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The Mythic Guide to Characters: Writing Characters Who Enchant and Inspire
How do you create characters who are so compelling that they hook readers from the start?
As a professor, writer, and philosopher, Dr. Antonio del Drago has immersed himself in the literary and mythological traditions of the world. His search for answers led him to uncover the common elements behind all great myths and stories.
Applying this knowledge to the writing of characters, he has developed a layered approach to character creation.
In this guide, you will discover:
- The secret to writing multidimensional characters
- How to develop your character's unconscious motivations
- Four ways in which characters interact with their worlds
- Five formative relationships that shape your character
- Nine mythic archetypes and how to use them
- The difference between proactive and reactive protagonists
- Ways to define a character through dialogue and physicality
The guide also includes a detailed worksheet that walks you through the stages of character development.
This is more than a book on how to write characters. This guide offers a practical, step-by-step approach to character creation that is sure to take your writing to the next level.
As a professor, writer, and philosopher, Dr. Antonio del Drago has immersed himself in the literary and mythological traditions of the world. His search for answers led him to uncover the common elements behind all great myths and stories.
Applying this knowledge to the writing of characters, he has developed a layered approach to character creation.
In this guide, you will discover:
- The secret to writing multidimensional characters
- How to develop your character's unconscious motivations
- Four ways in which characters interact with their worlds
- Five formative relationships that shape your character
- Nine mythic archetypes and how to use them
- The difference between proactive and reactive protagonists
- Ways to define a character through dialogue and physicality
The guide also includes a detailed worksheet that walks you through the stages of character development.
This is more than a book on how to write characters. This guide offers a practical, step-by-step approach to character creation that is sure to take your writing to the next level.
180 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2013
18 people are currently reading
1283 people want to read
About the author
Antonio Del Drago
2 books14 followersAntonio del Drago, Ph.D., is the founder of Mythic Scribes, an online writing community. When he isn't writing fiction, he works as a professor and non-fiction author.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 21, 2013
In the spirit of full disclosure, I received an email from the author offering a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Wow! This is a detailed, layered look at covering all aspects of creating larger than life characters. While it is a philosophical approach, I enjoyed the parts detailing the physiological aspects of creating characters and how each aspect should affect the characters on their journey. A definite keeper for my writer's tool box!
I love to analyze things so this book was perfect for me. The worksheet included in the book is brief and to the point. Easy to follow along with. Considering how much my own past has influenced me, and shaped me into who I became, I enjoyed reading a break down of why our pasts influence us and why the characters' pasts, conscious and subconscious, should influence our characters.
Wow! This is a detailed, layered look at covering all aspects of creating larger than life characters. While it is a philosophical approach, I enjoyed the parts detailing the physiological aspects of creating characters and how each aspect should affect the characters on their journey. A definite keeper for my writer's tool box!
I love to analyze things so this book was perfect for me. The worksheet included in the book is brief and to the point. Easy to follow along with. Considering how much my own past has influenced me, and shaped me into who I became, I enjoyed reading a break down of why our pasts influence us and why the characters' pasts, conscious and subconscious, should influence our characters.
July 15, 2018
Interesting information, but could be expanded on
While this book does have some information, it feels like it fell flat due to the length. Examples and explanations can stand to built upon more, just to give a fuller picture of what's being defined and matched with character examples.
While this book does have some information, it feels like it fell flat due to the length. Examples and explanations can stand to built upon more, just to give a fuller picture of what's being defined and matched with character examples.
November 17, 2019
Excellent step-by-step
I won't expound much on what this book is about, as the title says it all. I will simply say that it's s fabulous resource for character building. I appreciated the Enneagram and Battle Type explanation and examples. The section on dialect and dialogue was also helpful. One of the most useful resources I've come across in some time.
I won't expound much on what this book is about, as the title says it all. I will simply say that it's s fabulous resource for character building. I appreciated the Enneagram and Battle Type explanation and examples. The section on dialect and dialogue was also helpful. One of the most useful resources I've come across in some time.
March 11, 2018
Worth reading
Succinct but some ideas that I have not come across before and others that that not been so well explained.
Succinct but some ideas that I have not come across before and others that that not been so well explained.
August 29, 2024
Interesting take on Characters
I learned about a new to me personality type, Bartle Types. Fun multilayered take on how to create characters for your fiction
I learned about a new to me personality type, Bartle Types. Fun multilayered take on how to create characters for your fiction
July 12, 2013
It takes a while to get going. In fact, for quite a while I was afraid I was going to give the book a 3-star review (which isn't necessarily bad, but much lower than I figured on giving). There's just too much explanation to be honest.
I agree with the philosophy behind the book. Build characters with layers and the character on the page should be an iceberg with much more behind the page than ever needs to show up. I was fully in accord with him in this regard.
But I did not need to know the history of each device the author used to help build layers. And I did not need three examples behind every archetype (although only one of the layers actually calls them "archetypes"). Still, from an educational point of view, it's hard to finish reading those chapters without knowing exactly what the layers consist of, and the knowledge you gain will be useful when the author finally gives us the advice I am assuming paying customers buy the book for.
This advice does not show up until the "Further Considerations" sections of the book, but it shows up with a vengeance. And the advice is not overbearing or of the this-is-the-only-way-you-can-write-effectively sort. It was agreeable and more importantly, useful.
I'm not going to be using the advice much personally, because I take a much more natural approach to character building, but I can definitely see it being extremely helpful to an aspiring or beginning writer, or one that has some talent but struggles with characterization. A lot of what the author brings up is frequently overlooked by many.
And when he starts the "Putting It All Together" chapter, boy does he ever put it all together. The entire book feels seamless by this point.
What I will utilize is the Character Worksheet at the back. It's spectacular, and he conveniently includes a link to a printable version. I won't use this to develop characters mind you, but I feel it is a worthwhile exercise to run every character through and especially if your characters are to the point that they have a mind of their own, may even surprise you.
The information in this book is good, the advice is great, and the worksheet is spectacular. I strongly recommend this to every writer that struggles with their characters. Although I got a free copy of the book, I definitely feel it is worth the $2.99 price point if you need it. And although it is aimed at fantasy characters, the advice and worksheet are easily applied to any character in any genre. I am glad I have a copy.
