Crafting Dynamic Characters (Writing Mastery) from Udemy

Student Reviews For "Crafting Dynamic Characters":

"One of the most helpful and eye-opening writing courses I've ever taken." - Daryl

"I am amazed at how much my writing has improved since beginning this course. This course has sparked many ideas for new characters. I can't wait to tell their story." - Tunisia W.

"Whether a professional or a beginner, you have something to benefit from this course." - John Paul N.

If there’s one secret to crafting dynamic characters that readers will remember it’s this:

Connection.

The job of a fiction writer is not just to create interesting, compelling, and unique characters, but to weave those characters into the prose in a way that engages readers and connects them to the story.

Because you can have the most interesting, compelling, unique characters in the world but if you can’t effectively reveal those characters to your readers in a way that inspires them to keep reading, what’s the point?

Welcome to Writing Mastery: Crafting Dynamic Characters

In this course, taught by character guru, literary agent and freelance editor, Mary Kole, (and developed with bestselling author and #1 bestselling Udemy instructor, Jessica Brody) you’ll learn how to not only create fully fleshed-out, dynamic characters, but also how to reveal themand all of their wonderful nuancesin a way that grabs the reader’s attention, inspires their imagination, and captures their heart.

Mary Kole has been working with writers as a publishing assistant, literary agent, editor and writing teacher for more than a decade. She’s helped thousands of authors take flat, underdeveloped characters and turn them into dynamic ones that leap off the page.

This course was produced and co-instructed by bestselling author Jessica Brody as part of the Writing Mastery series whose courses have over 50,000 enrolled students and over 5,000 5-star reviews on Udemy.

In this course, Mary Kole teaches her "secret sauce" for character success, centering around the concept of Interiority (the character’s inner life). Mary will break down, step by step the process of building and nurturing that invaluable reader/character relationship and provide you with 7 vital tools for weaving characters into your prose in an engaging way. Additionally, she’ll break down the 4 Foundations of a Dynamic Character and walk you through the process of brainstorming and developing your own.

And throughout the course, she’ll give you tons of examples, actionable tips, and exercises to help you apply what you’ve learned and put your new skills to work. By the end of this course, you’ll have:

A solid understanding of why readers fall in love with characters and what makes for an interactive reading experience (an essential component of any successful story)
7 tools for effectively revealing characters to your readers in a way that engages them and makes them an active part of your story
A firm grasp of the 4 foundations that make up a dynamic character
At least one fully fleshed-out character that you can use to elevate a current work in progress or start a new story

Plus, along the way, in order to help solidify the skills taught in this course, instructors Jessica Brody and Mary Kole will take on each of the exercises in the course and share their results in fun, critique-group style “Instructor Jam” sessions. Seeing how professional writers approach the exercises will provide even more insight and context into how dynamic characters are crafted and revealed on the page.

"So in depth, so broken down into easily digestible, yummy little tid-bits of crafty goodness. I love it. " - Kat L.

"[This course] is amazing and it has been quite helpful. " - Siya S.

"Unbelievable information" - Richard R.

“This is ‘just in time’ knowledge for my first novel. ” - Johnny P.

This Course Includes:

Tons of fun, inspiring writing prompts designed to break you out of old patterns, get you thinking about character in a new way, and help you apply all the skills taught in the course
Examples from popular works of fiction to provide context and enhance your understanding of the material
Tips and advice from a true publishing-industry insider on how to make fresh choices, brainstorm with confidence, and elevate your fiction writing and character development skills

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, whether you have an idea for a story, are revising an existing project, or just looking for inspiration, this course is sure to take your character development skills to the next level.

"This is the most dynamic exciting writing course I have ever taken. It’s concrete easy to follow, and has great guidelines to make one a better writer." - Marie-Louise M.

"I struggled with the concept of dynamic characters, despite numerous articles and different courses touching on the topic. With this course I finally understand it. "- Marieka V.

"...brilliant tips and tricks. This course unblocked me and inspired me to take out all of the drafts piling up in my drawers, and get on with the writing." - Tihana R.

"I had some unexpected major breakthroughs about how to energize my main character's motivation, personality, and inner voice." - Renay J.

"This course has been amazing to highlight the importance of characters and give the much needed tools on what to do with them and make them stand out to the reader." - Limahl R.

7 stars.

