David Wisehart
@davidwisehart.bsky.social
Writer, director, producer. Author of How to Write Great Characters.
I ran my first 50K race on Saturday.
I beat the 9-hour cutoff time with 5 minutes to spare.
I was dead last.
In my book, that’s a win.
I beat the 9-hour cutoff time with 5 minutes to spare.
I was dead last.
In my book, that’s a win.
January 22, 2025 at 12:37 AM
I ran my first 50K race on Saturday.
I beat the 9-hour cutoff time with 5 minutes to spare.
I was dead last.
In my book, that’s a win.
I beat the 9-hour cutoff time with 5 minutes to spare.
I was dead last.
In my book, that’s a win.
Characters have secrets—desires and fears.
Story begins when desire is revealed.
A character says, “I want.”
This is the goal.
Goals reveal obstacles.
Obstacles reveal fear.
Fear says, “I need.”
Characters may or may not get what they want.
But when they face their fear, they get what they need.
Story begins when desire is revealed.
A character says, “I want.”
This is the goal.
Goals reveal obstacles.
Obstacles reveal fear.
Fear says, “I need.”
Characters may or may not get what they want.
But when they face their fear, they get what they need.
January 7, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Characters have secrets—desires and fears.
Story begins when desire is revealed.
A character says, “I want.”
This is the goal.
Goals reveal obstacles.
Obstacles reveal fear.
Fear says, “I need.”
Characters may or may not get what they want.
But when they face their fear, they get what they need.
Story begins when desire is revealed.
A character says, “I want.”
This is the goal.
Goals reveal obstacles.
Obstacles reveal fear.
Fear says, “I need.”
Characters may or may not get what they want.
But when they face their fear, they get what they need.
In this final module in the Character Secrets course, we take a deep dive into the character secrets of the Diplomat (Enneagram Type 9)…
CS Module 10 — Diplomat Type
Character Secrets Course
open.substack.com
January 5, 2025 at 5:15 PM
In this final module in the Character Secrets course, we take a deep dive into the character secrets of the Diplomat (Enneagram Type 9)…
In this post, we dive deeper into how you can use a character’s secrets—their fears and desires—to drive the plot of your own story.
Character Is Destiny, Part 2 of 6
Nine Fears to Rule Them All: How Character Drives Story
open.substack.com
January 3, 2025 at 2:14 AM
In this post, we dive deeper into how you can use a character’s secrets—their fears and desires—to drive the plot of your own story.
Our lives are shaped by the choices we make.
Our choices are shaped by who we are.
“Character is destiny” is more than a maxim—it’s a powerful tool for creating authentic and compelling stories.
Our choices are shaped by who we are.
“Character is destiny” is more than a maxim—it’s a powerful tool for creating authentic and compelling stories.
Character Is Destiny, Part 1 of 6
The Power of Character-Driven Stories
open.substack.com
December 31, 2024 at 3:38 PM
Our lives are shaped by the choices we make.
Our choices are shaped by who we are.
“Character is destiny” is more than a maxim—it’s a powerful tool for creating authentic and compelling stories.
Our choices are shaped by who we are.
“Character is destiny” is more than a maxim—it’s a powerful tool for creating authentic and compelling stories.
In this module from my online course, we take a deep dive into the character secrets of the Leader (Enneagram Type 8)…
CS Module 9 — Leader Type
Character Secrets Course
open.substack.com
December 28, 2024 at 3:00 AM
In this module from my online course, we take a deep dive into the character secrets of the Leader (Enneagram Type 8)…
If you want to find a treasure, look for a dragon.
December 23, 2024 at 7:42 AM
If you want to find a treasure, look for a dragon.
In this module from my online course, we take a deep dive into the character secrets of the Adventurer (Enneagram Type 7)…
CS Module 8 — Adventurer Type
Character Secrets Course
open.substack.com
December 21, 2024 at 1:03 AM
In this module from my online course, we take a deep dive into the character secrets of the Adventurer (Enneagram Type 7)…
In this video from my online course, we take a deep dive into the character secrets of the Questioner (Enneagram Type 6)…
CS Module 7 — Questioner Type
Character Secrets Course
open.substack.com
December 20, 2024 at 12:26 AM
In this video from my online course, we take a deep dive into the character secrets of the Questioner (Enneagram Type 6)…
In this module from my online course, we take a deep dive into the character secrets of the Observer (Enneagram Type 5)…
CS Module 6 — Observer Type
Character Secrets Course
open.substack.com
December 17, 2024 at 11:06 PM
In this module from my online course, we take a deep dive into the character secrets of the Observer (Enneagram Type 5)…
In this module of my online course for writers, we take a deep dive into the character secrets of the Artist (Enneagram Type 4)…
CS Module 5 — Artist Type
Character Secrets Course (2015)
open.substack.com
December 16, 2024 at 5:02 PM
In this module of my online course for writers, we take a deep dive into the character secrets of the Artist (Enneagram Type 4)…
In module 4 of my online course, we take a deep dive into the character secrets of the Achiever (Enneagram Type 3)...
CS Module 4 — Achiever Type
Character Secrets Course (2015)
open.substack.com
December 11, 2024 at 9:48 PM
In module 4 of my online course, we take a deep dive into the character secrets of the Achiever (Enneagram Type 3)...
