If You Want to Create Truly Unforgettable Characters -
but Haven't (Yet) Found the Key... Here's the Answer

Written Just for You: a Course that Unlocks the Secrets of Creating Characters That Readers Will Love ... and Will Leave Them Wanting More!

From the home office of Marg McAlister
6.24 pm, Friday.
 

Dear Writer,

Does this sound like you?

"My characters just don't come to life. I can see them in my head - but on the page, they seem... wooden, somehow. It's so disappointing."

"I don't know what's wrong. My weakness is in character development - editors have told me that. But I don't know how to fix it."

"How can I make my characters well rounded, yet different from each other?"

These are only a few of the concerns that writers have about creating characters that live on the page. It's pretty disheartening, too. I know. I've been there.

In the early days of building my writing skills, I would have wonderful plots and scenarios in my head. I couldn't wait to get them down on the page. YOU know what it's like - you get lost in that wonderful world of the novel, identifying with your characters and plunging right into their world, and before you know it hours have gone flying by.

Then you read it back.

Your feelings of pleasure start to fade. You read it again, wondering why it's not quite working the way you'd hoped. These characters are so real to you you can feel them… but it's just not coming across.

Aaaarrrggghhhh! You stomp off to the kitchen to find something to eat that you don't really need (or maybe a glass of something stronger than water). Maybe you shut a few cupboard doors a bit harder than necessary, or snap at the kids.

Not that any of it does any good. The next day you look at your writing again (yes, after having slept on it) - and you realize in despair that your characters are still two-dimensional.

Their conversation doesn't flow. Their actions seem wooden. And even worse, your main character's attitude seems self-pitying and defeatist.

THAT'S NOT WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN!

You think gloomily that maybe it's time to give up this writing lark. Huh. Some lark. More like torture.

And maybe for a week… or a month… you do give it up. But before long, you're back at the computer, trying again.

Because really, you just can't toss it all in. It's too much a part of you. Writing is who you are. You've got to keep going.

If only you could wave a magic wand and produce a book full of really unforgettable characters… characters that would make an editor jump out of her chair, grab the phone and ring you to say "When can you send the rest?"

Hmmm. Well, magic wands (the ones that work) are few and far between. (Where's Harry Potter when you need him?)

But there's something better than a magic wand.

Better than a 'quick fix'.

Better than having somebody else do it all for you.

There's the satisfaction of understanding just what does make characters work. Knowledge that you can use again and again: a step-by-step plan to creating characters that come to life on the page… a plan that you can follow every time you write a story, so your characters always work!

The thing is, with a plan in front of you - and trouble-shooting checklists to analyze your finished scene - you will have the best possible tools to do the job. Tools that you can use for story after story.

Sounds good?

I thought so. So after surveying writers to find out their needs (and after seven years of being a writing tutor, seeing thousands of scenes and characters!) I decided to put together a course that would walk you through the steps of creating vivid, unforgettable characters.

After writing 5 distance education courses in writing for major educational institutions, having published over sixty books, tutoring thousands of students and hosting writers' websites for over three years... I figure I've learned a trick or two to pass on! (If you want to read more about my writing background, CLICK HERE. My bio will open in a new window... just click to close it and you'll be right back here. )

This e-course has been designed to get you up and running quickly without taking months of your time. It has also been carefully planned to fit in with you and your specific needs. You have the option of sending in an assessment task once each week for feedback - or you can use the Analyze It! Task Analysis Sheets to cast a critical eye over your own results.

This is a great 'safety net'. Even though each task (if you opt to take advantage of the feedback) need to be completed during the week of the related Character Sparker training modules, if for some reason you don't get around to sending one in, you can relax knowing that you will receive a really useful tool for self-assessment. A tool that can be used over and over again!

So... here it is:
The SPOTLIGHT ON CHARACTERS e-Course!

How is the Course Structured?

Length of e-course:

• 5 weeks (Monday week 1 through to Sunday week 5)

Content of e-course:

• 5 "Character Sparker" training modules, one delivered each week. Each module will cover a different aspect of creating characters.
   
