Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/craft-of-character
Every great story hinges on compelling characters. If you’re an aspiring writer looking to breathe life into your creations, Coursera’s ‘Creative Writing: The Craft of Character’ course is an absolute must-take. This course delves deep into the art of character development, guiding you through the essential choices a writer makes to craft vivid, complex, and unforgettable individuals for your narratives.
From the very first module, ‘Discovering Characters from Your Life and Elsewhere,’ you’re encouraged to draw inspiration from your own experiences and the people around you. The course emphasizes that characters reveal themselves through conflict and desire, pushing you to explore what truly drives your creations. The analogy of Michelangelo chipping away at marble to reveal David is a powerful metaphor for refining your characters, focusing on what’s essential to the story.
The second module, ‘Creating Characters on the Page,’ moves from inspiration to execution. Here, you’ll learn how to translate your character concepts into tangible descriptions, both physical and through action. The course highlights the importance of voice and how a character’s dialogue can be a powerful tool for revealing their inner life. Crucially, it teaches that reader engagement comes not from likability, but from characters who need help, understanding, or even rescuing – making them relatable and compelling.
‘Dialogue and Monologue’ tackles the nuances of making your characters sound authentic. You’ll explore the role of the narrator’s attitude and learn techniques for constructing dialogue that feels real without being tedious. The focus on character idiosyncrasies and how to control them to advance the narrative is particularly valuable for adding depth and distinctiveness.
Finally, ‘Set Your Characters Free.. and Give Them Somewhere to Go’ brings everything together. This module encourages reflection on how readers learn about characters and how writers can deepen their own understanding. It examines the crucial role of the narrator and the narrative itself in shaping the reader’s perception, ensuring your characters not only come alive but also serve the overarching story effectively.
Through a series of written exercises and insightful discussions, this course equips you with a versatile toolkit of writing and pre-writing techniques. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your craft, ‘Creative Writing: The Craft of Character’ offers practical guidance and inspiring insights to help you build characters that resonate long after the last page is turned. Highly recommended for anyone serious about storytelling.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/craft-of-character