"Just, WOW. FULL of tips, tricks, resources, references, and actionable steps" - Tracy"Superb. Clear and engaging - Dan"Thorough, accurate, and well-presented I would recommend Jessica Brody’s courses to any writer eager to rise." - Mark"Jessica Brody's courses are all thorough, entertaining, and extremely helpful." - Tricia"As always, Jessica Brody delivers an insider's knowledge and the tools to move forward in the process, now. " - Sue"Very informative and well worth the time and cost." - Noel "Clear, concise, & well-narrated with an abundance of enthusiasm." - Christopher"This course is worth far more than the price of admission. " - Talmage"Jessica Brody has a gift for distilling lots of hard-earned information into concise and tasty bites." - Katherine"If you write (or plan to write), get this course" - Scott"I have learned so much information that has helped me in the writing process." - Christy"Good pacing, great tools, wonderful ideas... loving this course. " - Regina"Love the videos. Very easy to understand and lots of great tips. " - Lisa

What's inside

Learning objectives

What makes readers fall in love with characters
How to breathe life into flat characters
7 tools for effectively revealing your characters to the reader
The 4 foundations that make up all dynamic characters

The importance of accessing a character's "interiority" and how to use it to elevate your fiction writing
How to brainstorm and develop dynamic characters from the ground up
How to develop your character's "voice"
How to build and nurture the essential "reader/character" connection

What makes readers fall in love with characters
How to breathe life into flat characters
7 tools for effectively revealing your characters to the reader
The 4 foundations that make up all dynamic characters
The importance of accessing a character's "interiority" and how to use it to elevate your fiction writing
How to brainstorm and develop dynamic characters from the ground up
How to develop your character's "voice"
How to build and nurture the essential "reader/character" connection

Syllabus

Meet your instructor, Character Guru Mary Kole, and learn why developing dynamic characters is so important in fiction writing

What is it that makes readers fall in love with certain characters? Jessica introduces character guru, Mary Kole, who knows all about creating dynamic characters that leap off the page and into readers’ hearts.

Why do our favorite stories become favorites? Mary shares what she’s learned in over a decade of helping writers who struggle with character development.

Mary breaks down the course and introduces the all-important concept of “interiority”.

Readers have one big question when they start any new story. Join Mary to learn what readers want to know most!

Join instructors Jessica and Mary to see how they tackled the Game of “And So?”

Think you know all there is to know about the old advice, “show, don’t tell”? Think again! Join Mary to learn the 7 Tools for Revealing Character.

How will you convey your character’s experience? Mary breaks down the most common types of Point of View and shares advice on how to choose which one best suits your story.

Mary breaks down Tool #1: Thought, and shows how accessing a character’s thoughts can play an important role in building a dynamic character.

Exercise to practice revealing character through thought.

Join instructors Jessica and Mary to see how they tackled the Penny For Your Thoughts exercise.

Mary breaks down Tool #2: Reaction, and shows how in order to build a strong interior life for your character, you also need to focus on the exterior.

Exercise to practice revealing character through reaction

Join instructors Jessica and Mary to see how they tackled the Reaction Shot exercise

What a character says can be just as important as what they think or do! Mary breaks down Tool #3: Dialogue, and shows how the three main types of dialogue can reveal who your character is.

Exercise to practice revealing character through dialogue.

Join instructors Jessica and Mary to see how they tackled the What’s Really Being Said exercise

Writers are always told their work needs to have an interesting or compelling voice. Mary breaks down Tool #4: Voice, and explains what Voice actually is, how to develop it, and how you can use it to reveal your character to your readers.

Exercise to practice revealing character through voice.

Join instructors Jessica and Mary to see how they tackled the Voice Extremes exercise

Mary dives deeper into character with Tool #5: Emotions, and shows how you can begin layering the previous Tools to effectively reveal a character’s emotions on the page.

Exercise to practice revealing character through emotions.

Join instructors Jessica and Mary to see how they tackled the Emotional Taboo exercise

Mary breaks down Tool #6: Inner Struggle, and shows how the four types of inner struggle can reveal a lot about your character.

Exercise to practice revealing character through inner struggle.

Join instructors Jessica and Mary to see how they tackled the Easily Triggered exercise

Characters shouldn’t go it alone! Mary breaks down Tool #7: Other Characters, and shows how our secondary characters play a big role in revealing the protagonist.

Exercise to practice revealing character through other characters.

Join instructors Jessica and Mary to see how they tackled the What Can You Do For Me? exercise

Now that you’ve learned all the 7 Tools For Revealing Character, Mary introduces the four key Foundations of a Dynamic Character and explains how you can use them to create, brainstorm, and develop a dynamic character of your own!

Exercise to begin fleshing out your protagonist. If you don’t already have a character to work with, you’ll receive a randomly generated “Practice Protagonist” that you can work with and develop throughout the course.

