The Secrets of Character: Writing a Hero Anyone Will Love

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars | 73 ratings

Price: 15.75

Last update: 02-25-2025


About this item

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.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Kathy Foster
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Matt Bird did it again!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2022
    Wow! He did it again. I was fairly sure Matt Bird was NOT going to pull off as useful of a craft book as his awesome Secrets of Story. But I have to be honest—he did. Although I’m a novice writer, I’ve written enough to know that I’m struggling to get readers to connect with my character. I feel his BCI methods applied in a way that is resonant with my characters will help forge that connection. This book is more for the writer who at least has a decent grip on the basics but can’t seem to get the character to jump off the page. He uses solid examples and has fully studied his theories with extensive research of masterful works of fiction, memoirs, and film. I can’t wait to try these methods out with my works in progress. Now he needs to write the book Secrets of Voice and we’ll all be set. Thanks, Matt!
  • Thomas
    5.0 out of 5 stars The essence and essential
    Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2022
    For your fiction writing to be successful, what is required of your protagonist? Here you will find the answer. Matt Bird has done the research, then provides the research results here as a gift: clearly explained so you will understand how to make your writing even better.
  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Write great characters!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2022
    A lot of time when I read books on writing I like to think of them in terms of college courses — is this a 100 level book for beginning writers or a 400 level book on editing theme into your eighth draft of a novel? I would say this particular book falls in the 200 level. Where the book really shines is the work Matt Bird has done to pull out some of the best examples in modern film and literature of how to define character. It’s not a book you want to read all at once but is great to pick up and read a couple pages every day before you start writing or editing.
  • Sniper_Boxer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great resource for writers
    Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2022
    As someone who works with writers of various kinds, this book is going to be one I long recommend to those in need of practical advice as they write their novels, screenplays, or memoirs. It's chock full of terrific advice on creating unforgettable characters and winning the reader's attention in the crucial earlygoing of a story. Highly recommended.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Suggestions
    Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2022
    Provides valuable insights in the forms of examples and recommendations for commercially viable characterizations, focusing more on suggestions from contemporary works than literary classics which makes it more accessible to today’s writers.
  • Matt Rifley
    5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK on Character!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2024
    I've read and heard a LOT of books on writing and Matt Bird might be the BEST I've ever heard & read on the substance of character and story.

    Solid stories and examples make this book a page turner- l find myself sitting in the car longer to keep listening to what he has to say!

    Both of his books on writing "Secrets" have definitely changed the way I write, both novels and screenplays.

    Buy and read/ listen with confidence!
  • Reach Church
    4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!!! Love this character breakdown of some great movies, shows, and books!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2022
    For someone who loves annalizing movies and books, this book was amazing! It clearly breaks down what makes believable and lovable characters, and the little intricate details matter when creating authentic characters.
    I also loved how this book flowed. One point led into the next, and before you know it, you've been reading for an hour and hadn't even noticed!
    Really recommend it for anyone who loves to understand characters or for writers wanting to make their readers Believe, Invest and Care!

    Thanks to NetGalley for proving this book to me!
  • K. Spero
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great advice!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2023
    Enjoyable and informative!

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