Character Development

Backstory: It’s Not a Bad Word

Jennifer Crosswhite — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 19:11:14 GMT

Current Revision posted to Character Development by Jennifer Crosswhite on 8/13/2025 7:11:14 PM

And Done Right, it Gives Your Characters Everything They Need to Come to Life on Your Page

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.

Tags: fiction, Biographies & Memoir, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Backstory: It’s Not a Bad Word

Jennifer Crosswhite — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 19:10:26 GMT

Revision 3 posted to Character Development by Jennifer Crosswhite on 8/13/2025 7:10:26 PM

And 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.

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.

Tags: fiction, Biographies & Memoir, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Backstory: It’s Not a Bad Word

Author Learning Center — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 19:07:41 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Character Development by Author Learning Center on 8/13/2025 7:07:41 PM

And Done Right, it Gives Your Characters Everything They Need to Come to Life on Your Page

Tags: fiction, Biographies & Memoir, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Backstory: It’s Not a Bad Word

Author Learning Center — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 18:47:52 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Character Development by Author Learning Center on 8/13/2025 6:47:52 PM

And 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.

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ALC_5F00_Backstory-Handout.pdf

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.

Tags: fiction, Biographies & Memoir, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Creating Compelling Characters:

Jennifer Crosswhite — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 12:02:17 GMT

Current Revision posted to Character Development by Jennifer Crosswhite on 10/31/2024 12:02:17 PM

Identifying 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.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Creating Compelling Characters:

Author Learning Center — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 11:47:24 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Character Development by Author Learning Center on 10/31/2024 11:47:24 AM

Identifying 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

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.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Adrienne Brodeur on her novel "Little Monsters"

Adrienne Brodeur — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 18:13:45 GMT

Current Revision posted to Character Development by Adrienne Brodeur on 7/17/2023 6:13:45 PM

Called “compulsively readable” (Vogue), Little Monsters, the debut novel from Adrienne Brodeur, NYTs bestselling author of Wild Game: A Memoir, “distinguishes [Brodeur] as a novelist of first rank” (Publishers Weekly). Brodeur discusses the inner lives of the deceptively complex Gardner family and the lengths they will go to keep their secrets safe.

For more on this author and executive director of Aspen Words, a literary nonprofit and program of the Aspen Institute, visit: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Adrienne-Brodeur/188959685.

www.youtube.com/watch

Tags: Commercial Fiction, fiction, Literary Fiction, video, Women's Fiction

Author Cara C. Putman on the Inspiration for Her Book, "The Enneagram for Writers"

Cara C. Putman — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 23:55:26 GMT

Current Revision posted to Character Development by Cara C. Putman on 6/30/2023 11:55:26 PM

One of the things that award-winning, bestselling author Cara C. Putman loves most about writing is that there is always room for growth. Feedback is a great way to understand if your writing is appealing to readers, and allows authors to pinpoint potential areas for improvement. Reader reviews for her published novels told Putman that her female main characters weren't always resonating with readers as well as she had hoped. This inspired her to dig into her character development a little deeper.

In the process, she discovered that The Enneagram (also known as The Enneagram of Personality) could apply to personality types in fictional characters. Putman tested her theory on some writer friends who found a lot of value in the practice. She then turned her trial worksheet into a book called, The Enneagram for Writers: A Tool to Develop Layered Characters, to help writers create multi-layered characters without shortcutting the process.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../AuthorCaraCPutmanontheInspirationforHerBookTheEnneagramforWriters.mp4

Tags: Mystery – Thriller – Suspense, fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Teen and Young Adult, Romance and Erotica, video, Women's Fiction, Historical Fiction

Author Cara C. Putman on the Inspiration for Her Book, "The Enneagram for Writers"

Cara C. Putman — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 14:39:48 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Character Development by Cara C. Putman on 6/30/2023 2:39:48 PM

One of the things that award-winning, bestselling author Cara C. Putnam loves most about writing is that there is always room for growth. Feedback is a great way to understand if your writing is appealing to readers, and allows authors to pinpoint potential areas for improvement. Reader reviews for her published novels told Putnam that her female main characters weren't always resonating with readers as well as she had hoped. This inspired her to dig into her character development a little deeper.

In the process, she discovered that The Enneagram (also known as The Enneagram of Personality) could apply to personality types in fictional characters. Putnam tested her theory on some writer friends who found a lot of value in the practice. She then turned her trial worksheet into a book called, The Enneagram for Writers: A Tool to Develop Layered Characters, to help writers create multi-layered characters without shortcutting the process.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../AuthorCaraCPutmanontheInspirationforHerBookTheEnneagramforWriters.mp4

Tags: Mystery – Thriller – Suspense, fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Teen and Young Adult, Romance and Erotica, video, Women's Fiction, Historical Fiction

Author Cara C. Putman on the Inspiration for Her Book, "The Enneagram for Writers"

Cara C. Putman — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 14:38:45 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Character Development by Cara C. Putman on 6/30/2023 2:38:45 PM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../AuthorCaraCPutmanontheInspirationforHerBookTheEnneagramforWriters.mp4

Tags: Mystery – Thriller – Suspense, fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Teen and Young Adult, Romance and Erotica, video, Women's Fiction, Historical Fiction

Creating Captivating Characters in Fiction

Jeanne Lyet Gassman — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 16:27:11 GMT

Current Revision posted to Character Development by Jeanne Lyet Gassman on 6/28/2023 4:27:11 PM

Strong 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 3 handouts referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../4162.ALC-Character-Worksheet-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../7217.ALC-Character-Traits-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ALC-Plutchick_2700_s-Wheel-Handout.pdf

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../CreatingCaptivatingCharactersinFiction23.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.

