Essentials of Characterization and Plotting
Summary
In this course, we will discuss how to plot, what keeps it moving, and how storytellers drag readers into a fictional world and keep them there. We’ll learn point of view, story structure, pacing, world building, how to connect the beginning, middle and end, and more.
Lesson One: Brainstorming
Lesson Two: Backstory, Plot Sketches, Show, Don’t Tell and Effective Description
Lesson Three: Character is Action, Plot is Action
Lesson Four: GMC – Goal, Motivation and Conflict Goal, Urgency, Motivation
Lesson Five: Writing Strong Characters and Viewpoint, Deep Point of View, Stimulus and Response
Lesson Six: Sagging Middles
Lesson Seven: Scene and Sequel Structure
Lesson Eight: Plotting Methods
Lesson Nine: Creating Dimensional Characters
Lesson Ten: Adding Tension and Danger
Lesson Eleven: Writing Sexual Tension
Lesson Twelve: Basic Worldbuilding
Speaker
Tambra Nicole Kendall - My summers were spent at the public library in the comfort of air conditioning with the heady scent of musty books. When I discovered historical romance, category romance with some Nancy Drew tossed in; I knew what I wanted to write. I love happy endings!
I’m a lover of hot tea, hot coffee, and chocolate.
I’m a Whovian, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts fan. Favourite movies include James Bond and documentaries of anything with Lucy Worsley in it on the BBC.
I’m a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA) and the following chapters: Northwest Houston, Kiss of Death Romantic Suspense, Futuristic, Fantasy and Paranormal and Hearts Through History, which pretty much sums up what I write and love to read.
My publishing credits include nonfiction: magazine, newspaper and trade publications as well as a specialty children’s book on ADHD I wrote, illustrated and published. I’m a graduate of the Institute of Children’s Literature and I have an Associate of Arts in English from San Jacinto College.