From Cheryl Strayed in Wild to Walter Mosley’s Easy Rawlings, character is arguably the most memorable element of memoir or fiction. How do you create a fully realized, unique protagonist that leaps from the page? This master class will challenge you to eliminate cardboard characterizations and create something new and fresh.
Topics covered include guidance on choosing point of view, developing a nuanced character arc from beginning to end, and excavating your own secrets, as well as an exercise for building life-based characters with breadth and depth. The course also includes bonus articles that address the common concern that people will recognize themselves in your book.
Your Instructor
Jessica (Jess) Lourey teaches, travels, and writes about secrets.
She's the Amazon Charts bestselling Lefty, Agatha, and Anthony-nominated author of nonfiction, YA adventure, magical realism, suspense, and thrillers. Jess is a tenured professor of writing and sociology, a recipient of The Loft's Excellence in Teaching fellowship, a Psychology Today blogger, a leader of writing retreats, and a TEDx presenter. Check out her TEDx Talk to discover the surprising inspiration behind May Day, her first published novel. In addition to her online courses, she teaches face-to-face writing workshops for all and leads transformative writing retreats for women.
When not traveling, reading, writing, or hanging out with her family, you can find her dreaming of her next story. You can find out more about Jess on her website and by signing up for her newsletter.