The Secrets of Character Audiobook By Matt Bird cover art

The Secrets of Character

Writing a Hero Anyone Will Love

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The Secrets of Character

By: Matt Bird
Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer
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About this listen

An insightful and actionable guide to creating a hero that listeners will fall in love with, from the author of The Secrets of Story

The hardest yet most essential element of writing great fiction is character—specifically, creating a central hero who is relatable, compelling, and worth the audience's precious time. In this entertaining and practical guide, popular blogger, writing coach and screenwriter Matt Bird breaks down what makes characters embraceable and unforgettable, and presents insider tips and tricks for writers of all levels and genres.

Generously packed with examples from popular books and movies analyzed with engaging specificity, this expert guide reveals what makes audiences believe, care, and invest in great characters—and how to bring your own characters vividly to life.

©2022 Matt Bird (P)2022 Penguin Audio
Fiction Words, Language & Grammar Writing & Publishing Inspiring
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Critic reviews

“There are plenty of books on the craft of writing. But there’s only one Matt Bird, the ultimate writing coach: smart, funny, insightful, and armed with a toolbox of innovative tips for creating characters readers will love. Whether you’re new to writing or a seasoned pro, you need this classic-in-the-making.”—Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award winning author of The One and Only Ivan

Secrets of Story instantly became one of my favorite writing guides. This follow-up dives under the water to take an even more in-depth look at the iceberg of character development. Meticulously researched and brimming with examples, it offers advice that is both precise and actionable. It reveals the genre-spanning patterns of memorable and resonant characters in an easy-to-access reference format that makes for both fun reading and a great tool to keep on your desk for easy thumb-through inspiration.”—K. M. Weiland, author of Creating Character Arcs and Structuring Your Novel

“Matt Bird has done it again! The Secrets of Character is a book you want next to you when you write. From revealing what gatekeepers look for in your first ten pages to sharing powerful writing tricks from 150 years ago through today, this is a book to read with your laptop nearby. You'll see what your writing needs and it's sure to inspire you to write!”—Torrey Maldonado, author of What Lane? and Tight