Characters Masterclass
Recording of event from March 26, 2025
Create believable, compelling characters with this 90-minute masterclass hosted by C.S. Lakin and Katja Kaine–authors and writing coaches who have helped thousands of writers hone the craft of fiction.
Whether you prefer to meticulously plan every detail of your characters beforehand, or discover them as you write, this masterclass will give you the tools and insights to develop unforgettable personalities that drive your plot forward and keep readers hooked.
Two authors with two very different approaches, Lakin and Kaine guide you through the most crucial elements of creating dynamic characters while offering tips and tricks that appeal to plotters and pantsers alike. No matter your writing style, you’re sure to get plenty of value from this collaboration.
In this recording, you’ll be armed with the answers to questions like:
- How much do you really need to know about your characters before you can effectively start writing your story?
- How can you avoid stereotyping and superficiality?
- What makes a character complex and empathetic?
- Why is your premise crucial to character creation?
- What roles do secondary characters play and how can they contribute significantly to your story?
BONUS! Digital handouts and worksheets to help you apply everything you learned to your own projects.
This workshop was recorded on March 26, 2025 via Zoom. Click on the module in the curriculum to view the recording. You have lifetime access to the video.
Course Curriculum
Your Instructor
Katja Kaine is an award-winning author based in Yorkshire and the creator of The Novel Factory – writing software that brings order to the chaos of creativity.She has won and been short or longlisted for multiple awards for her writing, including SCBWI Undiscovered Voices 2022, The Northern Promise Award, the WriteMentor Novel in Development and Novel Awards and the Bath Children's Novel Award. Her debut YA Fantasy, Blood of Gods and Girls, was snapped up in a major pre-empt by Penguin Random House and is due to be launched early next year.
Your Instructor
C. S. Lakin is the award-winning author of thirty books and blogger at Live Write Thrive, a top-ten site for writers. She works as a book copyeditor and writing coach, specializing in manuscript critiques. Her writing craft book series The Writer's Toolbox teaches aspiring and experienced novelists how to write terrific stories. More than 5,000 writers have taken her online video courses over the last 10 years. She loves nothing more than to help writers craft stellar novels and experience success and joy in their writing journey.