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Character 1: Creation (Zoom) is unfortunately unavailable

Thankfully we have 25 other Creative Writing Classes for you to choose from. Check our top choices below or see all classes for more options.

Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom

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Build confidence and find your voice in a supportive creative writing studio focused on memoir and fiction. Through calming meditations, inspiring prompts, and group sharing, you’ll strengthen your creative practice and develop fresh, original work in a small, welcoming community. Writers of all experience levels are welcome; bring a notebook and pen or a laptop.

(57) All levels 17 and older
$200

4 sessions

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Earn 2,000 points
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Creative Writing 101: 6 Weeks (Zoom)

Gotham Writers Workshop See all classes by this school @ Zoom Conference

Unleash your creativity and explore the world of creative writing with confidence in this immersive course. Dive into the power of observation, imagination, and language as you learn to craft compelling fiction and nonfiction narratives. Discover your unique voice and embark on a journey that will ignite your passion for storytelling.

(752) Beginner 18 and older
$379

6 sessions

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Earn 3,790 points
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Creative Writing 101: 6 Weeks (Online)

Gotham Writers Workshop See all classes by this school

Get creative and explore the world of creative writing with confidence in this immersive course. Tap into observation, imagination, and language as you learn to craft compelling fiction and nonfiction narratives. Find your unique voice and step into a process that will deepen your passion for storytelling.

(752) All levels 18 and older
$379

2 sessions

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Earn 3,790 points
Gift it!

Creative Writing Workshop – All Genre

Los Angeles Writers Group See all classes by this school

Push your writing into new territory in a dynamic online workshop that challenges you to experiment with genre and voice. Thought-provoking prompts, craft-focused discussions, and encouragement from a community of writers will help you break through creative blocks. Join from wherever you are and leave with pages that surprise even you.

(44) All levels 18 and older
$48.54
Attend
Earn 485 points
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Memoir 101: Memoir Essentials Class with Erika Schickel

Writing Pad See all classes by this school

Step into the craft of turning personal experiences into captivating narratives with memoirist Erika Schickel. Pick up insights on building compelling emotional journeys, growing vivid storytelling, and stepping deep into your own narrative. Whether you're a seasoned writer or new to memoirs, uncover the techniques for bringing your story to life.

(64) All levels 16 and older
$120
Attend
Earn 1,200 points
Gift it!
See all Creative Writing classes Online

Character 1: Creation (Zoom)

Learn how to build compelling characters that come alive on the page and stay with readers long after. This course walks you through the essentials of character development, from inner motivations to outer contradictions. A great fit for writers at any stage working in fiction, nonfiction, or screenwriting.

  • Beginner
  • 18 and older
  • Earn 10% back in points
  • Price Lock

    If you find the same class on the same dates for less within 48 hours of booking, send us the link. We match the price as credit or the difference.

  • Zoom Conference
  • 6 hours over 2 sessions

Start Dates (0) $210/person

  • Price includes $25 Registration Fee.

No upcoming dates are currently available.

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Class Description

Description

Character 1: Creation is structured as an Intensive course, which means learning happens in a concentrated timeframe: one day for in-person sessions in NYC, two days for Zoom-based instruction, or three weeks for online self-paced learning. The curriculum combines instructional lectures with hands-on writing exercises and welcomes participants at all skill levels. A detailed syllabus is available below for your review.

If you already have confidence in your character development abilities, you may advance directly to Character 2. However, if you're uncertain about your foundation, beginning with Character 1 is recommended; you'll gain valuable insights even if some content reviews material you've encountered before.

Characters form the emotional core of every narrative. When readers connect with and feel the presence of characters, the entire story comes alive, and audiences follow those individuals wherever the plot takes them, whether they're likable or flawed, young or elderly, recognizable or completely foreign to our experience.

Across fiction, nonfiction, and scriptwriting, we'll guide you through the process of creating characters that possess genuine presence and authenticity, making them feel as though readers could encounter them on the street or live beside them in their community.

Character 1 focuses on the conception stage of character development, exploring where characters originate, their internal and external dimensions, their internal contradictions and complexities, the source of their deepest motivation, and the qualities that make them compelling and memorable.

Character 2 builds on this foundation by teaching you how to bring characters fully to life on the written page with such vividness that they feel real enough to bump into in the neighborhood or strike up a conversation with at the grocery store.

Course components include:

  • Instructional lectures
  • Writing exercises and practice assignments

Zoom Classes:

Course content varies based on instructor and term, though many topics align with those presented in online formats.

