Review of The Mythic Guide to Characters by Antonio Del Drago

Today I'm reviewing The Mythic Guide to Characters by Antonio Del Drago of MythicScribes.com. For
your information, here's the book description from Amazon.com:

As a professor, writer, and philosopher, Dr. Antonio del Drago has immersed himself in the literary and mythological traditions of the world. 

Applying this knowledge to the writing of characters, he has developed a systematic, layered approach to character development that is based on psychology and archetypes.

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 character 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.

Now for the review:

Overall, I give this book 3.5 stars.

I was a little on the fence with this book when I received it. It's got some good writing advice in it, but I'm a little wary of a "how-to" writing book by an author who, as far as I can tell, has never published anything outside this book (though he does have a PhD and runs his own writing forum). That alone would prevent me from picking The Mythic Guide to Characters off the shelf at the book store, but since I got a free copy, I decided to give it a go.

The book reads like a popular essay, which is different form many of the writing books I've read. Drago is really good at giving examples (drawn from well-known books and movies) of varying character and relationship types. I especially liked the connection between how a person plays a video game and how a character interacts with his world.

The book dives into the ideas of "enneagrams," archetypes, and soul triptychs, which made for an interesting and enlightening read.

I didn't entirely agree with the section on physical characteristics--I think there was a lot of general assumption being thrown around, and the advice flip-flopped a little. Drago also addresses the use of "real-life" dialogue (writing as people actually speak) in a way that almost went overboard for me. Sort of like he was venting a pet peeve. (I will note that I've never seen broken, "natural" dialogue in any amateur [or professional] writing. Bad dialogue, yes, but not in the way this book describes.)

With all that said, if you're a beginning writer (especially in the fantasy or science-fiction genre) and can get

this book at a good price, go for it. It has some insightful, psychological insights on character, as well as some handy worksheets in the back. And if you do read it, let me know what you think!

When Someone Else Has Your Great Idea

Ever had someone steal your idea before you thought of it?

What I mean is that you come up with a great idea for a story, start planning, even start writing, and then you find an eerily similar idea in a pitch contest. Or on the shelves of Barnes & Noble. Or on Tor's blog.

Guess your story wasn't so unique after all. :(

I had a scare like this the other day when I saw a Tweet from Tor depicting a book that sounded an awful lot like the epic fantasy I'm planning. My stomach sunk, and then my Internet went out, so I had to ask Juliana to scope it out for me while I chewed my nails to stubs.

Fortunately, it seems the two books are very different, so I'm safe. What a relief!

Not too long ago a friend of mine told me about a magic system in a new novel incredibly similar to what I have in CIRCUS SOUL HEIRESS. Guess I won't be rewriting that book anytime soon.

Have you ever had an idea swiped out from under you, or actually stolen? What did you do?

Submissions and Freelancing

So my book is out on submission. First round.

I cannot begin to explain how surreal and amazing that is.

It's actually happening. I'm on that publishing road and really, actually, moving forward. My fingers are crossed. (As are my arms, legs, and any other body part that is physically capable of crossing over another.)

Marlene has been wonderful to work with as well. She really believes in my book, and she's got a good head in the business.

Speaking of business, on another note, I've dabble with the idea of opening up my freelancing again. It's something that I enjoy, and I like having that option available to me. With self-publishing on the rise, I'm hoping there will be more fiction opportunities on the market (not that I don't welcome nonfiction with open arms!), but it's hard to gauge. So I'd like to run a little poll.

Are you in the market for a freelancer? For what project? Or, do you know someone in the market who could be interested in my services?

My freelancing tab and separate website are in dire need of refurbishing, but I don't want to get ahead of myself. ;)

That's all for now, folks!

My Brain Takes Form in Tiny Notebooks

All authors have methods for tracking their ideas--napkins, notebooks, software, smartphone apps, even just their brains.

I am a notebooker. I'm a big proponent of pocket-sized notebooks, though I've never actually carried one in my pocket. (#women'spantsFTW)

My Writing-for-Children professor at BYU wisely advised me to start every notebook with a few blank pages for a Table of Contents, which I can then fill in as I go. Makes notes much easier to find.