Join instructors Jessica and Mary to see how they tackled the Meet Your Protagonist! exercise

Mary introduces Foundation #1: Wounds, and explains how the wounds of your character’s past create the conflicts that makes them worth reading about!

Exercise to practice developing your character's wound.

Join instructors Jessica and Mary to see how they tackled the Wounds exercise

Wounded characters turn into characters with Needs. Mary introduces Foundation #2: Needs, and how they play a role in shaping the interiority of great characters.

Exercise to practice developing your character's need.

Join instructors Jessica and Mary to see how they tackled the Needs exercise

What is your character after? Mary moves from a character’s past to their present and introduces Foundation #3: Objectives.

Exercise to practice developing your character's objective.

Join instructors Jessica and Mary to see how they tackled the Objectives exercise

Why does your character want what they want? Mary answers that all-important question with Foundation #4: Motivations, and shows how all four foundations come together to create dynamic characters readers love.

Exercise to practice developing your character's motivation.

Join instructors Jessica and Mary to see how they tackled the Motivations exercise

Chances are you’re not writing a story with only one character. Other characters bring conflict and complexity to a story, and Mary explains how to create well-crafted Secondary Characters, including a villain readers will love to hate!

Human beings don’t stay the same, and neither should your characters. Learn what it means to create characters who grow and change over the course of your story.

So, what’s next? Mary will introduce some options for moving beyond the tools and foundations you’ve learned in this course. No matter where you are on your writing journey, you’ll have plenty of choices!

Some final pieces of advice from Mary on creating your own dynamic characters.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Breaks down character development into actionable steps, which is helpful for both beginners and experienced writers looking to refine their craft

Includes exercises and examples from popular fiction, which provides practical application and enhances understanding of character development techniques

Instructed by Mary Kole, a literary agent and editor, who brings industry expertise and insights into what makes characters compelling to readers and publishers

Covers the concept of 'interiority,' which is a unique approach to character development that focuses on the character's inner life and its impact on the story

Features 'Instructor Jam' sessions where the instructors complete the exercises, offering additional insights and perspectives on character creation

Explores the seven tools for revealing character, which provides a structured approach to showing character traits and motivations to the reader

Reviews summary

Mastering dynamic character creation for writers

According to learners, this course provides an incredibly helpful and eye-opening approach to crafting dynamic characters. Students consistently praise the expert instruction by Mary Kole, finding her methods clear, concise, and easy to follow. The course focuses on character interiority and provides actionable tools and foundations that writers can immediately apply. Many report significant improvement in their writing and newfound inspiration. The Instructor Jam sessions with Jessica Brody and Mary Kole are noted as a valuable addition. While suitable for both beginners and experienced writers, the exercises and examples are highlighted as particularly effective for solidifying understanding and unblocking creative flow.

Instructor examples aid understanding.

"Seeing how professional writers approach the exercises will provide even more insight and context into how dynamic characters are crafted and revealed on the page."

"Join instructors Jessica and Mary to see how they tackled the... exercise"

Emphasizes character's inner life for depth.

"Mary will break down, step by step the process of building and nurturing that invaluable reader/character relationship and provide you with 7 vital tools for weaving characters into your prose in an engaging way."

"...emphasizes the importance of accessing a character's "interiority" and how to use it to elevate your fiction writing"

"I had some unexpected major breakthroughs about how to energize my main character's motivation, personality, and inner voice."

Practice activities enhance learning and application.

"Tons of fun, inspiring writing prompts designed to break you out of old patterns, get you thinking about character in a new way, and help you apply all the skills taught in the course"

"Examples from popular works of fiction to provide context and enhance your understanding of the material"

"...brilliant tips and tricks. This course unblocked me and inspired me to take out all of the drafts piling up in my drawers, and get on with the writing."

Students report notable positive changes in their work.

"I am amazed at how much my writing has improved since beginning this course."

"I have learned so much information that has helped me in the writing process."

"It’s concrete easy to follow, and has great guidelines to make one a better writer."

Beneficial for both new and experienced writers.

"Whether a professional or a beginner, you have something to benefit from this course."

"Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out... this course is sure to take your character development skills to the next level."

"I struggled with the concept of dynamic characters... With this course I finally understand it."

Instructor Mary Kole's teaching is highly praised.

"So in depth, so broken down into easily digestible, yummy little tid-bits of crafty goodness. I love it."

"Clear and engaging"

"Very easy to understand and lots of great tips."

"Mary Kole has a gift for distilling lots of hard-earned information into concise and tasty bites."

Course offers concrete tools for character development.

"FULL of tips, tricks, resources, references, and actionable steps"

"...concrete easy to follow, and has great guidelines to make one a better writer."

