Character is the ground zero of so much storytelling. How do we give them body and believability so they appear real on the page and best tell the story they are in?

All characters in storytelling should be difficult characters. When we read a book they should surprise us, delight us and leave us feeling a little unsafe. Award-winning author Peter Polites (Down The Hume, The Pillars) will explain his process of character development and help participants give their creations the love and attention that makes them appear real on the page.

Through a series of intensive planning sessions you will be doing the important work of studying complex characters in order to shape your own.

We will take you through the essentials of building diverse, interesting and multi-layered characters who challenge our assumptions, transfix us, and stay with us long after a book is finished.