Writing Characters For Children's Stories with Shannon Horsfall

Learn to create engaging and memorable characters for junior fiction.

Memorable characters with strong voices are the backbone of junior and middle-grade fiction. In this workshop, children’s author and illustrator Shannon Horsfall teaches you the dos and don’ts of writing characters for children’s stories — from finding the right voice, to balancing humour in character dynamics. Walk away ready to write an engaging lead for your next children’s story.

Learning outcomes

As part of this workshop, you will learn:

• How writing characters is different for junior fiction.

• Types of character voices, and how to pin down the right voice for your character.

• The importance of humour in children's stories - especially in character dynamics.

• How to weave characterisation and comedy into visual storytelling in children's graphic novels.

• The tools to create a memorable and engaging character for your next children's story.

Format

This is an in-person workshop with a focus on writing craft; it will be held at State Library of Queensland. This workshop is suitable for junior fiction writers of all levels and backgrounds.

About Shannon

Shannon Horsfall has a PhD in Creative Writing and teaches Creative Writing at the University of the Sunshine Coast and Queensland University.

She is the award-winning author-illustrator of picture books Was Not Me and Nomax (both HarperCollins), and the illustrator of Dear Santa (Scholastic), My Unicorn Farts Glitter (Hachette), Once, I Munched a Mango (SLQ) and Jack Changes the Game (Australian Federal Police and QWC). She has also published short stories, poetry and flash fiction.

For more information about Queensland Writers Centre’s Program of Events and answers to FAQs, please visit: www.queenslandwriters.org.au/program-info