In module 3 of my online course, we take a deep dive into the character secrets of the Helper (Enneagram Type 2)...
CS Module 3 — Helper Type
Character Secrets Course (2015)
open.substack.com
December 10, 2024 at 1:55 PM
In module 3 of my online course, we take a deep dive into the character secrets of the Helper (Enneagram Type 2)...
Module 2 of my online course takes a deep dive into the character secrets of the Reformer (Enneagram Type 1).
CS Module 2 — Reformer Type
Character Secrets Course (2015)
open.substack.com
December 8, 2024 at 5:11 AM
Module 2 of my online course takes a deep dive into the character secrets of the Reformer (Enneagram Type 1).
Check out my new channel on YouTube...
Announcing my new Character Secrets YouTube Channel!
I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my new Character Secrets YouTube channel!
open.substack.com
December 6, 2024 at 6:10 PM
Check out my new channel on YouTube...
A brief overview of my Character Secrets system for creating great characters based on the Enneagram of Personality…
CS Module 1 — Introduction
Character Secrets Course (2015)
open.substack.com
December 6, 2024 at 1:08 AM
A brief overview of my Character Secrets system for creating great characters based on the Enneagram of Personality…
I think of setting in terms of character.
The purpose of setting is to reveal and test your character.
The purpose of setting is to reveal and test your character.
How Setting Reveals Character
Person, Place, and Problem
open.substack.com
December 5, 2024 at 4:04 AM
I think of setting in terms of character.
The purpose of setting is to reveal and test your character.
The purpose of setting is to reveal and test your character.
In this clip from my online class, I introduce the Enneagram, which is now the main tool I use for creating characters.
The Enneagram
Character Secrets (2015), Video Clip 4
https://open.substack.com/pub/davidwisehart/p/the-enneagram?r=3r3su&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web×tamp=173.5
December 4, 2024 at 2:52 PM
In this clip from my online class, I introduce the Enneagram, which is now the main tool I use for creating characters.
In this short clip from my 2015 online course, I talk about some of the psychological tools I used for character development and how I discovered the Enneagram.
Character Psychology
Character Secrets (2015), Video Clip 3
open.substack.com
December 3, 2024 at 11:08 PM
In this short clip from my 2015 online course, I talk about some of the psychological tools I used for character development and how I discovered the Enneagram.
In this clip from my online course, I introduce my approach to crafting characters using observation, storytelling tools, and psychology. I also discuss how ancient systems of typology can inspire richer, more authentic characters...
Why Study Character?
Character Secrets (2015), Video Clip 1
https://open.substack.com/pub/davidwisehart/p/why-study-character?r=3r3su&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web×tamp=163.6
December 3, 2024 at 9:17 PM
In this clip from my online course, I introduce my approach to crafting characters using observation, storytelling tools, and psychology. I also discuss how ancient systems of typology can inspire richer, more authentic characters...
If you’re looking for crystal-clear examples of character types and character arcs, a great place to look is blockbuster, high-quality family films aimed at parents and children alike.
Maleficent (2014) is a particularly good example...
Maleficent (2014) is a particularly good example...
Character Secrets in Maleficent (2014)
The Leader's Arc
open.substack.com
December 3, 2024 at 9:16 PM
If you’re looking for crystal-clear examples of character types and character arcs, a great place to look is blockbuster, high-quality family films aimed at parents and children alike.
Maleficent (2014) is a particularly good example...
Maleficent (2014) is a particularly good example...
This case study from my 2015 online video course demonstrates how I analyze characters through the lens of the Enneagram.
Character Secrets in Witness (1985)
The Reformer's Arc
open.substack.com
December 3, 2024 at 9:14 PM
This case study from my 2015 online video course demonstrates how I analyze characters through the lens of the Enneagram.
My favorite simple definition of story is:
“Somebody wants something and has a hard time getting it.”
There’s a lot of information there, so let’s unpack it…
“Somebody wants something and has a hard time getting it.”
There’s a lot of information there, so let’s unpack it…
What Is a Story?
Character, Desire, Conflict, and Resolution
open.substack.com
December 3, 2024 at 9:11 PM
My favorite simple definition of story is:
“Somebody wants something and has a hard time getting it.”
There’s a lot of information there, so let’s unpack it…
“Somebody wants something and has a hard time getting it.”
There’s a lot of information there, so let’s unpack it…
In this clip from my 2015 online course, I talk about my early struggles as a writer and how I learned to create characters for my books, scripts, stage plays, and video games.
Development of a Writer
Character Secrets (2015), Video Clip 2
open.substack.com
December 3, 2024 at 7:27 PM
In this clip from my 2015 online course, I talk about my early struggles as a writer and how I learned to create characters for my books, scripts, stage plays, and video games.
A character begins with a set of recognizable traits, but readers want to see characters change.
Deep down, this is why we read stories.
Deep down, this is why we read stories.
The Stamp of Life
How Great Stories Inspire Us to Change
open.substack.com
December 2, 2024 at 11:22 PM
A character begins with a set of recognizable traits, but readers want to see characters change.
Deep down, this is why we read stories.
Deep down, this is why we read stories.