Details About Zoom Learning:

  • Zoom classes operate in synchronous, real-time sessions. 
  • These classes bring together students from across the globe who participate through Gotham, New York City's most established and respected writing school.
  • Zoom instruction happens via videoconference in real time, creating an experience similar to in-person instruction, except participants attend from their own location on their computer or device. The Zoom platform is free and straightforward to use.
  • You can attend Zoom writing classes from anywhere with a reliable internet connection. While most Zoom participants are based in the United States, we regularly enroll students from nearly every country worldwide.
  • Technical support is provided throughout the course. All Zoom sessions remain unrecorded out of respect for participant privacy and confidentiality.

Remote Learning

This course is available for "remote" learning and will be available to anyone with access to an internet device with a microphone (this includes most models of computers, tablets). Classes will take place with a "Live" instructor at the date/times listed below.

Upon registration, the instructor will send along additional information about how to log-on and participate in the class.

Refund Policy

All Classes (except One-day and Zoom Intensives and Write-Ins):

  • For a refund or credit, contact us three business days or more before your class starts. You can either choose to hold a full credit with us good for one year on other Gotham classes OR you can opt for a refund less a $25 administrative fee and your $25 registration fee ($50 total).
  • If you need to withdraw after your class has started (or two business days before it starts), you won’t receive a refund, but you’re welcome to a Gotham credit less the price of Week 1 and your $25 registration fee, but we need to hear from you three business days or more before Week 2 meets for that to happen. After that point, no credits are available.

One-day and Zoom Intensives:

  • You may reschedule a One-day or Zoom Intensive one time, if you notify us two business days before the class begins. After that first reschedule, there is a $25 rescheduling fee.
  • If you notify us three business days or more before your class begins, rescheduling is free. If you notify us less than three business days before your class begins, there is a $25 rescheduling fee. If you don’t notify us until after your class begins, we cannot reschedule you.
  • You may get a refund (minus a $50 fee) if you notify us three business days or more before your class begins.

Write-Ins:

  • If you withdraw 1 business day or more before it begins, you’re welcome to a full credit good for one year toward another Write-In. No refunds are available.
  • If you simply don’t show up and don’t notify us in advance, you forfeit your money.

A few more things:

  • Credits are valid for one year and cannot be changed into refunds down the road.
  • Simply not attending class or notifying the instructor does not mean you've officially withdrawn.
  • Some exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis for medical emergencies with a doctor's note.
  • Refunds take up to six weeks to process.

Please understand, we can't issue a refund after classes have started, even if you miss your first class. Similarly, we can't offer you a credit one day before your second class or after that. We understand that other obligations get in the way of attending class, but these policies allow us to get other interested writers into class early enough to have a good experience, and this allows us to offer our classes at a reasonable price.

Important Notes:

  • Students are allowed to join a class in the second week.
  • Only those who pay the tuition in full can be guaranteed a place in class.
  • Class dates and times may be subject to change. A substitute may be assigned or make-up classes added to the end of the term.
  • Auditing and the recording of classes are not allowed.
  • For all classes, students receive a record of payment and registration.
  • Gotham reserves the right to remove any student at our discretion.
  • Gotham does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, or marital status.
  • Our courses are not intended to provide instruction that will result in the student's acquisition of occupational skills.

In any event where a customer wants to cancel their enrollment and is eligible for a full refund, a 5% processing fee will be deducted from the refund amount.

Reviews of Classes at Gotham Writers Workshop (752)

(4.4-star rating across 752 reviews)

This class: 4.7 out of 5 from 6 reviews

  • Character 1: Creation (Zoom)

    Paul was engaging, encouraging, and you can tell he loves what he does, which spilled over into the way he interacted with us. Overall, great class— presented well, easy to follow with time for examples, short exercises, and questions. I really enjoyed it.
  • Character 1: Creation (Zoom)

  • Character 1: Creation (Zoom)

  • Character 1: Creation (Zoom)

    It was a great class. Zimmerman was very detailed in his teachings and used many examples so that you can get a grip on the material shared. He also kept things interesting by allowing us to share some of our creative thoughts and experiences.
  • Character 1: Creation (Zoom)

  • Character 1: Creation (Zoom)

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Gotham Writers Workshop

Gotham Writers Workshop is a creative writing school in New York City and online that has been teaching students since 1993. They offer classes for both new and experienced writers, focusing on writing craft and providing a safe and structured environment for improvement.

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