This is our catalog of courses. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
Learn how to write fiction with animal characters with this one-week, four-lesson boot camp. You’ll come away with a new knowledge of storytelling, the elements of fiction, how to increase your creativity, and great writing skills—and it’s a lot of fun!
Total classes: 4
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 5th to 8th grade
Suggested credit: 1/3 credit Creative Writing
Description
Learn how to write stories about animal heroes and their adventures during this one-week workshop this summer! When you join this four-session course (M-TH), you will learn about writing stories with animal characters, what’s inside a story, how to make a fun and engaging hero, how to create a world and setting for your story, and how to describe your characters and world using the five senses. You will learn the elements of storytelling, bringing a new creative way of thinking to all your writing and creativity. During each class, we will have a lesson followed by exercises to build your character and world—and practice excellent writing skills. This is a fun course that you’ll definitely enjoy!
Outline
Class 1: Story Writing with Animals—What’s inside a story; what is a hero; what is conflict; how do you make a wonderful story that people want to read.
Class 2: Characters—How do you write animal personalities in a character; how to include animal behavior into a character’s actions; and when pet characters are best friends with human characters.
Class 3: Worldbuilding & Setting—How to create a world full of animals that fit into a story
Class 4: Description & Using the Five Senses—How to make your story come alive; how to include unique animal senses in writing.
Materials and Homework
Course materials: All materials are provided free by the instructor.
Homework: Students will practice writing with each of the ideas presented in class. Because the classes are “in a row” (each day), homework will begin in class with brainstorming and using the concepts discussed. Students may add to or change their work before the next class begins, to complete the 1-2 paragraph written assignment due in each 24-hour period.
