Join Our Upcoming Workshop!

Crafting Unforgettable Characters

Created by Connie Briscoe and ChatGPT

Do the characters in your stories fall flat? Are they uninspiring? Or do they seem to lack that special something that makes readers care?

Well, here's your chance to fix that. Crafting Unforgettable Characters: A Workshop is a three-week journey designed to help you bring the characters in your stories to life.

Many believe that characters are the most vital element of storytelling. While the setting provides the backdrop and the plot provides the framework, it's the characters—with their desires, goals, and struggles—who make readers care about the outcome. Readers can admire the setting or be intrigued by the plot, yet it's the characters who create the emotional connections that keep them turning the pages late into the night.

But creating characters who inspire deep connections with readers is not easy. It requires much more than deciding on hair color or occupation, or even personality traits such as whether they're an introvert or extrovert. These have their place, but where you really want to spend your time is digging deep enough to uncover and develop meaningful dreams, values, and beliefs that will help drive the plot.

In addition, the most compelling characters in literature aren't perfect. They have fears, flaws, and insecurities. They make mistakes. They face obstacles that challenge them as they pursue their goals and desires. In the most memorable stories, their journeys lead to transformation—for better or worse—which is known as a character arc.

In this upcoming workshop, we'll explore all of these facets of character development: what they are, when to use them, and how they work together. I'll include examples from my own novels. You'll get assignments that encourage you to apply what you’ve learned and further explore the topic using your ideas.

What to Expect

Week 1: Getting to Know Your Character

Essay:

• The importance of characterization in storytelling

• Including distinctive personality traits and physical characteristics that are relevant to the storyline

• Understanding what drives your character: goals, aspirations, and motivations

• Core beliefs and values: what your character stands for

Assignment: Interview questions and character development prompts that will help define a character who drives the story forward

Week 2: Challenging Your Character

Essay:

• Internal conflicts: insecurities, fears, and personal struggles

• External obstacles: antagonists, circumstances, and situations

• How inner and outer conflicts work together to create captivating drama

Assignment: Using hypothetical moral dilemma scenarios to explore how your character responds to conflicts and challenges

Week 3: Developing Character Arcs

Essay:

• What a character arc is and why your main character needs one

• Types of character arcs (positive, negative, flat)

• Creating meaningful transformation for your character

• How character growth relates to plot development

Assignment: Character arc planning exercises

Who This Workshop Is For

• Emerging storytellers who need guidance in developing characters

• Experienced writers who want to enhance their character development

• Writers who have gotten stuck because they feel their characters aren't engaging enough

I designed this workshop based on my own experiences writing bestselling novels and the questions I'm most frequently asked by writers about character development. The techniques I share are those that I use when crafting my characters.

How It Will Work

Each week, you'll receive an essay along with a related exercise. I've designed the exercises to be meaningful without being overwhelming. You'll have a full week to complete each exercise. Although I encourage you to keep pace with the weekly schedule, all materials will remain available to paid subscribers after the workshop ends.

It all begins on Wednesday, July 16, when our first lesson drops. As with all writing challenges and workshops at Behind the Chapters, it will be available to paid subscribers only. I love doing these, but a lot of work goes into creating and hosting them. The paywall also provides privacy that allows participants to feel more comfortable sharing their work, comments, and questions. You'll have access to all course lessons and exercises as long as you remain a paid subscriber. So you can take your time going through all the lessons.

NOTE: Through July 16, 2025, only, I’m offering a discount to those who sign up for an annual subscription to Behind the Chapters. Go here if you don’t want to miss this offer.

P.S. Have questions about the workshop? Leave them in the comments below, and I'll happily respond.

P.P.S. If you click the heart at the top, that lets me know you enjoyed reading this.

Thanks!