Learn how to master creating dynamic, memorable characters and master the essential elements of crafting excellent dialogue.

Instructor Access (optional grading support) is available for Unlimited Access or Single Access.
See the sidebar to the left for signup information! Scroll down to read the biography of each instructor. 

NOTICE: This is an older course recorded with Adobe Connect and/or Vimeo recordings. We are currently working to replace the recordings with new Zoom recordings.  Please don't hesitate to email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com with any questions.

How to get the most out of Fiction Writing 2: Characters and Dialogue with Professor Erin M. Brown (AKA Erin Brown Conroy/E.B. Conroy):

• First, read the course details below and prepare a notebook for note taking and homework.

• Students begin the course by clicking on the "Recording" and watching Professor Brown Conroy’s lecture for Class One.

• Review any supplemental materials (videos or readings).

• Complete the Assignment(s), and give the assignments to your parent for grading. Please note: Homeschool Connections does not provide record keeping services.

• If you need to review the information, go back and watch the recording again and/or go over the PowerPoint.

• Repeat this process until all four classes are complete.

• Once the course is completed to the parent's satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records.

• Be sure to access and take the next course in this series, Theme, Style, and Point of View.

Please Note: There are eight (8) courses in the Write Your Own Fiction Book series. Students can jump into the series at any time. Students are also encouraged to take The Hero's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers (1 & 2) and Screenwriting (1 & 2), which may be taken at the same time as the four-week courses.

Each of the four-week courses presents critical information regarding the key elements of fiction writing. All eight courses are designed to give you the skills to write your own book and have a solid foundation for story and form, for college literature courses.

Total classes: 4

Prerequisite: Required: WRITING ESSENTIALS 1: Essential Punctuation and Grammar I (HS 9-1). Recommended: SIMPLIFIED WRITING 1: Strong Foundational Writing Skills (HS 9-2). Prerequisites can be taken either live or through Unlimited Access. Your student will need Word 2007 or later version or the ability to convert a document to a Word-compatible document.

Suggested Grade Level: 11th grade; however, this course can be taken at any grade level in high school
Suggested Credit: One-third (1/3) of a semester's credit for Creative Writing

Take this course with HS 11-1 (Plot & Structure) and HS 11-2 (Description & Setting) for a full semester of credit (12 weeks).

Instructor: Erin M Brown (AKA Erin Brown Conroy/E.B. Conroy), M.A, M.F.A.

Course Description: This course teaches the key components of creating dynamic characters and dialogue for fiction books of any genre. Designed for writing fiction for middle grade, young adult, and adult plots, the course covers how to develop characters, the character arc, how do develop dialogue, and how to weave dialogue into character development and action. The course will also center on how to implement your Catholic worldview into your characters and dialogue.

Course Outline:

• Class 1: Types of characters, developing characters fully, introducing your character

• Class 2: Character arc: Your lead character’s inner change

• Class 3: Dialogue how-to’s, do’s, and don’ts

• Class 4: Showing your character in the dialogue: weaving dialogue with your character and the action

Course Materials: All materials are provided FREE via the instructor.

Homework: LIVE and Instructor Access students will have weekly writing assignments with grading and direct feedback from the instructor (parents will grade Recorded students’ work). Expect an estimated two (2) to four (4) hours per week for homework outside of class time, depending on the student’s ability; homework includes reading, writing, and responding to feedback.

©2017-2024 Homeschool Connections and Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA (aka author Erin Brown Conroy/E. B. Conroy) All rights reserved.

This course is designed by Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA.

• This material is only to be used for its intended purpose by active subscribers of Homeschool Connections. Any other use without explicit permission is in violation of the seventh commandment (yes, the 7th commandment) and in violation of US and International copyright laws.

• You may print or download to local hard disk extracts for your personal homeschool and non-commercial use only. This is not to be used for homeschool co-ops without express written permission from Homeschool Connections.

Technical Help: If you experience technical difficulty with watching the recorded classes or have a question about course content, please email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com.