R.L. LaFevers –
Transformative Journeys
Transformative Journeys—The Heart of Compelling Fiction.
Whether you’re writing for ten-year-olds, teens, or even adults, compelling fiction starts with a fascinating character the reader empathizes with and is eager to follow, wherever the story might lead. Designed for the intermediate to advanced writer who understands the basics of plot and character, this six-day workshop will explore how to go beyond the basics and take your characters on a transformative journey that provide readers with the richly textured, emotional reading experience they’re looking for. We’ll explore theme, subtext, different archetypes and their journeys, as well as how to translate those journeys into dramatic events on the page. Bring your ready-to-revise novel, or use the workshop to brainstorm a new project.
Jennifer Bosworth –
Writing YA From the Inside Out
Writing YA From the Inside Out: Accessing Your Inner Teenager to Inform Concept, Voice, Dialogue, and Character
The young adult genre is an explosion of imagination and creativity, but whether you’re writing contemporary or fantasy, sci-fi or thriller, romance or supernatural, there is one constant: your teenage audience. In this six-day workshop, students will focus on techniques for generating ideas that will appeal to teenagers, developing the authentic YA voice, crafting YA-centric dialogue, creating original characters who defy stereotypes, and mining the teenage self to shape authentic characters that young people relate to. Students should come prepared to workshop a character, the first fifteen pages of a work-in-progress, and to participate in various in-class writing exercises.
Bruce Hale –
Hooking the Little Ones
Hooking the Little Ones: How to Write for the Youngest Readers
Sometimes simple stories can be the most challenging — and the most rewarding. Learn what makes an effective picture book and chapter book, how to work with pictures (even if you’re not an illustrator), and above all, how to grab those youngest readers. Bring to class: Either a work-in-progress chapter book/picture book, or an idea for same.
