Creative Writing: Zelda Fanfiction
W๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ผ๐๐ป ๐ญ๐ฒ๐น๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐! Ideal for beginner to seasoned writers who want to create in a fun, social environment. All Zelda fans-- from Ocarina of Time to Tears of the Kingdom-- are welcome!
What's included
6 live meetings
5 in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 3 - 6
Beginner - Advanced Level
๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ญ๐ฒ๐น๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐บ๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ-๐ณ๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐ธ๐ฒ! In this class, students will learn the basics of plot, character, description, and conflict-- but above all else have fun and play with words and writing as they each create their own Zelda short story. Writing within a familiar world is not only fun, but can be a great way to learn the basics of writing and critical reading in an established place that students are already enthusiastic about. In our live class each week, I'll discuss the basics of writing using the Zelda series as an example-- like studying plot by discussing Mipha's story, or character by thinking on Ganon. Each student will then apply this new knowledge to their own Zelda short story, which they will work on throughout the six week period. The short story can be about whatever they choose-- some students choose to write about a totally new Zelda hero, while others like to delve into untold backstories about existing characters. Students will post their story progress each week into our Outschool classroom at least twenty-four hours before the following class. That way, I'm able to give it a read and provide them some helpful feedback as they move forward. It is helpful to be at least somewhat familiar with the Zelda franchise before taking this class, but familiarity with all the games is not necessary; a "spoiler policy" will be discussed in the first class for ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ณ๐ด ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ช๐ฏ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฐ๐ฎ. I do my best to make sure this class is a great fit for students who are voracious fans of the franchise, as well as those who are just starting out with it! ๐ช๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ธ๐น๐ ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฑ๐ผ๐๐ป: โญWeek one: Story structure We'll go through quick introductions with one another and discuss our favorite Zelda characters and games. We'll then discuss the basics of story structure and the process of writing a great story! Students will come up with their story characters and the basic structure for homework. โญWeek two: Detail and description The teacher will give brief feedback to each student on their homework. We'll discuss how to get the "movie in your head" out of your head and onto the paper. Students will continue working on their stories for homework, with the goal of finishing the beginning of their story. โญWeek three: Dialogue The teacher will give brief feedback to each student on their homework. We'll discuss the mechanics of writing gripping dialogue. Students will continue working on their stories for homework, with the goal of getting about halfway through the middle of their story. โญWeek four: Writer's Block The teacher will give brief feedback to each student on their homework. We'll talk about ways to overcome writer's block without getting frustrated. Students will continue working on their stories for homework, with the goal of finishing the middle of their story. โญWeek five: Editing The teacher will give brief feedback to each student on their homework. We'll then discuss editing, and how to approach editing a creative writing piece. Students will finish the climax and end of their stories for homework! โญWeek six: Finished story! Final story review and discussion! The teacher will give everyone overall feedback on their story, and students will be asked to talk about their writing process over the course of the class. While the class is structured with the goal of completing a story, some students may not finish entirely-- this is okay! The goal is for them to ๐ธ๐ณ๐ช๐ต๐ฆ and be excited about their creation. ๐๐น๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฑ๐ผ๐๐ป: โญ5 minutes: Introductions, hellos โญ20 minutes: I'll go to each student whose story was updated and ask them what was easy for them as a writer, and what they had a hard time with. I'll them give short, quick feedback. I only provide verbal feedback for this class, as I think it's important that students think of feedback as a conversation rather than a teacher marking errors! Students may not remember everything I say, and that's fine-- the goal isn't for them to modify their story to exactly fit what I suggest, but rather to consider it as they continue writing. โญ25 minutes: Weekly lesson. I'll go over the specific lesson of the week in an engaging, interactive way, asking for student input and suggestions as we go.
Learning Goals
Students will learn about writing fundamentals through the lens of Zelda, and create their own Zelda short story over the course of the six-week class.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Below are my general classroom rules and policies. These will also be explained to students when we begin class!
