Registration

Character Development Course Synopsis

 

This program focuses on breaking down, analyzing, and creating character profiles that will not only help you create compelling and realistic characters for your stories but to help you fully understand the elements needed for each character you portray in your stories, their necessity, and why you must consider these elements each time you write so your writing doesn't fail.

​

You will learn how to develop your characters' personalities, motivations, goals, conflicts, relationships, and arcs. You will also learn to use character guides and profiles to maintain consistency and continuity throughout your writing process. ​The course consists of modules with a specific learning objective, a practical assignment, and a quick quiz. For each module, materials have been provided to help you through the course and allow for quick references or easy use to complete assignments. There is no pass or fail; the information provided here is meant to help you hone your craft. The modules are:

​

Module 1: Multiple Lessons

Character Basics. In this module, you will learn about the basics of character creation. You will learn to use character profiles, brainstorming techniques, and research methods to craft realistic and engaging characters. In our lessons,

​

You will:

• learn how to use character archetypes and stereotypes to generate ideas and avoid clichés

• familiarize yourself with several brainstorming techniques aimed at generating ideas and details for your character

• see what snowflakes and maps have to do with characters

• see what essential elements of developing your characters are

• create a basic character profile for your main character and a secondary character

• have access to our character profile form

• see what "voice" means to your character

• what role means to your character

  • learn about the types of roles your character can play

  • learn how their purpose affects the plot

  • understand the expectations of each character's role

  • discover the challenges of each character's role

  • identify growth opportunities for each character's role

  • understand how role affects character development in multiple ways

  • learn about role arcs and how they relate to the plot and theme

  • understand how role affects relationships

  • learn how role affects character's challenges and opportunities for growth

• what "multiple protagonists" means,

  • learning a clear definition of "multiple protagonists"

  • why do they relate to each other

  • learn varying POVs

  • by learning why scenes are used with "multiple protagonists"

  • learn how to thread them together

  • learn things to avoid

• You will familiarize yourself with our:

  • Three-Act Structure Model

  • Hero's Journey Form

  • Plot Pyramid Form

​

Forum Discussion: Multiple Protagonists Problems

Practical Assignment

Quiz

Summary

​

Module 2: Multiple Lessons

Personality development. In our lessons,

​

You will learn,

• about personality disorder

• accuracy vs. sensitivity

• how your character is affected

• to understand the specific symptoms and traits of the disorder

• stereotypes and cliches

• how to research and its importance and its importance to your character

  • to know what you're getting into

  • empathy and compassion vs. respect and dignity

• how to write an antagonist with a personality disorder

  • how to write one

​

Discussion Forum: Characters With Personality Disorders

Practical Assignment

Quiz

Summary

​

Module 3: Multiple Lessons

Character Motivation. Learn to use the concept of the character's wants and needs to drive your plot and create conflict. Discover one of the most important aspects of writing compelling stories. In our lessons,

​

You will learn,

• six differences between wants and needs

• showing, not telling your character's wants and needs

• techniques used to create character motivations

• to make your character's wants and needs consistent

• how to find a balance

• how to use Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and the four basic human drives to explore your characters' desires and fears

  • create a motivation profile for your main character and a secondary character

• about unrealistic motivations

• when characters do the unexpected

• pitfalls to avoid

​

Practical Assignment

Quiz

Summary

​

Module 4: Multiple Lessons

Character Goals. You will learn how to define and structure what your characters want to achieve in the story and how they plan to do it. In our lessons,

 

You will:

• learn how to use the SMART Criteria, and why this is important to your character

• learn how to use our three-act structure for goal development

• learn to use our hero's journey for goal development

• learn to use our plot pyramid to map out your character's goals and actions

​

Forms

Practical Assignment

Quiz

Summary

​

Module 5: Multiple Lessons

Character Conflict. Learn how to create and escalate tension and drama in your story by placing your characters in opposition with other forces. In our lessons,

 

You will learn,

• what are the four types of conflict

• how to use one of the six types of antagonists

• how to put your characters in opposition with other forces

• what is tension

​

Practical Assignment

Quiz

Summary

​

Module 6: Multiple Lessons

Character Dialogue. Learn how to write natural and effective dialogue that reveals your character's personality, emotions, relationships, and subtext. In our lessons,

 

You will learn,

• why dialogue reveals your character's personality

• why dialogue reveals your character's emotions

• why dialogue reveals your character's relationships

• why dialogue reveals your character's subtext

• what are the four elements of dialogue

• how to use the four elements effectively

• what are the four functions of dialogue

• how to use the four functions effectively

​

Practical Assignment

Quiz

Summary

​

Module 7: Multiple Lessons

Character Relationships. You will learn how to create and develop meaningful interactions and bonds between your characters that enrich your story. In our lessons,

