Plan, Plot, And Write Your Novel With Published Author Gina Conroy
Want to write a novel, but not sure where to start? We cover it all! Step-by-step, students move through the novel writing process and leave with a fully fleshed out story. Descriptive writing techniques round out this power-packed class!
Gina Conroy
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(357)
What's included
6 live meetings
5 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. 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 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 complete. 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 at a special rate 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! Lesson 3: 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. Lesson 4: We will finish plotting our stories using the G.A.M.E. O.F. L.I.F.E. story structure. Disney movies will be discussed to illustrate the key turning points. Lesson 5 & 6: Plan to write your novel: In these classes, I will answer any questions on the 4 elements of story, move into small groups to brainstorm problem areas, and create a plan to finish our novels in November or whatever goal the student sets. **You can continue to work on your novels in November and 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 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
Lesson 1: Students will learn about the 4 elements of story, theme vs. message, the difference between an opening question and story question, and different story plots. They will narrow down their story to a one-sentence summary.Lesson 2: 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.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum6 Lessons
over 6 WeeksLesson 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 "The Hunger Games," "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," and "StarWars Episode IV: A New Hope," "Frozen II," "Mulan" and others. It's not necessary to have watched all 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 examples from popular Disney movies. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Theme vs. Message
We will explore the theme and message of storytelling using examples from popular movies like "Mulan," "Moana" and other films. We will also get to know our characters better (and the story they want to tell) through writing exercises. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Creating Dynamic Characters
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. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Breathing Life into your Location
We will explore the setting of our stories and learn how to breathe life into our story locations and characterization through literary devices such as show, don't tell, figurative language, POV, and active writing. (More detailed writing techniques are taught in my "PAINT with your Words" class.) 50 mins online live lesson
Other Details
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:
Joined February, 2018
4.8
357reviews
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 Reviews
Live Group Course
$21
weekly or $125 for 6 classes1x per week, 6 weeks
50 min
Completed by 133 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-17
4-12 learners per class
