Novel Writing Cohort: A Creative Community for Teen Novelists
What's included
6 live meetings
5 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
4+ hours per week. Completion of novelsClass Experience
US Grade 7 - 10
Novel Writing Camp In this class young authors will learn how to compose and complete their novels. Similar to the NaNoWriMo (National Month Writing Month) challenge that excites novelists—both young and old this class strives to grab that same enthusiasm coupled with direct instruction to help young readers reach their goals. This class is for those who have started novels and are stalled or those who are yet to pen their books. In this class learners will receive instruction, accountability and inspiration so they will be inspired to complete the first draft of their novel. The class size is limited so novelists will get feedback and have time to share. Learners will discover how to compose their stories such that the story premise and characters actually drive the story such that the novel almost writes itself. Young authors will also learn how to press on to completion of their novels, largely using the writer’s outline along with encouragement and guidance from their instructor and peer writers. Each week young writers will check in and reveal their progress and ask any questions. Writers will get digital badges (pdfs) as they complete their writing goal for each week. The instructor will review writing but will not grade the writing. The instructor will share writing productivity tips with learners. Learners will also have an opportunity to share their writing progress, story structure goals and any problems they may be encountering in completing their novels. Class format: • Weekly check-in of word count and chapter completion from all learners • Review of creative writing skill as it relates to the novel. See weekly topics below. • Weekly inquiry: Are you struck? Are you achieving the progress you want as you write your novel. • Writing productivity tip given to learners • Learners pledge to complete writing goals. Weekly advice, if needed includes: Week One: Turning your idea into a writing plan then writing on schedule Week Two: Letting your characters tell the story the way they see the situation. Week Three: Keeping your characters believable as you write Week Four: Making sure your story structure is tight so you keep writing Week Five: Pacing conflict and point of view in the novel as you compose the novel. Week Six: Reviewing your draft for consistency and errors. We will be referring to the Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody. While young writers will not have to purchase the book, this is the book we will refer to when working out kinks in our novels. While the class is only six weeks, young adults may repeat the class as they like until they have completed their novels. The instructor (Prof. Carter) has written a number of books and has a MFA in Creative Writing. She has mentored many young writers in the writing process.
Learning Goals
Students complete their novels.
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Cheryl Carter is the lead instructor of Collegiate Learning. Cheryl Carter, the writing coach, endearingly known as Professor Cheryl, for the way she methodically targets the stop-blocks that prohibit her clients from moving them ahead in completing their writing projects. Over the years, she has worked with authors writing educational, religion, science, business, and popular culture books. Professor Cheryl knows how to motivate emerging writers to overcome procrastination, literary lags and time constraints. She is the author of an ever-growing number of titles and has been published traditionally and independently.
Professor Cheryl is also a college professor, who currently teaches English and writing classes. She also teaches creative writing, media and culturally relevant biography classes on Outschool.com. Professor Cheryl has an MFA in Creative Writing and a BA in English. She has also completed graduate study in special education, college admissions and counseling, and is currently a creative writing doctoral student. Professor Cheryl holds a graduate certificate in College Advisement from Columbia University and a TEFL (Teaching English to certificate.
A fierce advocate for education empowerment, Professor Cheryl is also the CEO of Collegiate Learning, an academic company that prepares learners for scholastic college success. She has a line of educational books that address ADHD and ELA areas, including writing, vocabulary, critical thinking, reading and writing. Additionally, Professor Cheryl, a personal historian created the innovative personal history initiative, Family-as-Biographers under her Meaningful Moments books and journals.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$260
for 6 classes1x per week, 6 weeks
55 min
Completed by 2 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-17
4-6 learners per class