{"product_id":"how-to-juggle-the-big-cast-fiction-writing-workshop-online-july-2026","title":"How to Juggle the Big Cast: Craft Unforgettable Ensemble Casts Zoom Seminar with Emma Kress on Sunday, July 12, 2026","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow to Juggle the Big Cast Writing Workshop with Emma Kress\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003eBegins Sunday, July 12, 2026\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003eClass will meet via Zoom on Sunday, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e🌍 \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClass Times by Time Zone: \u003c\/strong\u003eLos Angeles (PDT): 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM \/ Chicago (CDT): 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM \/ New York (EDT): 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM \/ London (BST): 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM \/ Berlin (CEST): 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eNow Enrolling! Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button to talk with us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInstructor Bio\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eInstructor Emma Kress is the author of the young-adult sports thriller \u003cem\u003eDangerous Play\u003c\/em\u003e (Macmillan), which has a very large cast. She earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is a long-time teacher and was one of four finalists for New York State Teacher of the Year. She has delivered writing workshops to writers of all ages. She lives in upstate New York with her family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho is this class for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis online writing workshop is for fiction writers of all levels who love a good ensemble cast and can never choose just one of anything. Whether you're juggling a sprawling family saga, a heist crew, a sports team, or a multi-POV novel, you'll discover how to make every character earn their place on the page. All audiences welcome — YA, adult, middle grade, literary, and genre writers will find this class equally useful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat to expect:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eImagine \u003cem\u003eSchitt's Creek\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eBridesmaids\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eGame of Thrones\u003c\/em\u003e, or \u003cem\u003eOcean's Eleven\u003c\/em\u003e if those writers had decided to focus on just one character. Boring, right? The ensemble cast is what gives these stories their depth and energy — and managing one well is a craft challenge most writing classes never address head-on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eIn this two-hour Zoom writing class, we'll study strong examples of ensemble casts from television, film, and literature, and discover what makes them work. We'll explore strategies for deepening characters as well as distinguishing them from one another, and employ practical techniques for keeping track of large casts that you'll be able to use immediately and in future drafts. The seminar combines analysis, hands-on craft instruction, and generative writing time so you leave with new skills \u003cem\u003eand\u003c\/em\u003e new pages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eEmma's debut novel \u003cem\u003eDangerous Play\u003c\/em\u003e features a cast of twenty-four. She learned the hard way how to make their voices distinct, develop each individually, and keep track of their idiosyncrasies — and the eleven strategies she developed along the way form the backbone of this creative writing workshop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are the writing goals?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eIn this course, students will learn techniques for developing well-rounded characters across a large ensemble, understand the structural roles different characters can play within an overall story, and gain practical tools for keeping voices distinct on the page. Through hyper-focused writing sprints and longer generative explorations, students will produce character and scene sketches they can use immediately in current drafts or carry into future projects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReadings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eReadings may include excerpts from texts by Leigh Bardugo and Taylor Jenkins Reid, plus film and television clips from \u003cem\u003eBridesmaids\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eOcean's Eleven\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE OUTLINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eOver the course of the workshop, we will explore eleven writing strategies for juggling the big cast. Each strategy will be grounded in:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAnalysis of examples\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003ePractical how-tos (techniques and tools)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eWriting sprints\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE TAKEAWAYS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eUnderstand the techniques writers use for developing well-rounded characters across a large ensemble\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eUnderstand the roles different characters might play within an overall story\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eGain practical tips for keeping voices distinct on the page\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eProduce character and scene sketches you can use in current or future drafts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eBuild a craft toolkit for managing multiple POVs and large ensemble casts in fiction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTESTIMONIALS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\"Emma brought warmth and real, personal connection to our virtual session. Students left feeling inspired and ready to dive more deeply into their own art.\" — Emily Dowd, Librarian\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\"Emma Kress is one of the most outstanding and talented teachers I have ever had the pleasure of observing.\" — Jim Froio, Superintendent of Schools\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\"Dangerous Play celebrates female friendship with wit, heart and plenty of pulse-pounding field hockey action as the championship game draws ever closer. Readers will root for Zoe, her teammates and their families...\" — BookPage\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePAYMENT OPTIONS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eTuition is $99 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eInstructor: Emma Kress\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eBegins Sunday, July 12, 2026\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eClass will meet once via Zoom on Sunday, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eTuition is $99 USD.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Writing Workshops Org","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48298535452920,"sku":null,"price":74.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0287\/3917\/4532\/files\/EmmaKressHeadshot.png?v=1777498559","url":"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/en-gb\/products\/how-to-juggle-the-big-cast-fiction-writing-workshop-online-july-2026","provider":"Writing Workshops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}