Author-to-Author: a YA fiction author teaches teen authors to write a book!
Scroll to the red text below for enrollment links!
I’m now instructing teens online! Check out this opportunity that begins December 5, 2020! And–check out the FREE class info at the bottom of this page!
Are you a teen who loves to write? I guide aspiring authors ages 13-18 from the comfort of your homes! You will develop strong literacy while learning to craft character, making setting a powerful component of story, and telling an authentically amazing story, one week at a time!!
I’m an award-winning author, longtime English teacher, and freelance editor. I will not only present engaging lessons, but I will also do a deep dive into your writing submissions and provide one-on-one coaching to help you, an aspiring author, to tell the story that is dying to break out of your mind and flow beautifully onto the page.
Whether you are a “good” English student or not, if you have the desire to write a story that’s dying to be told, I can guide you to see it to fruition. I utilize my expertise as well as respected resources, meaningful video clips, and an overflowing mental “toolbox” that’s stocked by over two decades of teaching.
Overview of the Class*
Week 1: Welcome! Let’s talk about your protagonist.
Week 2: Building the setting, and why it’s important.
Week 3: Conflict: why “I want” is the seed of your story, and why you need a major and a minor “want”
Week 4: World-building: your protagonist and antagonist’s foils.
Week 5: The inciting incident: ladies and gentlemen, you cannot look away!
Week 6: Where are you going?
Week 7: Complications: throw what ya got at your hero.
Week 8: Speaking of heroism…what’s the problem with being brave?
Week 9: The undercurrent of your story: the tension is building!
Week 10: Do you feel it? Magnetic forces are pulling your protagonist toward the show-down. . .
Week 11: The antagonist’s motive and what he/she has to lose.
Week 12: Confronting the conflict: will yours burst like fireworks, splatter like paint, or sputter like a car out of gas?
Week 13: Consequences of bravery: there can’t be smiles without some tears.
Week 14: Wrap up your sub-plot! Do you know where it is?
Week 15: The role of setting in the denouement (falling action): is this where your protagonist wants to be?
Week 16: Happy ending or hopeful ending? The big finish.
Week 17: How to publish your book: options for being able to hold a hard copy in your hand.
Week 18: Celebrating “The End” and sharing your favorite scene(s)!
*Please note: if it is apparent that the class as a whole is not sufficiently grasping a concept, it is possible that we would spend more time on a topic. I am YOU-centered, not pacing-schedule-centered. Supporting your needs is my priority.
Schedule:
I am offering this class through two online outlets: KidPass and OutSchool. You should check out their platforms to decide which approach works best for your family. The class will be identical in both outlets.
Via KidPass: Saturday, 3:00-4:00 P.M. Central Time Zone *Click on “Schedule.” Note the free “Drop-in” class on Nov. 28, then please click on “Semester” to view the 18-week course. KidPass offers a $25 credit to all who sign up!
Via OutSchool: Saturday, 4:00-5:00 P.M. Central Time Zone
60 minutes weekly; students will submit their writing assignments by 11:59 PM on the subsequent Wednesday, in order to have feedback prior to the next Saturday class. Beth will respond to student queries and responses in the interim between homework submissions and class.
This is a multi-day class guiding kids through writing a book. Currently, 3 sections are planned:
Pricing: $10.00 per week ($180 for the entire 18-week section ).
Max students: 20 per KidPass class per section, & 18 per OutSchool class per section.
Section 1: 2020-2021
Beginning: 6 sessions: December 5, 12, 19; Jan. 2, 9, & 16
Middle: 6 sessions: Jan. 23, 30; Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27
End: 6 sessions: March 6, 13, 20, 27; April 3, 10
Section 2: 2021
Beginning: April 17, 24; May 1, 8, 22, 29
Middle: June 5, 12, 19, 26; July 10, 17
End: July 24, 31; Aug. 7, 14, 28; Sept 4
Section 3: 2021-2022 *This session is not yet listed on KidPass, but it is listed on OutSchool.
Beginning: Sept. 11, 18, 25; Oct. 2, 9, 16
Middle: Oct. 23, 30; Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27
End: Dec. 4, 11, 18; Jan. 8 (2022), 15, 22
Safety Considerations:
I have a B.A. in English, minor Secondary Education, M.Ed. in Reading, and over 22 years of experience teaching writing to middle-and high schoolers. I recognize the essential truth of any classroom: all students must feel comfortable and safe being themselves in order to learn. I am committed to preserving an accepting classroom environment that includes guiding students through writing exercises that are constructive and safe.
Supply List:
You will be provided with a (free) individual digital notebook that is rooted in Google Docs. A gmail account is needed to access and utilize this resource, and I will need to create this individual digital notebook Google Doc for you, prior to the first class. I will also share Individual Quick Write documents with you; those will also be rooted in Google Docs.
During weeks 16-17, I will share my experience of guiding my former face-to-face students through the process of using an online book publishing service that is specifically for students. The publishing service cost varies, but in the recent past, the cost of a book was between $12.00-$24.00, depending on page count, utilization of color, etc.
Please note: I am not responsible in any way for the service you and your parents ultimately choose to publish your book, should you choose to do so, nor am I affiliated in any way with any online book-publishing service. I make no money off your book. I can only share my experience in the realm of helping students turn an idea into a book that can be held in one’s hand. The service I’ve used in the past maintains an online “bookstore” where additional copies of individual books are available to be purchased for a long time afterward.
If you do not choose to publish your book, there is no other cost or supplies needed than those stated above. All you really need to succeed is your imagination, a quiet work area, and some time to write your assignment (grow their book) each week!
FREE STUFF ALERT! This is a special FREE online class presented by KidPass Live Stage (https://kidp.as/live). KidPass Live Stage is a free livestream series that is open for the community and showcases many of the incredible classes and instructors on KidPass.
Got a teen who wants to write a book but is unsure how to start? Beth guides aspiring authors ages 13-18 from the comfort of their homes! Kids should leave this class with a spark of an idea that will enable the seed of an idea to take root!
This award-winning author, longtime English teacher, and experienced editor will present an engaging lesson to help your aspiring author begin the story that is dying to break out of the mind and flow beautifully onto the page.
This is a 60-minute one-time class that precedes the 12/5 start of an 18-week class, so be sure to check it out!
Beth has a B.A. in English, minor Secondary Education, an M.Ed. in Reading, and over 22 years of experience teaching writing to middle-and-high schoolers. She recognizes the essential truth of any classroom: students must feel comfortable and safe being themselves in order to learn. She is committed to preserving an accepting classroom environment that includes guiding students through writing workshops that are constructive and safe.
Whether your child is a “good” English student or not, if he or she has the desire to write the story that’s dying to be told, Beth can help make it a reality. In the 18-week class, she will provide each student a Google Slides-based digital notebook that will be added to weekly. She utilizes meaningful video clips and screensharing. Students are expected to have their cameras on and mics muted while instruction is occurring, although the chat feature is enabled at all times and classroom discussion is threaded throughout the lesson.
Note that as a KidPass Live Stage performance, this class and your participation may be posted on KidPass social media. Since it is formatted for a large audience, there will be limited instructor interaction. If you enjoy the class, please visit the instructor’s KidPass page where you can find other class offerings and formats including small-group, interactive classes. Learn more about KidPass Live Stage at http://kidp.as/live.