Creating Unforgettable Characters

by Linda Seger

In this book, Linda Seger shows how to create strong, multidimensional characters in fiction, covering everything from research to character block. Interviews with today's top writers complete this essential volume.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Film, Reference

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 15, 1990

About the author

Dr. Linda Seger has a Th.D. in Drama and Theology, and created her script consulting business based on her dissertation project about the elements needed to make a script work. She explored the integration of Drama and Spirituality during her five years in seminary. She holds three M.A. degrees: Drama from Northwestern University, Religion and the Arts from Pacific School of Religion, and Feminist Theology from Immaculate Heart College Center.
She has a broad religious background. She grew up Lutheran and did several years of spiritual seeking in her 20s. She became a Born-Again Christian and then joined the Quakers (Society of Friends) and is a member of The Colorado Springs Friends Meeting. Throughout the years, she has meditated at a Zen Buddhist center, attended New Age conferences, has done the spiritual exercises of Saint Ignacious, and has read and taken classes in the religions of the world.
Dr. Seger's thoughts about how spirituality influences her work:

“Many readers are surprised and even confused when they see I’m the most prolific writer in the area of screenwriting, an international screenwriting consultant and a screenwriting teacher. Yet, I also do theology/spiritual books. Some of this comes from having an M.A. In Drama, 2 M.A.s in theology and a ThD in Theology and Drama. They seem to be separate, but they are actually integrated.

Drama shines a light on the human condition. It explores the conflicts, struggles, doubts, uncertainties, and possibilities for transformation and redemption. Even secular drama deals with hope and goodness and the struggle for authenticity and love.

When I consult on scripts, I am trying to help the writer reach deeper into the truth about who we are as humans and what are our possibilities. When I write books on spirituality, I am doing the same thing – digging deeply into our experiences and struggles, and then shining the light of Scripture and theology on making some sense out of what we see and feel. I am trying to get at The Truth and to dig deep into our experiences. So, I never look for easy answers, and I don’t try to pigeonhole either our stories or our spirituality.”

Reviews

[فؤاد · Rating 2 out of 5]

از علل گير كردن نويسندگان در نوشتن داستان اين است كه نويسنده تمام وقت كار مى كند و زندگى خود را متوقف كرده است. كارل ساوتر مى گويد: «بايد زندگى كنى. بايد متوجه باشى كه فقط نويسنده نيستى و دنيايى هم آن بيرون وجود دارد. اگر در آن دنيا سير نكنى، آن طور كه بايد و شايد خوب نمى نويسى؛ چون جريان زندگى را از دست مى دهى.»

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is primarily geared towards screenwriters (with some asides for novelists) and draws its examples from older movies and TV show. Which actually works well for me since I don't watch much TV these days.

Over all a pretty good reference.

[sohrab mohajer · Rating 4 out of 5]

به نظر من ما در عصری زندگی میکنیم که روابط بدی بین انسان ها وجود دارد . در این عصرِ روابطِ ناهنجار ، خیلی خوب است که سگی داشته باشیم که رابطه ی آرامش بخشی را فراهم کند که آدمی دیگر هرگز به آن دست پیدا نخواهد کرد

ص 223

[Muath Aziz · Rating 3 out of 5]

It covers characters in Films, Novels and even Ads. Full of helpful quotes from screenwriters and novelists.

Not as dense as her Making Good Script Great, there are many "this writer traveled to Africa to research his character and that writer lived among the Amish to understand them and that writer..." And so on but they are all interesting nonetheless.

It also discusses how characters are detailed in novels because that is still applicable. The book is bit boring especially that I have just finished MGSG, nothing radically introduced that wasn't mentioned in MGSG but here it is in more details. Or at least it is the case for me, since some of what is mentioned on how to create a character seems natural/trivial, to me at least.

"Attitudes conveys opinions, the point of view, the particular slant that a character takes in a certain situation. They deepen and define a character, showing how a character looks at life."

