Character is at the heart of most of our work as writers, and characters who are layered and complex not only drive a narrative, but help a reader to invest, engage, and feel emotionally connected to a story. So, how do we create characters who feel real, human, but large enough to give a story the momentum it needs? In this weeklong workshop, we will look at characters who jump off the page across various genres and forms (novels, short stories, and drama) and aim to understand the tools writers use to do this work. What part does dialogue play, and how do we find a character’s voice? What is the relationship between plot and character? How can we build backstories that feel rich and help maintain tension? How do sensory detail, setting, and point of view work to create character? Discussion of texts; a good deal of generative writing in response to prompts; and an exploratory, hands-on approach that borrows techniques from the toolboxes of actors, screenwriters, and playwrights will help us create an array of characters to work with. There will be opportunities to workshop on the fifth day when writers will be invited to share a short, new piece built around one of their new, unforgettable characters. 

In this workshop, we will generate new writing through guided exercises and prompts; offer feedback/first impressions on writing you produce in our week.