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 plotline. 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.
Contact Karen for participation information.
Praise for Karen’s Workshops
“Karen outlined fifteen different types of secondary characters, fitting into three different “buckets” or categories: Characters that humanize the main character, ones that create animosity or confusion, and others that provide information, expertise, or guidance. This will add depth, humor, and conflict to your story. Her presentation kept my pen scribbling notes, and my mind scrambling to attach the personality types and functions to my own cast of characters. Some I had already crafted out of instinct, but her detailed analysis prompted me to inspect each one to decide whether they were fully rounded personalities with a specific goal in the story. A subplot I had been fumbling around with suddenly took on shape and emotional significance after listening to her presentation.” –Kathryn Helstrom, Vice President, Tulsa NightWriters
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About Karen
Karen received her Ph.D. in English literature from New York University and subsequently taught at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her first novel, A Lady in the Smoke, was a USA Today bestseller and A Dangerous Duet and A Trace of Deceit have won awards for historical mystery and historical fiction. Down a Dark River introduces readers to Inspector Michael Corravan, a former thief and bare-knuckles boxer. The sequel, Under a Veiled Moon was recently nominated for a Lefty Award. Karen lives in Arizona with her family, and she loves to hike the Sonoran Desert. Read More