A free workshop will give aspiring crime writers and fans of the genre the chance to learn from a Worcestershire author in a masterclass on creating unforgettable villains.
Held at The Hive on Wednesday 11 February, Dr Charlotte Barnes, published author and lecturer in Cultural Studies at the University of Worcester, will explain the creative process behind developing convincing baddies and explore how writers bring their most evil characters to life on the page.
“There has been such a boom in recent years in people writing baddies, and making them quite attractive characters,” said Dr Barnes, who has had several crime novels published. “There has also been a big shift in crime fiction, with lots of it being told from the point of view of the bad person rather than the good people trying to stop them.”
She added: “With books like ‘The Girl on the Train’, or ‘Gone Girl’, people became very attracted to the voice of the woman you couldn’t trust, and it’s a real art to write a character like that without using cliches or writing a caricature that readers won’t buy into.”
The workshop is aimed at people who write, people who are interested in taking up writing, or people who simply enjoy crime fiction and are curious about the about the processes professional writers go through when developing their characters.
The event is open to everyone, regardless of age, background, ability or experience. It’s also a chance for people to learn more about how the University can benefit them.
“The University of Worcester is for everyone,” said Dr Barnes. “This event is part of a wider series from the Department of English, Media, and Culture designed to show that the University is accessible to all, whether that means enrolling on a course or joining workshops like this to benefit in other ways.
To book, visit The Hive Website.