“Creating the Thriller Antagonist(s)” with Richard Z. Santos
October 29, 2025 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM CDT
$59.00 – $119.00
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This Event is for Members only.
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$59 for Members
$119 for Non-Members
Registration for the live class is now closed. The class recording is available for purchase by our members until December 31, 2025. Become a WLT member here.
A good plot relies not only on a compelling protagonist and an interesting setting but a series of antagonists who drive the story forward by putting multiple roadblocks in front of your hero.
In this class, we’ll review elements of a good mystery/thriller, and then we’ll discuss how to use multiple antagonists to keep the story moving forward. Hitting a wall (aka “writer’s block!”) happens when our idea runs out of plot, but a nested series of antagonists can help you move past this. This approach will keep your story, and writing, going by upping the ante from beginning to end.
TAKE THIS CLASS IF:
- You want to write a mystery or thriller.
- You want to write a believable antagonist.
- You want to learn about the elements of a good mystery/thriller.
- You’ve had trouble with plot issues and hitting a wall in your writing.
- You’re experiencing writer’s block.
The deadline to register for this is Wednesday, October 29 at 5:00 PM CDT.
Can’t make it to the live class? No problem! All classes are recorded and made available to students until January 31, 2026.
CONTINUING YOUR WRITING JOURNEY
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
The WLT is committed to making our online classes accessible to all writers including writers who do not have the financial means to pay for programming. Five (5) seats in this class have been set aside for scholarship recipients to attend free of charge. Please fill out this application no later than 2 days prior to the class to be considered for one of the scholarship seats. We do not ask for any corroborating documents; we only ask that you help us understand your situation. If you are selected for one of the available seats you will be notified via email (from wlt@writersleague.org) no later than 24 hours before the start of the class. Please note, each writer is limited to no more than four (4) total scholarship seats per catalog season.
Instructor
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Richard Z. Santos' debut novel, Trust Me, was a finalist for the Writer's League of Texas Book Awards and was named one of the best debuts of the year by Crime Reads. He's the editor of the anthology A Night of Screams: Latino Horror Stories. His fiction has been nominated for The Pushcart, Best of the Net, the International Thriller Writers Awards, and has been cited in Best American Mystery and Suspense. His stories, nonfiction, and essays have appeared in Texas Monthly, The Rumpus, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Los Angeles Review of Books, Like the Wind, Austin Noir, Lone Stars Rising, and more.
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Anti-Harassment Policy
The Writers’ League of Texas is dedicated to providing harassment-free spaces for everyone, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Violating these rules may result in expulsion from WLT programs without a refund at the discretion of the WLT staff.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
- Comments that reinforce social structures of domination (related to gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion);
- Sexual images not appropriate for the specific subject of the public discussion;
- Deliberate intimidation or stalking;
- Harassing photography or recording;
- Sustained disruption of discussions or other events;
- Unwelcome sexual attention;
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
Enforcement
Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund. Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants. We expect participants to follow these rules during all events and event-related social activities.
Reporting
If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Reports can also be made via email at wlt@writersleague.org. We’ll handle any and all reports as respectfully as possible. You won’t be asked to confront anyone, and we won’t tell anyone who you are.
Accessibility Policy
Closed captioning is available for all online classes and special events.
The WLT is committed to making its programs & services accessible to all writers. Please contact us at wlt@writersleague.org or at 512-499-8914 for more information or to discuss accommodations you may need.
Credit Card Transaction Handling Fee Policy
All credit card transactions will incur a 4% handling fee. If you’d prefer to pay by check for membership, a class, or an event, you can use the provided forms on the membership or event pages and mail to: WLT, P.O. Box 14355, Austin, TX, 78704.
Writers’ League of Texas classes and workshops are also funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts – Investing in a Creative Texas. For more information, go to www.arts.texas.gov.