-For everyone's safety, and to ensure an engaging and social experience, students are required to have working microphones and video for the entirety of this class, positioned such that we can both hear and see them.
-Students are asked not to use filters or virtual backgrounds-- though if there is an important reason to use a virtual background, please just let me know ahead of time that your student will be using one (no questions asked!).
-Students will be asked to introduce themselves by sharing their name, pronoun, and a favorite book.
-The Zoom text chat is set to "host only", meaning students can chat with me, but not to one another or the entire classroom.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
1 teacher has a teaching certificate
Georgia Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education
1 teacher has a Graduate degree
Master's Degree in Education from Lehigh University
4 teachers have a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature from Davidson College
Bachelor's Degree in English from The University of Georgia
Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature from Purdue University
Bachelor's Degree in English from Agnes Scott College
Hello! My name is Jackson Pearce, and I'm the founder of WordPlay Writing Co.-- an organization that connects real authors with kids and teens in amazing creative writing classes.
At a glance info:
-All classes are taught by award-winning published authors.
-We offer classes for reluctant writers, casual writers, pre-professional writers, and everything in-between!
-We strive to create an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive learning environment.
-We pride ourselves on classroom management and ensuring all voices are heard.
-Between us, our teachers have over 55 published books, 9 advanced degrees, and 10,000 students taught!
Our teachers:
๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐๐ผ๐ป ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ฒ (founder and teacher):
I'm the author of sixteen books for tweens and teens, including the ๐๐ช๐ฑ ๐๐ข๐ณ๐ต๐ญ๐ฆ๐ต๐ต'๐ด ๐๐ถ๐ช๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐๐ข๐จ๐ช๐ค๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข๐ต๐ถ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ด series (Scholastic), the ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐ช๐ฆ, ๐๐ฏ๐จ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ณ series (Bloomsbury), and the ๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฃ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ค๐ณ๐ฐ๐ด๐ด series (Bloomsbury). My books are published in twenty-three languages around the world, and have won multiple state and national awards. I have taught creative writing classes across the country at schools, libraries, colleges, and camps, and have taught over 7000 online students! I also have a bachelor's in English from the University of Georgia.
I have taught creative writing classes, camps, and seminars for kids for over ten years. My approach is to teach creative writing as playโ something that is to be enjoyed, experimented with, and shared. Too often I find that students are their own worst critics; I aim to remind them that thereโs value and fun to be had in everything you write, whether itโs good, bad, or in-between.
My classes are fun, informative, and engaging, and I genuinely love helping students uncover or hone their writing talents. Students are encouraged to speak and ask questions during class, and I do my best to relate the material to their likes, dislikes, and interests so they connect better with the coursework. I love teaching Wings of Fire classes, as well as book club classes!
๐ง๐ถ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐ฆ๐ฐ๐ต๐บ๐ถ๐ฑ๐:
In addition to spending seven years as a sixth grade teacher, Iโve taught kindergarten, preschool, and worked extensively with middle and high school writers as a tutor. I have a Masterโs in Elementary Education and a B.A. in English, both from Lehigh University.
Oh yeah, and Iโm the author of nine novels for teens and tweens, as well as the momma of three impish Schmidtlets. Iโm looking forward to connecting with young writers and readers. My goal for my students is always for them to Grow and Glowโknowing itโs safe to try hard and take risks, while feeling good about what they accomplish. My teaching style is dynamic optimism and I canโt wait to write together!
๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐:
Hi! I'm the author of several young adult books, including the Grace and Fury series (Little, Brown), and the forthcoming Perfect Girl (Feiwel & Friends). I also write picture books, including the forthcoming Love Like Chocolate (Little, Brown).ย
I have a BA in English from Davidson College and an MA in Publishing from Oxford Brookes University. I love creative writing and can't wait to share with you all that I've learned over the years.ย
I'm also an avid journal writer, traveler, Girl Scout leader, Army wife, knitter, stained glass artist, and mom to two kiddos and three pets. I'm looking forward to writing with you!
