Class Description
“Let the jury judge them; it’s my job simply to show what sort of people they are.” ––Anton Chekhov
In this text-based craft seminar, we'll discuss antagonists, protagonists, the elements of character sympathy, how major characters need to be created in tandem with narrative structure and point of view, and how minor and supporting characters tend to be flat in first drafts, like place holders, and can often be greatly improved in the process of revision. We’ll consider different ways that memorable characters can be introduced or created in the reader’s mind, how characters can give additional depth and texture to your novel, and we'll practice a range of techniques for creating better ones.
Is your cast of characters performing to its full potential? Are you under-describing or over-describing? Are you relying too much on physical description, or are your descriptions too “on the nose"? Could using spines, metaphors, or another character-creating techniques help bring your cast alive?
Participants are invited to bring in scenes from their novels in progress for possible on-the-spot notes and revision exercises.
Part of GrubStreet's Novel Revision Series, led by Tim Weed and designed for those who have either finished or are nearing completion of a novel draft. Take every class in the series or simply choose the craft topics that are relevant to the revision challenges you face with your novel in progress. Classes include:
- Novel Revision Series: Cast of Characters
- Novel Revision Series: Interiority, Backstory, and Flashback
- Novel Revision Series: Killer Openings & Symphonic Endings
- Novel Revision Series: Descriptive Writing and Image Systems
- Novel Revision Series: Point of View and Psychic Distance
- Novel Revision Series: Minor and Supporting Characters
- Novel Revision Series: Dialogue and the Scene
Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.
For more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.
This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. Please visit the Resources tab to access the video-conference link.
Zoom Participation:
Students are not required to turn their camera on, but are encouraged to participate any way they feel comfortable through functions such as the live chat, emoji reactions, and unmuting the microphone. Learn more about using Zoom here.
Zoom Accessibility:
We ask that instructors enable closed captioning and send a transcript of the session after class. You can also enable closed captioning at any time during the meeting. If your instructor forgets to send the transcript, just send ’em an email!