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Horror Writing for Ages 14 - 18 - Novels, Short Stories, Etc.

An Ongoing Workshop - Moving toward the completion of personal projects and enjoying entertaining lessons with like-minded storytellers. Covering literary elements, popular topics, and helpful writing tips. One-on-one assistance provided.
Rebecca Schwanke (A.A. & B.A. in English)
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(239)
Popular
Class

What's included

1 live meeting
50 mins in-class hours per week
Mastery Evaluation
1 hour per week. I can provide students with homework, assignments, and projects - All upon request. Students are encouraged to do writing outside of the meetings.
Grading
Any form of grading (assessment) can be provided upon request.

Class Experience

US Grade 9 - 12
Beginner - Advanced Level
This is a great class for students who enjoy sinister stories and ghoulish topics. Every meeting's (dark) theme (and writing tips) are student/parent requested. My message box is open 24/7 for lesson requests, one-on-one writing feedback, one-on-one assistance with individual writing struggles, prompt requests, etc. 

Structure for each meeting: 

Opening Time:
- 'Flex' Time - This is where students can discuss their weekly writing and ask any questions they may have
 
Lesson Time: Time for some stories linked to our malevolent topics and helpful writing tips.

Writing Time:
This is the student's free time - They can write short stories, add to longer stories, fan fiction, flash fiction, micro fiction, novellas, poems, songs, scripts, artwork for stories, storyboarding, character building, etc. 

Share Time:
In-class sharing is optional.


Current Horror Topic Requests: 

Nov: 
20th - 26th: Hospitals - Dialogue Assistance
27th - 3rd: Folklore - Simple Language vs. Elegance

Dec:
4th - 10th: Aliens - Setting
11th - 17th: New Arrivals - Character Bios
18th - 24th: Secret Books and Societies  - Adjectives
25th - 31st: Winter Horror - Abbreviations, Compound Words, Acronyms, etc. - Do and Don't

January: 
1st - 7th: Apocalypse - Establishing The Theme
8th - 14th: Beauty Pageants - Character Roles and Break Stereotypes
15th - 21st: Werewolves - Elevating Settings
22nd - 28th: Witches - Beginning a Story
29th - 4th: Cursed Technology - Rising Action and Increasing Suspense

February: 
5th - 11th: Plastic Surgery - Convincing Conclusions
12th - 18th: Evil Spirits - Conflict: Big & Small
19th - 25th: Family Horror - Novel Writing
26th - 4th: Exorcists - Novella Writing

March: 
5th - 11th: Demons vs. Biblically accurate Angels - Short Stories
12th - 18th: Psychological Horror - Narrative Nonfiction
19th - 25th: Haunted Houses - Backstories
26th - 1st: Open Houses - Horrorific Poetry

April: 
2nd - 8th: Clinical Trials - Writing Research
9th - 15th: Nightmares - Screenwriting
16th - 22nd: Neighbors - Points of View
23rd - 29th: Found Footage - Plot Twists
30th - 6th: Cabins - Character Dialogue and Interactions

May: 
7th - 13th: 'Friends' - Metaphors
14th - 20th: Amusement Parks - Editing, Deleting, and Fluff
21st - 27th: Trains - Show, Don't Tell
28th - 3rd: Planes - Using Our Senses 

June: 
4th - 10th: Summer Vacation - Activities for Writer's Block
11th - 17th: Summer Jobs - Collaborating
18th - 24th: Cruises - Weaving Adjectives
25th - 1st: Phobias - Establishing Character Emotions

July: 
2nd - 8th: Stranded - The Use of Strong Verbs
9th - 15th: Islands - Nouns vs. Pronouns vs. Descriptive Nouns
16th - 22nd: Family Reunions (Skeletons in the Closet) - Publishing
23rd - 29th: Lakes and Water Monsters - Punctuation
30 - 5th: Dorms - Writing Prompts

August: 
6th - 12th: Storage Facilities - Creating Character Careers
13th - 19th: Hotels - Non-Human Characters
20th - 26th: Prisons - Juxtaposition
27th - 2nd: Woods/Forests - Working with Symbolism

September: 
3rd - 9th: Cemeteries/Graveyards - Creating Writing Goals
10th - 16th: Vampires - Anthologies
17th - 23rd: Office - Fan Fiction Writing
24th - 30th: Cosmic Horror - Writing Activities

October: 
1st - 7th: The Boogie Man - Narration
8th - 14th: Cults - Thesis Fun and Helpful Tips
15th - 21st: Attics - Irony
22nd - 28th: 1800s Horror - Figurative Language
29th - 4th: Brides/Grooms - Foreshadowing

November: 
5th - 11th: Babysitting - Different Characters and Development
12th - 18th: Farms - Onomatopoeia
19th - 25th: Theaters - Personification
26th - 2nd: Cornfields - Satire

December: 
3rd - 9th: Puppets - Creating Subplots
10th - 16th: Morgues - Descending Action
17th - 23rd: Hospitals - Writing Activities
24th - 30th: Western - Creating a Writing Signature
Learning Goals
Story Structure
Character Development
Setting
Building Conflict
Dialogue 
Transition 
Publishing
Etc.
learning goal

Other Details

Learning Needs
Students who may need some extra assistance are welcome to message me throughout the week. All lessons are recorded and can be viewed at any time - This helps with self pacing and memory retention.
Parental Guidance
Death, blood-drinking, demonic possession, monsters, murder, occult, asylums, orphanages, scary locations, death, thrillers, slashers, dark forests, cemeteries, haunted houses, Urban Legends, Creepy Pasta, CryptTV, Annabelle, Serial Killers, Paranormal investigations, kidnapping, blood, no Twilight, creature feature, Wicca, Voodoo, Tarot, Ouiji Boards, hotels, scary laughter, cultural beliefs/monsters, Grimm tales, phobias, mental illness, Did I mention death? ... No swearing when sharing in class (please use the 'bleep'). No sexual-related content or torture. Violations will be reported to Outschool immediately - If we aren't sure about something, please feel free to ask.
Supply List
Either access to a digital writing source or a pen and paper.
Joined October, 2018
5.0
239reviews
Popular
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature from Brigham Young University, Idaho
I am a dedicated writer of over 20+ years. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Creative Writing and Literature studies. I publish through several different types of self-publishing companies and have knowledge concerning the 'brick and mortar' ones. 

10+ Years of Education Experience. 

Reviews

Live Group Class
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$10

weekly
1x per week
50 min

Completed by 312 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
2-18 learners per class

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