After each reveal I yearned to start writing; the page calling to me, 'Come practice you've learned.' But I couldn't stop. I might miss something if I did. That never-ending pull still haunts me as I write this review, but I owe it to her. She's given me so much. There's magic in these pages. Why can't I give this book ten stars?!

Although I came form a theatre background, I was barely taught Stanislavsky’s method and now wish I had. And although I’d rather write than act, this was so insightful. I have been looking for a book that would be more helpful in creating and revising characters in my stories and this gave me techniques that I will definitely use. Some of the techniques and the way she described are better described in other books so I glossed over those, only taking what I thought was important which was still 90% of the book or more. Novelists and fiction writers can definitely take note from the acting and theatre world.

Very helpful for writing immersive fiction that makes reader feel they are present in the scene and seeing things from the character's perspective. It's interesting how acting techniques can be adapted for writing. Also, I learned a whole lot of interesting things about acting.

The author, Brandilyn Collins, studied acting, including the Method of acting laid out by Constantin Stanislavsky, which teaches actors to really get inside a character, to take on their inner lives, to become the character. When she became a writer, she automatically used the Method techniques to bring her characters alive. Speaking to other writers, she was surprised that they didn't know about this, which is why she wrote this book.I was fascinated by the idea, as I really need to work on the characters in my novel. Brandilyn explains the different techniques very well, with specially written examples and study passages from classic novels and her own books.She shares seven 'Secrets' which authors can use to get inside their characters and make them believable, and then learn to write about them in a realistic way. For example, Secret #1 Personalizing, ensures your characters aren't stereotypes. By focusing on a character's inner values you can discover natural traits and mannerisms that spring from their backstory instead of just making them up. You may even discover a whole new plot point because of a belief or attitude you had not considered before.The first five 'Secrets' show you how to burrow down into your characters and discover their inner traits, manners and objectives and how they will manifest in different situations. The last two 'Secrets' are about how to write what you have discovered, creating a strong visual picture and using your own emotional memory to portray your character's actions and reactions.I like her statement, 'Good fiction can be defined with "Five Cs": convincing characters caught in compelling conflict.'

This sets out to make characters real to the reader, vivid and believable. If these secrets are followed I believe writers can achieve this. Having read lots of writing books, this is one of the most useful. Reading Brandilyn novels she puts this into practice, her characters are real. I will read this book many times as I believe it will improve my writing.

If you are trying to become a better writer, start here. I loved this book. I read it in a single sitting. Like all good ‘how to’ books it builds on what you already know, but often are not doing. Great explanations and great examples.

I've lost count of the number of books on writing that I've read over the years, and the useful information I've gleaned from them. But when it comes to learning about characterisation, this book goes straight to the top of the list.

I bought this book assuming it would adapt Stanislavsky's exercises, which are frequently pair and group based, for the writer --who is usually sitting in a room by his/herself. It doesn't do this. It starts out with advice on deepening 'character interviews' and then really moves on to how characters -- once nailed -- should be expressed on the page. It has some good points to make about this, but so do a good many other books.

...dieses Buch zeigt definitiv, wie's gemacht wird: den entworfenen Charakteren die Tiefe zu geben, die sie individuell machen - im Gegensatz zu den Figuren, die oft in plotgetriebenen Romanen und Erzählungen auftauchen. Für mich exakt das fehlende Puzzlestück, das das ganze Bild des gelungenen Charakterentwurfs zusammensetzt. Und das nicht bloß theoretisch: sondern es zeigt für jeden der Punkte auf, wie es textlich/literarisch/konzeptionell eingearbeitet wird, handwerklich. Definitiv das Buch, das ich gebraucht habe. Uneingeschränkte Empfehlung.

May suit a beginner but I didn't learn much that was new from this book.

Just returned from a workshop "Turning Memoirs into Fiction."Wish I had read this before going. I will reread this book. Hope it sticks to help me develop my next character..

This is such an engaging and helpful book! Any person who wants to create believable and well rounded characters should read this. Again, and again, and again.