How to Write a Riveting, Character-Driven Tale, with Kira Rockwell

Some say that there are two kinds of stories, plot driven, and character driven. Others argue that any plot worth reading must be driven by the desires, dilemmas and choices of the characters. But following your characters through a story can sometimes feel like hiking through an unfamiliar forest with no map. Along the character-driven route, doubt and insecurity may creep in. When characters take the lead, it can feel like not enough happens, resulting in roadblocks, sinkholes, or even author abandonment. This workshop will teach you powerful character-driven craft techniques for each stage of the writing process. You will leave equipped with a list of constructive tools, as well as questions to ask when receiving feedback from your peers or collaborators. With generative exercises, you’ll learn how to confidently hone your character-driven approach to create a more satisfying tale.

Saturday, May 18th; 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ($75)

Kira Rockwell (she/her) is a playwright from the heart of Texas. She is a 2021 Artist Fellow in Dramatic Writing with Mass Cultural Council, a recipient of the Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting Award, as well as a Runner-up for the Princess Grace Award, among others. Her plays have been supported by The Kennedy Center, National New Play Network, Last Frontier Theatre Conference, and Third Culture Theatre in partnership with HBO and Arts for Incarcerated Youth Network, among others. Her neurodivergent love story is now available through Original Works Publishing. Rockwell has a BFA in Theatre Performance and an MFA in Playwriting from Boston University. As an educator, Rockwell has taught at Wheaton College, Boston University, Hyde Square Task Force, and Grub Street. Currently, she lives in Boston with her husband and their rescue pup, Koda.