Essentials of Character

Class Description

We’ve all heard that character drives good stories. But how do we know what a good character looks like, and how to write one? If you have a lot of characters in your head but no idea how to translate them to paper, you’ve come to the right place. In this class, you’ll be introduced to the essential tools of character-building and characterization and start putting them into practice in your own writing. Each week, we’ll focus on a different aspect of character, like character-building, physicality, interiority, and attitude, examining memorable characters from contemporary and classic literature, and exploring strategies to make our own characters feel alive and fully formed. You’ll put the tools you learn into practice through weekly exercises and character prompts, and have the opportunity to share your work for feedback from the rest of the class to get a senes of your strengths and opportunities for development when it comes to character.

You’ll come away from this course with a better understanding of character––both as an element of craft, and your own characters––and a toolbox for how to bring your characters to life.

Class Format

This is an Online: On-Demand class that will take place on our asynchronous online learning platform, Wet.Ink. Weekly lessons and assignments open each Wednesday. Students will receive an invitation to Wet Ink before 5pm on the first day of class!

*NOTE that while our handy dandy "Schedule" tab states a 6-7pm class time, there are actually no live meetings for this class! Weekly lessons and assignments open each Wednesday. Students will receive an invitation to Wet Ink, our online class platform, before 5pm on the first day of class.

Scholarship Information

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 more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.