On discussion of villains, there is the villain as victim (reaction) and villain as self-serving agent (action). I believe most of villains in superhero movies are victims/reaction. They are always portrayed as victims of society and mockery throughout their childhood as I've noticed from films I watched before. Is it because these movies are directed to youngsters, I've always wandered. Also in superhero movies there are the I-want-to-rebuild-the-world-for-the-better end-justifies-mean kinda villains, so does this cover the self-serving/action villain?

Writing Dialogue chapter was very helpful for me, I miss many skills in this area especially subtext. Good thing I have her Writing Subtext book which I'm going to read as soon as I finish this one. Robert Anderson quote in page 169 (beginning of 171 too) is so me. "In writing the dialogue I can discover things I didn't know about myself", this is what actually makes me love to write.

[Elinaz Ys · Rating 3 out of 5]

مشکل من با این کتاب تعداد بسیار بسیار مثالی بود که نویسنده از فیلم های دهه ۱۹۰۰ زده بود،و این مثال های فراوان و ارتباط برقرار نکردنم با مثال ها این کتاب رو برام به شدت خسته کننده کرد و باعث شد خیلی از مفاهیمش رو هم از دست بدم.

[Shadi Tfz · Rating 5 out of 5]

.
.
سلاااام 🙃🖐
امروز میخوام یه کتابِ خوبِ دیگه بهتون معرفی کنم ،مخصوصا برای نویسنده هایی که اهلِ نوشتن رمان و فیلمنامه و داستانای کوتاه هستن😊
کتاب خلق شخصیتِ لیندا سیگر به شما کمک میکنه فرایندی رو طی کنید که شخصیت هایی که خلق میکنید نیرومند و فراموش نشدنی بشن😃
اگه نویسنده ی تازه کاری باشین ، این کتاب باعث میشه زمانی که هیچ الهامی برای نگارش وجود نداشت باید به کجا رو کنید و اگر هم نویسنده ی کهنه کاری باشید ، حتما شاید فهمیده باشین که در مواقع خاصی یکی از شخصیت ها از نظر رفتاری در اثر مشکل آفرین میشه و کارکرد درستی نداره و این کتاب میتونه براتون خیلی مفید باشه 😍
از مباحث فوق العاده ای که در این کتاب نام برده شده میشه به موارد زیر اشاره کنیم : .
هنر خلق شخصیت 🎨
تعیین شخصیت : سازگاری ها و پیچیدگی ها 👀
خلق داستان زمینه🏅
درک روانشناسی شخصیت 🧠
خلق روابط بین شخصیت ها 👨‍👩‍👧👫👭🏾💑
افزودن شخصیت های جانب 👯‍♀️
نگارش گفتگو 👥
خلق شخصیت های غیر واقعی 🧚‍♀️🧞‍♀️
ورای شخصیت کلیشه ای 😎
گشایش مشکلات شخصیتی⚠️
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خب !!
حالا دیدین چقدر کتابِ خفنیه ؟؟😍
فکر کنم همچین کتابی باید دم دستِ هر نویسنده ای باشه مگه نه ؟؟🙂
یادتون میاد در یکی از پست های قبلیم مطرح کرده بودم که اگه قلب جوهری داشتین و هر چی مینوشتین اتفاق میوفتاد بازم حاضر بودین قهرمانای داستاناتونو از بین ببرید یا اونا رو بُکُشید؟؟؟
به قول مایکل کانینگهام که توی رمان "ساعت ها"ش میگه : " یه نفر باید بمیره تا بقیه قدر زندگی رو بیشتر بدونن . "
منم به همین معتقدم...
در برخی مواقع اگه بخواین درسی رو لابه لای نوشته هاتون بگنجونید شاید فقط یه راه بیشتر نداشته باشین و اون هم مُردن شخصیتی که خلق کردین باشه و از نظر هنری هم اثر شما رو دراماتیک تر میکنه...
درسته....خیلی سخته....خیلی سخته که با تمام وجودتون یه شخصیت رو به وجود آوردین و به نوعی باهاش زندگی کردین رو از بین ببرید....حتی اگه شخصیت منفی و ضد قهرماان باشه....من خودم بعضی موقع ها بهش فکر میکنم منصرف میشم..
اما خاصیت خالق و مخلوق بودن همینه
حتی خدا هم برای ما مرگ و زندگی رو قرار داده ...
پس عملِ خیلی سنگ دلانه ای هم نیست..
ما هم دقیقا به منزله ی یه خالق برای مخلوقاتی هستیم که به وجوشون میاریم😇
در هر حال شما هستین که تصمیم گیرنده این 😉
و بدونین قلم قدرت مند شماست که حرف اولو میزنه 🤴👸
(پ.ن : نخندین عروسک دوست دارم😛🙃 )
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. ✒Witter: ME_SHADI TFZ (peterpan)
Instagram & telegram channel :
@shaditfz.surrealism
@surrealismlove .
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[Amy Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linda Seger offers a lot of good examples and exercises/questions to ask as you explore different aspects of your characters' personalities. She also provides good examples and explanations of how to use the information you glean through research in your book. More specifically, the better you know your characters, the more that will shine through in your story even if you don't use every detail you know.

