About the Course
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: $685.00
$ 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
service fee
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.
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Your Instructor
J.L. Slipak
Certified Freelance Writer, Editor, Published Author, CEO of Dark Dove Publishing, Over 40 Years Experience in The Written World