That said, there are some errors in the text (as any first edition book will have though), and the slow burn of a build-up probably would have been a deal-breaker for me if I had not already planned on reviewing the entire thing. That said, I had a lot of people tell me that it was a great book, so I probably would have given it a chance in spite of the slow-burn, but it was definitely infuriating there for a while. Still, it's an easy read and the slow-burn is really not that slow given the length of the book (about 180 pages). You could easily read it the first time in a day, but I recommend the people that need this book come back to the "Further Considerations" sections through the end more than once, and again, the worksheet is a great resource.
I agree with the philosophy behind the book. Build characters with layers and the character on the page should be an iceberg with much more behind the page than ever needs to show up. I was fully in accord with him in this regard.
But I did not need to know the history of each device the author used to help build layers. And I did not need three examples behind every archetype (although only one of the layers actually calls them "archetypes"). Still, from an educational point of view, it's hard to finish reading those chapters without knowing exactly what the layers consist of, and the knowledge you gain will be useful when the author finally gives us the advice I am assuming paying customers buy the book for.
This advice does not show up until the "Further Considerations" sections of the book, but it shows up with a vengeance. And the advice is not overbearing or of the this-is-the-only-way-you-can-write-effectively sort. It was agreeable and more importantly, useful.
I'm not going to be using the advice much personally, because I take a much more natural approach to character building, but I can definitely see it being extremely helpful to an aspiring or beginning writer, or one that has some talent but struggles with characterization. A lot of what the author brings up is frequently overlooked by many.
And when he starts the "Putting It All Together" chapter, boy does he ever put it all together. The entire book feels seamless by this point.
What I will utilize is the Character Worksheet at the back. It's spectacular, and he conveniently includes a link to a printable version. I won't use this to develop characters mind you, but I feel it is a worthwhile exercise to run every character through and especially if your characters are to the point that they have a mind of their own, may even surprise you.
The information in this book is good, the advice is great, and the worksheet is spectacular. I strongly recommend this to every writer that struggles with their characters. Although I got a free copy of the book, I definitely feel it is worth the $2.99 price point if you need it. And although it is aimed at fantasy characters, the advice and worksheet are easily applied to any character in any genre. I am glad I have a copy.
That said, there are some errors in the text (as any first edition book will have though), and the slow burn of a build-up probably would have been a deal-breaker for me if I had not already planned on reviewing the entire thing. That said, I had a lot of people tell me that it was a great book, so I probably would have given it a chance in spite of the slow-burn, but it was definitely infuriating there for a while. Still, it's an easy read and the slow-burn is really not that slow given the length of the book (about 180 pages). You could easily read it the first time in a day, but I recommend the people that need this book come back to the "Further Considerations" sections through the end more than once, and again, the worksheet is a great resource.
June 28, 2013
By Dr. Antonie Del Drago. Grade B
Drago starts off stating, or rather warning, that this is not an be all-in-all guide but that it is to be a few guidelines to help you with the process of developing your characters. He helps the readers connect with his points by adding comparisons of characters from pop fiction. And he has a good grasp on the characters from other novels. Studying his observations a bit may definitely help you see the characters portrayed in the popular novels in a different light and ultimately help you understand your own characters better. Sometimes it helps to see how others look at the same thing you may be looking at, even characters from a book. And that in turn helps you apply new observations to similar situations, such as your own characters.
The book is a comprehensive and in-depth look at character development. I would read it with other books that talk about story development. My favorite part of this book is when Drago starts speaking about the difference between written English and spoken English. If I was writing a book on the art of writing myself I would start it out with this point. Hopefully, most fellow writers know about this principle, which saves a lot of frustration. I am glad Drago mentioned it.
There were a couple of parts, but not many, which seemed a bit one dimensional. This is was where he used terms like ‘must’ and ‘have to’. While I have already mentioned that Drago does not mean this to be a book of rules written in stone, when it comes to a guide like this one that is encouraging artistic expression, it is best to iron all of those wrinkles out.
It starts to feel like a psychology book when you get into the second chapter. And that is a logical path to take when you are dissecting characters but a part of me wished he used a less technical and more creative approach to this tutorial, something different from what I have already read before in other similar books. Writers could use some inspiration to make lifeless forms of paper and ink come to life. But really, other than that, I must say that the book on a whole is pretty well written. The only thing that would have made this a more enjoyable read is if it was a book in full color.
If I had read this as a young and inexperienced novelist, it may have helped me with early issues in character development. I may not have been able to remember all of Drago’s steps later down the road. But this book would have provided an excellent road map to finding an approach that worked well for me individually when it came to character development. In conclusion, this light reader may give you some ideas to think about for your next or maybe even current story. If you are stuck, don’t give up, find a copy of this book.
Originally reviewed at Vaultofbooks.com, a close-knit community of fanatical readers. We are looking for perceptive readers who can write well, and we are eager to provide lots of free books in exchange for reviews. Shot us a mail at [email protected]
Drago starts off stating, or rather warning, that this is not an be all-in-all guide but that it is to be a few guidelines to help you with the process of developing your characters. He helps the readers connect with his points by adding comparisons of characters from pop fiction. And he has a good grasp on the characters from other novels. Studying his observations a bit may definitely help you see the characters portrayed in the popular novels in a different light and ultimately help you understand your own characters better. Sometimes it helps to see how others look at the same thing you may be looking at, even characters from a book. And that in turn helps you apply new observations to similar situations, such as your own characters.
The book is a comprehensive and in-depth look at character development. I would read it with other books that talk about story development. My favorite part of this book is when Drago starts speaking about the difference between written English and spoken English. If I was writing a book on the art of writing myself I would start it out with this point. Hopefully, most fellow writers know about this principle, which saves a lot of frustration. I am glad Drago mentioned it.
There were a couple of parts, but not many, which seemed a bit one dimensional. This is was where he used terms like ‘must’ and ‘have to’. While I have already mentioned that Drago does not mean this to be a book of rules written in stone, when it comes to a guide like this one that is encouraging artistic expression, it is best to iron all of those wrinkles out.