The only reason I didn't give Creating Unforgettable Characters five stars is I have heard most of this information before. However, Seger does an excellent job of focusing on character development and presenting all of that information in an organized way where the chapters build on each other. Thanks to Seger, I feel like I have a much better grasp on the craft of character development in writing. Let's hope this translates into a manuscript that sells!

[Alexand · Rating 2 out of 5]

النسخة قريته عربية حقت دار السينما السعودية ,

الكتاب استفد منه هو مراقبة كيف يعمل بناء الشخصيات طبعا مع جلسة بالأمس في مفهوم نقد الفنون و نسبيته اعتقد ان النقد يقوم على اربعة مراحل , التجربة العاطفية مع الفن الفني و التجربة الثانية اعادة خلق العمل الفني و تركيب الاجزاء و فهم العمل من ثمة المرحلة الرابعة كشف الابتكارات و الدوافع الجمالية و الابتذال الموجود في العمل الفني و المرحة الرابعة بعد التأكد من جماليات العمل الفني و تسنيقه و توظيف عناصره ببداع ممكن استخدامه في النقد النفسي او البنوي و هي اعلى مراحل النقل بس تحتاج الي عمل فني فحصت عناصره بدقة و ريته مبدعة جدا و غير مبتذلة حتى لا يصبح نقدك غير واقعي و غير مفيد من الأساس
لهذا ليس كل عمل يستحق ممارسة النقد العالي عليه

بخصوص الكتاب نفسه اعتقد كان مفيد في النظر لمراحل الكتابة و التوغل فيه غير شعرت ان الكتاب تطبيقي اكثر من لازم حبيت فيه ذكر الجانب السلبي حتى نفرق بين العيوب و المميزات لكن مكان فيه جوانب نظرية و فلسفية كافية في كتابة الشخصيات خاصة في الجانب الرمزي شعرت انه متناقض مع الشخصيات متعددة هي ذكرت ان الشخصيات الضعيفة قد لا تربح بنفس الوقت نقد فكرة التهجر على الاعمال السهلة البسيطة و مدى انتشاره لاادري هل مشكلة في المشاهد
و السكوت المستمر و عدم المصارحة بالجانب السلبي الجانب الثقافي ممكن يلعب دور كبير في النقد الجمالي لهذا اعتقد نحتاج للنظرة الجمالية و الدقة في صناعة الفنون حتى نستطيع ان نصبح شعوب اكثر ابتكارا و تحضر من التوغل في القطيع و هذي المشكلة طرحته الكاتبة بس ما فهمت لماذا تمدح بشخصية سوبر مان و هي شخصية اسطورية مبتذلة جدا و ليست رمزية بالمعنى الواقعي خاصة انه بطل مسلسل صحيح انه ذكرت
ان الشخصيات ممكن تكون اسطورية و اتفق معه لكن ما اعتقد اسطورة تنفع تكون بطلة طول القصة حتى اوديب مكان متكامل جدا كان
متعجل و شتام يوم شتم الساحر صحيح فيه النبل شديد يوم عرف حقيقته ما تحمل النجاسة فعله لكن مثل سوبر مان لا اعتقد شيء يمدح

