Self Paced Creative Writing: Create Your Fantasy Story
In this 4 week course, learners will understand genre, build their fantasy world by creating artistic maps, populate their worlds, learn about different types of characters, and the elements necessary to build their plot.
Amal J.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(75)
What's included
4 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentHomework
1-2 hours per week. The homework will be to complete each step of the creative writing process focused on each week.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 9
In this four day camp, learners will gain an understanding of genre, fantastical world building, character creating, and plot planning. We begin by looking at genre and what the genre of fantasy involves. We then begin our world building experience by creating artistic maps of the world our story will take place in. Then we move on the populating our worlds by discovering the many types of characters that may populate a fantasy world. We will discuss the purpose of the protagonist and antagonist, as well as allies and various obstacles, and learners will build their characters thoughtfully. We will then move on to the necessary elements of a story by discussing conflict and plot and the elements of a strong plot: Exposition (possibly with an inciting incident), Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. Students will then plan their plots, using their maps, characters, and planned obstacles, and will have all they need to spend their summer writing! Exciting note: Prolific writers can use this course and the pattern and steps learned in this course to write many stories over the course of the summer! I will be available for questions and guidance and learners can expect to receive a reply from me within one day at the most, and usually within a few hours. In addition, if learners wish to turn in their stories for general feedback, I am happy to offer feedback. I do not correct or grade creative writing as I strongly feel this is a journey and that our youth need time and support on this journey of creative writing.
Learning Goals
Students will learn the steps of world building, character building, and planning an engaging plot. Students will understand the importance of conflict in a story and how to build an excellent foundation for a creative story.
Syllabus
4 Lessons
over 4 WeeksLesson 1:
Building Your Fantasy World
We will discuss what is involved in world building. Learners will engage their imaginations in an exciting world building activity by creating an artistic map of their fantasy world. They will sketch their continents, landforms and waterways. I will have examples of symbols they might want to include to further detail their maps that will also begin to spark their imaginations and inspire their plots. Lesson 2:
Populating our Worlds & Creating our Protagonist and Antagonist
We will begin by learning about various fantastical species and their purposes according to folklore and mythology. Learners will then decide which species they would like to populate their worlds with (and even add those populations to their maps). They will choose what species their main character will be. We will use drawing to deepen our understanding of our protagonist and his or her complex characteristics (both physical and emotional). We will then do the same for our Antagonist. Lesson 3:
Understanding the Elements of a Story: Part 1 & Planning our Fantasy Plots: Part
We will begin by learning about the Elements of a Story and learners will begin to plan their own stories. We will discuss different ways people outline their plots (either visually with images or with written notes) and I will have a template for them to use to take notes or create thumbnail sketches for their outlines. Lesson 4:
Understanding the Elements of a Story: Part 2 & Planning our Fantasy Plots: Par
We will begin by reviewing what we learned regarding the Elements of a Story and learners will begin to plan the second half of their stories. Learners will go into breakout rooms to share their plots with their peers. This is a great time for students to ask their peers for ideas if they find themselves stuck on a plot point. As a class, we will also discuss plots and learners will be able to ask the class as a whole (including myself) for ideas if needed. Other Details
Learning Needs
My courses always use visuals with notes that appear as I speak to make my teaching accessible and inclusive of all learners. I find this to help Neurodiverse learners as well as all visual learners.
Supply List
Art supplies for map: watercolor paper pencil dried beans (Yes! This is not a mistake) black waterproof pen for outlining watercolors
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have been teaching language arts courses to homeschoolers both online and locally for eight years. I have a deep passion for the written word and have been a voracious reader of literature my entire life. I love breaking down the process of writing into manageable steps and witnessing anxious and hesitant writers bloom into confident writers who love to write. I have led book clubs to middle school aged youth for years and have a particular enthusiasm for books that build understanding and empathy as well as appreciation for other cultures. I have had a wonderful time teaching creative writing courses, taking learners from the very beginning of character and world building, through plot planning, all the way to completing the writing of a full story. Some of my students have won first place awards for their stories in county fairs and local contests. Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$20
weekly or $80 for all content4 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Choose your start date
Ages: 10-15
