Harold Burks

101 Character Profiles:: a Writer's Refe Harold Burks

101 Character Profiles When readers respond to characters by declaring they are believable and comprehensible they are saying the story actors appear true-to-life. That is, given the influences of inherited and environmental factors they act as expected. In addition, the observed conduct closely resembles the culturally anticipated and described actions of persons enclosed within a particular personality silhouette (e.g. a costumed clown is supposed to behave as a clown). In this essential reference guide, Dr. Harold F. Burks assists writers to make story characters more realistic by: Presenting a socially acceptable definition of each personality typeOutlining biological, family, and cultural influences, leading to the formation of personality make upsProviding the behavioral symptoms shown by a personality styleWhen appropriate, describing differing symptoms shown by the two sexesWhen appropriate, demonstrating trait differences in children compared to adultsWhen appropriate, explaining divergences in life outcomes if a behavior is shown to a mild or severe degreeWhen appropriate, offering both positive and negative outcomes emanating from demonstrated symptomsOffering internal dialogue examples of individuals contained in a personality profileSupplying suggestions how symptomatic characters may be integrated into a story plotReaders of this comprehensive and wide-ranging book are offered hundreds of down-to-earth suggestions for dealing with characters who exhibit unique backgrounds, current behaviors, and internal ruminations about self-image, feelings and attitudes.