"...give the much needed tools on what to do with them and make them stand out to the reader."

"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Crafting Dynamic Characters (Writing Mastery) with these activities:

Review Key Literary Terms

Show steps

Familiarize yourself with essential literary terms to better understand the course's character analysis and development techniques.

Show steps

Create a list of key literary terms related to character development.
Define each term in your own words.
Find examples of each term in well-known books or stories.

Read 'Story Genius' by Lisa Cron

Show steps

Explore the science behind effective storytelling to enhance your understanding of character development and reader engagement.

View Story Genius on Amazon

Show steps

Read 'Story Genius' by Lisa Cron.
Take notes on key concepts related to character motivation and arc.
Reflect on how these concepts can be applied to your own writing.

Character Profile Deep Dive

Show steps

Create a detailed profile of a character from a favorite book, analyzing their interiority, motivations, and arc to solidify your understanding of dynamic character development.

Show steps

Choose a character from a book you admire.
Analyze their wounds, needs, objectives, and motivations.
Write a detailed character profile, including examples from the text.
Present your character profile to a writing group or online forum for feedback.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Write a Short Story Excerpt

Show steps

Practice the techniques learned in the course by writing a short story excerpt that focuses on revealing a character's interiority through their thoughts, reactions, and dialogue.

Show steps

Brainstorm a character with a compelling inner life.
Write a short story excerpt (500-1000 words) that reveals their interiority.
Focus on using thoughts, reactions, and dialogue to show their personality.
Revise and edit your excerpt for clarity and impact.

Character Critique Exchange

Show steps

Participate in a peer critique session, providing and receiving feedback on character development techniques to refine your skills and gain new perspectives.

Show steps

Find a writing partner or join a critique group.
Exchange character profiles or short story excerpts with your partner(s).
Provide constructive feedback on their character development techniques.
Receive and reflect on feedback on your own work.

Read 'Creating Character Arcs' by K.M. Weiland

Show steps

Study character arcs to deepen your understanding of how characters evolve and change throughout a story, enhancing the emotional impact of your writing.

View Creating Character Arcs: The Masterful Author's... on Amazon

Show steps

Read 'Creating Character Arcs' by K.M. Weiland.
Identify the different types of character arcs discussed in the book.
Analyze the character arcs of characters in your favorite books.

Tutor Aspiring Writers

Show steps

Reinforce your understanding of character development by mentoring aspiring writers, sharing your knowledge and providing feedback on their work.

Show steps

Volunteer to tutor aspiring writers at a local school or community center.
Offer feedback on their character development techniques.
Share your knowledge of the course materials.

Career center

Learners who complete Crafting Dynamic Characters (Writing Mastery) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Novelist

A novelist crafts compelling stories, and this course directly addresses the core of fiction writing by focusing on crafting dynamic characters. From beginning to end, a novelist must ensure that their characters engage readers and inspire them to turn the page. This 'Crafting Dynamic Characters' course helps a novelist learn how to reveal those characters in a way that grabs the reader’s attention and captures their heart. The course's focus on interiority, the vital tools for character revelation, and the foundations of a dynamic character will all help a novelist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Novelist

Screenwriter

A screenwriter develops stories for film and television, and this course on crafting dynamic characters is essential for success. Compelling characters drive screenplays, and a screenwriter must create characters with depth that connect with audiences. This 'Crafting Dynamic Characters' course provides tools for character development, teaching you how to use interiority to build rich characters as well as how to reveal those characters in a way that grabs the viewer’s attention and captures their heart. The course's discussion of character voice and inner struggle would be directly applicable to writing memorable screen characters.

See salaries and explore the career path for Screenwriter

Video Game Writer

A video game writer creates narratives, dialogue, and character backstories for video games. This course helps a video game writer develop dynamic characters that players connect with. Characters drive player engagement, and this 'Crafting Dynamic Characters' course emphasizes how to build the reader/character relationship. The course's instruction on using interiority, revealing character emotions, and developing character voice will all help a video game writer create compelling characters.

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Comic Book Writer

A comic book writer develops stories and scripts for comic books and graphic novels. Character development is paramount in comics, requiring a comic book writer to create visual and emotionally resonant characters. This 'Crafting Dynamic Characters' course will directly help a comic book writer learn how to create characters that engage readers and inspire them to keep reading. The course's focus on the foundations of dynamic characters, including wounds, needs, objectives, and motivations, provides a framework for creating heroes and villains that resonate.

