‘Most readers are after compelling stories and interesting characters. The exploration of human experience is a never-ending source of fascination, and story is the great laboratory for articulating this experience.’

‘It’s important to portray our characters’ costumes vividly and responsibly, while also portraying their humanity. This helps to bridge differences and connect us with each other.’

‘The more you understand about the story you are wanting to tell, the more clarity you will gain about the possibilities you have to play with, and the more likely you are to find the best story design.’

‘Sometimes the most important and impactful of things are said in a quiet, controlled and thoughtful voice.’

‘The short story is a literary fragment that insists on immediacy, brevity, intensity. My stories—irrespective of setting—are character-based: a character’s relationship with themselves, with others, and with the world around them.’

‘An expert can break all of this down and help a writer work through suggested areas of improvement, one layer at a time.’

‘With few exceptions, writers don’t figure out their plots on the first attempt, whether they’re sitting down and plotting it out in advance or figuring it out as they draft. Plotting is a skill that requires an understanding of the mechanics of story, and that will develop as you apply yourself to the task of writing and rewriting.’

We spoke with one of Australia’s leading teachers of creative writing, Anthony Macris, about the fundamentals of writing characters, ahead of his workshop at Writing NSW, Creating Dynamic Characters, on Saturday 23 November.