Class Login: Children's Fiction: In-Depth Plotting

Class Description:

Plot designs are not something 'set-in-stone' by magazine editors (or teachers of Creative Writing courses). Just as an architect uses blueprints, so do writers of short stories for children. No one buys a house if the architect does not know how to design blueprints.

Short story plots are the the children's fiction writer's blueprints. Four basic 'blueprints' will be covered in this class: the Incidental plot, the 'did-it -by-myself, the wishful thought fulfilled, and the turn-around story. From these, students will write from four to five stories. Each story will be individually critiqued by the instructor. Rewriting assistance and feedback will be given. The end focus will be marketing the finished manuscripts for paid publication.

This course is designed for authors with some experience at writing, particularly in the area or short stories for children. It will concern plotting, writing, rewriting and actively marketing four different types of children's stories. If you haven't completed 'Writing Short Short Stories for Children,' please email the instructor at web-request@UniversalClass.com for information on qualifications for this class.

Lesson One: Incidentally Yours

There are always odd-beat type plots, some of which make it into print. Most do not. Four plot patterns do work well for children's fiction. Some also work for adult fiction, although there are more variants as readers age.

Lesson Two: Revising Your Dream Child

You've already written the "heart" into your story. Now it's time to turn your dream child into a story that is alive and real and marketable.

Lesson Three: Revision Revisited

One of the great things about writing is that words can always be changed and made stronger.

Lesson Four: How to Study a Magazine

Writers read everything at least twice if they want to sell to a magazine. Always read a magazine for fun first. Then read it to learn.

Lesson Five: Building a Market List

Because we are creative, most writers dread the business side--marketing. Truth is, marketing is 50% of your writing career, at least until you have book sales and can attract a good agent.

Lesson Six--In Depth Plotting: Aha! I Did it!

The necessity for planning a story before writing it becomes more apparent as story plots grow in complexity.

Lesson Seven: Revision Again

I'll bet you didn't think I could possibly say anything more about revision. Never make a bet with an old writer.

Lesson Eight: Revise & Market

Again, a few of you will be able revision part of this session and can follow the direction given with your returned first revision. There is one assignment to be done even if you don't need to rewrite again.

Lesson Nine: Turn-Around

The turn-around is one of the most marketable story plots.

Lesson Ten: And Yet Again--Revise

Believe it or not, there are still more ways to catch the errors in your stories when rewriting!

Lesson Eleven: Revise? Market!

A number of you have been able to skip the second revision assignment on your stories. Directions will be given if you can do this again. The second assignment here is required of all students.

Lesson 12- Wishful Thinking

We all do it! Stories of Wishful Thinking are highly popular with children. This plot works especially well with animal or other inanimate object characters.

Lesson 13: Still Rewriting

I almost called this lesson "I told you so." Yes, I still a few words left to say about rewriting.

Lesson 14: Revision/Marketing

We've covered marketing fairly extensively, but this lesson includes one good way to further the marketing of your work-- workshops and conferences.

Lesson 15: Marketing Check-Up

You've done it! You have completed from 4-5 stories and hopefully, you have found the lessons valuable tools for rewriting previously rejected manuscripts.

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