المهم الكتاب ينقصه الكثير من التاملات في العناصر الجمالية في كتابة السيناريو و هو يركز اكثر على اساسيات نفسه يعني اول مرحلة تكوين السيناريو
صحيح حبيت يوم ذكر سيناريو عن حوار سيء و حسيت هل الحوار استخدمه كثير جميل و مفيد لكن ليس عميق

[Ryan Berger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just like "Making a Good Script Great", this book does seem to be geared towards super-beginners for much of its density, but the checklists at the end and some of the ideas tackles are really good for running through your work and tightening the screws.

Sorry to say that the highlights stem mostly from quotes from other authors, and that the less you "hear" Seger, the better. But good advice is good advice and that all contribute to the rating of the book.

A lot of the advice does get a "no shit" response from me, but there's enough here at the end of each section (if I can identify a problem with one of my characters or a script, I will probably consult this book and go to the specific chapter, which seems like what this book was made for. I consider that to be pretty high praise for something like this) to make keeping this book nearby a smart choice.

A few tips here and there seem like they've aged poorly in the years since the book was originally published, but most of the good advice is still relevant, and that's ultimately more important. It's just likely not opening your eyes to subtle problems and how to fix them so much as it is a user manual for identifying most given problems you might come across.

Overall, definitely worth it.

[Dakota · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creating Unforgettable Characters provides EVERYTHING you need to know about writing characters across all fiction mediums. Linda Seger goes into great detail about what makes the characters we love so admirable and all the factors that go into making them pop out on the page. Through this book, Seger slowly takes you on the journey of creating the most important element in a story from researching to developing a world of characters who become apart of you.

While she covers the basic information about characters, she also provides inspiring interviews and anecdotes from authors like Judith Guest who wrote Ordinary People. There could be more exercises throughout the chapters, but really this book should be the guideline for anyone going into writing a story. I recommend this book to all my writers out there, especially those who find themselves in a rut or type of block. This is book is definitely one to have next to your laptop and in reach when you have no idea what to write or type. Because there is a good chance your problems might have something to do with characters. Next to Save the Cat this is one of the most helpful writing books.

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esse livro se chama Como Criar Personagens Inesquecíveis, mas devia se chamar Como Não Adianta Editar um Livro Sobre Mídias Vinte Anos Depois da Sua Publicação Original. Os filmes usados por Linda Seger como exemplos são da década de 80, hoje, quase 40 anos atrás. Poucos deles são lembrados pelo público em geral e mesmo para os cinéfilos. Por isso, a importância dos clássicos. Livros como Story, de Robert McKee os usam. Ele cita muito Chinatown, um baita filme como um dos exemplos. Outros, como o Manual de Roteiro ou Manuel, o Primo Pobre dos Guias de Roteiro, dos brasileiros Leandro Saraiva e Newton Cannitto, usam o cult e premiado Cidade de Deus como exemplo principais. Dessa forma não tem erro. Mas quem hoje em dia se lembra de filmes como Uma Secretária de Futuro, ou séries como A Gata e o Rato (essa já não ia mais ao ar quando nasci)? Outra coisa que complica o livro. Ele promete dar conta de ensinar personagens inesquecíveis para cinema, televisão, teatro e propaganda, mas todos os conceitos dessas mídias em 2017 mudaram radicalmente desde 1989 quando o livro foi escrito. A transitoriedade das mídias e a permanência dos livros são uma dicotomia bem complicada de se trabalhar na era digital.

