Crafting Dynamic Characters

Introduction

• What to expect
• Why is character so important?
• How this course works

1. Why Readers Fall in Love with Characters

• The most important questions readers ask
• Character quick start: The game of "And? So"
• Instructor jam: The game of "And? So"

2. Writing Dynamic Characters: Seven Tools to Instantly Engage Your Readers

• A new spin on show vs. tell
• Point of view
• Tool 1: Revealing character through thought
• Exercise: Penny for your thoughts
• Instructor jam: Penny for your thoughts
• Tool 2: Revealing character through reaction
• Exercise: Reaction shot
• Instructor jam: Reaction shot
• Tool 3: Revealing character through dialogue
• Exercise: What's really being said
• Instructor jam: What's really being said
• Tool 4: Revealing character through voice
• Exercise: Voice extremes
• Instructor jam: Voice extremes
• Tool 5: Revealing character through emotion
• Exercise: Emotional taboo
• Instructor jam: Emotional taboo
• Tool 6: Revealing character through inner struggle
• Exercise: Easily triggered
• Instructor jam: Easily triggered
• Tool 7: Revealing character through other characters
• Exercise: What can you do for me?
• Instructor jam: What can you do for me?

3. Developing Your Own Dynamic Characters

• The four foundations of a dynamic character
• Exercise: Meet your protagonist
• Instructor jam: Meet your protagonist
• Foundation 1: Wounds
• Exercise: Wounds
• Instructor jam: Wounds
• Foundation 2: Needs
• Exercise: Needs
• Instructor jam: Needs
• Foundation 3: Objectives
• Exercise: Objectives
• Instructor jam: Objectives
• Foundation 4: Motivations
• Exercise: Motivations
• Instructor jam: Motivations
• Secondary characters and antagonists
• Growth and change

Conclusion

• Next steps
• A work in progress