Build Better Characters with Eileen Cook
Learn how psychological insights can help you craft realistic characters who drive stronger stories and deeper reader engagement.
Time & Location
Sep 20, 2026, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Evergreen Arts & Healing Centre, 464 Melmore Rd, Bowen Island, BC
About the Event
Build Better Characters
Creating realistic characters means understanding why people behave in the way they do. This workshop outlines how writers can use psychological theories to better understand their characters making their manuscripts feel more realistic and help readers to connect to the story. Participants will learn how to take a clinical history of a character, how internal conflict impacts motivation, and how individual’s beliefs shape their reality and decision making. Prompts will be provided so attendees can apply these concepts to their novel/story creating richer characters and strengthening the conflict and plot.
About Eileen Cook
Eileen Cook is a multi-published, award winning author with her novels appearing in nine languages. She’s written YA, Middle-Grade, Non-fiction, and most recently under the pen name Kate MacIntosh, an adult historical novel that People magazine named a best book of December. She’s an instructor/mentor with The Creative Academy and Simon Fraser University’s The Writer’s Studio. Several of her books have been optioned for TV or film, but she hasn’t yet had a chance to walk the red carpet. However, she has perfected her Oscar speech into her hairbrush.
Eileen lives in Vancouver where she is always in search of a great bottle of wine, a swoon worthy period drama, and can be counted on to pet any random dog she meets.