It starts to feel like a psychology book when you get into the second chapter. And that is a logical path to take when you are dissecting characters but a part of me wished he used a less technical and more creative approach to this tutorial, something different from what I have already read before in other similar books. Writers could use some inspiration to make lifeless forms of paper and ink come to life. But really, other than that, I must say that the book on a whole is pretty well written. The only thing that would have made this a more enjoyable read is if it was a book in full color.
If I had read this as a young and inexperienced novelist, it may have helped me with early issues in character development. I may not have been able to remember all of Drago’s steps later down the road. But this book would have provided an excellent road map to finding an approach that worked well for me individually when it came to character development. In conclusion, this light reader may give you some ideas to think about for your next or maybe even current story. If you are stuck, don’t give up, find a copy of this book.
Originally reviewed at Vaultofbooks.com, a close-knit community of fanatical readers. We are looking for perceptive readers who can write well, and we are eager to provide lots of free books in exchange for reviews. Shot us a mail at [email protected]
June 23, 2013
(I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.)
Until being approached by Dr. Antonio del Drago to write a review, I was unaware of the Mythic Scribes community. I now believe that Dr. Drago included “Mythic” in his title to connect with this community, but unfortunately for me it led to some confusion when I began reading the book. The title led me to believe the author's approach to character building would be based on myths, which, to me, meant ancient Greek and Roman stories. Instead, Dr. Drago used contemporary novels, including the Harry Potter series, The Godfather and Jurassic Park, to explain his process. Not that I didn't find that very helpful once I got with the program.
Technically, the book (I read the Kindle version on my laptop) was well laid out and well edited, although I did notice a couple of small errors. The overall tone was academic (not necessarily a bad thing) and a tad cold and clinical (more like a psychiatric evaluation than meeting a new friend in a coffee shop) but still fairly straight forward to read and follow.
Dr. Drago himself admits the approach can appear complex at first sight, and I agree with him. As a writer, I'm more organic in my character development (for good or ill) and I've never been the type to fill out those incredibly complex character sheets, with spaces for astrological signs and how many times a day he or she goes to the bathroom. However, I did find value in a deeper understanding of human personalities in Dr. Drago's explanations of enneagrams, Bartle types and archetypes. As well, the book includes a reasonably succinct worksheet which leads you through Dr. Drago's method, should you wish to follow it step-by-step, which I can see as being very helpful.
Dr. Drago even goes into the physical aspects of character building. He points out that many writers begin with hair and eye colouring when describing characters, when really these are two of the least important characteristics. After all, those attributes will not affect how a character reacts to the plot in your book. However, gender, age and fitness level (as only a few examples) will actually affect how that character influences your story. I thought this was a brilliant point.
I was also struck by his explanation of how people (or in the case of fiction, characters) don't always do what's best for themselves. As well, he points out that, while two characters may have similar personality traits on the inside, they will not necessarily manifest them in the same way on the outside. That is why his way of building characters can work – just because you've written about two Achievers, for example, it doesn't mean they will both react to certain plot points in the same way.
All in all, THE MYTHIC GUIDE TO CHARACTERS, provided thought-provoking concepts that can be use to write stronger, more well-rounded characters.
Until being approached by Dr. Antonio del Drago to write a review, I was unaware of the Mythic Scribes community. I now believe that Dr. Drago included “Mythic” in his title to connect with this community, but unfortunately for me it led to some confusion when I began reading the book. The title led me to believe the author's approach to character building would be based on myths, which, to me, meant ancient Greek and Roman stories. Instead, Dr. Drago used contemporary novels, including the Harry Potter series, The Godfather and Jurassic Park, to explain his process. Not that I didn't find that very helpful once I got with the program.
Technically, the book (I read the Kindle version on my laptop) was well laid out and well edited, although I did notice a couple of small errors. The overall tone was academic (not necessarily a bad thing) and a tad cold and clinical (more like a psychiatric evaluation than meeting a new friend in a coffee shop) but still fairly straight forward to read and follow.
Dr. Drago himself admits the approach can appear complex at first sight, and I agree with him. As a writer, I'm more organic in my character development (for good or ill) and I've never been the type to fill out those incredibly complex character sheets, with spaces for astrological signs and how many times a day he or she goes to the bathroom. However, I did find value in a deeper understanding of human personalities in Dr. Drago's explanations of enneagrams, Bartle types and archetypes. As well, the book includes a reasonably succinct worksheet which leads you through Dr. Drago's method, should you wish to follow it step-by-step, which I can see as being very helpful.
Dr. Drago even goes into the physical aspects of character building. He points out that many writers begin with hair and eye colouring when describing characters, when really these are two of the least important characteristics. After all, those attributes will not affect how a character reacts to the plot in your book. However, gender, age and fitness level (as only a few examples) will actually affect how that character influences your story. I thought this was a brilliant point.
I was also struck by his explanation of how people (or in the case of fiction, characters) don't always do what's best for themselves. As well, he points out that, while two characters may have similar personality traits on the inside, they will not necessarily manifest them in the same way on the outside. That is why his way of building characters can work – just because you've written about two Achievers, for example, it doesn't mean they will both react to certain plot points in the same way.
All in all, THE MYTHIC GUIDE TO CHARACTERS, provided thought-provoking concepts that can be use to write stronger, more well-rounded characters.
July 3, 2013
I don’t usually read resource material. So I really have nothing to compare this book to. However, can I just say “WOW!” The Mythic Guide to Characters has so much helpful and insightful information. I may have to buy a print copy just so I can mark it up with ideas! Seriously, if a Muse could manifest in the form of a book, it would be this book!
By the end of reading the first chapter (dealing with the unconscious mind of an author’s character), Mythic Guide had already given me TONS to think about. So much of what’s in this book seems like it can be applied not only to creating characters, but also in the real world and in interacting with people. Honestly, it will help authors AND readers better understand characters in any story they write and/or read about! I have found that most of the books I really fall in love with are ones with characters that embody the aspects Del Drago discusses in The Mythic Guide. I don’t see how anyone could ever write a shallow character that is easily forgettable if they follow Del Drago’s model/advice. He covers all the aspects an author needs to create a realistic character – the perfection is in the details.
Some of the different topics you will learn about are:
Enneagram of Personality – Perfectionist, Giver, Achiever, Romantic, Observer, Questioner, Adventurer, Protector, and Peacemaker.
