Course Breakdown:

Lesson 1: Learners will P.L.A.Y with their words and learn the 4 elements every story needs. Students will learn about different types of story plots and choose one that works best for their story idea. We will explore story question. 

Lesson 2: We will explore the theme and message of storytelling using examples from popular movies like "Frozen II," "Mulan," and others. We will also get to know our characters better (and the story they want to tell) through writing exercises that students can share with the class. 

Lesson 3: We will continue character building using the B.E.S.T. F.R.I.E.N.D. worksheet. We will study examples from "Frozen II," "Mulan," "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," "StarWars Episode IV: A New Hope," and others. It's not necessary to have watched all the films, but it would be helpful if you know a little about one or two of them. Then we will craft a one-sentence  summary (using my easy formula) which will help focus their stories in the plotting stage. Writing assignments will be given to help learners discover what their main character wants and how they will deal with their conflict in the story. 

Lesson 4 & 5: We will explore the setting of our stories and learn how to breathe life into our story locations and characterization through literary devices.  (More detailed writing techniques are taught in my "PAINT with your Words" class.) We will begin plotting the ACTION of our stories, learning how to hook the reader on the first page using the G.O. F.I.SH. method, and write the opening scene of our stories. Disney movies like Mulan and Frozen II will be discussed to illustrate the key turning points. 

Lesson 6: We'll continue with plotting and to work on our stories with opportunities to share what we've writing in class. 

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 

Homework Offered
Students will work at their own pace during the week on the different areas of their novel. 
Some movie viewing will be involved. 
Homework will be required every day if the lesson is not completed in class. It is not important that the learner fills in or knows all the information about their story 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! 
0 - 1 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
In class participation and sharing
A writing evaluation of the first page of your story will be included in the class. 
Grades Offered