Each weekly session explores a different topic and includes reading and writing exercises designed to help you develop a range of creative, practical and critical skills in writing a YA novel. You’ll explore how novel writers use techniques including character, point of view and tense, story and structure, and work towards producing the first chapter of a novel and synopsis.
In each session, you’ll collaborate with a close-knit team of fellow writers to share ideas and feedback on each other’s work.
Session 1: What is YA fiction? – In this opening session, we’ll look at what makes a compelling YA novel and explore concepts, themes, age ranges and average word counts, before working on a back cover blurb for your idea.
Live group webinar with the tutor.
Session 2: Voice and Openings – A strong and vivid voice is a key to drawing readers in and making them connect with your protagonist. We’ll look at immediacy, intimacy and humour, and study voice through a series of successful YA openings, noting how writers use voice to hook readers into the story.
Session 3: Your Cast – This session focuses on creating memorable teen characters that real teens will connect with. We’ll study three different YA characters, break down their appeal, and look at tips on creating an unforgettable protagonist.
Live group webinar with the tutor.
Session 4: Structure, Story and Scene – YA depends on a solid structure: a definite problem or goal, and rising tension all the way. We’ll explore three-act structure, you’ll plot your favourite YA novel onto a graph to see how it fits, and look at beat sheets.
Session 5: Pace and Action – YA is all about keeping it trim and pacey. We’ll look at when to slow down and when to speed up – how to spot the flab and keep the action ticking along using Show Not Tell.
Live group webinar with the tutor.
Session 6: Keeping it Real: Dialogue and Description – The penultimate session focuses on elements that bring depth and veracity to your writing, including how to create dialogue and ways to use description to flesh out your scenes and add immediacy, with a focus on world-building for those writing fantasy or sci-fi.
Live Q&A webinar with featured YA author.
Session 7: Pulling it All Together – Two weeks of quiet writing time as you focus on your final assignment: taking the characters, concept and techniques you have explored through the course, you’ll write a first chapter or prologue for your peers to respond to.
Final group webinar with your tutor during the last week of the course.