Tags: fiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Creating Captivating Characters in Fiction

Jeanne Lyet Gassman — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 16:26:58 GMT

Revision 7 posted to Character Development by Jeanne Lyet Gassman on 6/28/2023 4:26:58 PM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../CreatingCaptivatingCharactersinFiction23.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.

Tags: fiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Creating Captivating Characters in Fiction

Jeanne Lyet Gassman — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 16:26:45 GMT

Revision 6 posted to Character Development by Jeanne Lyet Gassman on 6/28/2023 4:26:45 PM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../CreatingCaptivatingCharactersinFiction23.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.

Tags: fiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Creating Captivating Characters in Fiction

Jeanne Lyet Gassman — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 16:24:12 GMT

Revision 5 posted to Character Development by Jeanne Lyet Gassman on 6/28/2023 4:24:12 PM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../CreatingCaptivatingCharactersinFiction23.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.

Tags: fiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

The Five Major Character Types in Storytelling

Michael Tabb — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 17:50:55 GMT

Current Revision posted to Character Development by Michael Tabb on 9/16/2022 5:50:55 PM

The most important thing when building your cast of characters, per WGA Screenwriter, author, and MFA educator, Michael Tabb, is that each one serves a purpose. In addition, these characters need to revolve around your premise, which is your theme or message. What are you trying to say with your work? To execute on this premise, you must create a cast of characters to act out your points. Tabb believes every good story should contain five primary character types: 1) the protagonist, 2) the antagonist, 3) the mentor, 4) the ally, and 5) the love interest. From there, you must build the plot, the problem at hand, and the goal or drive of the story to bring together your vision.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheFiveMajorCharacterTypesinStorytelling.mp4

Tags: Commercial Fiction, Mystery – Thriller – Suspense, fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Teen and Young Adult, Romance and Erotica, video, Historical Fiction

The Five Major Character Types in Storytelling

Author Learning Center — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 16:20:29 GMT

Revision 3 posted to Character Development by Author Learning Center on 9/16/2022 4:20:29 PM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheFiveMajorCharacterTypesinStorytelling.mp4

Tags: Commercial Fiction, Mystery – Thriller – Suspense, fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Teen and Young Adult, Romance and Erotica, video, Historical Fiction

The Five Major Character Types in Storytelling

Michael Tabb — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 16:16:55 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Character Development by Michael Tabb on 9/16/2022 4:16:55 PM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheFiveMajorCharacterTypesinStorytelling.mp4

Tags: Commercial Fiction, Mystery – Thriller – Suspense, fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Teen and Young Adult, Romance and Erotica, video, Historical Fiction

The Five Major Character Types in Storytelling

Michael Tabb — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 16:16:09 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Character Development by Michael Tabb on 9/16/2022 4:16:09 PM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheFiveMajorCharacterTypesinStorytelling.mp4

Tags: Commercial Fiction, Mystery – Thriller – Suspense, fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Teen and Young Adult, Romance and Erotica, video, Historical Fiction

Writing Dialogue that Deepens Characters and Drives the Story - recorded webinar

Maurice Broaddus — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 11:44:24 GMT

Current Revision posted to Character Development by Maurice Broaddus on 4/18/2022 11:44:24 AM

Characters are at the heart of stories and dialogue helps define characters and drive story. In this webinar, you’ll learn to develop characters, consider word choice, and define their voice through dialogue. The session will present essential tips to improve dialogue and explore how to write dialogue that rings true, deepens character, creates tension, and more.

Here is the handout referenced in this session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Writing-Dialogue-Handout.pdf

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Writing-Dialogue-that-Deepens-Characters-and-Drives-the-Story.mp4

A community organizer and teacher, Maurice Broaddus’ work has appeared in Lightspeed Magazine, Weird Tales,Apex Magazine, Asimov’s, Cemetery Dance, Black Static, and in many more publications. Some of his stories have been collected in The Voices of Martyrs. He wrote the urban fantasy trilogy The Knights of Breton Court and co-authored the play Finding Home: Indiana at 200. His novellas include Buffalo Soldier, I Can Transform You, Orgy of Souls, Bleed with Me, and Devil’s Marionette. Maurice is the co-editor of Dark Faith, Dark Faith: Invocations, Streets of Shadows, and People of Colo(u)r Destroy Horror. Learn more about him at MauriceBroaddus.com.

Tags: fiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

This Enchanting Scottish Fantasy is Filled with Good Boys

Laura E. Weymouth — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 13:58:09 GMT

Current Revision posted to Character Development by Laura E. Weymouth on 4/12/2022 1:58:09 PM

For fans of Serpent & Dove and A House of Salt and Sorrows comes a darkly atmospheric and romantic fantasy about an untrained witch who must unlock her power to free her brothers from a terrible curse and save her home. Watch for Laura E. Weymouth’s 5 reasons to be riveted by her book A Rush of Wings.

For more on this critically acclaimed author, visit https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Laura-E-Weymouth/178341206.

www.youtube.com/watch

Tags: fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Teen and Young Adult, video, Historical Fiction