Creating Characters

When?

September 11th, 2021 1:00 PM — September 11th, 2021 4:00 PM

Where?

When?

September 11th, 2021 1:00 PM — September 11th, 2021 4:00 PM

Where?

Drawing on personality theories including the Enneagram and the seven deadly sins, this workshop will explore how to develop dynamic, three dimensional characters and villains with real personalities that jump off the page.

Participants will learn what motivates the different personality types, how they respond to conflict and fear, and how the different types relate to each other. As each type has a virtue and a corresponding vice, we will discover how they behave when there is an inner battle between these opposing forces. The session will include a few short writing exercises to explore how the different personalities act when functioning well versus functioning poorly. This will provide an opportunity to show how characters can mature or degenerate over the course of a story.

A number of writing exercises will be supplied to help flesh out characters and attendees will receive a resources list including further information about personality theories.

 

Participants will learn:

  • the nine basic personality types
  • the key human vices, their corresponding virtues and how they affect a character’s behaviour
  • the different types of fear that motivate a character
  • how to start with one trait then build on it using personality theory to create a three dimensional character.

 

About Marianne Musgrove

Marianne Musgrove is a South Australian children's author, poet and short story writer for adults. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and have garnered awards both here and overseas. These include the 2008 Australian Family Therapists’ Award for Children’s Literature for The Worry Tree, the 2011 Swiss Prix Chronos for Don’t Breathe a Word (German edition), and the 2013 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards short-list for The Beginner’s Guide to Revenge. She is a 2016 May Gibbs fellow and is currently working on an historical novel about blackbirding for which she received a Max Fatchen Fellowship. A fully qualified social worker, Marianne has a keen interest in personality theory, which she uses in her writing practice.

 

WSA Member $77/ Non-member $120

Venue: UniSA City West Campus, Level 5 / Room 15, Sir George Kingston Building

 

 

 

Registration Details

Registration for this event ended on September 10th, 2021 4:00 PM

Are you a member?

Not yet a Writers SA member? Join here for as little as $60!

Writers SA members receive

  • 30% discount on all workshops and services (excluding Teen Writers Club)
  • a free 20-minute consultation upon sign up
  • advice, information and support in your writing activities
  • career pathway support and opportunities
  • access to a community of writers
  • opportunities to meet industry professionals
  • opportunities for publication and promotion

Stay in the loop:

The latest literary news, events, opportunities, workshops, competitions and more, delivered weekly to your inbox.

Major Supporters