Writing a Story Kids Want to Read: Creating the Juvenile Novel

“Writing fiction for young people means first understanding what makes a strong story,” says instructor Maxine Rose Schur. “If you have an idea for a story or have already begun writing one, this is the class for you. No matter the progress so far, the focus is on finding where you need to go from here.”

In this five-week class, through a mixture of readings, discussions, supportive critiques, and in-class writing exercises, students will learn how to structure their story and chapters for optimum impact, create characters their reader will care about, choose when to use narrative for telling and scenes for showing, craft compelling dialogue, and use the power of description.

“What makes this class special,” says Maxine, “is the emphasis on where you are on your own path as a writer. I will offer personalized instruction in a 30-minute phone conversation or in-person meeting so that each student will learn how to best tell his or her own unique story.”

By the end of the class, whether you’re interested in writing a chapter book for beginning readers, a middle grade book, or a young adult novel, you’ll gain the tools and confidence to create a captivating story for kids ages 8-18.