Write a Narrative Short Story (Ages 11-14)
In this 8-week online course, students will learn the fundamentals of writing narrative fiction, and complete a 500-2,000 word short story.
Robbie Ballew, MFA
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(6)
What's included
8 live meetings
6 hrs 40 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
In this class, we will go through the process of writing narrative fiction step-by-step, with the end goal of writing a short story of between 500 and 2,000 words in length. Sessions will be a blend of lecture and workshop time, and students will be expected to participate in discussions and provide feedback on other student's work. The course schedule will be as follows: Week 1: The Idea - We will talk about what makes an idea good, and spend some time brainstorming and workshopping ideas. Then, we will go over how to condense our ideas down into a one-or-two-sentence logline. - Homework: Write your logline. Week 2: The Foundation - We will take a look at the three-act structure, and use that to expand our ideas into a three-paragraph synopsis. - Homework: Write your synopsis. Week 3: The Plot - We'll go over some common plot structures and identify the major turning points of our stories. - Homework: Write an outline. Week 4: The Story - Now that we know what points 'A', 'B', and 'C' are, we need to figure out how to navigate between them. We'll put together a beat sheet that details every event that will happen in our stories. - Homework: Write your beat sheet. Week 5: Navigating a Scene - This is where we'll talk about the nuts and bolts of writing both good narration and good dialogue. - Homework: Write your first 250 words. Week 6: Feedback and Workshopping - We'll take a look at everyone's work and provide feedback. - Homework: Finish your first draft! Week 7: Rewrite, Rewrite, Rewrite - We'll talk about things to look for on the first round of rewrites, both what to add and what to take away. - Homework: Write a second draft. Week 8: Editing and Polishing - We'll go over some tips and techniques for proofreading your own work so you have a professional and polished final product. - Homework: Just keep writing!
Learning Goals
Students will learn the process of writing narrative fiction from idea to finished draft.
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
We will use my own short story, 'Rubble', as an example throughout the class. I will provide this short story to all students before the class begins.
Joined August, 2020
4.8
6reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Hi! I'm Robbie, and I teach classes in creative writing and filmmaking.
I've been writing for fun since I was about 11 years old, and now have two published fantasy novels!
I've studied a wide range of storytelling, including a B.A. in Theatre and an M.F.A. in Film and Creative Media.
I believe education shouldn't just be for fun, but should prepare you to be successful in the real world. That's why my classes focus on building the foundational skills that are going to equip you to start a career in the entertainment field, no matter which avenue you choose to pursue. Reviews
Live Group Class
$15
weekly1x per week, 8 weeks
50 min
Completed by 3 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
2-9 learners per class
