Stealing from Shakespeare: How to Create Characters Like the Bard Did 4-Week Zoom Class, Starts Tuesday, August 6th, 2024
Starts Tuesday, August 6th, 2024
The class will meet weekly via Zoom on Tuesdays from 8:00PM - 9:30PM Central
Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button (lower left) to talk with us.
Led by David Hopkins, a fantasy novelist with an interest in Shakespeare, medieval history, fairy tales, and myth. He is the author of The Dryad’s Crown, a story set in the vast world of Efre Ousel. David is a full member of SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association) and founder of Cake and Prose. He’s also an instructor for the ArmadilloCon writers workshop in Austin.
Lear. Lady Macbeth. Hamlet. Juliet. Falstaff. Richard III. William Shakespeare’s characters have entertained audiences for centuries, but writers often approach his characters with a mixture of awe and intimidation. In this four-week class, we’re not going to learn how to better worship the Bard; we’re going to steal from him!
It’s possible to create timeless characters like Shakespeare did.
Great artists often emulate the old masters. Let’s see what we can learn from Shakespeare. In this class, we’re examining:
- How Shakespeare created characters that feel real
- How Shakespeare used interiority and dialogue to enhance characters
- How Shakespeare explored marginalized identities to great effect
This course is open to writers of all levels and genres. It’s not necessary to have a thorough knowledge of Shakespeare’s work before taking this class. You will learn as we go.
This class will benefit anyone who wants to create memorable characters that delight readers. It hopes to provide a framework for studying great works of literature. Every great author has something to share. Let’s learn from the best. Remember: “Be not afraid of greatness."
COURSE OUTLINE:
Week 1: When two dimensions look like three: A postmodern literary critic and a Renaissance playwright. Three keys to the illusion of complexity: Personality type, conflicting desires, and out-of-character actions. (Bonus video: Author conversation about character development).
Week 2: Tactics to develop interiority and putting it on the page; Character-centric dialogue that moves the plot forward; (Bonus video: Conversation with Shakespearean actor/director).
Week 3: Shakespeare understood Main Character Energy; Shakespeare’s four greatest protagonists: Falstaff, Juliet, Iago, and Hamlet; (Bonus video: Conversation with Shakespearean scholar).
Week 4: Contemporary demands on character; Shakespeare and diversity; (Bonus video with expert on diversity and inclusion).
TAKE THIS CLASS IF:
- You want to be known for your fascinating characters.
- You want to write powerful stories that are character-driven.
- You believe you could learn a thing or two from William Shakespeare.
ONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:
Starts on Tuesday, August 6th, 2024. The class will meet weekly via Zoom on Tuesdays from 8:00PM - 9:30PM Central
Tuition is $99. You can pay for the course in full or use Affirm to pay over time with equal Monthly Payments. Both options are available at checkout.
- David Hopkins | Live via Zoom
- Starts on Tuesday, August 6th, 2024
- The class will meet weekly via Zoom on Tuesdays from 8:00PM - 9:30PM Central
- The course is fully online via Zoom. It will be lecture/discussion-heavy. All outside-of-class assignments are optional.
- Tuition is $99
Instructor David Hopkins is a fantasy novelist with an interest in Shakespeare, medieval history, fairy tales, and myth. He is the author of The Dryad’s Crown, a story set in the vast world of Efre Ousel. David is married to artist and designer, April Hopkins. They have two daughters, Kennedy and Greta, and a dog named Moose. David is a full member of SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association) and founder of Cake and Prose. He’s also an instructor for the ArmadilloCon writers workshop in Austin.