https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/en-USTelligent Community 10https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/character-development/6461/creating-captivating-characters-in-fictionTue, 16 Jun 2026 19:16:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:33d916f1-69a0-4dc2-a3fb-7b43e8e9924bJeanne Lyet GassmanStrong stories need a plot, a setting, and most importantly, engaging characters. Agents and editors will tell you that all stories are character-driven. However, if your characters are stereotypes, one-dimensional, or predictable, the reader will soon lose interest. Readers are engaged with characters who are relatable, flawed, and unique. But how do you accomplish that in fiction? In this webinar, award-winning author Jeanne Lyet Gassman looks at the tricks you can use to create strong, memorable characters that are supported by a fascinating cast. She addresses a number of different character crafting techniques, including: defining your characters' formative years, understanding body language and the use of physical space, how opposites create tension and interest, using dialogue to illustrate emotions and need, and how to make troubled characters likable. Here are the 4 handouts referenced in the session: www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ALC-Character-Summary-Handout.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../7380.ALC-Character-Worksheet-Handout.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../5811.ALC-Character-Traits-Handout.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../6560.ALC-Plutchick_2700_s-Wheel-Handout.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../CreatingCaptivatingCharactersinFiction26.mp4 About the Presenter: Jeanne Lyet Gassman lives in the mountains of New Mexico where she writes and teaches. Her debut novel, Blood of a Stone (Tuscany Press), received a Bronze 2015 Independent Publisher Book Award. Her short work has been nominated for Best Small Fictions and the Pushcart Prize. Other awards include fellowships from Ragdale and the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Her short fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry have been published in numerous literary magazines and anthologies, including 45 Poems of Protest: The Pandemic, Bosque7, Dear America: Reflections on Race, Debris & Detritus: The Lesser Greek Gods Running Amok, The Manifest-Station, Queen Mob's Tea House, and Hippocampus Magazine , among many others. Jeanne recently received a New Mexico Writers Grant for her novel-in-progress, a story about a family of downwinders who were affected by the radioactive fallout from the atomic bomb tests in Nevada. You can learn more about Jeanne at her website: www.jeannelyetgassman.com or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JeanneLyetGassman .fictionSubscriberRecorded Webinarhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/plot-planning/8485/the-familial-bonds-at-the-center-of-when-the-fireflies-danceMon, 08 Jun 2026 19:49:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:30b7815c-f650-49d1-b05d-fb0d2ed0cdc2Aisha HassanAisha Hassan, author of When the Fireflies Dance , digs into the familial bonds at the center of the book, and how the book's themes are ripe for discussion with book clubs. For more on this award-winning writer, poet, and playwright visit https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Aisha-Hassan/209772948 . www.youtube.com/watchCommercial FictionfictionLiterary FictionWomen’s Fictionvideohttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/identifying-your-genre/8484/can-horror-go-too-farTue, 26 May 2026 14:04:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:74cc0b0d-957b-4e53-aa3b-88b103fd5826Luke DumasHow far is too far (or not far enough) when it comes to horror? Horror author Luke Dumas discusses scenes in his latest novel Nothing Tastes As Good with his editor. For more on this bestselling, award-winning author visit https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Luke-Dumas/189198799 . youtube.com/watchfictionThriller & SuspensevideoHorrorhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/identifying-your-genre/8471/is-the-early-2000s-historical-fictionMon, 02 Mar 2026 15:59:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:d789eaa4-7446-4565-92f9-237ad16a1ba6Kate BelliKate Belli, author of The Gallery Assistant and the widely praised Gilded Gotham historical mystery series, explains how she's had to reconceptualize her novel as a post-9/11 period piece. This twisty and sinister thriller follows a New York art gallery assistant reckoning with her past as she is trapped in a web of deceit after an up-and-coming painter is murdered—perfect for fans of Katy Hays and Julia Bartz. For more on this author, gallery director, and college professor visit: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Kate-Belli/232602393 . www.youtube.com/watchfictionThriller & SuspensevideomysteryHistorical Fictionhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/plot-planning/8455/the-historical-hauntings-that-inspired-this-novelMon, 27 Oct 2025 20:50:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:00cb3d3c-0472-46fb-877c-fd4ec3ef14b0Christina LiChristina Li shares the historical context that inspired her novel, The Manor of Dreams, her adult literary debut. She is the award-winning author of children’s and young adult books Clues to the Universe, Ruby Lost and Found, and True Love and Other Impossible Odds, which have been selected as a Washington Post summer book club pick, one of the NPR and New York Public Library Best Books of the Year , and recognized for the Asian Pacific American Librarians’ Award for Best Children’s Literature . For more on Christina Li visit: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Christina-Li/213966675 . www.youtube.com/watchfictionLiterary FictionvideoWomen's FictionHistorical FictionHorrorhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/points-of-view/8446/how-lisa-jewell-writes-multiple-povsMon, 25 Aug 2025 13:32:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:12515f37-2e9a-43c7-b6d6-b2d7801b1a29Lisa JewellHow does Lisa Jewell get in the heads of not just so many characters, but so many different characters? For more on this #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-three novels visit: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Lisa-Jewell/75656043 . www.youtube.com/watchfictionvideohttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/character-development/8445/backstory-it-s-not-a-bad-wordWed, 13 Aug 2025 19:11:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:30b3fcce-99ce-452c-98f1-b5efa01ee369Jennifer CrosswhiteAnd Done Right, it Gives Your Characters Everything They Need to Come to Life on Your Page Backstory is one of the most common issues authors struggle with. Done poorly, it results in info dumps that stall the narrative. And yet we are all creatures of our pasts, and our characters are no exception. Letting your readers in on what makes your characters tick will help draw them in emotionally. Backstory can be a powerful tool when used correctly. We'll explore how to do that in this webinar with author, editor, and book coach Jennifer Crosswhite. This session includes tips for both fiction authors and memoir authors. Here is the handout referenced in the session: www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ALC_5F00_Backstory-Handout.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../BackstoryItsnotabadword.mp4 About the Presenter: Jennifer Crosswhite is owner and CEO of Tandem Services, an author services company that empowers influencers to harness the transformative power of story to spread their message, create an impact, and leave a legacy. Her twenty years’ experience spans both sides of the publishing desk, from managing editor to author of 20 books and counting.fictionBiographies & MemoirSubscriberRecorded Webinarhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/identifying-your-genre/8444/how-a-lifelong-love-of-science-fiction-inspired-this-novelMon, 11 Aug 2025 14:07:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:bc9ba229-9369-47de-8be2-85c9ab796ea4Lincoln MichelAuthor Lincoln Michel discusses how a lifetime journey through science fiction inspired his new novel Metallic Realms . Lincoln Michel’s previous books are the story collection Upright Beasts and the novel The Body Scout , which was named one of the 10 Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Books of 2021 by The New York Times and one of the 50 Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time by Esquire . For more on this critically acclaimed author visit https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Lincoln-Michel/216701549 . www.youtube.com/watchfictionvideoScience Fiction & Fantasyhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/ending-a-story/1988/epilogues---articleMon, 23 Jun 2025 19:01:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:07656561-047a-421d-a75e-819203f7089bAuthor Learning CenterAn epilogue is defined by Merriam Webster as a concluding section that rounds out the design of a literary work; in simple terms, the concluding section of a story. Some books refer to it as an “Afterword”, but the gist is the same. It’s a way to tie up loose ends, or to inform the reader of the ultimate fate of a character or characters. But why would an author wait until the epilogue to conclude the story? Why not wrap up the story within the story itself? This makes the reading experience far more satisfactory, and speaks volumes about your talents as a writer and a storyteller. Granted, sometimes an epilogue can be appropriate, even preferable. Those instances are rare. But when you, as an author, feel that an epilogue is necessary, there are some simple rules you should follow: Keep the epilogue “short and sweet.” If it’s not worth including in the body of the story, it’s not worth a great deal of words. Address smaller issues, not