Crafting Secondary Characters: Beyond Friends, Foils & Foes

Well-drawn, diverse, complex secondary characters can add nuance, humor, and conflict to a novel or short story. This workshop will present different types of secondary characters—beyond merely friends, foes, and foils—and explore how to create them so they sing for themselves while also harmonizing with a main plot line. Using familiar books such as the Harry Potter series and The Queen’s Gambit as sample texts, we draw upon the psychologist Dan McAdams’s concept of the “personal myth” to examine economical ways to develop all three elements of the myth—backstory, world views, and desires—for secondary characters.Referring to their current work-in-progress, participants will respond to several writing prompts and leave with exercises in hand.

---

Details: Crafting Secondary Characters: Beyond Friends, Foils & Foes takes place Monday, November 4 from 6:30-8:30pm online via Zoom.

Prerequisite: None

Genre: Fiction

Level: All levels

Format: Craft talk

Location: This class takes place online via Zoom.

Size: Limited to 25 participants

Scholarships: Two scholarship spots are available for this class for writers in Northeast Ohio. Apply by August 19.

Cancellations & Refunds: Cancel at least 48 hours in advance of the first class meeting to receive a full refund. Email info@litcleveland.org.