Skillsharebeginneren

Write Believable Characters for Beginners

Unlock your fiction writing potential! Learn to develop compelling characters and stories. Explore your creative ideas and bring your narratives to life.

4.0(29)
1,104students
41m
Certificate
Selina Shapland
Selina ShaplandFiction Genre Coach

Course Content

Write Believable Characters for Beginners is a beginner-level Skillshare course taught by Selina Shapland. It runs 41m, is taught in English, and includes a certificate of completion. Learners rate it 4.0 out of 5 from 29 reviews, with 1,104 students enrolled. It is a paid course, first published July 2018.

Unleash Your Story's Potential: Master Character Creation for Fiction Writing

Do you dream of crafting compelling characters for your stories? Whether you're passionate about horror, fantasy, sci-fi, paranormal, or romance, this course empowers you to build characters that resonate with readers. Learn to develop characters who are the heart of your narrative – the vehicle through which your readers experience your story.

Struggling to move beyond cliche characters? This class provides practical techniques to create three-dimensional characters that feel real and engaging. Discover how to deeply understand your characters before you start writing, or learn methods for discovering them organically as you build your story.

Key Concepts Covered:

  • Character Goals & Motivation: Understand what drives your characters – their desires, their reasons, and the obstacles standing in their way.
  • Conflict & Obstacles: Explore how to create compelling conflicts – both internal (emotional) and external – that propel your character's journey.
  • Character Depth: Learn to develop rich backstories, defining traits, and motivations that make your characters believable and relatable.
  • Character Worksheets: Develop a customizable character sheet to track your character's physical appearance, fears, goals, and more. This living document evolves with your story.
  • Character Roles: Explore the various roles characters play in a story – protagonist, antagonist, love interest – and how to make each impactful.
  • Creating Interesting & Likeable Characters: Discover the secrets to crafting characters that captivate readers and evoke emotional responses.

This course is perfect for writers who prefer plot-driven stories or those who enjoy discovery writing. You'll learn to create characters that capture the imagination and keep readers hooked. Understanding your character's background and what shapes them is crucial for writing characters that feel authentic.

Bonus Project: Character Worksheets

Download a bonus video and worksheet to flesh out your own character! This project helps you delve into your character's internal and external conflicts and how they'll overcome obstacles to achieve their goals. The worksheet is located in the Project & Resources section (link on the right). Customize it to fit your unique character and story.

Ready to build unforgettable characters? Join us and let's bring your stories to life! Share your thoughts in the community section and don't hesitate to ask questions.

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