Writer in Residence Workshop: Finding True, Unique Voices for Your Characters

A “unique voice” commands attention, sounds fresh to the reader’s ear, and conveys the sense of a fully developed emotional and mental life. In this workshop we explore a variety of ways to make the voices of your protagonist and a secondary character (or two) sound unique and true to their backstory.  A worksheet is provided, and participants will be given writing exercises pertaining to their work-in-progress. Presented by Writer in Residence Karen Odden.

USA Today bestselling author Karen Odden earned her PhD in English at New York University, writing her dissertation on Victorian literature. After teaching at UW-Milwaukee and editing for an academic journal, she turned to writing mysteries, all of which are set in 1870s London. Her fourth, Down a Dark River, an Oprah Daily pick, introduces readers to Inspector Michael Corravan at Scotland Yard; the sequel, Under a Veiled Moon, was nominated for the Agatha, Lefty, and Anthony awards for best historical mystery in 2023. She is a member of the national board of Sisters in Crime and has taught workshops across the US for writing groups, libraries, and conferences, including Desert Nights, Rising Stars at ASU. She makes her home in Arizona and Utah, where she loves to hike while plotting crimes. www.karenodden.com