The Friend, The Lover, and The Enemy: Mastering Key Relationship Arcs with Piper J. Drake

Bestselling author Piper J. Drake will guide the class through defining and developing multi-faceted relationships between characters that create tension, weave plot lines, and deepen character development. 

Class Dates/Times:

This three-session class meets on March 4, 11, and 18, 2023 -  10 am-11:30am Pacific

Class Structure

Each session will cover one of the three major relationships (The Friend, the Lover, and the Enemy) and include exercises and Q&A. 

Session One (Example):

Types of Relationships

• What readers learn about a character based on relationships
• Community and using recognizable relationships to introduce readers to our characters
• Function and Dysfunctional dynamics in relationships
• Considering Polarity in relationships in the context of character goals and development
• Q&A on Types of Relationships

Deep Dive into The Friend

• Examining key elements of Friendship and this relationship arc
• Studying a few types of Friendship Arcs in story

Workshop Exercises

Open Q&A

Before our first meeting:

Students will be asked to download and fill out a spreadsheet recording details regarding characters in one of their works in progress

About the Instructor: 

Bestselling author Piper J. Drake (she/her) is best known for her romantic suspense series, the True Heroes, of which the fourth book is acknowledged as a RWA Trailblazer as the first own voices Thai American (Southeast Asian) romance in the USA. Piper is also the author of the Safeguard series (romantic suspense), the Triton Experiment series (science fiction romance), and the London Shifters series (paranormal romance), as well as several standalone novels, short stories, and rpgs. Her new contemporary fantasy series, Mythwoven, launches in April 2023 with Wings Once Cursed & Bound.

Piper is the cohost of the 20 Minute Delay podcast with Gail Carriger, a gamer, foodie, and wanderer. Usually, not lost.

Website

This event will be held in Zoom. By registering for this class, you agree to follow the Clarion West Code of Conduct and Zoom policies. 

Limited Free Seating: 

We offer a percentage of seats in every class to People of the Global Majority (Asian, Black, African, Latina/o/x, Middle Eastern, Indigenous, Pacific Islander, and/or, have been racialized as 'ethnic minorities') for free, regardless of financial need. Free seats for this class will be awarded by lottery.

Eligible folks should fill out this form to be entered in the lottery for free seats.  We will reach out by email 10-14 days before the class begins if there is a seat available. For more information, see our equity and inclusion policies.

Sliding Scale Pricing:

The Supporting Tuition rate is shown for each class or workshop for folks who can pay it. Paying the Supporting Tuition rate enables us to continue to pay our staff and instructors equitably, as well as support access to classes for others in a different situation. 

The Helping Hands rate is available to folks under more limited economic circumstances, no matter your background.

For more information, see our financial aid policies.

Our Refund Policy:

Clarion West will refund all class fees if the request is made 30 days before the class date. Refund requests made within 30 days of the class will be honored if we can fill the seat. Any exceptions are subject to approval by our workshop staff.