“Writing about people is not about exposing them, but about understanding them deeply and showing their world to others.”
— Gay Talese

In narrative nonfiction, people aren’t invented as in fiction—they’re real people whose essence we discover through deep and thorough research. Once they land on our pages, however, they become characters. In this masterclass, New York Times bestselling author Kathryn Aalto explains what this means and its implications. She teaches you how to bring real people to life on the page, creating multidimensional characters who captivate readers and drive your narrative forward.

This masterclass explores the art of crafting true and compelling nonfiction characters, blending rigorous research with creative storytelling techniques. You’ll learn how to portray your subjects with authenticity, depth, and nuance while adhering to the factual integrity of narrative nonfiction. Whether you’re writing a memoir, biography, essay, or longform journalism, this masterclass will help you ethically and accurately transform real individuals into unforgettable characters who resonate with readers.

This masterclass is not limited to portraying human subjects alone. In Character in Nonfiction: Breathing Life Into Real People and Places, we will also explore how to evoke landscapes, flora, fauna, and built environments with the same narrative vitality and depth as we bring to people. Together, we’ll consider how to render the psychological, historical, and social dimensions of real people and places—their origin stories, cultural contexts, emotional undercurrents, and often-unseen motivations. The aim is to move beyond superficial description and instead craft multi-dimensional portraits that resonate with truth, complexity, and humanity.

We will explore character creation with insights from Kathryn’s intern, Tom Whitbread, an English student at University of Exeter, specialising in screenwriting. He will examine how a character’s wants and needs intersect, creating tension that drives narrative arcs. Tom will also discuss how setting can act as an active force—shaping, challenging, or reflecting a character’s journey. He will give you active brainstorming exercises that will help you to discover fresh ways to develop dynamic characters and heighten dramatic stakes in their storytelling.

What You’ll Learn:

• Researching Your Characters: Techniques for gathering details through interviews, observation, and archival research.
• Building Character Depth: Explore tools like dialogue, actions, and internal thoughts to create layered, believable portrayals.
• Writing with Empathy: Learn to balance honesty with sensitivity, portraying your subjects authentically and respectfully.
• The Power of Perspective: Discover how to write about people from different times, cultures, or backgrounds with insight and accuracy.
• Integrating Characters into Story: Seamlessly weave your characters into the broader narrative, ensuring they enhance the story’s arc and themes.

Course Highlights:

• Practical exercises to sharpen your character-building skills.
• Real-world examples of unforgettable nonfiction characters.
• Personalized feedback from Kathryn on character-driven excerpts of your work.

Who Should Attend:

This masterclass is perfect for writers working in memoir, biography, travel writing, or journalistic profiles who want to create vivid, compelling portrayals of real people. It’s suitable for all levels, from emerging writers to seasoned professionals seeking to refine their craft.

Course Details:

📅 Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
⏰ Time: 5:00–7:30 PM GMT
📍 Format: Live Online via Zoom (Recording Available)
💷 Tuition: £60 (includes workbook: Breathing Life Into People and Places: A Guide to Character in Nonfiction and Nature Writing by Kathryn Aalto)

Join Kathryn Aalto in this inspiring masterclass and learn to elevate your nonfiction by creating characters who linger in the minds and hearts of your readers. Read more here:

• “The Ethics of Writing About People” by Phillip Lopate in Creative Nonfiction