Creative Writing Foundations: Develop Compelling Characters

Begin by getting to know Emmy award-nominated writer Mark Boutros. He talks through his creative journey to becoming a successful writer, as well as the influences that have inspired his career and his work.

Discover how to come up with ideas for your character and how those ideas can eventually become a story. Look at examples of famous stories and the structure they follow, then learn to give depth to your character through things like goals, desires, and lessons. Explore what gives a character its voice, and hear Mark’s tips for researching your work effectively for a more authentic end result.

Create a character questionnaire that answers all the essential questions about your protagonist. Then take on the role of your character to help you better understand them using “The Chair” technique. Learn how to build other supporting characters based on your protagonist before delving into the obstacles your character faces and writing powerful character descriptions.

Write a one-page synopsis of your story that explores your story arc and can be used to help you sell your work. Then dive into your character’s first scene. To finish the course, Mark shares his tips for developing an effective writing habit for the future.