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Course name
Fiction Writing: Developing Characters 1 – Writing Villains, Antagonists, and Bad Guys from a Faith-Based Perspective (X-13) with Cherise Papa
Recorded course taught by Bonnie Donlon for High School Fiction Writing: Developing Characters
Category
Writing ➤ Fiction Writing: Developing Characters
Grade
High School
Semester
Recorded
Summary

Learn how to write villains, antagonists, and “bad guys” with this four-session course. You will come away with a new knowledge of the elements of fiction, how to increase your creativity, and great writing skills – and it’s a lot of fun!

We currently have a waitlist for signups. Please email aheki@homeschoolconnections.com to be added to the list. Thank you!

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Video Instructor: Cherise Papa
See the sidebar to the left for information on Instructor Access teachers.

Course Description: Join this four-session course and learn the craft of story writing with villains, antagonists, and “bad guys.” Every great story has a “bad guy” – and using the elements of great storytelling, we’ll craft unique characters and learn how to create tension and stakes with opposing forces. We’ll discuss how to build a compelling character arc with conflict and reader engagement while understanding the great potential of using strong opposing characters to help our protagonists grow. We’ll also dive into the types of “bad guys,” what drives an antagonist, and how a well-formed villain can actually bring out the best in a story. With this short course, you’ll hone your creativity and improve your writing. This is a fun course that you’ll definitely enjoy!

Special notes

Course materials are provided FREE by the instructor. This course is the first course in a four-part series. Be sure to sign up for all four short courses to learn how to develop compelling characters in your storytelling.

Total classes

4

Duration

55 minutes per class

Prerequisites

None

Suggested grade level

8th-12th grade

Suggested credit

One-third (⅓) of a semester’s credit for Writing or English Combine with any high school or middle school 4, 6, or 8-week course for a total of 12-16 weeks per semester for one (1) full semester’s credit. Recommend continuing the Character Development Series (X-14, X-15, and X-16 courses).

Outline

Course Outline:

Class 1: What makes a villain? 

Class 2: Powering up your villains and writing emotional arcs for villains

Class 3: Creating villains without glorifying evil

Class 4: Redemption arcs – giving a villain redemption

Materials

  • All materials are provided free by the instructor. All documents are turned in as Microsoft Word documents. If you do not own Microsoft Word 2007 or a later version, you can use a system such as Google Docs that converts to Word documents FREE

Homework

Students will practice the concepts learned in class, with reading materials and resources between each class. One (1) to three (3) hours per class is expected for homework.

Course name
Fiction Writing: Developing Characters 1 – Writing Villains, Antagonists, and Bad Guys from a Faith-Based Perspective (X-13) with Cherise Papa
Instructor
Bonnie Donlon
Semester
Recorded
Category
Writing ➤ Fiction Writing: Developing Characters
Grade levels
High School
Editors
Aubrey Heki, Bonnie Donlon, Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA, Donna Graziose, Sara Keefe, MA, Geralyn Rea, ME
Start time
September 19th, 2024 at 11:30 AM ET
Course type
Recorded, free with subscription
Relative due dates
Relative due dates are disabled for this course.
Enhanced quiz security
Enhanced assignment security

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Bonnie Donlon
bdonlon@homeschoolconnections.com

View courses I am instructing

Mrs. Bonnie Donlon earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Literature from the University of Virginia. She taught writing at the Charlottesville Writing Center summer camp, then taught multiple subjects at The Covenant School in Charlottesville, Virginia, with Pre-K through 4th-grade students, including reading and writing in the classroom and in the after-school programs. Mrs. Donlon also co-taught with her husband for the elementary level religious education program at St. Thomas Aquinas parish.

When not teaching and grading student work, Mrs. Donlon enjoys reading, exploring the natural world with her children, and spending time with her extended family, including her sister-in-law, Mrs. Eleanor Nicholson, who is the High School Victorian Literature Instructor for Homeschool Connections. Mrs. Donlon is the Assistant Director for Middle School with the Aquinas Writing Advantage program, teaches the LIVE 6/7 Series Middle School Writing courses, and is the Middle School Assessment Coordinator.

Click here for more information about Bonnie Donlon!

© 2024 Homeschool Connections; Bonnie Donlon. All Rights Reserved.

  • This material is only to be used for its intended purpose by active subscribers of Homeschool Connections or purchasers of the course. Any other use without explicit permission is in violation of the seventh commandment, and in violation of US and International copyright laws.
  • You may print or download to your own storage extracts for your personal homeschool and non-commercial use only. Use for homeschool co-ops is permitted after contacting customer support and receiving written permission from Homeschool Connections.
  • Upon completion of the course, you must delete all copies of course materials from any storage on which you saved permissible extracts.

Violation of the above copyright policies may result in expulsion without any refund and/or legal action.