critical plot elements. For example, things that happen long after the story has concluded. Consider using the narration style and speaking directly to the reader. Be concise, to the point. Don’t ramble. Rambling on and on is always bad, but ever so much more obvious when it’s in an epilogue. Ideally, the epilogue should include something humorous or surprising. It may not have been considered worthy of including in the main body of the book, but adds to the readers’ enjoyment of the overall work. If you’re planning a sequel, the epilogue can be a good way to open the readers’ eyes to this possibility. For example, if the main character of your book dies at the end of the story, the epilogue might be a good stage upon which to introduce the future protagonist. For the most part, though, including an epilogue in your book is not recommended. The best books include the beginning, middle and end within the body of the story.articlefictionhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/plot-planning/8434/plot-pants-blueprintTue, 13 May 2025 20:46:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:8c16bd65-1380-48a9-b1d7-6fc7d09846d7Jennifer CrosswhiteThe System Any Kind of Writer Can Use to Create Compelling Characters and Page-Turning Plots In this session with book coach, editor, and bestselling author Jennifer Crosswhite, you'll learn how to write deep characters and compelling plot lines without endless planning, massive rewrites, and still have fun. Here is the handout referenced in the session: www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Plot-Pants-blueprint-handout.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../PlotPantsBlueprintTheSystemAnyKindofWriterCanUse.mp4 About the Presenter: Jennifer Crosswhite is owner and CEO of Tandem Services, an author services company that empowers influencers to harness the transformative power of story to spread their message, create an impact, and leave a legacy. Her twenty years’ experience spans both sides of the publishing desk, from managing editor to author of 20 books and counting.fictionNonfictionSubscriberRecorded Webinarhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/points-of-view/8427/how-to-write-a-historical-sagaMon, 10 Mar 2025 16:23:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:5cb79e04-878b-4439-bbca-7763ce0eb576Signe PikeAuthor Signe Pike chats about building the world of The Shadowed Land , which reimagines the legends of King Arthur by resurrecting the real historical figures who inspired these enduring tales. She discusses writing in multiple points of view, and how this approach keeps the story going. Signe Pike is the author of The Lost Queen series, recently optioned for television, and the travel memoir Faery Tale . She has researched and written about Celtic history and folklore for over a decade. For more on this author visit https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Signe-Pike/101034402 . www.youtube.com/watchfictionvideoHistorical Fictionhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/identifying-your-genre/8423/the-art-of-the-slow-burn-romanceMon, 10 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:53a0af3b-155c-4607-90cf-8026e500017fPenn ColeAuthor Penn Cole loves to read AND write a slow burn romance! Penn Cole is an internationally bestselling author of magical worlds, feisty women, and angsty romance. Her debut series, The Kindred’s Curse Saga , has been sold in sixteen languages to date. For more on this author visit https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Penn-Cole/228975783 . www.youtube.com/watchfictionRomance and Eroticavideohttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/character-development/4008/how-can-you-tell-you-have-a-great-character-_2d00_-video?CommentId=02d9d6b5-5a8a-4dd2-852e-e5c2851c0d74Fri, 15 Nov 2024 22:16:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:02d9d6b5-5a8a-4dd2-852e-e5c2851c0d74Earl EdmondsI talked out loud in public as if I'm a public speaker. But Still, I performed this in a bad way using "F" words, forgetting them and their family when I'm heard not enough. Perhaps, Pamela Ribon The Author "You Take It From Here Going In Circles" made a good point "It's best to do it when nobody's home" or around then other times I do it as a way of training when I'm reading out loud.https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/setting/8127/how-a-story-s-setting-can-become-a-character-in-the-story?CommentId=a17c6336-97c5-418c-83f7-91de62c2d081Thu, 14 Nov 2024 20:16:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:a17c6336-97c5-418c-83f7-91de62c2d081Earl EdmondsA courageous crew lands on a planet that's alive in "The Witches Of Caries." Therefore, it becomes a character that's made up of dirt. I'd walk along the deserted island if I was in it with high creativity and the ability to follow rules is long as it's not too hard as I hate dogs and ugly