Writing Workshop: Crafting Secondary Characters with Karen Odden

Park City Library

This workshop will present different types of secondary characters—beyond merely friends, foes, and foils—and explore how to create them.

Registration is required for this free workshop. 

Well-drawn, diverse, complex secondary characters can add nuance, humor, and conflict to a novel or short story. 

This workshop will present different types of secondary characters—beyond merely friends, foes, and foils—and explore how to create them so they sing for themselves while also harmonizing with a main plotline. 

Using familiar books such as the Harry Potter series and The Queen’s Gambit as sample texts, we draw upon the psychologist Dan McAdams’s concept of the “personal myth” to examine economical ways to develop all three elements of the myth—backstory, world views, and desires—for secondary characters.

Referring to their current work-in-progress, participants will respond to several writing prompts and leave with exercises in hand. 

This workshop is taught by Karen Odden, author of Under a Veiled Moon. 

This event is part of the 2023 Utah Humanities Book Festival. Learn more about their festival and statewide events on the website.