Bartle Types – Killer, Achiever, Explorer, and Socializer (examples from Harry Potter & Hunger Games really helped clarify these types).
Character’s Formative Relationships – Ruler to Subject, Husband to Wife, Parent to Child, Friend to Friend, Sibling to Sibling.
Archetypes – Hero, Shadow, Mentor, Herald, Threshold Guardian, Shapeshifter, Trickster, Ally. (I really honed in on this section because I feel it’s the area I struggle with most in my writing.)
The Soul Triptych – 3 characters in a story that each represent one of the powers of soul: Body, Mind and Spirit.
Proactive v. Reactive Protagonist – Is your lead character someone who goes looking for adventure (like Indiana Jones) or does he/she find adventure without seeking it (like Frodo Baggins)?
Physical Characteristics – The three key character descriptions to use (age, build, and gender) and many other possibilities (The pointers for using character actions, gestures & expressions were my favorite areas to read about).
Dialogue and Speech Patterns – Writing dialogue, vocabulary, jargon/slang, sentence structure/length, dialect and phonetics. Find out what authors should use since “nobody speaks Standard Written English“.
You also get a handy-dandy worksheet to use!
Overall rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Appropriate for all aspiring authors!
I received a free eBook of The Mythic Guide to Characters from Goodreads-Making Connections in exchange for an honest review.
By the end of reading the first chapter (dealing with the unconscious mind of an author’s character), Mythic Guide had already given me TONS to think about. So much of what’s in this book seems like it can be applied not only to creating characters, but also in the real world and in interacting with people. Honestly, it will help authors AND readers better understand characters in any story they write and/or read about! I have found that most of the books I really fall in love with are ones with characters that embody the aspects Del Drago discusses in The Mythic Guide. I don’t see how anyone could ever write a shallow character that is easily forgettable if they follow Del Drago’s model/advice. He covers all the aspects an author needs to create a realistic character – the perfection is in the details.
Some of the different topics you will learn about are:
Enneagram of Personality – Perfectionist, Giver, Achiever, Romantic, Observer, Questioner, Adventurer, Protector, and Peacemaker.
Bartle Types – Killer, Achiever, Explorer, and Socializer (examples from Harry Potter & Hunger Games really helped clarify these types).
Character’s Formative Relationships – Ruler to Subject, Husband to Wife, Parent to Child, Friend to Friend, Sibling to Sibling.
Archetypes – Hero, Shadow, Mentor, Herald, Threshold Guardian, Shapeshifter, Trickster, Ally. (I really honed in on this section because I feel it’s the area I struggle with most in my writing.)
The Soul Triptych – 3 characters in a story that each represent one of the powers of soul: Body, Mind and Spirit.
Proactive v. Reactive Protagonist – Is your lead character someone who goes looking for adventure (like Indiana Jones) or does he/she find adventure without seeking it (like Frodo Baggins)?
Physical Characteristics – The three key character descriptions to use (age, build, and gender) and many other possibilities (The pointers for using character actions, gestures & expressions were my favorite areas to read about).
Dialogue and Speech Patterns – Writing dialogue, vocabulary, jargon/slang, sentence structure/length, dialect and phonetics. Find out what authors should use since “nobody speaks Standard Written English“.
You also get a handy-dandy worksheet to use!
Overall rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Appropriate for all aspiring authors!
I received a free eBook of The Mythic Guide to Characters from Goodreads-Making Connections in exchange for an honest review.
June 5, 2013
The Mythic Guide to Characters is a well-written guide to help writers flesh out the conscious and unconscious drives which will predict how their characters will act in any given situation. The best writers develop well-rounded, three-dimensional characters that begin to develop a life of their own. Have you ever tried to get your character to do something and they won't cooperate? It means you have (yourself) given some thought to the unconscious drives that shape your character. This book will help you give those factors conscious thought so that you, too, can take that step between a character who's so palpable on the page your reader falls in love (or hate) with them and a flat, two-dimensional character.
The Mythic Guide to Characters covers the following psychological theories of personality development:
-unconscious mind (inner wounds and what lays beneath)
-the Enneagram (unconscious drives and motiviations)
-Bartle types (game theory)
-Five Great Relationships (formative people in your characters life)
-Archetypes (Jungian psychology 101)
-The Soul Triptych (your characters 3 most influential people)
-Proactive v. reactive
-Physical characteristics (how it affects your character)
-Dialogue and speech patterns
For each theory that is expounded, the author uses as examples at least one (and sometimes two) examples of each character archetype using current, popular examples from movies and literature that a lay-novelist can easily identify with and understand. Examples include Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Lord of the Rings, and other popular modern media. The theories are explained in plain English anybody can understand and does not resort to 'psychobabble' or spiritual nonsense.
There is also a helpful character worksheet at the end of the book and a bibliography of further reading if you wish to educate yourself further.
Why 4 stars instead of 5? My undergraduate degree is in psychology, and while the book's examples are impeccable, that part of me which is a writer wished some of the well-known line drawings of each theory had been included to help 'ground' the idea for somebody with a non-psychology degree. The writer in me also fervently wished there had been 2-3 short writing exercises at the end of each 'Layer' to take the theories the author had just explained and then apply it to my OWN characters. This has become a standard and expected part of writing novels and I noted their absence. I would most definitely come back and upgrade my 4-star rating to a 5-star rating if the author releases an updated version of this book with a writing exercise at the end of each chapter. Even without those exercises, however, I found this book to be extremely helpful and would recommend it to fellow writers.
I received this book for free after the author contacted me requesting an honest, unbiased review.
The Mythic Guide to Characters covers the following psychological theories of personality development:
-unconscious mind (inner wounds and what lays beneath)
-the Enneagram (unconscious drives and motiviations)
-Bartle types (game theory)
-Five Great Relationships (formative people in your characters life)
-Archetypes (Jungian psychology 101)
-The Soul Triptych (your characters 3 most influential people)
-Proactive v. reactive
-Physical characteristics (how it affects your character)
-Dialogue and speech patterns
For each theory that is expounded, the author uses as examples at least one (and sometimes two) examples of each character archetype using current, popular examples from movies and literature that a lay-novelist can easily identify with and understand. Examples include Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Lord of the Rings, and other popular modern media. The theories are explained in plain English anybody can understand and does not resort to 'psychobabble' or spiritual nonsense.