[KirstenJade Alindogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very intriguing and points out information. As I read this book, I learned new things and skills to obtain as I am creating a character in a story or movie. This book provide helpful advice when it comes to creating and forming a character. This book mentions the whole process and what it takes to become a writer creating a story raw.
I highly recommend this book to anyone that is interested into writing their own books or novel. But besides your interest, it is interesting about the whole process. Additionally this story is told in different methods. Such as, others' experiences, mistakes that are commonly made, skills and historical content. over all this story is by far the most interesting book I have ever read and improved on my writing skills which takes a big part of my life.

[Rojo Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un manual muy lógico y, desafortunadamente , muy desfasado. Es básicamente un listado de cosas que tienes que tener en cuenta cuando creas a un personaje para una historia, para rellenar una buena ficha de personaje. Pues eso, básico y lógico. Una buena lectura para los que se inician en la escritura creativa, eso sí, sí tienen más edad mejor, el libro es de 1990 y los ejemplos dados son de películas o series anticuadas en 2022/23. A día de hoy podemos sacar toda esta info en blogs de internet o vídeos de YouTube, y con ejemplos más actuales, para todas las edades.

[David Martínez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Útil y práctico. Su problema radica en que es un libro que se siente viejo y desactualizado.

Muchos de sus puntos de referencia (películas y series) provienen de obras que solo tuvieron éxito en E.E.U.U., que son demasiado coyunturales, o que son muy autóctonas de la cultura norteamericana. Eso impide entender y disfrutar a cabalidad sus reflexiones y casos de estudio (a veces simplemente pasan por desapersividos, no se dibujan del todo bien, o no generan interés).

[Pippa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an extremely useful and informative book, packed with good advice. I'd recommend it strongly - to writers of films, TV series, advertisements, novels, plays, and short stories. In addition to the obvious it covers character relationships, non-realistic characters (including mythic ones), villains, and minor and supporting characters. A dense read, but well worth the effort.

[Camila P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Otro libro muy útil de Linda Seger para los que necesiten teoría narrativa o busquen consejos de caracterización para escribir cualquier cosa!! El capítulo de la psicología de personajes es muy bueno, introduce teorías de Jung, Erickson y Stanivslaski que le da perspectivas distintas al estudio de personajes.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book with my writer group because we wanted to do a deep dive on character building. It was good, but it is a bit dated in examples. Many are from the 80s which is the decade I was born in. If you go watch the following movies you may get more out of it: Ordinary People, Rainman. I am sure you will find others too.

[Katja · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty basic, but well organised.
I skimmed through some parts.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite useful

[Sojo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will keep coming back to this, in case I'm in a jam.

[Joshua Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, concise and best go-to guide when suffering (fiction) writers block .

[Thomas Seifert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sehr instruktives Buch für AutorInnen, die mehr über die Erschaffung vielschichtiger, facettenreicher und interessanter Protagonisten erfahren wollen.

[Justin Emrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful narrative on creating characters for both book and movie forms. The author uses many references in which I can relate.

[Jorge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its a book that have more pages than necessary. Waek movie and series exemples to picture her theory The book could be 30 pages or less. Would be more honest

[Louis Tong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant take on the script writer and producer scene, showing how action and attitude enhances the dialogue!

[David Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent insight into creating dynamic characters, be they your protagonist or minor players in your story. Extremely enjoyable read.

[AmiraliThegeek]

ترجمه مسعود مدنی رو خوندم. یکی از مزخرف‌ترین ترجمه‌های عمرم. پر از غلط املایی و نگارشی و اشتباه در استفاده از کلمه. با عذاب الهی تمومش کردم.

[Olivia Caciuleanu · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Yea, no, I totally get it, but where's the fun in that?"

[Shervin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last chapter called "Solving Character Problems" is the most useful chapter in the book. If not for this chapter, I would probably never revisit this, and the rating would be lower.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as her book “Making a Good Script Great”, which also has one or two sections on character development. I would skip this one and just read that instead.