Author-To-Author: A YA Fiction Author Teaches Teens to Write a Short Story!
Do you love to write? Award-winning novelist guides aspiring teen authors to write a short story!
Beth Fehlbaum, M.Ed.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(11)
What's included
12 live meetings
12 in-class hoursClass Experience
Are you a teen who loves to write? I guide aspiring authors ages 13-17 to develop strong literacy while learning to craft character, making setting a powerful component of story, and telling an authentically amazing story ! I'm an award-winning author, longtime English teacher, and freelance editor. I will not only present engaging lessons, but I will also do a deep dive into your writing submissions and provide one-on-one coaching to help you, an aspiring author, to tell the story that is dying to break out of your mind and flow beautifully onto the page. This is a 60-minute class that meets M-W-F for 12 sessions. It includes a digital notebook provided to each participant and serves as a guidebook/textbook, as well as a weekly writing assignment via Google Docs, both accessible through my Google Classroom. Whether you are a “good” English student or not, if you have the desire to write a story that’s dying to be told, I can guide you to see it to fruition. I utilize my expertise as well as respected resources, meaningful video clips, and an overflowing mental "toolbox" that's stocked by over two decades of teaching. For Common Core Standards Correlated to this class, please see: http://bethfehlbaumbooks.info/grades-4-12-common-core-correlations-to-author-to-author-class/ Overview of the Class* Lesson 1: Welcome! Let's talk about your protagonist. Lesson 2: Building the setting, and why it's important. Lesson 3: Conflict: why "I want" is the seed of your story, and why you need a major and a minor "want" Lesson 4: The inciting incident: ladies and gentlemen, you cannot look away! Lesson 5: Complications: throw what ya got at your hero. Lesson 6: Do you feel it? Magnetic forces are pulling your protagonist toward the show-down. . . Lesson 7: Writing Workshop! Lesson 8: The antagonist's motive and what he/she has to lose. Lesson 9: Confronting the conflict: will yours burst like fireworks, splatter like paint, or sputter like a car out of gas? Lesson 10: The role of setting in the denouement (falling action): is this where your protagonist wants to be? Lesson 11: Happy ending or hopeful ending? The big finish. Lesson 12: How to publish your book: options for being able to hold a hard copy in your hand.
Learning Goals
Class consists of a few minutes of introduction that encompasses a review of where we’ve been, overview of where we’re going, and two Quick Writes per lesson that allow application of the skill being introduced and/or reinforced. Students will learn to craft realistic characters, discover the motive behind the characters’ “I want(s),” and develop a plot fueled by delicious conflict! I will clearly explain the weekly writing assignment and how to know if it’s going well.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
I want all students to be able to write what they want, but we must respect others' boundaries. For that reason, if a student writes a story that contains graphic elements or profanity, I will work with the student in a way that does not subject others to content that they may find controversial. Should a student desire to share their stories with their peers during sharing time, they will be reminded that not everyone is okay with graphic elements or profanity, and to refrain from sharing those sections on our public space. It’s okay to share with me in my capacity as advisor, but not necessarily with everyone. All should note: violent story lines that are graphic for no other reason than shock value, as well as racist, bigoted, and homophobic themes are not something I'm willing to be a part of developing in any circumstance.
Supply List
You will be provided with a (free) individual digital notebook that is rooted in Google Slides. A gmail account is needed to access and utilize this resource, and you will access my Google Classroom in order to access the individual digital notebook, after you enroll. I will also share Individual Quick Write documents with you; those will also be rooted in the digital notebook.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
A variety of reference books will be utilized to plan lessons and deepen the students' understanding of writer's craft. These may include:
Writing the Breakout Novel, by Donald Maas
Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook, by Donald Maas
First You Write a Sentence, by Joe Moran
Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder
Stephen King on Writing, by Stephen King
Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott
The Emotional Craft of Fiction, by Donald Maas
What If?- Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers, by Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter
Getting Your Book Published (for Dummies), by Sarah Parsons Zackheim, with Adrian Zackheim
DIY MFA, b Gabriela Periera
Spilling Ink, by Anne Mazer and Helen Potter
Dare to Write- Creative Writing Prompts, by Kristen Fogle
No Plot? No Problem! by Chris Baty
Putting Your Passion into Print, by Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry
Great Advice on Writing, by William Safire and Leonard Safire
The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition, by The University of Chicago Press
...and mentor young adult texts relevant to demonstrating the goal of writing a book, such as brief excerpts from my own books, or pages from classical literature. It is possible--but not guaranteed- that I will invite an author friend or two to guest and share their experience of the writing process.
In addition, I may refer you to links of 3-5 minute YouTube videos, where appropriate in order to demonstrate a concept, i.e., to demonstrate conflict, I may use a Bounty paper towel commercial, a scene from "It's a Wonderful Life," or "My Shot" from the Alexander Hamilton musical. At no time will I use videos that are not provided to the public or that contain objectionable language or content.
Joined October, 2020
5.0
11reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Texas Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Education from Texas A & M-Commerce
Bachelor's Degree in English from University of Texas at Arlington
I have written 6 books (5 novels for teens & I co-wrote 1 creative non-fiction trauma recovery book). have a B.A. in English, minor Secondary Education, M.Ed. in Reading, and over 22 years of experience teaching writing to middle-and high schoolers. I recognize the essential truth of any classroom: all students must feel comfortable and safe being themselves in order to learn. I am committed to preserving an accepting classroom environment that includes guiding students through writing exercises that are constructive and safe. Reviews
Live Group Class
$240
for 12 classes1x per week, 12 weeks
60 min
Completed by 3 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
10-18 learners per class