There is also a helpful character worksheet at the end of the book and a bibliography of further reading if you wish to educate yourself further.
Why 4 stars instead of 5? My undergraduate degree is in psychology, and while the book's examples are impeccable, that part of me which is a writer wished some of the well-known line drawings of each theory had been included to help 'ground' the idea for somebody with a non-psychology degree. The writer in me also fervently wished there had been 2-3 short writing exercises at the end of each 'Layer' to take the theories the author had just explained and then apply it to my OWN characters. This has become a standard and expected part of writing novels and I noted their absence. I would most definitely come back and upgrade my 4-star rating to a 5-star rating if the author releases an updated version of this book with a writing exercise at the end of each chapter. Even without those exercises, however, I found this book to be extremely helpful and would recommend it to fellow writers.
I received this book for free after the author contacted me requesting an honest, unbiased review.
June 28, 2013
Thank you to the author and Making Connections for providing me with a copy of this title to read and review.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who is considering writing to publish or who enjoys writing for fun or storytelling. Even if your intention is not ever to publish, if you are a storyteller (in the literal or RPG sense of the word) there's a lot to be interested in here. In fact, I think that most readers of fantasy, mythology and literature that makes use of archetypes would quite enjoy it as well.
The book is a quick-read.
The first chapters were, to me, the weakest. Much of what was pointed out at first was somewhat obvious (I felt) for anyone who already enjoys reading and writing or has spent any time at all in acadamia, or studying psychology, etc.
As the book went on, however, Del Drago made a number of incredibly insightful points and had a lot of good advice.
Readers of The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, The Godfather will find Del Drago's explanations regarding these books to be very helpful in grasping the theory that he is providing. The text is extremely accessible and easy to read - especially if one has familiarity with the texts referenced.
Also, most YA authors need to read the section on physical descriptions and characters. With the exception of language (which I felt probably deserved more time and explanation than Del Drago gave it), the chapter on fleshing out and conveying characters to readers was really brilliant. A lot of the errors in flow and description that pull readers out of the world the author tries to immerse them in were covered here. It's a great chapter for aspiring creative writers.
There is a rather large section at the end with worksheets to answer when creating characters. I have every intention of using them and making others use them. I think they will be very helpful. It's important to know they are there though, because they do take up a large portion of the text. When I first arrived at them I was somewhat disappointed that the text had ended - but after reading through them I decided they were definite keepers.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who is considering writing to publish or who enjoys writing for fun or storytelling. Even if your intention is not ever to publish, if you are a storyteller (in the literal or RPG sense of the word) there's a lot to be interested in here. In fact, I think that most readers of fantasy, mythology and literature that makes use of archetypes would quite enjoy it as well.
The book is a quick-read.
The first chapters were, to me, the weakest. Much of what was pointed out at first was somewhat obvious (I felt) for anyone who already enjoys reading and writing or has spent any time at all in acadamia, or studying psychology, etc.
As the book went on, however, Del Drago made a number of incredibly insightful points and had a lot of good advice.
Readers of The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, The Godfather will find Del Drago's explanations regarding these books to be very helpful in grasping the theory that he is providing. The text is extremely accessible and easy to read - especially if one has familiarity with the texts referenced.
Also, most YA authors need to read the section on physical descriptions and characters. With the exception of language (which I felt probably deserved more time and explanation than Del Drago gave it), the chapter on fleshing out and conveying characters to readers was really brilliant. A lot of the errors in flow and description that pull readers out of the world the author tries to immerse them in were covered here. It's a great chapter for aspiring creative writers.
There is a rather large section at the end with worksheets to answer when creating characters. I have every intention of using them and making others use them. I think they will be very helpful. It's important to know they are there though, because they do take up a large portion of the text. When I first arrived at them I was somewhat disappointed that the text had ended - but after reading through them I decided they were definite keepers.
August 19, 2013
A Thoughtful Approach to the Task of Characterization
4.25 Stars
The topic of writing, with all its many facets, is already one very dear to this reviewer’s heart. Being both an avid reader and author myself, there has been a lifelong romance with the art of storytelling and the crafting of the written word that brings worlds to life. Finding endless fascination and pleasure in discovering other people’s thoughts on the subject, I have read extensively over the past few decades. I feel the upside in doing so is that I am rather open to hearing new strategies and viewpoints. A possible downside is that at times I can find myself being a stern critic when I feel I have been mislead or disappointed by an author, when offering something they did not deliver.
Any feelings of possible disappointment were far from on the radar when finished reading this title. This layered approach to character building is both insightful and easy to grasp even for those who have never taken a psychology class in their life. The author wisely gives a more comfortable feel to what may be new concepts by using popular fictional characters that most readers would have at least a passing familiarity with in his examples. The worksheet at the end of the book provides a straightforward structure for the reader to put to use the lessons held within the previous pages.
If asked what kept this from being a five star review it would be that I felt that the readers would have greatly benefited from a few brief exercises at the end of chapters. A somewhat proven standard in most books on similar topics, which would have presented the chance to explore each idea before moving forward with the next concept.
Even so, I have no reservations whatsoever in recommending this book to all beginning writers interested in developing characters capable of stepping right off the page and into the lives of their audience. Also, believe it is a worthy read for the more experienced writers who enjoy exploring new ideas about the work they are so passionate about pursuing.
* I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.*
4.25 Stars
The topic of writing, with all its many facets, is already one very dear to this reviewer’s heart. Being both an avid reader and author myself, there has been a lifelong romance with the art of storytelling and the crafting of the written word that brings worlds to life. Finding endless fascination and pleasure in discovering other people’s thoughts on the subject, I have read extensively over the past few decades. I feel the upside in doing so is that I am rather open to hearing new strategies and viewpoints. A possible downside is that at times I can find myself being a stern critic when I feel I have been mislead or disappointed by an author, when offering something they did not deliver.
Any feelings of possible disappointment were far from on the radar when finished reading this title. This layered approach to character building is both insightful and easy to grasp even for those who have never taken a psychology class in their life. The author wisely gives a more comfortable feel to what may be new concepts by using popular fictional characters that most readers would have at least a passing familiarity with in his examples. The worksheet at the end of the book provides a straightforward structure for the reader to put to use the lessons held within the previous pages.
