Writing Characters, Inventing Lives
Published 4/2026
MP4 | Video: h264, 1920x1080 | Audio: AAC, 44.1 KHz, 2 Ch
Language: English | Duration: 1h 33m | Size: 3.97 GB

Craft your book's characters to excite publishers and delight readers
What you'll learn
Give your main character a defining "entrance" that hooks the reader
Build empathy for your main character to make readers care
Master the vital difference between characterization and "deep character"
Understand the role of a story's antagonist, and avoid common misconceptions
Enrich your major characters with the "3 Cs" of choice, change, and contrast
Requirements
There are no requirements for this course. You need only the desire to learn.
Description
Enjoy learning successful techniques of writing craft from a bestselling author with examples from popular books and movies.
Welcome to Writing Characters, Inventing Lives.
Stories are about people. Long after a book's plot and prose have become a blur, what lingers in a reader's mind is the impact of the characters.
Vibrant, unique characters live on for decades, sometimes for centuries. From Oliver Twist to Anna Karenina, from "The Godfather " Don Corleone to Katniss Everdeen, you only have to say their names to conjure up a whole world.
Distinctive, authentic characters are what publishers - and readers - want to see in any story. That's why creating them is an essential skill for writers at every level.
There are proven techniques for making the characters in your story come alive. These techniques apply to all genres, from literary novels to genre fiction such as mystery, thriller, romance, science fiction, YA, or fantasy. They even apply to crafting a memoir.
Writing Characters, Inventing Lives shows you how to master the crucial skills of character building.
Each video lesson in the course focuses on specific, indispensable techniques. Plus, transcripts of all the video lessons are provided to let you read each lesson's content, an invaluable checklist. Plus, exercises will help you hone your skills in creating your book's all-important main character.
You'll finish this course with skills to make the people in your book relatable and unforgettable.
This course is right for you if
- You've got story ideas but need help getting organized.
- You love writing but fear you may not "have what it takes" to succeed.
- You feel you're toiling alone, without the expert guidance needed to achieve your writing goals.
- You struggle to find time to write while juggling work and family commitments, so you'd benefit from a focused course to keep you on track.
- You want to identify possible weaknesses in your writing, with a plan for turning them into strengths.
- You feel energized by learning from a pro who respects your desire to grow as a writer and succeed.
Who is your teacher?
I'm a bestselling author. Creating engaging characters and crafting compelling plots is what I do for a living.
My books - historical novels and thrillers - have been published by major New York publishers to wide acclaim, and over half a million copies have been sold worldwide. I'm represented by Writers House, one of the largest literary agencies in the world.
So I speak to you as writer to writer, teaching the techniques you need to craft a book that can compete in the marketplace. I know what agents and publishers are looking for, what they want - and don't want.
Praise for my books
THE DEADLY TRADE
"Barbara Kyle masterfully weaves together mystery, suspense, and advocacy in a thought-provoking and heart-pounding thriller." - C.S. O'Cinneide, author of Eve's Rib
"Readers will love Barbara Kyle's spirited hero Natalie Sinclair and her brave band of animal rescuers." - Robert Rotenberg, bestselling author of Downfall
"The finely wrought plot kept me guessing until the end. A great read!" - New York Times bestselling author Patricia Crisafulli
THE THORNLEIGH SAGA
"Riveting Tudor drama" - USA Today
A classic historical novel - sweeping, gritty and realistic." - Historical Novel Society
"Wonderfully intelligent, highly readable, and thoroughly entertaining." - NYT bestselling author Heather Graham
"Kyle is a master at her craft." - RT Book Reviews
PAGE-TURNER: YOUR PATH TO WRITING A NOVEL THAT PUBLISHERS WANT AND READERS BUY
"Kyle breaks down both the art and the craft of writing in a way that is entertaining and easy to understand." - #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong
"Brings alive almost every tough issue a writer of fiction must confront. Friendly and fun to read." - Albert Zuckerman, founder of Writers House literary agency
"Page-Turner is the quintessential book for writing that breakout novel." - Goodreads
What Udemy students say
"Barbara Kyle is a wonderful teacher. She captivates you from the moment she starts her class." - Jizelle R., Udemy Student
Outstanding course content. Highly motivating and brilliantly presented." - Irving S., Udemy Student
"To fulfill my dream of being published, this course gave me a deep inside view of how to better my writing." - Myra W., Udemy Student
"Wonderful insights. Engaging and inspiring. This is an excellent course!" - Michele W., Udemy Student
"Barbara Kyle's advice is clear and insightful, filled with tips and examples for all genres. Every author, established or aspiring, will benefit from this course." - Cara F, Udemy Student
"Excellent! Everything an aspiring author needs in one place." - Richard D., Udemy Student
Writing a novel is a fulfilling adventure. If you have a story to tell, I'll help you tell it. Enjoy the journey!
Who this course is for
If you're at the beginning of your writing journey, you'll find inspiration and a clear path forward. If you're an emerging or seasoned writer, you'll learn skills to help you advance on the path to published success.