Getting Your Middle Grade or Young Adult Novel Unstuck: On-Demand

OVERVIEW:

Online, On-Demand Self-Paced Course

• 7 pre-recorded online sessions you can access on-demand for up to 6 months from the date of your registration.
• A 20-minute Zoom call with Erin or Chris after you register.
• Optional monthly office hours on the first Tuesday of each month from 7-8pm EST for up to 6 months from the date of your registration.

Two seasoned authors of middle grade and young adult fiction, Erin Dionne and New York Times best-selling author Chris Tebbetts, will share their writers’ toolbox for getting unstuck, with a focus on character development, plotting and outlining, revision, journaling, and improvisation/play.

FEEDBACK EXPECTED:

• A 20-minute Zoom call with Erin or Chris to discuss your work in progress and/or any other questions you may have about writing, publishing, and getting unstuck. Before the call, you may submit up to 5 double-spaced, 12pt font, pages of your work.
• Informal feedback from faculty and your peers in the optional monthly office hours.
• In addition, private critique and coaching services with Erin or Chris will be available and can be arranged separately for an additional fee.

WHY THIS WORKSHOP?

Whether you’ve jotted down ideas for a novel but can’t get your story off the ground, you’re stuck in the middle of a draft with no idea of where to go next, or you’ve written most of the book but can’t figure out the ending, this course is designed to help you move forward.

This is an “on demand” online workshop that you can complete at your own pace. The faculty has prepared an engaging experience for you with a variety of pre-recorded lectures and hands-on workshops as well as a collection of additional resources. You will have access to the course for six months after your registration date.

IT’S A GREAT FIT IF:

• You are stuck in the middle of a middle grade or young adult novel draft with no idea of where to go next. Our faculty will share their writers’ toolbox for getting unstuck, and give you hands-on exercises to help you move forward.
• You’ve jotted down ideas for a novel but can’t get your story off the ground. We’ll get you started! Lectures and hands-on activities will help you with plotting and outlining, journaling and improvisation.
• You can’t figure out how to end or revise your story. We’ll give you tools and tips you need to help you put the “vision” in revision.”
• You want an online experience that you can complete at your own pace. This course was designed to fit into your schedule.  You can work through the lessons individually and join office hours to ask questions and engage with your writer community.

DETAILED AGENDA:

Recorded Sessions

The course consists of these sessions, via pre-recorded video:

1. Overview
2. Workshop: Improv and Play, Parts 1 & 2
3. Workshop: Character Development, Parts 1 & 2
4. Workshop: Duality, Plot & Outline, Parts 1 & 2
5. Workshop: Chapters & Scenes That Propel the Reader, Parts 1 & 2
6. Lecture: Romeo at the Balcony: Persistence and Optimism in Pursuit of the Ideal, Parts 1 & 2
7. Wrap Up: Setting Goals and Looking Ahead

Zoom Call with Faculty

After registration, you can schedule a free 20-minute Zoom call with Erin or Chris to discuss your work in progress and/or any other questions you may have about writing, publishing, and getting unstuck. Before the call, you may submit up to 5 double-spaced, 12pt font, pages of your work.  Details will be provided after registration.

Optional Monthly Office Hours

• First Tuesday of each month from 7-8pm EST

Chris and Erin will be gathering monthly by Zoom with participants in the course to discuss, brainstorm, and problem-solve around works-in-progress or other writing issues you’d like to consult about.  You’ll have access to these office hours for six months from the date of your registration.

COMMITMENT REQUIRED FOR THE BEST EXPERIENCE:

You can work through these workshop sessions at your own pace, and you’ll have six months from the date of your registration to do so. For an enhanced experience, you can join the community office hours.  While this is not required, it is recommend for the best experience.

HOW IT IMPACTS KIDS:

Your story will matter to your readers.  If you’re stuck getting your thoughts to the paper, this course will help so that your novel can inspire a kid or a young adult.

Why do we mention this? Learn about the Highlights Foundation mission.

RESOURCES:

Chris Tebbetts: Visual Outlining
Chris Tebbetts: As Simple As Possible: Three Ways To Tighten Your Prose
5 Ways to Reclaim Your Creative Joy
Step Away From Your Manuscript & Shake Things Up With Writers’ Bingo
Breaking Through Those Creative Blocks

FROM OUR COMMUNITY:

“Chris provided good feedback on my submission that helped put me back “on the beam.” Erin offered great ideas for character development and planning.”

“I did get the kick in the pants I needed. I am energized again about my manuscript and have the confidence that I can finish it and send it out.”

“The material from all faculty was well prepared and rich!”

“A lot of time and thought went into all of the lectures. Faculty chose topics that could appeal to both beginners and advanced writers, and presented the info in a collegial manner, assuming we were an intelligent audience, never talking down to us. The overall experience was designed, not haphazard, and thus each segment delivered valuable insights in different ways.”

“I’m excited to get back to my draft; I have all sorts of good ideas for what to do next.”

“Chris Tebbetts is an extraordinary teacher–his direct critique went straight to the heart of my novel and the techniques he provided gave me revision tools which are relevant to my manuscript and to my overall writing goals. Erin Dionne’s lectures illuminated many paths for every day writing practices. Her teaching provided many, many strategies for strengthening my manuscript.”