Alida Winternheimer – Going from Blank to Real with Character Traits

Going from Blank to Real with Character Traits

In this Story Works Fiction single topic course, we’ll explore character development from the very beginning. We get to know our characters the same way we get to know real people: from the outside in. It all begins with traits, those identifiable characteristics and qualities we use to identify and understand each other.

As writers, we get to define our characters, building them from the blank page up. That’s exciting, but it can be a daunting task. In this course, we’ll break it down from the first step. The material is straightforward and may even seem simple. But simple can be powerful, especially when you understand how to work with it.

Any time you sit down to write a new character, start here. You’ll have a real person ready to write into your plot in no time…and that’s when the fun begins!

Your Instructor

Alida Winternheimer

Alida has been writing her entire life and teaching for over a decade, from high school to graduate level courses, and lots of writing workshops in between. She is the author of the Story Works Guide to Writing Fiction Series, A Stone’s Throw, The Skoghall Mystery Series, and numerous short stories. When she’s not writing or teaching, you can spot her around Minneapolis on her bike, in her kayak, or being walked by her golden retriever.

• She is your writing coach and developmental editor at www.WordEssential.com.
• Listen to the Story Works Round Table podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
• Get writing tips at www.WordEssential.com/blog and on Youtube.

Course Curriculum

Going from Blank to Real with Character Traits
Going from Blank to Real with Character Traits: a Story Works Fiction Single Topic Course

Module 0 | Welcome! (3:30)

Module 1 | The Tabula Rasa (5:55)

Module 2 | What Before Who (3:41)

Module 3 | Four Basic Questions Exercise (7:16)

Module 4 | Appearances Speak Volumes (3:54)

Module 5 | The Power of Observation Exercise (2:46)

Module 6 | The Case for Specificity (5:18)

Module 7 | Character Building Exercise (5:30)

Module 8 | Final Words (1:48)

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