Think of some of your favourite novels. What do you remember most about them? Is it the details of the plot, the snappy dialogue, the cunning subtext? Probably not – what you are most likely to remember are the characters.
From Catherine Earnshaw to Katniss Everdeen, from Tom Jones to Tyrion Lannister, it’s the great characters that stick in the mind. They are the people we have come to know and love – or occasionally hate – on our reading journey. They are most often the protagonists, although minor characters can also be memorable – think Bill Sikes in Oliver Twist or Luna Lovegood in Harry Potter.
So what makes three-dimensional characters different from two-dimensional ones? And what is the secret of crafting rounded personalities?
Suitable for writers of all levels and abilities, this two-day weekend course with award-winning novelist Tim Lott combines practice and theory. You will spend Saturday morning doing fieldwork – close observation of real people. In the afternoon, you will have a chance to share your findings and analyse them in a group environment. Sunday is dedicated to exploring the theoretical nature of character in fiction.
Content
- Fieldwork: observing characters on the street and taking notes
- Analysing your findings with feedback from Tim and others
- The difference between character and characterisation
- Creating credible characters
- What makes us care about a character?
- How characters relate to one another
- Why all stories are the stories of a character’s change
Tutor profile
Tim Lott is the author of eight novels and Penguin Modern Classic memoir The Scent of Dried Roses. He is one of the most sought-after writing teachers in the country, particularly through his personal mentoring services. His writing has been highly praised by Hilary Mantel, Alan Bennett, Sebastian Faulks, Tony Parsons and Sarah Waters, among others. His students are equally enthusiastic – read their testimonials.
“Tim’s help got me to a point where I was ready to write my next draft. That next draft got me an agent”
Ben McPherson, A Line of Blood
“No one else could have taught me what Tim did. Without him I can safely say I would still be flailing around in piles of rejection slips”
Rebecca Thornton, The Exclusives
Details
Dates: Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 August 2017
Times: Weekend course, 10am-4pm
Location: The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU
Price: £449 (includes VAT, booking fee, lunch and refreshments)
Event capacity: 18
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Returns policy
Tickets may be refunded if you contact us at least 14 days before the course start date. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.
