Course Description

Topic: CHARACTER CREATION IN FICTION

Level: Beginner

Duration: 2 hours approx

Delivery: PDF. Text based

RPWA Certificate: Yes

Rob Parnell presents:

An Academy Master Class On Character Creation: From Inspiration to Development

This is the first in a series of SHORT AND PUNCHY master classes designed to explore the fundamentals of fiction writing - and help you expand and deepen your understanding of story creation and development.

Character is where all fiction starts. That's the accepted view.

But is this really the case? Is there some other, more intuitive starting point that I can reveal to you?

I believe so - and in the first module of "Character Creation", my new fiction writing master class.

Is there a knack - a simple way - of coming up with compelling and memorable characters for your short stories and novels - even screenplays?

There is indeed - and I can reveal it to you in the second module of this course.

But what about characters with depth that can support a series of stories - or fictional creations that can go on to become famous - as in, more famous that the author. Are there a tactics and techniques for developing characters over time?

Certainly - and I will show them to you in module three of this unique master class.

You know me. My most common compliment is that I always deliver more than was expected of me - and usually much more.

This masterclass is no exception. In "Character Creation" I will lay bare all the arguments for and against the conventional theories - and then go further, exposing their positives - and some of their limitations - before moving further to where no other 'writing guru' has ever gone before! I'll take you through the entire process of character creation and development in a way that is instructional, fun, and will no doubt strike you as profound. That is my promise to you.

Here's what we'll discover together:

Character Creation, Module One: Purpose & Presentiment

Fictional characters are more than mere two dimensional cut-outs. Indeed, they are much more than people. In this module we discuss authorial integrity, purpose, and our personal involvement with fiction and how the author may use fiction as a vehicle for self-expression and entertainment without compromising his/her moral sense and duty to seek the truth.

Character Creation, Module Two: Ideas and Inspiration 

The age-old question where do ideas come from is answered. I'll show you how to have a endless supply of ideas and how to turn each one into a credible character. Types of characters are included - a useful breakdown of the six main character types. How much description is necessary. What not to do in creating fictional characters..

Character Creation, Module Three: Design and Development

Depth for serial characters - consistency versus surprise. How to deepen literary figures.

All this and much more.

Your Personal Instructor

Rob Parnell

Rob Parnell has been teaching online since 2002, specifically helping writers earn money from their passion. He is the proud founder of The Writing Academy, an online school dedicated to student success and authorial excellence.Rob has published over thirty number-one best-selling books on genre fiction authorship, freelance writing, motivation, productivity; getting rich, staying thin and healthy. When it comes to making a living from writing, composing music, and creating film projects, Rob is a man who knows what he's talking about! You'll enjoy his down-to-earth style and the feeling Rob somehow knows you like a friend! Rob has been writing since he was five years old. He writes every day without fail - it's a compulsion. His preferred genre is the thriller - sometimes with a supernatural edge - in which he writes short stories, novels, screenplays, and adult thrillers - including his Purge detective novels and the popular Sherlock Holmes: Zombie Slayer series. Also a musician and composer, an accomplished singer, media producer and budding movie maker, Rob is ecstatically happy to be married to Robyn Opie Parnell, his savior, and the popular best-selling children's author.They live miles from anywhere in their beautiful country farmhouse, its eleven acres tucked within inches of the stunning Flinders Ranges, with their beloved pets, Wally the dog and the cats: Jessie, and Iggy (because he's The Wild One.)

Course curriculum

  • 1

    The Course

    • Student Discussion Forum

    • Character Creation Module A: Purpose

    • Character Creation Module B: Inspiration

    • Character Creation Module C: Development

Reviews

5 star rating

I learned a lot!

Marilyn Johnson

Like many wannabe writers, I've always encountered the long, long list of character attributes to fill in for character creation. I never understood the poin...

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Like many wannabe writers, I've always encountered the long, long list of character attributes to fill in for character creation. I never understood the point of knowing so much right from the start, and it never helped me create a believable character that felt like a living, breathing being. Now, thanks to Character Creation, i understand why: I didn't start with my character's purpose for the story. Starting out that way makes so much more sense. This is my third class experience with Rob Parnell's Writing Academy, and each one has been amazing -- interesting, insightful and hugely helpful. I can't wait to take more classes!

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5 star rating

Another winner

Naas Ferreira

Excellent. Well done.

Excellent. Well done.

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5 star rating

Nuts & Bolts of building a character

Mary James

This was a very good course with making the writer look inside to know self and the character to be molded. Rob gives an entertaining class and I appreciate ...

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This was a very good course with making the writer look inside to know self and the character to be molded. Rob gives an entertaining class and I appreciate the .pdf files he provides for ease of reviewing later.

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5 star rating

Excellent

Elizabeth Dickinson

Character Creation will make a positive addition to any reference documents. It gives all aspects to a character's development, that can become the one nee...

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Character Creation will make a positive addition to any reference documents. It gives all aspects to a character's development, that can become the one needed for your story.

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5 star rating

CHARACTER CREATION

Lynette Asmar

I have so many of Rob's courses from years ago before he used this platform, but he always comes up with new ideas that work. Thank you so much Rob for conti...

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I have so many of Rob's courses from years ago before he used this platform, but he always comes up with new ideas that work. Thank you so much Rob for continuing to be the best teacher about writing. Lyn Asmar

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5 star rating

Different perspective

Helen Keane

Good, enjoyed reading it, well explained.

Good, enjoyed reading it, well explained.

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5 star rating

Five Stars

Sharon Wilson

Brilliant course!

Brilliant course!

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