Writing the Intimate Character

Of all the elements of fiction-plot, dialogue, character, etc.-point of view might be the most misunderstood, yet the most critical, to telling an effective story. In this new book, Jordan Rosenfeld makes POV as compelling and exciting as creating characters and developing plots by recasting it as a way to explore characterization in an intimate way, and-dare we say it-making POV sexy. By mastering point of view, writers aren't just learning the basic tenets of "first-person," "second-person" and so on; they're discovering new ways to create intimacy between reader and character, and capture readers' minds and hearts in the process. This book transforms dull, didactic explanations of point of view by offering a system of character cues-specific behaviors, sensory perceptions, dialogue, and visual imagery-and breaks down character emotion into two easy-to-understand "levels"-Surface Feelings and Subset Feelings. It also offers exercises for the writer to practice test-driving each point of view for a fully rounded, multisensory, layered emotional experience. The book provides fresh examples from best-selling literature to illustrate the various techniques. Readers connect with characters whose senses they can experience, whose minds they can dive inside, and whose emotions they can truly feel. Writing the Intimate Character shows writers how to do all three.