Skillshare

Writing Authentic Fiction: How to Build a Believable Character

Name: Writing Authentic Fiction: How to Build a Believable Character
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (526 reviews)

4.5(526)14k students

Korshub's take

Characters That Feel Real and Complicated

Sabaa Tahir, bestselling author, teaches character development as the foundation of compelling fiction. A believable character needs clarity on three fronts: their goal (what they want), their motivation (why they want it), and their conflict (what stands in the way). Exercises walk you through defining these for your own characters.

The Character Interview technique—entering your character's mind to uncover insights—is the class's standout tool. Spend time with your characters and they stop being puppets. They feel like they could step off the page and want their own story told.

About this course

Want to write compelling fiction? The secret is creating authentic characters.

Join best-selling author Sabaa Tahir as she walks you through her personal process for crafting authentic characters! Packed with exercises, prompts, and tried-and-true techniques, this class will teach you how to create real and nuanced characters that feel like they could walk right off of the page. Once you master this, you'll be on your way to becoming the storyteller you've always dreamt of being. You’ll learn how to:

Define the goal, motivation, and conflict to set the groundwork for your character
Determine key attributes to build your character
Use different scenarios to situate your character and fuel the writing process

Plus, Sabaa walks you through her favorite exercise — The Character Interview — showing you how to enter your character’s mind to uncover insights and understand them on a whole new level.

Whether you’re new to writing or you’re looking to craft stronger characters, this class will give you the tools you need to develop the types of characters that stick with readers.

Note: This class contains spoilers for A Torch Against the Night, the second book in the An Ember in the Ashes series.