If asked what kept this from being a five star review it would be that I felt that the readers would have greatly benefited from a few brief exercises at the end of chapters. A somewhat proven standard in most books on similar topics, which would have presented the chance to explore each idea before moving forward with the next concept.
Even so, I have no reservations whatsoever in recommending this book to all beginning writers interested in developing characters capable of stepping right off the page and into the lives of their audience. Also, believe it is a worthy read for the more experienced writers who enjoy exploring new ideas about the work they are so passionate about pursuing.
* I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.*
June 16, 2013
The Mythic Guide to Characters seeks to help writers improve the depth of their characters by showing that characters have more than one layer. Antonio Del Drago describes those layers as the character within, the character in his or her world, and the character in the story. Del Drago also discusses physical characteristics and character patterns.
Because of the title and the author's involvement with the fantasy community, I was concerned about its applicability to other genres. That concern was unwarranted because Del Drago does an excellent job of applying these principles to all genres. Covering such attributes as the unconscious mind and how each character handles problems, issues, and concerns, “The Mythic Guide to Characters” provides a comprehensive overview of what makes readers care about characters.
The worksheet at the end of the book makes it easy for writers to regard this book as a tool to be used many times, not just read once and forgotten. Another strength of “The Mythic Guide to Characters” is Del Drago’s multi-layered process, which means that writers need not use every tool all at once. This “peeling the onion” approach allows writers to analyze characters in steps, starting at a superficial level and exploring in greater depth as needed. Overall, this is a cleanly written book on writing that will help many writers add complexity and interest to their characters. If there is a weakness in this guide, it’s the very complexity of the mind and how people behave. Del Drago is hoping that writers will want to take the time to learn more about the minds and behaviors of their characters. For those primarily concerned with plot, this process will feel tedious and complex. However, writers concerned about creating strong characters will see “The Mythic Guide to Characters” as a valuable addition to their library.
Because of the title and the author's involvement with the fantasy community, I was concerned about its applicability to other genres. That concern was unwarranted because Del Drago does an excellent job of applying these principles to all genres. Covering such attributes as the unconscious mind and how each character handles problems, issues, and concerns, “The Mythic Guide to Characters” provides a comprehensive overview of what makes readers care about characters.
The worksheet at the end of the book makes it easy for writers to regard this book as a tool to be used many times, not just read once and forgotten. Another strength of “The Mythic Guide to Characters” is Del Drago’s multi-layered process, which means that writers need not use every tool all at once. This “peeling the onion” approach allows writers to analyze characters in steps, starting at a superficial level and exploring in greater depth as needed. Overall, this is a cleanly written book on writing that will help many writers add complexity and interest to their characters. If there is a weakness in this guide, it’s the very complexity of the mind and how people behave. Del Drago is hoping that writers will want to take the time to learn more about the minds and behaviors of their characters. For those primarily concerned with plot, this process will feel tedious and complex. However, writers concerned about creating strong characters will see “The Mythic Guide to Characters” as a valuable addition to their library.
May 29, 2013
Dr. Del Drago contacted me with the offer of a free copy of his book, 'The Mythic Guide to Characters' in exchange for an honest review and I accepted.
I had every intention of getting to it within the next week or so as I had another started book and my own projects going on. When I received it, I opened it to 'skim' through and form an initial impression, which would probably have determined just how long it would be before I got around to reading it. My skim turned into an evening read. I read it in one sitting. I have read many books on character development, but none that take the same (and simplified) approach that this book does.
Dr. Del Drago explains characters in 'layers' using Enneagrams, Bartle Types, Archetypes and a Triptych. Each layer is divided into choices, example - There are 4 Bartle Types, the Killer, the Achiever, the Explorer and the Socializer. Characters fall into one of the listed categories for each layer. The author gives examples of (widely known) fictional characters that fall into each category in each layer and he explains the why's so that a writer can easily see how they work and apply his ideas to their own work.
In other's reviews both here and on Goodreads, I've seen many references to how well this book works for fantasy writers. That may be so and although most of his examples are from fantasy type works, his ideas and layering method will work just as well for any writing genre. I actually applied his theory on layers to one of my main characters in a current WIP and was amazed at just how much more clearly I saw that character.
Highly recommended for anyone who is still trying to write that 'unforgettable' character. Will certainly add depth to an ordinary character.
Dr. Del Drago, thank you for sharing.
I had every intention of getting to it within the next week or so as I had another started book and my own projects going on. When I received it, I opened it to 'skim' through and form an initial impression, which would probably have determined just how long it would be before I got around to reading it. My skim turned into an evening read. I read it in one sitting. I have read many books on character development, but none that take the same (and simplified) approach that this book does.
Dr. Del Drago explains characters in 'layers' using Enneagrams, Bartle Types, Archetypes and a Triptych. Each layer is divided into choices, example - There are 4 Bartle Types, the Killer, the Achiever, the Explorer and the Socializer. Characters fall into one of the listed categories for each layer. The author gives examples of (widely known) fictional characters that fall into each category in each layer and he explains the why's so that a writer can easily see how they work and apply his ideas to their own work.
In other's reviews both here and on Goodreads, I've seen many references to how well this book works for fantasy writers. That may be so and although most of his examples are from fantasy type works, his ideas and layering method will work just as well for any writing genre. I actually applied his theory on layers to one of my main characters in a current WIP and was amazed at just how much more clearly I saw that character.
Highly recommended for anyone who is still trying to write that 'unforgettable' character. Will certainly add depth to an ordinary character.
Dr. Del Drago, thank you for sharing.
April 10, 2013
In The Mythic Guide to Characters, Dr. del Drago explains how to create complex characters who fit into your story and who act in a way consistent with who they are.
Why to buy this book: I spent a lot of time in my college days reading psychology books in an attempt to understand how people act. That study helps me greatly as a writer, and that’s the approach that the author brings to this book — to understand characters, you need to understand people. He also goes into detail on how those characters fit into the framework of your story.
