LLWRC 768 - Create Effective Characters

The ability to evoke memorable and resonant characters on the page is a critical skill for writers of both fiction and nonfiction. This workshop will draw on divergent sources, including psychology and screenwriting, in order to develop a body of practical techniques for creating effective characterizations in short stories, personal essays, and memoirs. Through close reading, discussion, and writing assignments we'll learn how characters are shaped and developed through description, dialogue, and action. We'll also talk about concepts such as point-of-view, narrative stance, and the harder-to- define questions of charisma and voice.