๐ฆ๐ฎ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ฎ ๐ ๐ถ๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐น๐น:
Saundra Mitchell is an award-winning and critically-acclaimed author of twelve novels and two non-fiction history books, and an editor of four anthologiesโall for young people. She primarily writes for tweens and teens, and has spent the last fifteen years of her career fighting for the reading rights of young people, especially those from marginalized groups and backgrounds. For almost twenty years, Mitchell was also the head screenwriter and an executive producer for Fresh Films, the largest filmmaking program for teens in the world. During her tenure, she wrote more than four hundred short films, half of which competed at film festivals all around the world. Ten earned Academy Award eligibility. Mitchell also teaches creative writing and screenwriting to students of all ages, and enjoys reading, studying history, playing ttrpgs and video games, and spending time with her wife and daughters. After a lifetime in the midwest, she now resides in Maryland. Her pronouns are she/they.
๐๐บ๐บ๐ฎ ๐. ๐ข๐ต๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ
Emma K. Ohland has been telling stories since before she knew how to write them down. She grew up in the middle of a cornfield in Indiana, but her imagination often carried her away to other worlds. When sheโs not writing, reading, or smelling books, she enjoys traveling, crocheting, D&D, and snuggling with her rescue greyhound. She is the award-winning author of FUNERAL GIRL as well as her upcoming novel HERE GOES NOTHING, and her work is featured in the short story anthology OUT THERE. Before publishing, she was an admissions officer of a top 50 university where she read and made decisions on over 5,000 student applications. Along with writing, she is also a private college counselor where she helps students gain admission by crafting strong personal narratives utilizing storytelling techniques. Her students have been accepted into top schools such as the UCs, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, University of Michigan, UT Austin, Northeastern, and more.
๐๐ฎ๐
๐ ๐ฐ๐ค๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ป
Jax McQueen brings nearly a decade of diverse teaching experience to the table, ranging from serving as an adjunct professor at two local universities to assisting in an elementary school classroom. Her background also includes providing personalized reading skills instruction and teaching English. She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies (with a minor in Writing for the Screen and Stage) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an M.A. in Interactive Media from Elon University.
Beyond teaching, Jax is a freelance developmental editor who loves helping authors refine their stories to shine their brightest. As a hybrid author, she has self-published ten romance books for adults and is represented by an agent for her womenโs fiction projects.
Jax is passionate about empowering her students to embrace their creativity and boldly share their stories with the world. When sheโs not playing with words, she loves to travel, attend live events, explore different styles of dance, curate the perfect playlist, and eat all the desserts.
๐๐ป๐ป๐ฎ ๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐:
Anna Dodds is a published media scholar and award-winning creative writer with a bachelor's degree in Creative Writing and Film Studies. She has spent her whole life telling stories, and has experience with a variety of storytelling mediums, including but not limited to: prose, screenplays, Dungeons and Dragons campaigns, YouTube Videos, essays, and stop-motion animation.
๐ก๐ฒ๐น๐๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ป:
I have been a high school music teacher for fifteen years, and a high school history and English teacher for the last eleven years. In that time, I have taught a wide variety of classes including Percussion Methods, Geography, U.S. History, AP World History, AP European History, AP Art History, and AP English Language. I also serve as a College Board reader in AP European History, so the arts and humanities are a passion as well as my professional field of expertise. During the last decade, I have been my school's teacher of the year and a semi-finalist for county teacher of the year as well. I hold a B.A. in History with a minor in French and a Master of Education degree, all from the University of Georgia.
As an educator, I love to cultivate curiosity, and focus on educating in a way that is both entertaining and connective to other learning and life experiences we have - learning does us much more good when it is something that we can use and share with others! For that reason, I really believe in making learning a dialogue, and something that is shared.
In addition to teaching language arts classes in Jacksonโs organization, I also teach a variety of history classes on Outschool! Find more information on those here: https://outschool.com/teachers/Nelson-Dean
Reviews
Live Group Class
$120
for 6 classes1x per week, 6 weeks
50 min
Completed by 6 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-15
4-6 learners per class