Challenge clichés and explore different ways of depicting older characters who are authentic, vivid and complex.
Truly older characters remain rare in fiction, often being valorised for youthful traits or reduced to clichés—such as wise mentors, comic relief, or frail victims. In contrast, real older adults are complex, dynamic, and worthy heroes of their own stories, despite physical or neurological challenges.
In a youth-obsessed society, displaying the power of older characters is essential to challenge stereotypes and shift the narrative around ageing. Through discussion, exercises, and examples from literature and film, we’ll explore age-related themes with nuance and learn how to craft vivid, authentic and three-dimensional older characters that resonate with readers.
- Workshop: Saturday 23 August, 10am—1:30pm
- Where: The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, 3000 Australia
- With: Anna Johnston
About the Tutor
Anna Johnston is a former baby and aspiring octogenarian with a love for the heartfelt and hilarious. She grew up in country Victoria before moving to Melbourne where she lives by the beach. Anna left an imminent career in medicine to become the social support coordinator at her grandfather’s nursing home. When injury left her unable to continue working in aged care, she turned to writing, channeling her love for older people onto the page.