This content was published: February 27, 2004. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Writing class gets inside the heads of characters
Photos and story by James Hill
PORTLAND, Ore. – Writers, not sure why your characters act that way? Maybe they need to see a psychologist. Join Portland Community College for a unique, non-credit class created to aid writers in examining character motivation through real psychological theory. Psychological Theories of Personality for Writers will lead you to create richer, more engaging, multidimensional characters. Taught by Jacob Spilman, the class will zero in on accurate character observations and clarification of internal conflicts, relationships and developmental life tasks. Through lecture, role-play and observation exercises, students will emerge as confident writers with the ability to create memorable characters. "This is not a typical writing class,"said Ed Kaiel, PCC Community Education manager. "This is a chance to apply proven psychological motivation to your work so that characters become so real they lift off the page."The five-week class will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, March 31 through April 28, in Room 126 at Grant High School, 2245 N.E. 36th Ave. Cost is $75.For more information, contact PCC Community Education at 503-731-6831.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »