Find Your Characters With

Character Compass

When you read a great story, what sticks with you? The setting? The action? Maybe. But...

We humans connect emotionally with characters, their strengths and weaknesses. That's what sticks: the emotional journey of the main character.

That's what editors and agents will look for. That's what readers expect.

But how can we create emotionally rich characters that will reach those editors and agents and young readers?

This is the course that will give you the tools to create great characters.

Yes, I'd like Character Compass!

This is a truth:

Character Is Story.

When we read, our imagination connects instantly with the character in a story. Hey, I'm not making this up: it's brain science.

Think about the last book you read (or any story - a movie, a play, a sitcom...) You invested in the outcome of what happened to the character. Right?

That's how you need to build your stories. 

In Character Compass, you'll learn all aspects of creating character, in picture books, or middle grade or young adult novels. Understand the 7 emotional drivers that comprise great characters. 

  • Master main character story arc, one of the essential building blocks of writing a great book
  • Understand the elements needed to build your protagonist, antagonist, and secondary characters
  • Learn how to create emotional connection between characters and readers - the key to writing powerhouse stories


How can you be sure whether your characters will connect with readers – or with agents and editors?


If you hope to create emotionally rich characters, you need to understand emotional drivers. What it is that drives people to do great (and terrible) things.


This course will give you just the information and exercises you need.


You’ll come away with an understanding of the 7 pivotal emotional drivers that all characters must possess.

Yes! I want to create memorable characters right now!

Perfect for kidlit creators who:

  • Need to flesh out characters in a new or existing manuscript
  • Wish to understand the fundamentals of good characterization
  • Are intent on reaching readers through compelling characters
  • Are just beginning to write, or are more experienced writers
  • Are creating characters in picture books through young adult novels

What You’ll Find Inside
Character Compass

A clear path to defining the Seven Character Emotional Drivers that will help you clarify your character's story journey.

The importance of great character building and how the character's Emotional Journey will guide your story into the next level.

Create memorable characters for your next story!


Follow the insights and guidance of an award-winning author, in bite-sized exercises you can work through at your own pace, and return to each time you craft a new story.

Get Started Today!

MEET YOUR TEACHER

Janet Fox

Character Compass is a short course created by Janet Fox, a multi-published award-winning author and teacher with over 25 years of writing and publishing experience, and with 7 years of helping writers to achieve publishing success through both courses and hands-on coaching.

Janet is the author of 13 books for young readers, from picture book through YA novels, fiction and nonfiction. 

Her courses are designed for all kidlit writers, from beginners to advanced.

Ready to write amazing characters that your readers will love?

Don't miss out on this step-by-step guide!

This course covers everything you need to know to master writing extraordinary characters.
Get it now for $17.00

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the course take to complete?

The course is designed to be completed in about 1–2 hours. You can go through the lesson and handout in one sitting and immediately apply what you learn to your own characters.

Is this course really enough to help me create a character for today's readers?

Yes. This course focuses on one specific outcome: helping you create an emotionally impactful character using a clear framework so you can move forward with confidence.

What if I already have a great character in my story?

Perfect—you’ll use your existing character throughout the course to refine and strengthen it so you know whether it’s something readers and publishers are looking for in today's market.

Is this only for picture book writers?

No. The method works for picture books, middle grade, and young adult novels. The principles of strong, emotionally impactful characters apply across all categories.

Is this for beginners or people who have been writing for a while?

This course is for both. For beginners and early-stage writers, there are clear examples and a simple step-by-step approach. However, even more experienced writers can struggle with creating memorable characters. This course helps you diagnose and fix that problem quickly.

What if this course isn’t right for me?

No problem. This course comes with a refund policy—if it’s not a good fit, you can request your money back.

Janet here!

I believe in happy endings.

I believe that children need our books more than ever.

My Character Compass course will help you create characters that young readers - and agents and editors - will love.



Yes, I want to create amazing characters!