Whether it’s Falstaff, Bigger Thomas, Forrest Gump, or a Colson Whitehead or Sally Rooney protagonist, when readers have deep feelings about a character, it enriches the reader’s experience. (For workshop instructor Bob Balmer, the main character of Cold Mountain was so real, so alive, so fraught with humanity, and so desperate that he couldn’t stop turning the pages to see if he’d make it home.) In this workshop, you’ll learn to create characters who are compelling, who seem real, and who embody an aspect of humanity that the reader will identify with and root for (or against). Instructional material will be delivered using PowerPoint, lecture, discussion, writing exercises, and pair share. We’ll talk about round vs. flat characters, the contradictions that come with being human, using real people (including yourself) as templates for characters, how to use “flat” characters to give insight into the main characters, and how to add depth to your characters with unique personality, appearance, and ethical details.