 

You will learn,

• how to create meaningful interactions & bonds between characters

• what are the four types of relationships

• how to use the four types of relationships effectively

• how to show your character's relationship evolve over time

• tropes and cliches

• pitfalls to avoid

​

Practical Assignment

Quiz

Summary

​

Module 8: Multiple Lessons

Writing Character Descriptions & Introduction. Learn character methods and techniques for character description and introduction. In our lessons,

You will learn,

• methods and techniques used to introduce your character to readers

• how to use the four types of character introduction

• how to use character descriptions

​

Practical Assignment

Quiz

Summary

​

Module 9: Multiple Lessons

Character Arc. In this module, you will learn how to use the three-act structure and the hero's journey to craft your characters' transformation and growth. One of the most important aspects of storytelling is creating compelling character arcs that show how your protagonist changes and grows throughout the story. In our lessons,

 

You will:

• learn what a character arc is

• learn how to choose one of two forms to map/craft your character's transformation and growth

  • Forms: Provided

• learn how to use six types of character arcs to map out your character's development

• learn how to use four stages of change to map out your character's development

• create a character arc outline for your main character and a secondary character

  • Form: Character Arc Mapping Form

• learn to identify your character's starting point and end point

• learn to understand their personality, worldview, goal, flaw, and needs at the start of the story

• learn why these elements change by the end of the story

• learn why they reflect the theme of your story

• learn how to outline your character's journey using a different technique

• learn how to show, don't tell, your character's arc

• learn how to make your character's arc consistent and believable

• learn things to avoid

• learn how to make your character's arc relevant and impactful

​

Practical Assignment

Quiz

Summary

​

Module 10: Bonus Material

Character Names. Choosing the right name for your story is critical. How a reader perceives and relates to your character's name is equally important. In our lessons,

 

You will learn,

• steps to naming your character

• how to consider the genre you are writing

• fitting the tone and atmosphere of your story

• how to avoid clashing and sounding out of place

• how to research meanings

• how to avoid similar names

• matching character names to their personality and appearance

• using symbolism and foreshadowing with your character's name

• consistency with the use of the name

• how to run a beta test on names

• how not to be afraid to use humor and imagination

​

Discussion Forum: Beta Testing Names

Practical Assignment

Quiz- Video

Summary Video

​

Summary of Course Video

By the end of this course, you will have a comprehensive and coherent character development plan that you can use for any story genre and format.

​

Breakdown of Fees: $758.00

$ 200.00 - base programming, setting up this course

$ 100.00 - For module set-up

$ 300.00 - For lessons: including:

• course videos

• our copywritten forms

• other materials

• research

• resources

• forum access

• having access to your instructor, and their time

• 6-month access to the program

• lectures

• exercises

Plus:

• taxes: $78

• service fee: $40

​

Payment Plan Fee:

• administration fee: $40

​

Paid in Full

no service fee

no administration fee = $678.00 course fee (discount of $80.00 for full payment)

​

Notice: All information, forms, and content provided for this course is strictly the property of Dark Dove Publishing, The WRITE Affiliates, and J.L. Slipak; and should not be copied, reused, rebranded, or altered in any fashion for unauthorized purposes, and without explicit permission to do so by the previously mentioned parties.

​

Any infringement of copyright, trademark, or registration will result in legal actions being taken against violators. Permission of use is governed solely for this program/course, as provided strictly adhering to copyright laws of Canada and the United States and for no improper purposes, according to the previously mentioned laws.

​

For terms and conditions governing refunds, go to terms and conditions in the main menu under Dark Dove Publishing. All personal data is subject to our privacy policy listed below. Although Dark Dove Publishing strives to provide correct and appropriate materials, any errors or omissions should be immediately brought to the attention of Dark Dove Publishing in written form by sending an email to:

info.darkdovepublishing@gmail.com

​

Private information is forbidden on public forums. Any links or emails posted in our forums, discussions, and blogs will be deleted. All posts are governed by the strictest policies shown in our terms & conditions governing this site. Please remain professional with conduct when using services, products, access, and other items belonging to Dark Dove Publishing, The WRITE Affiliates, and J.L. Slipak, as per the terms of conduct and program/course policies provided with each course description.

​

All courses are for informational purposes to fine-tune and hone the craft of writing. No Certificate of Completion is an official certification toward a degree, diploma, or professional certificate. Go here to read further Terms and Conditions