Creative Writing Basics and Beyond: Let's Write a Bestseller!

Creative writing is an awesome way for kids to express themselves. In this ongoing course, students will learn the fundamentals of creative writing from a published author. We’ll also discuss how to publish our stories and novels. From page to print, I’ll offer guidance through the entire process. 

Each week we will cover a different topic related to creative writing. We will learn about characters, setting, tone, plot, characterization, exposition vs scene, audience, revision, peer review and more. Classes will also include input on grammar, vocabulary and spelling. There will also be opportunities to read out loud. 

My goal is to ensure learners develop skills that go above and beyond their current grade level. I ensure this by taking a personal approach, building lessons week-by-week so they are tailored to the unique needs of the class. 

The structure of class will be similar each week. We will start with a warm up question, and then dive into a mini lecture with a follow-up discussion. From there, we complete mini writing challenges, fun games, team quizzes, worksheets and more. Each class will use a variety of teaching methods to engage every type of learner.

Every four weeks, we will complete a "Write Together" lesson. In this lesson, we review what we've learned recently, and then spend most of class writing together.

Each class will end with a writing challenge. The writing challenge is designed to give learners consistent practice and get them familiar with writing standards. There will be time to write during class, but learners may have to finish their assignments outside of class. Learners can share their completed work with me for detailed feedback and advice on next steps. 

Ultimately, learners will write a variety of stories and build their confidence as authors. The goal of this class is to teach learners essential writing skills through creativity and imagination.


✏️ What’s taught in this course? ✏️

Week beginning 3/2/25: What is a literary magazine?
Week beginning 10/2/25: How to write an attack scene: zoom in and slow down
Week beginning 17/2/25: Experiment with point of view
Week beginning 24/2/25: The ‘SWBS’ method
Week beginning 3/3/25: WRITE TOGETHER
Week beginning 10/3/25: How to write interesting villains
Week beginning 17/3/25: How to critique someone's writing
Week beginning 24/3/25: Characterization
Week beginning 31/3/25: How to write convincing dialogue
Week beginning 7/4/25: WRITE TOGETHER
Week beginning 14/4/25: Scene vs. exposition
Week beginning 21/4/25: Writing with the 5 senses
Week beginning 28/4/25: The story mountain range (writing complex plots)
Week beginning 5/5/25: Story elements
Week beginning 12/5/25: WRITE TOGETHER
Week beginning 19/5/25: The publishing industry
Week beginning 26/5/25: Writing for different audiences
Week beginning 2/6/25: All about tone
Week beginning 9/6/25: How to revise our writing
Week beginning 16/6/25: WRITE TOGETHER
Week beginning 23/6/25: Different types of fiction
Week beginning 30/6/25: Design a fantasy map
Week beginning 7/7/25: All about settings
Week beginning 14/7/25: What makes a story...a story?
Week beginning 21/7/25: WRITE TOGETHER
Week beginning 28/7/25: Characters in stories
Week beginning 4/8/25: How to write suspenseful stories
Week beginning 11/8/25: The Story Mountain and how to plan stories
Week beginning 18/8/25: How to write a journey
Week beginning 25/8/25: WRITE TOGETHER
Week beginning 1/9/25: How to write comedy stories

Further topics to be added.


✏️ About my Qualifications ✏️
I have been an English teacher and tutor for more than 7 years. I have two degrees in English and writing, and have spent 3 years as a children's librarian where I developed literacy programs for young learners. If you'd like to learn more about me and my qualifications, please feel free to visit my profile. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have!

Let’s get learning!