Writers' Room

Developing Character in Fiction

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Overview

The Writers’ Room is a creative writing course centered on character. Each week, we’ll engage in a cycle of thoughtful reading, focused writing, and constructive feedback. 

Participants will learn to “read like a writer” and apply those insights directly to their own creative work, exploring what makes characters vivid, compelling, and meaningful.

Course Title: Writers’ Room: Developing Character in Fiction

Instructor: Felicity Tillack

Course Duration: 10 Weeks

 Class Length: 90 minutes per session

 Location: Konkoin Buddhist Temple, Kyoto

35,000 yen for 10 weeks with 10% discount for the first 5 students enrolled.

Note: You do not have to attend every class. If you know in advance which classes you will miss, please let me know and we can discuss an adjusted course fee.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Analyze published fiction for effective character development

  2. Create original characters with depth and purpose

  3. Understand how character choices drive plot and reveal theme

  4. Revise their own writing based on feedback and reflection

  5. Participate constructively in a writing community
  1. Mini-Lesson (15 min): mini lesson supported by mentor texts

  2. Writing Time (60 min): Generative writing or revision time based on prompt

  3. Sharing (15 min): Small group or whole-class readings with feedback using workshop guidelines
  1. Notebook or digital writing tool

  2. Assigned short stories/excerpts (provided weekly by instructor)

  3. Optional: A favorite book to reference throughout the course

Week

Focus Area

Description

1

Reading Like a Writer

Techniques for extracting craft lessons from published texts

2

Character and Theme

How character traits, flaws, and goals reflect thematic questions

3

Bone Structure of Character

Understanding backstory, desire, and contradiction as the skeleton of character

4

Escalating Stakes

Using rising tension to test character values and commitment

5

Character at Their Most Characterful

Introductions where character is revealed

6

Action as Character

Showing character through choices, gestures, and behaviour

7

Scene-Level Conflict

Building tension between characters in a single moment

8

Story-Level Conflict

Tracking internal and external conflict across a narrative arc

9

Arc of Change

Mapping how characters grow over the course of a story

10

Reflection

A week dedicated writing and reflection on new insights

By enrolling in this course, you agree to the following:

  1. All writing shared in class—whether drafts, excerpts, or completed works—remains the intellectual property and copyright of the original author.

  2. Feedback offered during class is intended to support the writer’s creative process. No participant may claim ownership, co-authorship, or derivative rights over another’s work.

  3. You may not copy, reproduce, or distribute any work shared by others in the course, in part or in full, without the author’s explicit written permission.

  4. We foster a respectful, collaborative environment. All feedback should be given thoughtfully and received in the spirit of creative growth.