See salaries and explore the career path for Comic Book Writer

Playwright

A playwright writes scripts for stage performances, and this course can help a playwright create memorable and engaging characters. Audience connection is key to a play's success, and a playwright must develop characters that resonate with viewers. Enrolling in 'Crafting Dynamic Characters' can help a playwright learn how to reveal characters through dialogue, emotion, and inner struggle, ensuring that those characters capture the audience's attention. The course's coverage of character voice and secondary characters would also be beneficial to a playwright.

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Fiction Editor

A fiction editor works with authors to improve their manuscripts. This course helps a fiction editor understand the elements of dynamic character development. By learning the techniques taught in 'Crafting Dynamic Characters', a fiction editor can better assess and guide authors in strengthening their characters' interiority, motivations, and emotional impact. The course's emphasis on the reader/character connection will also help a fiction editor provide valuable feedback on a manuscript's ability to engage its audience. A fiction editor with advanced knowledge may require a master's degree.

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Literary Agent

A literary agent represents authors and sells their work to publishers. This course may help a literary agent identify manuscripts with well-developed characters and offer informed feedback to their clients. The 'Crafting Dynamic Characters' course provides insights into what makes characters compelling and engaging, which is crucial for assessing a manuscript's potential. This course would give a literary agent a more discerning eye for character development, which is helpful to their business. To become a literary agent often requires a bachelor's degree.

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English Teacher

An English teacher instructs students in reading, writing, and literature. This course can help an English teacher enhance their understanding of character development and better guide students in their own creative writing endeavors. By learning the techniques taught in 'Crafting Dynamic Characters', an English teacher can provide more effective instruction on character analysis, plot development, and storytelling. The course's focus on interiority, motivations, and emotional impact would be valuable for teaching students how to create compelling and believable characters. An English teacher typically needs a bachelor's degree or higher.

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Content Writer

A content writer creates written material for websites, blogs, and other digital platforms. While not always focused on fiction, understanding character development may help a content writer craft more engaging and relatable content. Even in non-fiction writing, the principles of character voice and emotional connection taught in 'Crafting Dynamic Characters' can be applied to create compelling narratives and build a stronger connection with the audience. This is especially true for content writing in marketing and advertising, where creating relatable characters helps attract customers.

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Copywriter

A copywriter writes persuasive marketing and advertising materials. Course concepts can help a copywriter create more customer personas and better understand buyer motivations. Even though copywriting isn't long-form fiction or creative nonfiction, it still involves putting a concept or good across to a potential customer to convince that customer of the value proposition. The principles of character voice and emotional connection taught in 'Crafting Dynamic Characters' may be applied in their marketing campaigns to better relate to customers.

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Technical Writer

A technical writer creates documentation for software, hardware, or other technical products. This course may provide a unique perspective on understanding user motivations and creating user-friendly content. While technical writing is primarily informational, understanding the principles of character development taught in 'Crafting Dynamic Characters' can help a technical writer better anticipate user needs and create documentation that is clear, concise, and engaging. This is especially true for documentation that involves user stories or scenarios.

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Grant Writer

A grant writer researches and writes proposals to secure funding for organizations. This course may help a grant writer craft more compelling narratives that highlight the impact of their organization's work. While grant writing requires a focus on factual information and data, storytelling can be a powerful tool for engaging potential funders. The principles of character development taught in 'Crafting Dynamic Characters' can help a grant writer create compelling narratives that resonate with readers, while also accurately and ethically portraying the facts of a given situation.

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Journalist

A journalist researches and writes news articles and features. This course may provide insights into crafting compelling narratives and understanding human motivations, even within the constraints of factual reporting. While journalism emphasizes objectivity, the principles of character development taught in 'Crafting Dynamic Characters' can help a journalist create more engaging and relatable stories that connect with readers on an emotional level. This is especially true for long-form journalism and feature writing.

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Public Relations Specialist

A public relations specialist manages communication between an organization and the public. This course may help a public relations specialist craft more compelling narratives and build stronger relationships with stakeholders. While public relations requires a focus on strategic messaging and reputation management, storytelling can be a powerful tool for engaging audiences. The principles of character development taught in 'Crafting Dynamic Characters' can help a public relations specialist create relatable narratives that resonate with readers.

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Social Media Manager

A social media manager oversees an organization's social media presence. This course may help a social media manager develop brand personas and create more engaging content that resonates with their audience. While social media management requires a focus on trends and analytics, understanding the principles of character development taught in 'Crafting Dynamic Characters' can help a social media manager create more relatable brand voices and craft content that connects with followers on an emotional level.

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Crafting Dynamic Characters (Writing Mastery)

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Mastering dynamic character creation for writers

Activities

Career center

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