Making People

THE CHARACTERISATION MASTERCLASS

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Exclusively available to members of Writers' HQ

Learn how to craft unique, intriguing people with simple characterisation techniques

Write backstories and memories and layer your story with conflict

Join our super supportive online community

Create characters who are original, real and memorable, right down to that bit of dried cheese sauce on their trousers and their fear of flip-flops. this is *the* characterisation masterclass.

Imagine if Lizzie Bennett had no sense of humour, or if Offred just gave up, or if Matilda wasn’t fussed about books. Imagine if Frankenstein had even the tiniest ounce of empathy. Without great and believable characters, stories don’t fly, plots wilt, worlds end and, worse, manuscripts get thrown in the bin. Characterisation is to plot what jam is to toast. 

Our characterisation masterclass will show you how to turn your characters into people, how to stop yourself falling back on tropes and stereotypes, and how to avoid hashing out two-dimensional cardboard cutout figures instead of sculpting living, breathing people.

Prepare your loins to CREATE LIFE!

LESSONS IN
THIS COURSE

WHAT DO THEY WANT AND WHY CAN’T THEY HAVE IT?
Tap into your character’s deepest desires to ramp up the conflict.

THE MANY ARCS OF CHARLIE BAXTER
Just one problem to solve? Too easy! Chuck everything you’ve got at them!

WHAT YOU DO IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT YOU ARE
Why action is more important to characterisation than description.

HISTORY AND ALSO HERSTORY
Get down and dirty with your character’s backstory for a fuller, um, front-story.

INCREMENTS OF BASTARDRY
Give ’em hell. No. Worse than that. 

Get full access to Making People: The Characterisation Masterclass when you join Writers' HQ today!
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Hone your craft by getting answers to your writerly questions and exploring your challenges with regular online events, including live Q&As, masterclasses, flash fiction write-alongs, goal setting sessions, and advanced journaling workshops.

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