Lessons
The following lesson discusses things you should know about writing for children and how children's books differ from fiction for adults. The W.I.P....
What is a Children's Book?
Writing for Today's Young Readers.
Age Groups and Genres 1.
Age Groups and Genres 2.
Supplement - Definitions.
W.I.P. Section. Basic Plot/Genre.
Exercises and Bibliography.
Lesson 2: Planning Your Book.
In this lesson, we'll be looking at the building blocks of books. Themes and Ideas. Characters. How to Plan Your Book. Specific...
Themes and Ideas.
Characters.
How to Plan Your Book.
Specific Level - Picture Books.
Supplement: Anatomy of a Specific Picture Book.
W.I.P. Section. Planning Your Book.
Exercises and Bibliography
Lesson 3: Casting Your Book.
In this lesson, we'll be talking about characters, and focussing on Junior Chapter Books. About the Cast of Your Book. More about the Cast...
About the Cast of Your Book.
More about the Cast of Your Book
Putting Depth in Characters.
Specific Level - Junior Chapter Books.
Supplement - Anatomy of a Specific JCB.
W.I.P. Section. Creating your Cast.
Exercises and Bibliography
Lesson 4: Shaping and Pacing.
In this lesson, we'll be looking at the shape of book plans, and checking out books for older children. How to shape your plan. Shaping Plans...
How to Shape Your Plan
Shaping Plans for Longer Books
Unwritten Rules about Subjects.
Specific level - Senior Chapter Books.
Supplement. Anatomy of a specific SCB.
W.I.P. Section. Troubleshooting Your Plan.
Exercises and Bibliography
Lesson 5: Beginning your Book.
This lesson is about beginnings, and the specific focus age level is YA. In W.I.P. You get to make a start on Chapter 1. How to Write a Good...
How to Write a Good Beginning.
More About Beginnings.
Viewpoint
Tense
Specific Level - YA Novels.
Supplement. Anatomy of a Specific YA Novel.
W.I.P. Section. Writing Your First Chapter.
Exercises and Bibliography
Lesson 6: Writing the Middle.
This lesson is about getting the middle of your book right. The specific focus is reading scheme, a very interesting challenge. Challenges,...
Challenges, Choices and Chances.
Challenges, Choices and Chances Continued.
What if You've Lost the Plot?
Dialogue and Style.
Specific level - Reading Scheme.
Supplement. Anatomy of a Specific RS Novel.
W.I.P. Section. Writing the Middle.
Exercises and Bibliography
Lesson 7: Climax and Ending.
This lesson gets into the home straight. The climax and ending of your book is all-important. Learn about it here. Do you like series? That's the...
Writing the Climax
Strong Writing.
Finish Your Book.
Specific Level - Series Fiction.
Supplement: Anatomy of a Specific Series.
W.I.P. Section. Writing the End of your Book.
Exercises and Bibliography
Lesson 8: Polishing and Editing.
Here's what to do when you've finished that first draft. After the first draft. Structural editing. Second Draft. Polishing...
After the First Draft
Structural Editing.
Second Draft.
Polishing Draft
Setting Out and Pro Tips 1.
More Pro Tips
W.I.P. Section. Edit and Polish Your Book.
Bibliography
