All genres, including fiction, memoir, and other narrative nonfiction, engage with individuals who drive the plot. The Construction of Character analyzes what makes a strong, complex character and how to strengthen works in progress or start something new. It also describes how to create engaging dialogue and avoid common missteps in making a fictional character feel real or a real person's story feel flat. Drawing on the author's decades of storytelling and teaching experience, this short guide provides the framework for writers of fiction, narrative nonfiction, and memoir to construct the most dynamic characters possible. Readers don't remember every plot point, but they do remember how characters make them feel. This guide will help any writer reach their publishing goals.