Class size is limited in this creative writing class because young writers need time to develop. Learners will practice what they are learning in a writing workshop method. 

Learning to write creatively is like learning to sing, in that the writer is similar to a singer in being her own instrument. The writer's specific sensibility and especial competencies determine the range of excellence that the writer can comfortably operate in.
Because learning to write creatively involves developing a form of muscle memory, there will be almost daily assigned writing exercises learners will do at home. There will also be, and equally importantly, a daily writer's diary of the experience of writing. The end goal of the course is to develop both a suppleness with language and an awareness as to our particular responses to specific subjects and creative challenges.

Writing is an adventure, it takes courage, and patience, and work and it is not a boring straight forward process. This course encourages students to explore and practice four genres of creative writing: nonfiction, fiction, playwriting, and poetry. Part of the class will be devoted to peer critique of a learner’s work (“workshopping”), and part to discussions of craft.  There will be weekly writing assignments, and students will also submit a final portfolio of finished work.

Each class session will be conducted as following:
•	Do Now: Share the assigned creative writing challenge 
•	Review of weekly reading as it relates to the weekly topic
•	Workshopping of writing


Our schedule of classes:

Week One: Introduction: Ready, Set, Go!
In this session we will discuss writing basics including getting started, dealing with the blank piece of paper, write what you know. Read pages 1-17 from the Young Writer’s Handbook.

Week Two: Crafting Your Story
In this session you will learn to craft your story and create convincing characters, and how to develop story ideas, Read pages 19-45

Week Three: Plot Points
In this session you will learn about how to build a strong plot, narrative voice and how to start a story. Read pages 46 – 87

Week Four: Building Suspense
In this session we will learn about creating titles, building suspense and creating great settings. Read pages 88- 109

Week Five: Dialogues and Descriptions
In this session we will learn how to write dialogue, descriptions and how to integrate illustrations in your writing, Read pages 110-163

Week Six: Revision
In this session we will learn about the Aha moment, how to revise, and using similes and metaphors. Red pages 172 – 197

Week Seven: The Writing Process
In this session we will learn about the writing process, using journaling and collaboration, Read pages 198 - 226

Week Eight: Engaging Readers
In this session we will learn about writer’s habits and dealing with writer’s block. Read pages 227-247

Week Nine: A Writer’s Identity
In this session we will learn about voice and writing goals. Read pages 248-273

Week Ten: Pulling All the Pieces Together
In this session writers will present their portfolios to the class. Learners will also review their story analysis sheets for other learners. 

Text::
Reading: The Young Writer’s Handbook by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter

Materials needed;
Students should have journals and access to Google docs or Word to submit assignments

About the instructor:

Carter is a busy homeschooling mother (of five), author, speaker and a college professor with a passion to help others. Besides teaching, she has written broadly on spiritual growth, education, and special needs She is the author of several books including Organize Your Life, Essential Writing Skills for the College Bound Student, Inspire the Writer in Your Child and Organize Your AD/HD Child.  In addition to writing fiction and poetry in her spare time, she blogs regularly on issues of clarity in written communication, college admissions and the Christian family.  She has a BA in English, a MFA in Writing and has done graduate study in Special Education and College Admission. Active in her local homeschool group, she has taught college-prep coop classes for several years. She has also written numerous literary guides and won academic awards for her writing. Her books have been translated into Japanese, Hebrew, German, Czech and Polish. Carter's curriculum and writing classes focus on equipping students with the vital skills for lifetime communication success. Her curriculum and classes are marked by a sense of depth, yet simplicity that nurture a love of writing in students.