Crafting the Poetry Novel for Young Adults

Learn all you need to write a novel in verse for young adult readers.

Imagine writing an entire novel of spare, emotionally rich free verse.

The poetry novel captures the heart of your reader in an intimate, gripping way, drawing your protagonist close and evoking rich emotion. Poetry novels (also known as “novels-in-verse”) are popular among teens and tweens, with many poetry novels going on to win major awards, hit the New York Times bestsellers list, and become timeless classics. Examples include Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse (Newbery Winner), Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds (A Prinz Honor, Newbery Honor, and Coretta Scott King Honor), and Brown Girl Dreaming by Jaqueline Woodson (National Book Award Winner).

If you’re interested in writing a poetry novel, join us in this eight-week workshop! We’ll explore the fundamentals of story structure, character development, tension, and earned endings. We’ll also look at what makes the poetic form different than prose, and how to maximize poetry to strike a connection between your reader and your protagonist. We’ll go over the elements that make verse rewarding, including word choice, imagery, and the arrangement of text upon the page.

We’ll cover a lot of ground, writing, reading and workshopping your novel-in-progress, so expect a brisk pace, with weekly assignments and readings. This eight-week program is the perfect way to explore the form and make some serious progress on a draft of your own novel-in-verse.

Kelly will provide detailed feedback every step of the way. You will also have a virtual classroom with other writers, where you can ask questions and share resources.

This course is open to writers of all levels of experience, with projects intended for young-adult readers or the middle-grade reader. If your project falls outside those age ranges, you’re welcome to contact me.

Kelly is so obviously an expert in her area. I loved her personable and positive approach to critique and feedback. I really feel that I gained a lot of insight and skill during this time.
—Heather Woodward

Learning and Writing Goals

Learning Goals

In this course, you will:

• Explore the unique elements of a poetry novel, and what separates it from a novel in prose.
• Learn both novel writing and how to craft poems that tell a story and move a scene forward, incorporating elements such as imagery, metaphor, and the use of white space and text arrangement.
• Leave with your story structure figured out and your novel well underway.

Writing Goals

In this course, you will write:

• A brief outline and solid story structure for your novel.
• 20-30 poems for your novel-in-progress.

Young Adult Poetry Novel Course Outline

Each week, there will be a lecture to read, a writing assignment, and (optional, but encouraged) a poetry novel to read.

Each week, you will receive detailed feedback from Kelly on the pages you share through homework.  These assignments are designed to help you begin crafting your novel from the ground up, and make significant progress over eight weeks.

In addition, you’ll have access to a chat area in the classroom. You can use this space to ask questions of the group, share book recommendations, and connect with your classmates.

Week One: Introduction

Overview: What is a poetry novel? What makes it different than a prose novel? Why write in the poetry form? Does your subject matter lend itself to poetry? We’ll examine the unique qualities of the poetry novel, and begin our exploration of the benefits of this form of storytelling, using a template given to you in class

Assignment: Read two poetry novels, to be discussed in closer detail next week. Browse poetry novels of your choice and bring your favorite opening poem to class to share.

Week Two: Key Elements for Writing Your Novel in Verse

We will take a look at story structure this week, dissecting all of the critical components needed for a successful novel.

Now it’s time to give thought to the summary/synopsis of your book or idea. What does your character want? What stands in their way?

Assignment:  Break down your story into a few pieces, utilizing the template we received in Week One. Then: craft an opening poem—with a 500-word maximum word count. (This can be your opening page, or it can be a poem from anywhere in your story—wherever you feel comfortable beginning.) Time to dive in!

Week Three: Emotional Stakes

This week, we will take a look at Emotional Stakes. What are they, exactly? Simply put, they are the heart of your book—the thing that drives your character internally—and the thing that keeps your reader invested in your protagonist’s journey. Emotional Stakes also go hand-in-hand with creating tension—something that keeps us turning pages. We’ll discuss emotional stakes, then look at poetry novels for examples of how these are used for the best storytelling possible.

Assignment: Identify the emotional stakes for your character. And: Start drafting! Write two poems (maximum word count: 800 words) from anywhere in your story.

Week Four: Complications for Your Protagonist & Creating Tension

Tension is the thing that keeps us turning pages. Without tension, we can understand a protagonist’s story, but not especially care. How do we make a book that our reader can’t put down?

This week, we examine ways to make your reader care about what your protagonist wants—and whether or not they get it. We will also discover the use of complications—and how that keeps your protagonist evolving.

Assignment:  Draft three to five poems from anywhere in your story (maximum word count: 1,500 words.)

Week Five: Using Free Verse: Metaphors, Imagery, and Perspective

It can be challenging to describe characters, settings, and feelings in any form, including free verse. This week, we look at ways to do exactly that, and to utilize the poetry form to its fullest.

We’ll look at the emotions of fear and grief, as well as the best ways to describe people, objects, and emotions through poetry, all by utilizing the many benefits of free verse, including imagery and metaphors.

Assignment: Draft three poems from anywhere in your story, focusing on the use of imagery, senses, and metaphors. (Maximum word count: 1,500.)

Week Six: Character Development in the Poetry Novel

What makes a character grow? In your story, does your main character rise to the occasion? (Do they need to?) Even failing miserably can connect us to your characters—and that’s important. What’s the best choice for developing your protagonist and drawing us closer to their hearts?

This week, we look for those connections that make us see ourselves in your protagonist.

Assignment: Write three to four poems from anywhere in your novel. Focus on character growth. (Maximum: 1,500 words.)

Week Seven: White Space and Text Arrangement–Get Creative!

One of the most creative tools of writing in verse is the ability to use text upon the white page for silent emphasis. How you arrange text upon the page, as well as the choice in size and font, can all add unspoken emotional depth, as well as storytelling. This week, we’ll learn from poems where the text and white space have been artfully arranged. Why did the author make the creative choices they did? How can you best utilize these elements for your story?

Assignment: Craft three to five poems from anywhere in your story, incorporating the use of text arrangement, white space, or font choices for emphasis. (Maximum word count: 1,500.)

Week Eight: Crafting Satisfying (and earned) Endings

Time to think about the ending to your novel—is it one that will send shivers down the spine of your reader? Evoke tears? Triumph?

How do we craft an ending that makes the journey worthwhile? Simply put: The ending must be ‘earned.’  We’ll talk about “earned” endings and what makes a character memorable. Is it how they dealt with their obstacles? How they’ve grown? What they’ve shown us? We’ll look at some endings from some of the books we’ve read and discuss, and think about how to apply these ideas to your own work.

Assignment: Craft three to five poems (maximum word count: 1,500) from anywhere in our story. Answer two simple questions, designed to help you plan the ending for your novel that will most resonate with your reader.

Why Take a Poetry Novel Writing Course with Writers.com?

• We welcome writers of all backgrounds and experience levels, and we are here for one reason: to support you on your writing journey.
• Small groups keep our online writing classes lively and intimate.
• Work through your weekly written lectures, course materials, and writing assignments at your own pace.
• Share and discuss your work with classmates in a supportive class environment.
• Award-winning instructor Kelly Bingham will offer you direct, personal feedback and suggestions on every assignment you submit.

Want to hear more from Kelly on the young adult poetry novel? See her writers.com interview.

Learn how to write a verse novel for young adults. Reserve your spot today!

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