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Summer Camp Creative Writing: How to Write Characters, Villains and Believable Dialogue

In this three-day online course, students will learn how to create characters, write a brilliant villain and create believable dialogue.
Teacher Jill
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:
(90)
Class

What's included

3 live meetings
3 in-class hours

Class Experience

US Grade 6 - 9
Come and learn how to write characters your readers will want to believe in! 

In lesson one, we will briefly look at how to plan out stories you want to write and why this is important. Then we will discuss various characters that have made an impact on you. Think of your favourite book or film and the characters that are in it. Why do you find them so interesting? Following on from this, you will then learn how to create characters your readers will be able to relate to. You will learn why it is essential to keep track of your descriptions of your characters; how to make them instantly recognisable to your readers; how to make them likeable (protagonists) or unlikeable (antagonists) and why you need both to keep your readers wanting to read to the end of the story.

In lesson two, we will take an in-depth look at villains in books or on-screen and learn which appeal the most to you. Have a think about your favourite villain before class starts so that you can participate in the discussion and be prepared to be challenged! We will then try to work out why they are so appealing! Using what we discover, you will learn how to write a villain that your readers will fall in love with (even if they're not really meant to because they're the villain!)

In lesson three, you will learn one of the most important parts of any story - how to write believable dialogue and how to use dialogue tags (and it's not just by writing, "interesting fact," he said, or, "blah, blah, blah," she replied - there is a lot more to it than that!) 

During each lesson, you will take part in discussions about each topic. Everyone will have their own ideas and every one of those ideas is valid, so don't be scared to let us know what you think! We may, or may not, agree with a person's point of view, but we will certainly be respectful of it.
Learning Goals
You will learn how to create and write believable characters, how to create and write an amazing villain and how to write brilliant dialogue.
learning goal

Other Details

Parental Guidance
Due to the age of the students, and because we will be discussing villains in films, tv or books, discussions may involve characters who, by their nature, do extremely unpleasant things. I will not know in advance which villains will be mentioned but will ask them to think in terms of Marvel characters, or characters from books such as Harry Potter or Percy Jackson. Your student should understand that topics may arise that make them feel uncomfortable but that they must let me know if this occurs so that I can move the conversations along. If there are any particular films or books that you know your child will be uncomfortable with, please send me a private message prior to class so that I can cut any conversations about these before they begin.
Supply List
Learners will need a writing pad and pencil to make notes about what they learn during the lessons so that they can apply their learning in their own writing at a later date.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined June, 2020
4.8
90reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
I am a published author of several children's and young adult books and have taught creative writing for several years. I am also an editor and proofreader for several authors who sell many books written for adults. As such, I understand how to create great characters that will hook any reader and am passionate about developing young writers' skills so that they learn to love their craft. 

Reviews

Live Group Class
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$75

for 3 classes
3x per week, 1 week
60 min

Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-15
2-12 learners per class

This class is no longer offered
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