creatures.https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/character-development/6390/the-necessary-elements-for-defining-unique-characters---video?CommentId=d4fdbf38-e129-4c4f-80dd-823a4dd2311cThu, 14 Nov 2024 19:54:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:d4fdbf38-e129-4c4f-80dd-823a4dd2311cEarl EdmondsI want all of my main characters Joseph Edmonds (The Protagonist), Longsuffering (The True Hero as Jesus Christ), Hydrocephalus (The Devil along with any bad act or flaw of an internal conflict) and Mario Wilson The Hiring Manager of an Employment Agency (The Antagonist) who attempted to stay me away from my purpose. Furthermore, I'm targeting humans with a Mental Illness, Travelers, Internet Researchers, Home - Based Business, Business Owners and Copywriters. Perhaps, I'm exact with my purpose To Find The Best Environment For Me To Live Where I Don't Know Anybody Having Less Problems Based On My Behavior According To The Spiritual Law or Longsuffering.https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/points-of-view/6946/the-fundamentals-of-point-of-view?CommentId=6dda0416-d76f-4c25-b08f-2bf2bc01d993Thu, 07 Nov 2024 13:16:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:6dda0416-d76f-4c25-b08f-2bf2bc01d993JonasThank you!https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/character-development/8398/creating-compelling-charactersThu, 31 Oct 2024 12:02:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:b7ee083c-404b-4037-aef5-969f378aa939Jennifer CrosswhiteIdentifying key characteristics of your characters that make them jump off the page Readers will follow strong characters through a weak plot, but they won't follow a character they can't connect with. In this webinar session with author, editor, and writing coach Jennifer Crosswhite, you'll learn the key elements of jump-off-the-page characters for a powerful book. There are helpful tips for both fiction and nonfiction authors! Here is the handout referenced in the session: www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Creating-Compelling-Characters_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../CreatingCompellingCharactersIdentifyingkeycharacteristicsofyourcharacters.mp4 About the Presenter: Jennifer Crosswhite is owner and CEO of Tandem Services, an author services company that empowers influencers to harness the transformative power of story to spread their message, create an impact, and leave a legacy. Her twenty years’ experience spans both sides of the publishing desk, from managing editor to author of 20 books and counting.fictionNonfictionSubscriberRecorded Webinarhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/character-development/4640/how-to-deliver-rich-believable-characters-_2d00_-video?CommentId=b4465f8d-088a-4092-b8fd-d29aec9485e0Sat, 12 Oct 2024 04:10:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:b4465f8d-088a-4092-b8fd-d29aec9485e0Earl Edmonds:Who are you? :What do you love? :What's your fruit of the spirit? My fruit of the spirit is Longsuffering. I'm IIA. I love writing poetry. We build our relationship seeing if we hear each other good enough. If so, I'll invite you into my Poetry Circle where you can support me on my 1st upcoming Homeless Poetry Collection called IIA. I'll refer to my product called Write Your First Novel Program by Donna Baierstein The Novelist Coach who wrote "The Silver Baron's Wife."https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/character-development/5705/the-secret-to-creating-great-characters---video?CommentId=cb9b47c2-6c9f-4ec9-8988-b45aa2b73305Sat, 12 Oct 2024 03:57:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:cb9b47c2-6c9f-4ec9-8988-b45aa2b73305Earl Edmonds:Can I give you a short interview? We ask advice through this thread. I sent you an invitation to join my Poetry Circle. Let me interview. I think we can work together. Furthermore, I own a product called Write Your First Novel Program by Donna Baierstein The Novel Writing Coach Of AWAI. She'll teach you how to create names and made up names for your compelling characters. We know I'll need to give you a short interview to build our business relationship.https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/character-development/7381/how-writers-can-use-flaws-to-create-interesting-characters?CommentId=b502c217-1784-4858-83af-d079110bcf19Wed, 09 Oct 2024 01:03:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:b502c217-1784-4858-83af-d079110bcf19Earl EdmondsDan Wantanabe clearly explained about our main character's flaws or bad actions like masterbating about an attractive lady. We usually don't want to express this. It avoids poets, travelers, Internet Researchers and Home - Based Business Owners thinking we're too perfect. I seek to have perfect behavior for Jesus Christ who's giving me a future wife I believe named Aiza The Model Chief Physician. I started adding that biggest flaw to my Epic Poems. Lisa Cowen The Teacher already had liked how I explained my characters. So that would just improve it more. The flaw is separate from a problem that seems to be an internal problem. Thank You.