Welcome and Workshop Introduction

Welcome and Workshop Introduction

HI! I’m Dawn.

Welcome to my story studio. Are your characters feeling a little flat?

Like a beautiful teddy bear with no stuffing?

In this course, we'll move through the steps of creating your characters from scratch, giving them everything they need to leap off the page and into your readers' hearts.

You'll discover actionable strategies for everything from finding initial inspiration to crafting compelling backstories, relatable goals, endearing personalities, and of course, stuffing them with enough angst to earn a truly satisfying character arc.

Get ready to build characters that readers won't just like; they'll genuinely connect with, making your stories truly unforgettable.

Let's get started!

Creating Characters Build-A-Bear Style

Buy nowLearn more

Welcome and Introduction

  • Welcome and Workshop Introduction
  • HI! I'm Dawn!
  • What is Build-A-Bear?

Workshop Video

  • Workshop Video

Finding Inspiration for Your Characters

  • Sources of Character Inspiration

Getting Started

  • Where to Begin
  • Should Characters Be Likable?
  • What Is Your Character's Why?
  • Building a Backstory
  • What Moment Does Your Character Hide Their Eyes From?
  • Character Wounds
  • Character Baggage
  • Carrying the Weight

Character Goals

  • Character Goals
  • External Goals
  • Internal Goals

Stuffing

  • Finding Fluff
  • Reactions and Emotions
  • Creating Character Voices
  • Quirks and Flaws
  • Creating Character Appearance
  • Special Skills
  • Keeping Your Character Consistent

Secondary Characters

  • Creating a Supporting Cast

Sending Your Character Out Into the World

  • Creating a Plot
  • And They All Lived Happily Ever After (Or Not)

Bear Traps

  • What to Avoid

Thank You!

  • Thank You!

Resources

  • Creating Characters Questions
  • Posts, Websites, and Book Recommendations

More Workshops!

  • Building a Plot with What You've Got!
  • Ten Steps on the Story Structure Stairway
  • Deep POV: Refining Your Character's Lens
  • Story Fuel: Propelling Your Plot with Conflict, Stakes, and Tension