• A set of exercises for each module to help you master the content taught
   
• 5 Assessment Tasks - One to reinforce each week's lesson content. You may choose to send this in for critiquing or use the task analysis sheets delivered the following week to assess your own performance.
   
• 5 Analyze It! Task analysis sheets - one for each module. Use these to check your own performance and understanding for the e-course tasks or to create characters for future stories.
   
• End-of-Course Summary Sheet - this handy 'character cheat sheet' will be an essential tool for any character you create.

The Content of Each "Character Sparker" Module

Character Sparker 1: An overview of different types of characters, and how to create your lead character

	Why characters are just as important as plot - and how the two work together
	How an understanding of your genre is vital to your character's role
	Different types of characters - leads, sidekicks, confidants, villains, cameos and more. Find out which characters you need and how they fit into the plot
	Tips on naming your characters - how to find the perfect name
	Common problems with characters - the kind that cause readers to close the book! (And how you can avoid them.)
	Non-human characters - what to avoid, where to find information
	Main character, lead character - what's the difference?
	The 4 essential qualities of any lead character
	Why you need to think ahead when creating series characters (these tips can save you a lot of angst later!)
	Should you create a character profile?
	How to be sure of what your characters want - and why this is a key to successful characterization and development of conflict

 

Character Sparker 2: The supporting cast! The importance to the story of each character, and how to make each character an individual.

	How to decide on your supporting cast and the role of each character
	How far ahead do you need to think? Tips on (a) planning characters ahead and (b) creating characters on the fly
	Essential tips on making each character different
	Caricatures and 'stock' characters - when to use them, when to avoid them
	How much backstory do you need for each character?
	How to give just enough detail for each character's role
	The secondary character that wants the lead! (What to do if one of the supporting cast wants to take over)

 

Character Sparker 3: Digging deep - emotional punch in spades! How to make your characters grow and change... the multi-layered character... point of view.

	How you can make a character reach out to the reader
	What to do to make your characters likeable and real
	Why believable motivation is crucial to the success of your characterization - and to the success of your whole novel!
	What comes first, motivation or actions?
	How to create believable internal monologue for your characters (tips on getting inside your reader's head!)
	The essential factors for character growth and change
	How to create a multi-layered character
	Point of View - how to use it, and why THIS is the secret to emotional punch
	How to make your characters real to YOU - and a useful trick to get to know them quickly!
	The pros and cons of using a photo or magazine clipping as a 'model' for your character

 

Character Sparker 4: Your characters speak... how to avoid stilted dialogue... blending speech, action and thoughts.

	How to avoid the dreaded "they all sound the same!" syndrome
	How to show ethnicity or social class without annoying the reader
	How to blend the different elements of dialogue for smooth and convincing conversation - the parts played by direct speech, speech tags, character actions, body language, facial expressions, and even silence!
	Formal versus informal speech
	Tricks to mimic real speech (yet avoiding the tedium and repetitiveness of real speech!)
	How to use dialogue to control pacing
	How to use dialogue to heighten tension and suspense

Character Sparker 5: The character creator toolbox - a grab bag of tips and tricks for different characters, genres and age groups. Bringing your character on stage; subtle techniques for revealing character.

	Techniques for bringing your character 'on stage' - how to judge what details to introduce at the beginning, and what to save for later - why the first impression is so important
	How to show the character's growth without being obvious or moralistic
	Handy tips on technique for revealing character without 'telling' the reader
	How to handle a character that is 'a fish out of water' in society without making him/her seem unsociable
	Character traits that repel the reader - avoid these and keep your readers!
	How to create a 'not so nice' character that the reader will still like! (This is a real challenge - what works, and what definitely does not work!)
	A close examination of 'showing, not telling' - what this really means and techniques that work
	How you can get to know your characters quickly without spending hours on background
	How to handle historical characters - should they interact with well-known historical figures?
	The traps of using characters from real life - should you base characters on friends, family, enemies?

As you can see, by the time you work through this e-course you will have a deep and lasting understanding of how to create vivid, unforgettable characters for any story you write!

