Wednesday, May 20th, 2026

Live Seminar via Zoom from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM ET

🌍 Class Times by Time Zone: Los Angeles (PDT): 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM / Chicago (CDT): 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM / New York (EDT): 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM 

Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button to talk with us.

Instructor Bio

Blaise Allysen Kearsley is a Black-biracial writer and teacher based in Brooklyn. Her writing has appeared in Catapult, Longreads, the Boston Globe, Electric Literature's The Nervous Breakdown, Elle, Midnight Breakfast, The Weeklings, and in the anthologies Mortified: Real Words. Real People. Real Pathetic, Nonwhite and Woman, and Cringe: Teenage Diaries, Journals, Notes, Letters, Poems, And Abandoned Rock Operas. Blaise is a contributing editor at Vestal Review, the oldest flash fiction journal on the planet.

Who is this class for?

This creative nonfiction seminar is open to all writers — whether you're struggling to turn real people into strong, authentic characters in a current project, you want to learn how to reveal yourself as the central figure of your story, or you're just starting out and need a deep dive into character development as a foundation. All levels are welcome.

What to expect:

Writing about real people, ourselves included, comes with its own set of challenges. How do we translate the people in our lives into fully realized characters? What might make them come alive on the page? How do we draw them in a balanced, multi-dimensional way?

In this 90-minute online writing seminar, you'll explore a variety of approaches to developing characters in creative nonfiction. Blaise will share craft advice from published writers and lead you through published excerpts by authors like Samantha Irby, Lidia Yuknavitch, Damon Young, Carmen Maria Machado, Eileen Myles, Johanna Adorján, and others. You'll also put ideas into practice in real time with generative prompts and exploratory exercises.

What are the writing goals?

In this seminar, students will explore techniques for translating real people into convincing, complex literary characters. Through generative prompts and in-session exercises, you will practice character development strategies and leave with new tools and fresh material to apply to your nonfiction writing projects.

COURSE OUTLINE

— Character Development in Creative Nonfiction 

— Discussion of published excerpts exploring character portrayal

— Craft advice from published writers on developing real people as characters

— Generative prompts and exploratory writing exercises

— Group discussion and Q&A

COURSE TAKEAWAYS:

• A deeper understanding of how to portray real people as fully realized characters in creative nonfiction
• Practical strategies for revealing yourself as the central figure of your story in a way that resonates with readers
• Familiarity with a range of published approaches to character development in memoir and personal essay
• New writing generated from in-session prompts and exercises
• Craft tools for drawing balanced, multi-dimensional characters from life

TESTIMONIALS:

"I love the readings we do, and especially that they so often feature writers of color. The written feedback from you is always so helpful and in-depth. The prompts helped me to develop a lot of content. I always look forward to workshop nights — it's a safe space to share." — Former Student

"I felt so often in college, that I was writing against these very confident men who were forthcoming about the problems within my work and style. Working in your group has been restorative and has allowed me to trust myself without fear of being torn apart." — Former Student

"Working with Blaise has made me a more confident writer. She's helped me to see my writing as a larger work, and creates a safe, inclusive, encouraging space to share and connect with other writers." — Former Student

"Blaise is such a skilled reader and editor, and her notes are always valuable. She offers wonderful perspectives, and assembles groups of writers with keen perspectives of their own." — Former Student

"I really loved the class. You treat every question with such a genuine desire to give the best possible answer and it made me happy every time. I admire that you focus on building people up. For someone like me, that means the world." — Former Student

"During quarantine I had to show up for myself and others who counted on me, even when I felt like all I wanted to do was hide under my couch. Being part of this creative group of writers saved me." — Former Student

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

Tuition is $75 USD. You can pay for the course in full or use Shop Pay or Affirm to pay over time with equal Monthly Payments. Both options are available at checkout.

ONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:

• Instructor: Blaise Allysen Kearsley
• Wednesday, May 20, 2026
• Class will meet once via Zoom on Wednesday, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM ET
• Tuition is $75 USD.