Literary Wizardry: A Magical Adventure on the Rainbow Path

In this class, Professor Imaginoria (the teacher, Jessica Gray, who teaches in costume & in character) will guide students through reading writing exercises incorporating themes from her novel, "Imagine the Key," which we will read together as the basis for writing. Students will learn lessons that inspire confidence while learning to tell their own story. Writing can provide a safe place for personal exploration.

Here's a description of the book:
As a queer and artsy theatre kid in rural Florida in 1987, young Iris Imaginoria really wanted like-minded  friends, especially since her twin brother joined the school bullies. She finds a key in a library book that lets her walk between worlds—out of her home in rural Florida in 1987 and into mythic lands of imagination. But will a sentient Shadow keep her from finding her purpose? Does she have what it takes to open the way for other seekers like her? Follow her epic quest through seven lands to complete her PRISM before it’s too late. Re-imagined myths & diverse identities come together with magic, fantasy, and time travel on The Rainbow Path.

Session 1: Exposition & Plot, Chapters 1-5
Session 2: Character Development, Chapter 6-9, Main Character Development
Session 3: Secondary Characters, Chapters 10-11, The Land of Golden Stones
Session 4: Conflict, Chapters 12-13, Cloud Country
Session 5: Sensory Detail, Chapters 14-15, The Land of Waves
Session 6: Dialogue, Chapters 16-17, The Land of In-Between
Session 7: Conflict, Chapters 18-19, The Land of Joy
Session 8: Raising the Stakes, Chapters 20-21, The Land of Fire
Session 9: Denoument, Chapters 22-23, The Crossroads
Session 10: Falling Action, Chapters 24-25, The Land of Daylight
Session 11: Resolution, Chapter 27-28, Family Secrets
Session 12: Epilogue 
 
Students will be given creative writing worksheets so they may work on their own narrative writing project, whether they want to write a short story or novel. If they turn in their work to Professor Imaginoria, she will be glad to give feedback on their creative writing. Or they may choose to learn more from the discussion and keep the worksheets as resources for later. Some students have enjoyed drawing during class as a form of stress relief and empowerment. It is helpful to use a notebook for handwritten writing assignments during class.

If students want advice on how to publish a novel, Professor Imaginoria can give very general suggestions for this as well. She has personal experience with independent publishing through her small imprint PRISMagical Press, and she can also answer questions about querying for traditional large imprints and what it's like to make storytelling part of a professional career.