Commit to Just 5 Weeks of Focusing on Your Characters - and it Could Save You 5 Months (or even 5 YEARS) of Frustration!

Here's how it works:

	As soon as you sign up for the SPOTLIGHT ON CHARACTERS e-Course, you will immediately be able to download Bonuses #2 and #3 (see below). (Bonus #1, the Character Cheat Sheet, will be sent to you when you complete the course.) Your Character Interview Sheet will help you get to know your character before the e-Course starts. You will also be sent a general introduction to the course and the due dates for Weekly Tasks. Note that the e-course runs over a specific time frame. (No assessment tasks will be accepted outside the due dates - but you WILL have the Analyze It! Checklists as a 'safety net' if you miss a deadline or opt not to send in a task for assessment.)
	This is a 5-week e-course. It begins on Monday of Week 1 and finishes on Sunday of Week 5. Each "Character Sparker" Training Module is sent out via email on Mondays. Each module will be in the form of a PDF document, as an attachment. We use PDF format because it can be viewed on either Macs or Windows computers, and gives a high quality result when printed.
	Each Assessment Task for that week's module is due by the following Sunday evening. (This will give those who work during the week the opportunity to work on their tasks at weekends.) You do not have to send in a task - the decision is yours. When each new training module is sent out, it will be accompanied by the Analyze It! Checklist for the previous week's task.
	The Analyze It! Checklists are provided as a self-assessment guide. You can use this if you choose not to send in a task - or miss the due date - and to analyze all future characters in your stories.
	The End-of-Course Character "Cheat Sheet" is sent out on the final day of the e-course. You will find this invaluable to keep at hand when you are shaping your story people.

Be the Owner of a "Character Creation Bible" that You Can Print Out, File and Keep as a Handy Reference Forever

Simply by working through this course, you will soak up dozens of invaluable tips on creating memorable characters. But the information in it will be an essential resource that you'll want to have at your fingertips whenever you need it.

If ever you get stuck with a character that's not working - just read through the notes, whip out your Analyze It! checklists and before you know it, you'll have the problem sorted. Now that's peace of mind!

• What is it worth to you to be able to create characters that readers hate to leave behind?
   

• What is it worth to you to be able to create characters that win the hearts of editors - the people who have your writing career in their hands?
   

• What is it worth to you to have a total, deep understanding of how to create characters that are so real that people are queuing up for your next book?

These things are priceless.

BUT... that's not the only value you'll get out of this e-course!

Here are some added bonuses for e-Course participants:

	Bonus #1: Character "Cheat Sheet" You'll love this one. As soon as the course is finished, you get this handy character creation 'cheat sheet' - it's so easy to measure each character against a set of criteria before you get in too deep! (Delivered at end of course)
	Bonus #2: Useful Resources for Creating Your Characters An e-book of great resources for writers to help you get your characters just right - website links, articles, and a booklist for your writer's reference library
	Bonus #3: A Character Interview Sheet What questions do you need to ask your characters to make sure you really know what makes them tick? All the questions you need and how to interpret the results! The results will surprise you.

Ready to Sign Up...?

It's time to take the step that you've been waiting for - enrol in your intensive SPOTLIGHT ON CHARACTERS e-course now! For just $167 you can provide yourself with the tools that help you come up with vibrant, interesting characters in all your stories. Characters that will help to convince an editor that you have what it takes to build a successful writing career!

BUT WAIT!

Did you know that if you are a member of the Writing4SuccessClub e-Club you get 10% discount on this course?

That's right... $16.70 off the course cost right away. That's more than it costs you to become an e-club member! (And as a member of the Writing4Success e-Club, you are then entitled to 20% discount off all future Writing4Success e-books and software - and we have quite a line-up of them planned! The e-club membership is a once-only fee - no renewals, ever!)

** When you sign up for the SPOTLIGHT ON CHARACTERS e-Course, you will have the option of combining it with an e-Club membership and paying just one fee for the two. Just click the link below and you will be able to view the options.

 

Why not sign up for the SPOTLIGHT COURSES INFO SHEET? -
click here to make sure you don't miss any of our future courses! 
 

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