by Mike Klaassen

Created on: March 15, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

Book Review of
45 MASTER CHARACTERS: Mythic Models for Creating Original Characters
by Victoria Lynn Schmidt
2001, Writer's Digest Books

45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt, explains archetype characters and why authors should use them. After getting started, the text consists of four sections:
Creating Female Heroes and Villains
Creating Male Heroes and Villains

Creating Supporting Characters
Feminine and Masculine Journeys

Each of the archetypes is portrayed as a mythological Greek god, first as a hero, and then as a villain. For example, Apollo's heroic incarnation is called the Businessman while his villain side is the Traitor. Sections within the chapter explain:
What the character cares about
What he fears
What motivates him
How others see him
His character arc
His assets
His flaws

At the end of each chapter, examples of each archetype are provided from TV, film, literature, and history. Examples of Apollo in action include Dr. Frazier Crane, Columbo, Star Trek's Spock, and Sherlock Holmes.

An appendix provides useful worksheets, and an index is provided for easy reference.

Far from cookie-cutter writing, this book explores the uses of archetypes as a springboard for creating more vibrant, complex, and compelling characters. This approach absolutely beats starting with a blank page for each character at the beginning of a project. Later in the process, archetypes can be used to flesh out characters and make them more interesting.

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