$185

for 6 classes

Novel Writing Bootcamp : Plot & Write Your Story With Published Author

Completed by 133 learners

Ages 12-17

Live Group Course

Want to write a story, but not sure where to start? In this step-by-step class, students learn to plot, develop characters, and craft vivid descriptions. Taught by a published author, this course guides writers to a fully developed story.

Gina Conroy

Average rating:

4.8

Number of reviews:

(361 reviews)

Rising Star

Live video meetings

3x per week, 2 weeks

4-12 learners per class

50 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What's included

6 live meetings

5 in-class hours

Homework

1-2 hours per week. Students will work at their own pace during the week on the different areas of their novel. Feedback will be given if they do their assignments and turn them in on time. Some movie viewing will be involved. Homework will be required if the lesson is not completed in class. It is not important that the learner fills in or knows all the information about their novel or character, just that they are continuing to brainstorm and think about their story. Part of writing is thinking about the story, and if learners walk away from this class with a better grasp of their story, then I've done my job!

Assessment

1:1 writing editing, help, and assessments will be done according to how much writing the student has completed. A writing evaluation of the first page of your novel will be included after class. Additional help on your novel can be set up in a one on one session for students.

Class Experience

US Grade 8 - 11

Beginner Level

You have a novel inside of you - a dream to tell your story - but you don't know where to start? Maybe you don't even know what to write. Perfect! This class will release the novel in you! I will teach you the process and techniques I use as a published author to write my novels! 

From idea to first draft, you will learn what every story needs to be successful. You'll find your story and create three-dimensional characters people will want to read. You'll learn to hook your reader and how to structure and craft a dynamic and powerful, page-turning plot that will have readers wanting more. In addition, you'll review the mechanics of good writing and you'll learn to paint a picture in the reader's mind. Everything you need to start writing your novel is in this class. 

Every class starts out as a lecture then turns interactive to engage learners in conversation and class participation. Questions and discussion are encouraged as each day we will brainstorm everyone's story. Not only will you be learn how to write and plot a novel, you will be writing and plotting your novel! So at the end of class, you will have everything you need to write your first draft. 

For Course Breakdown see syllabus. 
Note: This is a fast paced course. I offer my students more content and advance techniques that other teachers may shy away from due to the complexity of the material. Over the years, I've found a way to simplify these teachings and make them fun! 


**You can continue to work on your novels in my group. https://outschool.com/classes/on-going-write-your-novel-now-nanowrimo-iyqZr6Ay?usid=usvfOz63&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link

Included in this course is the evaluation of learners' first page done by the teacher outside of class with more opportunities for editing and evaluation if the learn desires. 

“I liked how Gina Conroy put the way of planning stories into different types of games and used P.L.A.Y. to bring home the points about Playmate, Location, Action, and Game. It makes it fun to read and a more engaging way to think about plotting.”– Danielle, 14 yrs old

**You can continue to work on your novels beyond in the ongoing course: https://outschool.com/classes/on-going-write-your-novel-now-nanowrimo-iyqZr6Ay?usid=usvfOz63&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link

***PARENTS PLEASE READ BEFORE TO REGISTRATION***
This class is filled with copyrighted material developed over the last 20 years and is being offered on Outschool at a fraction on the value. It is intended for your learner and not to be shared with anyone outside the immediate family. 

MISSED CLASSE & MAKE UP:
If you miss a class, are late to class or leave early, you can access the materials and view a recording of the class after the completed session.

Learning Goals

Story Elements:
Identify and apply the four key elements of storytelling.
Distinguish between theme and message to strengthen your story’s impact.

Plotting 101:
Craft an engaging opening question that hooks readers.
Develop a strong story question to drive your plot forward.
Explore different plot structures to shape your narrative.
Refine your idea into a powerful one-sentence story summary.

Syllabus

Curriculum

Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum

6 Lessons

over 2 Weeks

Lesson 1:

P.L.A.Y. with your Words

 Learners will P.L.A.Y with their words and learn the 4 elements every story needs. We will explore story theme and message using examples from popular Disney films. Then we will craft a one-sentence summary using examples from these movies. We will explore the difference between the opening and story question and one is essential to writing a compelling story

50 mins online live lesson

Lesson 2:

Creating Dynamic Characters

 Students will learn the most important things need to build a dynamic character using the B.E.S.T. F.R.I.E.N.D. worksheet. Point of View, and different narrative voices, present and past tense, and first and third person will be taught.

50 mins online live lesson

Lesson 3:

Breathing Life into Your Setting & Characters

 We will explore the setting of our stories and learn how to breathe life into our story locations and characterization through literary devices so the reader experiences all five senses.

50 mins online live lesson

Lesson 4:

Hook Your Reader

 Students will learn the G.O. F.I.S.H. elements every story needs to hook their reader in the first page. Students will be given time in class to write and polishing the opening scene of their novel or short story. Individual writing help through breakout rooms will be offered.

50 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Learning Needs

My creative approach to ELA and writing supports students with ADHD and ASD. I use personalized lessons, visual aids, and hands-on activities to help each student thrive, building confidence and making learning fun at their own pace.

Supply List

Pencil with eraser, folder, and laptop or tablet (optional)
Daily handouts for lessons will be provided.
Optional: "Release the Novel in You" writing workbook (OPTIONAL) which contains extra material not included in the class. You can buy it on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1508555710 
To comply with Outschool's full disclosure policy, I do receive commissions from the purchase of this novel writing workbook, however it's NOT necessary for this class.

External Resources

In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:

Sources

In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses: Youtube Google Docs Teachers Pay Teachers Google Slides Release the Novel in You workbook (on Amazon), not necessary for this class, but may have more detailed information and writing assignments.

Meet the teacher

Gina Conroy

Joined February, 2018

4.8

361reviews

Rising Star

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Bachelor's Degree from Oral Roberts University

My love of writing started when I was 8 years old and hasn't stopped. 

I'm a published author, writing teacher, and tutor who developed these creative writing techniques when I started teaching an elective course at my kids' school over 10 years ago. I found that the novel writing books on the market held too much information for teens who just wanted to write their book, so I created one that is fun and easy to follow. What I offer my students is more content and advance techniques that other teachers may shy away from due to the complexity of the material. Over the years, I've found a way to simplify these teachings and make them fun! 

“If you are thinking about publishing a book, she’s amazing. If you just want to write a story, she’s amazing. I highly recommend her classes.”– Katherine, 11 yrs old

"All writers, regardless of their age or level, need to understand the nuances of story, the layers of a character, how to put a scene together as well as how to wordsmith their stories. Enter Gina Conroy's terrifically fun and creative course for teens-Release the Novel in You! From its engaging and fun presentation, delightful acronyms, playful look at analyzing a story and application sections, it takes the rules out writing and turns it back into what it should be—fun! Practical and specific, it covers everything from story structure to characterization, to the hero's journey to writing fixes—everything an intermediate writer needs to take their story from an idea on the page to a novel." - Susan May Warren, Award-winning novelist and writing coach