I love these notebooks because whenever I have a thought, I can jot it down--I never have to worry about forgetting it later. And, when I'm really bored, I can draw up the blueprints of my male lead's house from THE PAPER MAGICIAN in there. True story.

My architectural skills are weak at best.

How do you record your thoughts and ideas?

On Writing Groups: Speak and Listen with Heart

A recent experience at my biweekly writing group got me thinking about group critique. You see, I had a somewhat awkward moment amidst a very large table at a diner last week (which I thankfully wasn't the center of), and after discussing with other writing group members and pondering for a while, I wanted to share two insights that have emerged from said awkwardness. The first is pretty common-sense:

1. Remember to include the good things in your critique, and critique in a kind (but honest) manner. 

No one really wants to be part of a Negative-Nancy writing group, where everyone takes turns telling you everything you did wrong with your manuscript, and you in turn tell everyone what's wrong with theirs. Always start with the positive. There is always something nice to say about a manuscript, even if it's as small as "I like your character's name" or "This setting element is really interesting."

On that note, sugar-coating never helped anyone (in writing, at least). But there is a difference between saying "Your characters suck" and saying "I think you could strengthen your characterization." Being kind but straightforward is the best way to help other writers improve.

Which brings me to point two:

2. Listen to your critiques. 

Granted, writers have to take critique with a grain of salt. In a writing group, on average, a writer only uses about one-third of the criticism they receive (cite: Brandon Sanderson). I've never had a hard time agreeing with critiques because I recognize the flaws they point out, but if you  struggle with taking criticism, it's probably best to keep quiet and take notes. No one like a defensive writer.

That said, if you don't listen to what your writing group says--if you continuously ignore critique--not only will your writing group grow frustrated with you, but your work will never improve. The awkward moment I mentioned earlier stemmed around this writing group (I've only attended three meetings thus far) chewing out one of their members because she didn't listen to them. We were in the middle of reading the third book in her series and, apparently, the writing had not improved at all from book #1 (and unfortunately, this was a book in need of improvement).

While I'm not condoning critique partners ganging up and making a fellow writer cry (which may or may not have happened), I can understand the frustration. Why come to writing group if you're not there to grow? To learn? To excel?

Criticism is part of the business, and the way we both deliver and receive criticism say a lot about ourselves as people, and as writers. Handle with care.


Have you had difficult experiences with writing groups and critique partners? How do you handle criticism? 

My Red-headed Step Child

Though I'm only half way through my prose edits on my eastern-based romantic fantasy, I'm looking ahead to what might be on my plate next. Seems the red-headed step child of my projects--THE TASTE OF ANGELS--is up to bat once more.

Don't get me wrong; I like this story. I wouldn't have written it otherwise. But TTOA is like a stubborn toddler undergoing potty training. I love it, and I work patiently with it until it seems to be just right, and then it craps its pants and I give up for another couple months.

I blame the genre. I don't usually do Urban. If I can even call it that. There are so many subgenres nowadays...

SO. Despite having already been through alpha AND beta readers, I'm doing another round of edits, which will hopefully bring the manuscript up to a decent word count. These edits include upping the fear-factor, better establishing the antagonist, increasing the worldbuilding, and making my protagonist punch people less often.
(Yes, that is an actual problem that I... er... he has.)



Do you have a love/hate relationship with any of your projects, writing or otherwise? How to you manage it? 

Things I Learned This Week

Courtesy of the Coca-Cola Company

Economics is the cure to insomnia.

Having insurance is great.

Having double insurance is even better.

You can marinate steak in vanilla Coke Zero and it won't start tasting like cake until three days later.

Having an agent is like having your own personal
publishing Mafia.

Accepting that another's personality is much different than your own helps you
to forgive them.

Avatar is a pretty entrancing cartoon.


Also.

Things I did this week that I've never before done:

Write a synopsis before the book.


How is your week going?