Compelling characters are what keeps readers turning pages and buying books — from fantasies to mysteries to the great literary novel. But how to do you create characters that feel three dimensional and real on the page? Counsellor and author Eileen Cook shares common psychological techniques to help you build your characters and take your story to the next level.

Covering understanding your character's backstory and how it impacts their choices in your book by doing a structured counselling interview, personality structure (Myers Briggs and Emotional Intelligence) and how that may lead to conflict, and understand dissecting the Stages of Change to see how your character moves through them .

Filled with practical tips, examples and prompts this is a craft book you will return to over and over.

This is the second book in the Creative Academy Guides for Writers series. Be sure to check out the rest of the guides for writers in this series.

1. Scrappy Rough Draft by Donna Barker
2. Build Better Characters by Eileen Cook
3. Strategic Series Author by Crystal Hunt

How many people have told you that your dream of being a full-time writer is impossible? They’re wrong.

Whether you are just getting started or are an experienced author, we’re here to help you overcome the obstacles in your path—and make your publishing dreams a reality. 

• Unsure how to turn your published book(s) into an actual career?  
• Been knocked around by the publishing industry and feeling disheartened?
• Overwhelmed by all the options and not sure what to do next to level up? 

Two career authors—one traditional and one indie—with over 50 published books and 30 years of experience between them, team up to provide you with the complete set of puzzle pieces so you can craft your ideal author life. 

If you are looking for a quick fix or magic button this isn’t the book for you. Building a career strong enough to last a lifetime won't happen overnight.

If you’re ready to build yourself a personalized roadmap to making enough money from your writing to pay your bills, then you’re in the right place. This book gives you the tools and information you need to clarify your dream and create practical steps to turn that dream into a career that you can build, grow and maintain over time—without sacrificing your health, relationships or happiness along the way. 

Click the buy button now and avoid making costly mistakes as you level up your career and become a full-time author. 

This is the fifth book in the Creative Academy Guides for Writers series. Be sure to check out the rest of the books for writers in this series.

  1.Scrappy Rough Draft by Donna Barker

  2.Build Better Characters by Eileen Cook

  3.Strategic Series Author by Crystal Hunt

  4.Create Story Conflict by Eileen Cook

Seventeen-year-old Kim gets more than she bargained for when she is set up for murder. Perfect for fans of One of Us Is Lying, E. Lockhart, and Gillian Flynn.

Kim never expected to plot a murder. But that was before her boyfriend dumped her for another girl. Now, Kim’s stuck on a class trip to London with him and his new soulmate and she can’t help wishing he was a little bit dead, even if she’d never really do that.

But when Kim meets Nicki, a stranger on the plane who’s more than willing to listen to Kim’s woes, things start to look up. Nicki's got a great sense of humor, and when she jokes about swapping murders, Kim plays along—that is, until Kim’s ex-boyfriend mysteriously dies.

Blackmailed by Nicki to fulfill her end of the deal, Kim will have to commit a murder or take the fall for one.

Many authors consider joining forces with other writers to multiply their creative might. Are you:

• Wondering what the different co-author models are and how they fit your writing and publishing goals?
• Curious about the benefits and challenges of co-authoring?
• Confused about what working agreements will protect your interests?
• Wanting to keep conflict between the book pages and not between you and your co-authors?

We can help.

Three career authors, with experience in the different models of co-authoring, coach you through all the areas you should consider whether you are following a traditional, indie or hybrid publishing path. From the creative challenges of co-authoring, to benefits of a shared marketing push—learn how to unlock the potential of powerful collaborative relationships.

Whether you are developing a book or a series, Create With Co-Authors gives you the tools and step-by-step guidance you need to form healthy co-author relationships. Prompts and exercises will help you take practical steps to turn that dream into shared products that you can research, write and promote—while growing your catalogue and widening your reach.

Click the buy button now to ensure you and your co-author(s) have a solid foundation to build upon.

This is the sixth book in the Creative Academy Guide for Writers. Be sure to check out the rest of the titles in this series.

1. Scrappy Rough Draft by Donna Barker
2. Build Better Characters by Eileen Cook
3. Strategic Series Author by Crystal Hunt
4. Create Story Conflict by Eileen Cook
5. Full Time Author by Eileen Cook and Crystal Hunt
6. Create With Co-Authors by Donna Barker, Crystal Hunt and Eileen Cook