character

Looking for a way to add conflict and suspense to your novel, chapters, and scenes? Then this workshop is for you. Whether you are a plotter or a pantser, you can apply this easy-to-use technique as you draft, during revision of your WIP, and even as a way to break through writer’s block. In...

Over the next ten days, we're going to take a deep dive into developing and shaping your story’s plot based on your protagonist's motives. We will review the essentials of character interiority and explore techniques to help develop your story’s structure. This course will help writers of all...

Capturing the voice of characters is difficult on its own, but it’s even harder when you’re writing for a different generation. Writing Young Adult works allows us to connect to our younger selves and relive the aches and pains of growing up. But what we said (and even did) as young adults isn’t...

Core Wounds sit in the heart of every person - both real and fictional. An understanding of these deep-seated, harmful "truths" we believe can lead to the creation of three-dimensional characters and emotionally impactful narratives readers will never forget. This workshop will explore what a...

Without conflict there is no story. Your characters have to grow and they have to be challenged. They fall in love, break up and make up until the HEA or HFN. How do you keep the tension and conflict as they go through their story arc? What keeps them going and what conflicts do they have to...

Have you ever read a romance novel and thought, "I really liked the book, but..." Something about the characterization of the hero or heroine left you cold? Didn't make sense? Wasn't fleshed out enough? This course will walk you through the process of creating memorable characters, including...

Character development using origin stories. What makes them the way they are? What experiences formed them? How to create protagonists' and antagonists' origin stories. What makes your character who they are – what were their beginnings? Archetypes and origin stories Using your characters'...

An emotional arc is the journey that a character’s emotional state of mind undertakes during a scene. A typical emotional arc has a beginning in which the character is feeling a certain way, an end in which their emotional state of mind has undergone a change, and a turning point that triggers...

Develop your characters and create backstory using emotional wounds and inner conflicts. What motivates your character? What are the traumas that might be inspiring them to take certain actions? How to determine what wounds make sense for your characters and your story Raise the stakes in your...

Dialogue is a writer's greatest tool when it comes to bringing a character to life. It communicates their beliefs, their emotions, and their relationships with others. It sets them apart from everyone else in the book and is a key ingredient in the story's believability. But how do you create a...

In this two-week course, you’ll learn the basics of writing paranormal romance. You’ll learn the tropes of each type of paranormal romance, where you must adhere to the guidelines, and where you can push the envelope. Let’s take an exciting journey through the writing of other-wordly beings who...

Want to take your manuscript from good to great? A few simple things can help your story shine and stand out from the pack. Our goals for this workshop: · Cut wordiness to make your manuscript clearer and more readable. · Check for other grammatical sins like excessive sentence...

Villains are a lot like heroes: They are active, powerful, dynamic, and capable of change. They're just, you know, bad. And you have to give your villains a little love to make them a worthy opponent for your actual heroic characters. In this interactive workshop, we'll discuss a few...

What's your favorite heat level for your books? Steamy or super-hot? Or maybe you'd rather leave the details behind closed doors. There's nothing wrong with showing everything or keeping it all under wraps. But you can still stir the reader's emotions while leaving some things under the covers...

Do you have trouble with telling the reader the story instead of showing it? If so, join the crowd. This is one of the most common mistakes in writing. But there’s hope. In this two week workshop, I will Show you how to tell which mode you’re in Tell you how to fix the problem Show you how to...

Whether you're creating super-heroines or putting ordinary people in extraordinary situations, sometimes it just takes an Alpha Babe to accomplish the goal. Learn the qualities of the Alpha Babe, explore the transitions to become one, and use the repercussions of being one to enrich your...

Award-winning editor Brenda Chin has worked in the romance industry for more than 32 years. Throughout her many years with Harlequin, she had the opportunity to work with some of the best writers in the business, often buying their first book. Brenda is offering her expertise to help authors go...

Award-winning editor Brenda Chin has worked in the romance industry for more than 32 years. Throughout her many years with Harlequin, she had the opportunity to work with some of the best writers in the business, often buying their first book. Brenda is offering her expertise to help authors go...

Readers are looking for more stories with "mature" characters (30 years old +). Learn how to create characters who have life experience and are perfect for all types of romances (all sub-genres of romance). Determining the age range and what character experiences might be How not to fall into...

Most people are familiar with Joseph Campbell's monomyth but have not heard of Maureen Murdock's Heroine's Journey. Murdock builds on the hero's journey and shows how it's different for the feminine. In this class, we will explore the nine steps as well as their similarities and differences to...