This book is a very valuable insight to the writer who has no idea how to work with characterization (would someone mail a copy of this to Robin Cook?). Kress covers all aspects of characterization--from what you need to know about your character, how to use it, character growth, and how character and plot work together. She also provides great examples to click home what she is trying to explain to you. Her examples come from a wide variety of literature (though my favorite was her example from Stephen King's Carrie). This is important to all learning writers.