Going from Blank to Real with Character Traits

In this Story Works Fiction single topic course, we'll explore character development from the very beginning. We get to know our characters the same way we get to know real people: from the outside in. It all begins with traits, those identifiable characteristics and qualities we use to identify and understand each other.

As writers, we get to define our characters, building them from the blank page up. That's exciting, but it can be a daunting task. In this course, we'll break it down from the first step. The material is straightforward and may even seem simple. But simple can be powerful, especially when you understand how to work with it.

Any time you sit down to write a new character, start here. You'll have a real person ready to write into your plot in no time...and that's when the fun begins!


Your Instructor


Alida Winternheimer
Alida Winternheimer
I look forward to guiding this creative inquiry into writing from memory, emotion, and body. I hope you’ll take this journey with me and our fellow writers. It is sure to be as enriching as it is challenging, from both a craft and personal perspective. What better way to embark on an adventure than together?

~Alida


Alida Winternheimer is an award-winning author and experienced teacher, editor, and writing coach. She’s published numerous short stories, two of which were nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Alida is the creator and host of two literary podcasts: Story Works Round Table, conversations about craft; and Story Works Reading Series, a literary journal for your ears. She is the author of the Story Works Guide to Writing Character and the Story Works Guide to Writing Point of View.

Her essay, "The Sun Still Shines on the Worst Day of Your Life" was recently published in Under the Sun and nominated for the Best American Essays anthology.

Every day, Alida helps writers write better through her craft books, the Story Works Fiction online school, free writing tips, and her podcasts. When she's not writing or teaching, you can spot her around Minneapolis on her bike, in her kayak, or being walked by her golden retriever.


Course Curriculum


  Going from Blank to Real with Character Traits: a Story Works Fiction Single Topic Course
Available in days
days after you enroll

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

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