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$19

weekly
or $150 for 8 classes
Class

Creative Writing: Character Building and Story Development (Age 10-14)

Completed by 893 learners
Ages 10-14
Live Group Course
An 8 week writing class that will teach the student how to create characters and develop a story.
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(1,158 reviews)
Star Educator

Live video meetings
1x per week, 8 weeks
1-10 learners per class
60 min

What's included

8 live meetings
8 in-class hours
Homework
1-2 hours per week. The students will bring in a character idea to class number two. The students will be given writing homework three times throughout the eight weeks.
Certificate of Completion
A Certificate of Completion is available upon request for all students.

Class Experience

US Grade 5 - 8
This class will teach the students to create characters and build stories around them. When we work with characters, we trigger our imagination to create stories, worlds, and other characters. In many ways, this process works the same way as when children play freely and use their imagination. The difference is that we will write it all down. 

I encourage each student to write with their own style and voice. This doesn't mean that we can't get better. Writing is just like a muscle. The more we do it, the better we get. At the end of this class, my goal is that each student will have started to write a story that could be developed into a short story or even a novel. 

Lesson 1 will introduce the class and each other. We will do a short writing prompt, talk about the characters, and get to know each other a little in a relaxed way. 

During lesson 2, everyone will introduce their characters, and we will talk about how we can use how characters look to show who they are. 

Lesson 3 will cover what influences a character’s actions, behavior, and decisions. 

Lesson 4 is about outlining or planning our writing. 

Lesson 5 is about how we can use our memories to add details to our writing and dramatic events and how to use these in our stories. 

Lesson 6 is about foreshadowing, our characters’ dreams, and how we utilize these in our writing. 

Lessons 7 and 8 will include information about publishing, book covers, and marketing for writers. 

There will be writing homework three times throughout the class. 

. Bring a pen/pencil and paper to class if you write by hand.

Learning Goals

To develop a character and understand what motivates the character
To use their own memories to add details to their writing

Syllabus

8 Lessons
over 8 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Introduction
 The first class is an introduction to the class, during which we go over what will be covered during the eight weeks.  The students also write a bit, and we start talking about characters. 
60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Character building
 The students introduce their character ideas in class, and we also talk about what stories our characters' looks tell. 
60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
A character's force
 What influences our characters' behavior, decisions, and thoughts? 
60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Outline and planning
 Show how outlining or planning our writing can help us write longer and more detailed. The teacher will show two different ways to brainstorm ideas for an outline or plan. 
60 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Parental Guidance
During the class about foreshadowing I will mention fortune tellers and horoscopes as ways to foreshadow in a story. During the seventh class when we discuss book covers I will show a book cover from a book called Alone in Berlin. This book takes place in Berlin during World War II and one of the covers shows the nazi symbol. During class eight I will screen share a literary agency website and talk about Amazon's self publishing service
Supply List
The students will be given booklets with information during the class to deepen their knowledge about things covered during class time.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Meet the teacher

Joined March, 2016
4.9
1158reviews
Star Educator
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
My teaching philosophy is deeply rooted in personal experience. Growing up with dysgraphia, I encountered teachers who left me feeling uncomfortable, insecure, and inadequate. Those experiences shaped my commitment to creating an environment where every student feels welcome, confident, and supported. My goal is to build students up, ensuring they leave my classes with both knowledge and self-assurance.

As a teacher, I bring a wide array of subjects to life in my classes, ranging from creative writing and Swedish (my native language) to world religions, the Holocaust, and novel studies with a focus on folklore. Each subject reflects my passions and areas of expertise, offering students a rich and dynamic learning experience.

With a master’s degree in education and a double major in social and political science and world religions, my professional background equips me to guide students through diverse and complex topics. Having taught across various age groups in Sweden and now the USA, I also incorporate the principles of student democracy, encouraging students to take an active role in shaping their own learning journey.


On a personal note, I’ve always had a vivid imagination—perhaps a result of my Nordic upbringing. As a child in Sweden, I was fascinated yet terrified by the stories of fairies that pervade our folklore. Now, as an immigrant in the USA, I weave that sense of wonder into my own creative works, which have earned me awards for poetry and short stories.

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