Why not to buy this book: My expectation on picking up this book (I think because of the word “guide”) was that it would detail step by step how to make a character relatable, how to present certain character traits, etc. Instead, the book presents how to build characters at a fundamental level. I think that the approach presented is essential for building comprehensive characters, but it’s important for the prospective purchaser to understand that this book takes a different angle than most of the character development books I’ve read.
Bottom Line: Though the book seems written for the plotter instead of a pantser, I think a discovery writer (as one myself) will get just as much out of it. You just have to come at things in the opposite order. While the outliner builds a character sheet and writes the story so that the character’s actions conform to the created personality, the pantser needs to examine his character after the story is finished to make sure the actions are coherent. This book provides the tools to perform those tasks. 5 Stars.
Why to buy this book: I spent a lot of time in my college days reading psychology books in an attempt to understand how people act. That study helps me greatly as a writer, and that’s the approach that the author brings to this book — to understand characters, you need to understand people. He also goes into detail on how those characters fit into the framework of your story.
Why not to buy this book: My expectation on picking up this book (I think because of the word “guide”) was that it would detail step by step how to make a character relatable, how to present certain character traits, etc. Instead, the book presents how to build characters at a fundamental level. I think that the approach presented is essential for building comprehensive characters, but it’s important for the prospective purchaser to understand that this book takes a different angle than most of the character development books I’ve read.
Bottom Line: Though the book seems written for the plotter instead of a pantser, I think a discovery writer (as one myself) will get just as much out of it. You just have to come at things in the opposite order. While the outliner builds a character sheet and writes the story so that the character’s actions conform to the created personality, the pantser needs to examine his character after the story is finished to make sure the actions are coherent. This book provides the tools to perform those tasks. 5 Stars.
August 9, 2013
I received a free copy of this for reviewing several months ago and although I'm not finished with the book, thought I'd go ahead and share my thoughts with you. The only reason I'm not finished is because I've been working through the steps Dr. Drago sets out to solidify some of the characters I'm working with in my WIPs. Since I haven't been writing much the last the last three months, I haven't been thinking along the lines of improving said writing.
I did however get 45% through the book and have found it to be very helpful with digging into the subconscious motivations of my own characters. I read one review where the reader complained that this felt like a psychology book, this is one of the things that I liked about the book. They also complained that it was similar to other books on the same topic out there. Not having read any other books on this recently I can't comment on that. I can only say it was helpful for me. I also liked how he used characters from popular movies and books to illustrate his point.
I've been going through slowly, step by step with each of my characters. As I get to know how their minds work I'm understanding how they will act and react to certain situations. When I get to sit down and finally write, I'm hoping this will result in realistic and natural progression of the story.
If you are having trouble figuring out your characters, this is a great place to start.
I did however get 45% through the book and have found it to be very helpful with digging into the subconscious motivations of my own characters. I read one review where the reader complained that this felt like a psychology book, this is one of the things that I liked about the book. They also complained that it was similar to other books on the same topic out there. Not having read any other books on this recently I can't comment on that. I can only say it was helpful for me. I also liked how he used characters from popular movies and books to illustrate his point.
I've been going through slowly, step by step with each of my characters. As I get to know how their minds work I'm understanding how they will act and react to certain situations. When I get to sit down and finally write, I'm hoping this will result in realistic and natural progression of the story.
If you are having trouble figuring out your characters, this is a great place to start.
April 28, 2013
With the author of this book being the founder of Mythic Scibes, an online fantasy writing community, readers will find many worked examples detailing famous fantasy characters. But, as a crime and thriller writer myself, I found enough examples from other genres to allow me to recognise the help in creating characters this book and worksheets provide.
I'm currently struggling with one particular protagonist - I had the archetype (kind of) but the character seemed shallow. Using some of the new possibilities I hadn't learnt of before reading this book (the Bartle types, soul triptych and five relationships, in particular) I am closer to truly knowing - and liking - the character I am creating.
I sit between being a die-hard plotter or pantser when it comes to writing. I don't like filling out all those character profile sheets and questions to create my characters. But this book allowed me more of a fundamental understanding of why many of these questions are asked, and an easier route into the creation of a character.
Fundamentals, written well, and with a lot for the modern writer despite the 'mythic' label. Definately one for my writer's toolbox. 5 stars.
I'm currently struggling with one particular protagonist - I had the archetype (kind of) but the character seemed shallow. Using some of the new possibilities I hadn't learnt of before reading this book (the Bartle types, soul triptych and five relationships, in particular) I am closer to truly knowing - and liking - the character I am creating.
I sit between being a die-hard plotter or pantser when it comes to writing. I don't like filling out all those character profile sheets and questions to create my characters. But this book allowed me more of a fundamental understanding of why many of these questions are asked, and an easier route into the creation of a character.
Fundamentals, written well, and with a lot for the modern writer despite the 'mythic' label. Definately one for my writer's toolbox. 5 stars.
March 29, 2013
The Mythic Guide to Characters is a wonderful book for aspiring authors. There are a few character outline sheets out on the web but with this book it really helps you define a character with examples that the average person would be able to more understand.
I found myself using the book to label family members as well as using it to look at myself a little differently. It made me think about myself at well.
The book used Layers.
Layer 1: The Character Within - This area talked about the 9 enneagrams
Layer 2: The Character In Their World - Talked about different bartle types and how they react, their particular style.
Layer 3: The Character In Your Story - Discusses the archetypes and the roles your character will step into. I found this very informative in how you can trigger emotions from a past and how it can shape characters within a story, even if we do not remember the incident from which those feelings came from.
I found that even if your not interested in writing about a character, it was a very though provoking book to read.
I found myself using the book to label family members as well as using it to look at myself a little differently. It made me think about myself at well.
The book used Layers.
Layer 1: The Character Within - This area talked about the 9 enneagrams
Layer 2: The Character In Their World - Talked about different bartle types and how they react, their particular style.
Layer 3: The Character In Your Story - Discusses the archetypes and the roles your character will step into. I found this very informative in how you can trigger emotions from a past and how it can shape characters within a story, even if we do not remember the incident from which those feelings came from.
I found that even if your not interested in writing about a character, it was a very though provoking book to read.
June 8, 2013
Great Addition to any Writer’s Toolkit.
