WRITING DIVERSE CHARACTERS FOR FICTION
by
LUCY V HAY
*My thanks to Emma Mitchell from whom I received this book in return for participating in the Blog Tour and for providing an unbiased and honest review*
Writers have to catch up.
Knowing not only what makes a 'good' diverse character doesn't always cut it;
they need to know what agents, publishers, producers, filmmakers and
commissioners are looking for - and why. This book gives writers the tools to
create three dimensional, authentic characters ... who just happen to be
diverse.
Something a bit different today on my blog! I saw Lucy Hay in action at Crime Fest earlier this year and was immediately impressed with her calm, confident manner and insightful questions as she chaired a panel of authors. I also follow her on Twitter and Facebook, read her blog posts about writing and her reviews of recent Crime releases. It's obvious she knows the industry inside out and understands the art of story telling from both the perspective of the reader and writer so I was keen to read her advice, support, guidance and suggestions.
I don't feel that I can fully do Writing Diverse Characters justice in one review. I have read it cover to cover but there was so much information, so many tips, ideas, suggestions, interesting research, assimilation of statistics and findings that this book is one that I will keep have to referring to over and over again. This has surely got to be an essential handbook for any writer - whether you are just starting out or have written several screenplays or novels already.
Fortunately the book is clearly structured with headings, subheadings, bullet points, quotes and easy to digest "bite size" paragraphs so flicking through to remind yourself of certain key points, or rereading the relevant section, will always be easy. Just one more reason that makes this an invaluable resource. Each section includes a "Key Points to Take Away" or "Summing Up" section so it is easy to find a recap of the main ideas in any section. Hay's writing style is also incredibly accessible. Her tone strikes a good balance between instructive and educative but also supportive and informal.
All of her references and examples from film, TV and fiction are right up to date ensuring that it is really easy to understand and relate to her key points. As she is talking about such a 'watchword of the moment' it is obviously essential that her references are so contemporary and her discussion completely up to date. I was struck by the thoroughness of her research and extent of her examples. There is also a vast amount of advice about how to use social media and the internet to empower or improve your writing, to develop your understanding of effective, diverse characterisation and to start conversations and positive interaction with your potential audience, publishers, agents etc.
The book opens with a very clear and articulate explanation of the meaning of diversity, why we are talking about it now and why we need diverse characters. Throughout the entire book, Hay's arguments are always well balanced, with counter arguments and appropriate responses that challenge stock statements against diversity or why it's significant or important. I enjoyed the quotes she used to illustrate her points which were wide ranging and reflecting a real cross section of society and writers. Although this book is directed at writers, I actually found the discussions and research really interesting and informative, challenging some of my preconceptions and expectations about stories and characters.
My favourite section was when Hay explored the Seven Basic Plots, a concept coined by Christopher Booker. With plenty of contemporary, famous examples, Hay looks at the different plot lines and asks what if the main character in a plot was LGBT, disabled, not white or the gender was flipped? How would it change the story? How much more exciting, interesting, original and fresh would it make it? I loved the "How to Flip It" suggestions and they really help to clarify and illustrate her key arguments.
For me I found every piece of advice about characterisation in this book really helpful. I think there are so many precious nuggets to take away and tons of incredibly valuable advice about creating effective characters. It is impossible to absorb everything in one read. I have a feeling I will get more and more out of this book each time I delve back in to it.
As Lucy Hay says at the end of the book:
"Our similarities make us strong. Our differences make us stronger."
Diversity, winners of Britain's Got Talent 2009.
My huge thanks to Emma Mitchell and Lucy Hay for a review copy of Writing Diverse Characters and for inviting me to join the blog tour.
Buy a copy of Writing Diverse Characters for Fiction here:
LUCY V HAY
Lucy V. Hay is a
script editor and blogger who helps writers. She’s written three non-fiction
books about writing, Writing Diverse
Characters For Fiction, Tv & Film; Writing
& Selling Thriller Screenplays and its follow up Writing & Selling Drama Screenplays. Her debut crime novel, The Other Twin, is out now with Orenda
Books. Check out her website HERE and all her books, HERE.
Don't miss the rest of the Blog Tour and look out for the guest posts by Lucy which talk about this book and her writing in more detail.
For more recommendations and reviews follow me on Twitter @KatherineSunde3 or via my blog bibliomaniacuk.blogspot.co.uk or website bibliomaniacuk.co.uk
