Writing Your Children's Book
Are you crafting a story for young people? Do you aspire to write children's and middle-grade books that will sit on bookshelves next to writers such as Jacqueline Wilson, Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Emma Carroll? Or powerful YA novels reminiscent of Angie Thomas and Malorie Blackman? The stories we read when we are young shape us. This May, join us for a six-week online course (including a reading week) to help develop your craft and work towards the publication of your children's book. Lesley Parr, award-winning writer of children's fiction including The Valley of Lost Secrets and When the War Came Home will be using practical exercises, discussion and sharing opportunities to help you shape your book. She will be delving into the writing process, helping you create memorable characters, build a world, and structure your story, while students can also expect her to share insight into the children's book market and how to improve your chances of getting your work published. The course has been designed to benefit children's fiction, middle-grade and YA authors* at all stages of their writing journey, so whether you have an initial idea and want to know where to start, or have a full draft and need help with revising and making it the best it can possibly be, this is the course for you. The sessions will run online via video conferencing software, with homework assignment deadlines in place for the following week. All attendees will receive a complimentary copy of the latest edition of the Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook as well as Lesley's latest book. Schedule Week One: The Children's Book World Wednesday 10th May What it is and how your writing fits in Age ranges Word counts and content Themes, trends and genres Week Two: Getting Started and Keeping Going Wednesday 17th May To plan or not to plan Stimulating ideas Ways to get unstuck Building confidence Finding a community of writers Week Three: Character Development Wednesday 24th May Creating memorable and believable characters Viewpoints Authorial and character voice Dialogue Character motivation Week Four: Reading Week Wednesday 31st May This will not be a teaching week. Instead, students will have an opportunity to work on their writing, prompted by a writing exercise set by Lesley. Week Five: The Story Wednesday 7th June The messy first draft Plot and structure Settings/ worldbuilding Pace Week Six:Shaping up for Publication Wednesday 14th June Editing Query package Improving your chances Synopsis All sessions will include exercises, discussions and sharing time. You will explore and analyse the work of others (including published authors) as well as your own. *Please note that this course does not cover picture books or illustration. Please contact events@writersandartists.co.uk for guidance on upcoming events that focus on writing and/or illustrating children's picture books