The purpose of The Mythic Guide To Characters by Dr. Antonio Del Drago is to explore, “...the rudiments of mind and behaviour that shape all human actions.”
I think the author succeeds here in that he takes a three layered approach to building characters. Beginning with the unconscious mind, then moving on to how characters relate to his/her world, and finally the character’s role in the story.
Whether a writer needs to create a character from scratch, or especially rework a weaker character, this book provides the right sort of tools to break down real human characteristics to assist in building solid, believable characters.
I especially like the author’s use of examples of popular characters across various genres to illustrate personality traits. All good stories must have characters the reader will want to invest time into, and I think this book provides the instruction to help writers do just that. This is a definite recommend and I’m pleased it’s now in my toolkit.
The purpose of The Mythic Guide To Characters by Dr. Antonio Del Drago is to explore, “...the rudiments of mind and behaviour that shape all human actions.”
I think the author succeeds here in that he takes a three layered approach to building characters. Beginning with the unconscious mind, then moving on to how characters relate to his/her world, and finally the character’s role in the story.
Whether a writer needs to create a character from scratch, or especially rework a weaker character, this book provides the right sort of tools to break down real human characteristics to assist in building solid, believable characters.
I especially like the author’s use of examples of popular characters across various genres to illustrate personality traits. All good stories must have characters the reader will want to invest time into, and I think this book provides the instruction to help writers do just that. This is a definite recommend and I’m pleased it’s now in my toolkit.
March 4, 2015
Informative and Easy to Follow
The layered approach isn't one I've used before, so I channeled my inner student and took notes. While I haven't yet used it to develop my characters, I do feel like I have a firmer grasp on how I can better develop them from here on out.
The language used to describe this method is fairly straight forward and easy to decipher, but just in case you have a hard time following, there are plenty of literary examples provided to help you understand. These examples include characters from Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Clockwork Orange, and The Godfather.
It covers how to describe your characters, how to distinguish them among a crowd, how to develop their psyche, and how they interact with others. It gives several pointers for what works and doesn't work, while helping you avoid cliches and pitfalls.
The only complaint I have is the occasional (and I mean very rare) typo and grammatical/spelling/punctuation errors. It's my opinion that all books on helping with writing should be perfect in this area.
The layered approach isn't one I've used before, so I channeled my inner student and took notes. While I haven't yet used it to develop my characters, I do feel like I have a firmer grasp on how I can better develop them from here on out.
The language used to describe this method is fairly straight forward and easy to decipher, but just in case you have a hard time following, there are plenty of literary examples provided to help you understand. These examples include characters from Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Clockwork Orange, and The Godfather.
It covers how to describe your characters, how to distinguish them among a crowd, how to develop their psyche, and how they interact with others. It gives several pointers for what works and doesn't work, while helping you avoid cliches and pitfalls.
The only complaint I have is the occasional (and I mean very rare) typo and grammatical/spelling/punctuation errors. It's my opinion that all books on helping with writing should be perfect in this area.
October 19, 2013
I received a free copy of this in return for a fair and honest review.
I read a lot of books about writing because I dabble in it, and this is definitely one of the best I've ever come across. It goes more into the psychology of characters, and understanding their essential motives, than any I've read, which was really interesting and written in such a way as to make the author's point very easy to understand. It is genuinely useful too, and not just repetition of the same advice which is in most of the books available. I kept thinking of how it applied to the characters I've read/written, and Dr. Del Drago's words made a lot of sense.
It's probably no surprise that I highly recommend this book, and it is certainly worth getting for anyone interested in writing. It was an enjoyable read.
I read a lot of books about writing because I dabble in it, and this is definitely one of the best I've ever come across. It goes more into the psychology of characters, and understanding their essential motives, than any I've read, which was really interesting and written in such a way as to make the author's point very easy to understand. It is genuinely useful too, and not just repetition of the same advice which is in most of the books available. I kept thinking of how it applied to the characters I've read/written, and Dr. Del Drago's words made a lot of sense.
It's probably no surprise that I highly recommend this book, and it is certainly worth getting for anyone interested in writing. It was an enjoyable read.
April 21, 2013
The Mythic Guide to Characters: Writing Characters Who Enchant and Inspire by Antonio del Drago is a well-written book for the aspiring screenwriter. In this wonderful learning tool, the author explains the differences in each of the character types that your story will need to include as it progresses and how those differences interact with each other. The Mythic Guide shows you how to understand your characters for who they are. It also makes you aware of how to make clear delineations between them, so each of them speak in their own voice and do not all sound like you. It is a great book to add to your writers’ library.
March 29, 2013
Antonio Del Drago dissects the many layers of a dynamic character to critically analyze each segment in isolation. The process gives equal consideration to often overlooked aspects of a living character. The subject of relationships (both past and present), roles, subconscious and so much more are presented in a compact and easy-to-read presentation.
Any author would find this a great addition to their writing references. The downloadable character sheet at the end is a greatly appreciated added bonus.
Any author would find this a great addition to their writing references. The downloadable character sheet at the end is a greatly appreciated added bonus.
March 21, 2013
An interesting and enlightening look at different facets of character design. The author does a good job of presenting the building blocks of good characters in a clear and well structured manner, with well chosen examples to illustrate these elements. Ideas expressed are easy to understand and logically reasoned. I certainly found it helpful for how I think about and write my characters.
March 29, 2014
A well thought out system for developing and fleshing out the personalities of characters that makes effective use of narrative theory, game theory, psychiatric and philosophical looks at the human mind.
It is a bit short but it makes effective use of every page. Anyone interested in writing fiction should give it a read.
It is a bit short but it makes effective use of every page. Anyone interested in writing fiction should give it a read.
June 7, 2013
I was thinking I might like to do some reviews and came across this book which I thought might actually be useful for me. I was a little afraid that I thought it might be a "heavy" read but it wasn't at all. Very clear writing in easy to understand language. And tons of food for thought! Many could tips for character development. Interesting read and incredibly useful!
January 6, 2014
That was fun.
November 11, 2014
A good introduction to writing characters. I especially liked how he applied the various methods to well-known fantasy and literary characters.
August 31, 2016
Ok, nice little book. While many writing books mentions hero's journey etc, this was the first one mentioning Bartle taxonomy of player type which was a nice touch.
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