About Debby Dahl Edwardson
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First Steps: Introduction to Writing for Children (10 weeks)
This class is for those who have read children's books as readers, parents or teachers, but have never tried to write one, those who want to write for children but are unfamiliar with children's literature, those who are just beginning to work on stories for children, and those who have tried and are feeling stumped. We will discuss the variety of forms within this genre, and learn the basics of writing for young readers.
This is not a critiquing class or a workshop. You will not be posting your work in progress. Instead you will receive a lecture and exercises each week that will either spark new work or relate to existing work in progress. You will be asked to complete homework assignments to share with the whole group for discussion in class and instructor comment. You will also be asked to read and analyze selected children's books related to the forms (e.g., picture book, chapter book, novel) that you are most interested in exploring.
This class takes place through the nicenet.org Internet classroom. Registered students will be sent Nicenet sign-up instructions via e-mail on the day class begins. To benefit from this class, you must be comfortable with Internet use and be able to navigate a simple bulletin board class setup.
Week 1: Introduction, overview of forms, identifying your reader and the sources of story. Exercise: building on memory.
Week 2: First words, first pages, first chapters--grabbing the reader. Examining selected openings. Exercise Opening scenes.
Week 3: Audience: how does audience define your writing? An examination of audience in children's writing, Exercise: writing for different audiences.
Week 4: Character and dialogue, techniques for revealing character, dialogue basics. Exercise: revealing character through action.
Week 5: Scene, how a scene is shaped by character motivation and character choices Exercise: using emotional charge to shape a scene.
Week 6: Plot choices. Scene and sequel. How to find the natural structure for your stories. Exercise, finding the sequel.
Week 7: Setting and context. Integrating setting into scenes, minimizing exposition. Exercise, entering a setting in character.
Week 8: Drafts, revisions, and the critique process. Finding your revision process. Choosing the right tools to help you draft and revise.
About Debby Dahl Edwardson
DEBBY DAHL EDWARDSON is an Alaskan author of picture books, middle grade, YA and nonfiction books for children. Her picture book, Whale Snow, is on the IRA list of Notable Books for a Global Society, won an IPPYaward for best picture book and was named to an NCSS-CBC Notable
Social Studies Book. Her middle grade novel Blessing's Bead is due out in 2009 from Farrar, Sraus and Giroux. Debby is a member of the
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), has taught writing at the college level and is graduate of the Vermont College MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults.
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