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Office Hours: |
week days; answer questions most weekends
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Course Meeting Times: |
open
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Course Description
Plot designs are not something 'set-in-stone' by magazine editors (or teachers of Creative Writing courses). Just as an architect uses blueprints, so do writers of short stories for children. No one buys a house if the architect does not know how to design blueprints.
Short story plots are the the children's fiction writer's blueprints. Four basic 'blueprints' will be covered in this class: the Incidental plot, the 'did-it -by-myself, the wishful thought fulfilled, and the turn-around story. From these, students will write from four to five stories. Each story will be individually critiqued by the instructor. Rewriting assistance and feedback will be given. The end focus will be marketing the finished manuscripts for paid publication.
This course is designed for authors with some experience at writing, particularly in the area or short stories for children. It will concern plotting, writing, rewriting and actively marketing four different types of children's stories. If you haven't completed 'Writing Short Short Stories for Children,' please email the instructor at web-request@UniversalClass.comfor information on qualifications for this class.
Course Requirements
Students admitted to this class should have successfully completed "Write Short Stories for Children," also available at Universal Class. Experienced writing students can email the instructor and obtain permission to take the class. I will ask to review one short children's story and issue a password to qualifying students. This class will further require students to 1) complete and submit all lesson components, 2) participate in class discussions, and 3) check in with the instructor at least once a week.
Course Goals
The long-term goal is to help writers of children's fiction to become published--and to get published on a more regular basis
Reading Materials
All reading materials will be provided through class netlinks or uploaded documents. Other suggested reading (as the individual situation suggests) will not be required, can be found by individual students if they feel the materials will be of benefit.
Grading Policy
Grading will be based on a 100-point scale. Grades will be divided as follows: Completing quizzes/20 points, class participation/30 points, assignments/50 points.
Course Outline
This course will include lessons on the four major plot types, with assignments in writing, rewriting and marketing at least four stories. Lesson One: In-depth plotting: Incidentally Lesson Two: Rewrite Lesson Three: Second rewrite (if needed) Lesson Four: Marketing: How to Study a Magazine Lesson Five: Marketing: Building a Market List Lesson Six: in-depth plotting: Aha! I Did It All By Myself! Lesson Seven: Rewrite Lesson Eight: Revise & Market Lesson Nine: In-depth Plotting: Turn Around Lesson Ten: Rewrite Lesson Eleven: Second rewrite (if needed) Lesson Twelve: in-depth Plotting: Wishful Thinking? Lesson Thirteen: Rewrite Lesson Fourteen: Second rewrite (if needed) Lesson Fifteen: Marketing Check-Up
