Who is getting in the way of your protagonist's desires? Explore how to create a memorable and worthy opponent in this online workshop.

ONLINE via Zoom

In a novel's cast of characters, an antagonist can play a key role in the plot and help develop your protagonist's character. But a weak antagonist, lacking psychological depth and complexity, can stop you creating a truly gripping narrative.

This workshop teaches emerging writers how to construct a dark past for their antagonists (avoiding cliche!) and bring those compelling backstories naturally into the story.

Participants will explore how to create high-stakes conflict and emotional resonance through an antagonist who mirrors the protagonist's own journey.

There will be a mix of learning, discussion, and writing exercises.

Tutor: Valeriya Salt hails from Belarus but now lives in Sheffield. She is the author of Dive Beyond Eternity (Northodox Press, 2023, and shortlisted for the Eyelands International Book Awards), a dark nautical sci-fi thriller set in the North of England. Her short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies.

The Writers Workshop is a Sheffield-based nonprofit social enterprise on a mission to share the joy and power of creative writing with adults. Members get our best ticket rates and a bunch of other benefits, so why not join us? Find out more here.

Description supplied by the event organiser.