Online Classes: Write Your Own Fiction Book Series

UPDATE: Meet the Instructor: Click Here

We are very excited to announce our new fiction writing program for middle and high school students. This is a wonderful series of courses for students who love to write and create their own stories. By the end of the series, the student has all the tools needed to complete and publish their own novel!

The program consists of six mini-courses of four weeks each. The courses can be taken in any order. Students are invited to begin with the first course in February, 2012 or join us later as we continuously offer the six courses over the upcoming years.

The current schedule:
February 2012: Plot and Structure
March 2012: Description and Setting
September 2012: Characters and Dialogue
October 2012: Theme, Style and Point of View
February 2013: Conflict and Creating the Breakout
March 2013: What it Takes to be a Published Author; Marketing, the Book Proposal and More
April 2013: Plot and Structure

If there is a strong demand for the courses, we will move the schedule up and offer much more each semester. 

Below are course descriptions for the first two mini courses scheduled for the spring semester. Register early to save up to $30:

Fiction Writing 1; Plot and Structure

(click on course title to enroll)

One of six mini-courses in the Write Your Own Fiction Book Series. NOTE: Courses in this series can be taken in any order.
Class dates: Thursdays, Feb. 2 to February 23, 2012
Total classes: 4
Starting time: 2:00 pm Eastern (1:00 pm Central)
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisite: none
Suggested grade level: 8th to 12th grade
Suggested credit: 1/3 semester (three courses in the Write Your Fiction Book Series equals one semester credit)
Fee: $75 if you register on or before November 1, 2011; $90 after Nov. 1 for all 4 classes.
Instructor: Erin Brown Conroy, MA (E.B. Conroy)
Course description: This course teaches key components of writing a gripping plot for fiction books of any genre. Designed for writing fiction for middle grade, young adult, and adult plots, the course covers great openings (the opening line, hook, drop into action, and inciting incident); development (doors of no return, peaks, and the rising plot line); creating tension and intrigue; and the climax and finish.
Series description: There are a total six parts to the Write Your Own Fiction Book Series. We will continue the series in the fall and into next spring and start all over again. Students can jump into the series at any time. Once you have completed all 6 mini-courses, you can have a completed book!
Course outline:
Class 1: Great openings—the opening line, hook, drop into action, and inciting incident
Class 2: Developing your plot—doors of no return, peaks, and the rising plot line
Class 3: Creating tension and intrigue—tricks, tips, and “the plant”
Class 4: Great endings—creating a strong climax and finish
Course materials: All materials are provided FREE via the instructor.
Homework: Weekly writing assignments, with direct feedback from Professor Brown Conroy, with an estimated five hours per week for homework, outside of class time that includes reading, writing, and responding to feedback.

Fiction Writing Course 2: Description and Setting

(click course title to register)

One of six mini-courses in the Write Your Own Fiction Book Series. Note: Courses in this series can be taken in any order.
Class dates: Thursdays, March 8 to March 29, 2012
Total classes: 4
Starting time: 2:00 pm Eastern (1:00 pm Central)
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisite: none
Suggested grade level: 8th to 12th grade
Suggested credit: 1/3 semester (three courses in the Write Your Fiction Book series equals one semester credit)
Fee: $75 if you register on or before November 1, 2011. $90 after Nov. 1 for all 4 classes.
Instructor: Erin Brown Conroy, MA (E.B. Conroy)
Course description: This course teaches key components of using excellent description and crafting a strong and memorable setting for your fiction book. The course covers when a good writer uses description and setting (timing and amount of use); types of description (sensory, metaphor and simile, figures of speech, and literary techniques); principles and techniques of memorable settings; and how to integrate description and setting into plot, structure, and character development.
Series description: There are a total six parts to the Write Your Own Fiction Book Series. We will continue the series in the fall and into next spring and start all over again. Students can jump into the series at any time. Once you have completed all 6 mini-courses, you can have a completed book!
Course outline:
Class 1: Description and Setting: Timing and the Basics of their Use
Class 2: Types of Description—The senses, metaphor and simile, figures of speech, and literary techniques
Class 3: Principles and techniques of memorable settings (including examples to learn by)
Class 4: How to integrate description and setting into plot, structure, and character development
Course materials: All materials are provided FREE via the instructor.
Homework: Weekly writing assignments, with direct feedback from Professor Brown Conroy, with an estimated five hours per week for homework (outside of class time) that includes reading, writing, and responding to feedback.


Professor's biography: Erin Brown Conroy, MA, is the professor of College-Level Writing and Writing and Research for Patrick Henry College (five years) and taught writing at Cornerstone University for seven years. She is the author of several non-fiction books, including Simplified Writing 101: Top Secrets for College Writing Success, and has designed four college writing courses, including an AP English Language and Composition course for PHC Preparatory Academy online. Professor Brown Conroy also privately coaches ACT English prep live and across the US via Skype and phone conferencing and has spoken at conferences regarding the teaching of writing. A member of the Society of Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators, she is also a fiction writing coach for high school and college students for the last ten years and has judged writing contests. She is also a freelance professional writer and ghostwriter. Professor Brown Conroy also authored True North Reading: The Complete Mastery Reading and Spelling Program, a five-level multisensory learn-to-read program for children ages 3 to 15. Mrs. Brown Conroy lives in Howell, Michigan and is attends Old St. Patrick's Parish. She has been homeschooling for 27 years. Mrs. Brown Conroy loves enjoying her two Australian Labradoodles, playing the Irish wooden flute, and homeschooling five of her 13 children who still live at home.

Equipment requirements: Classes are online, live and interactive. Students are required to have high-speed internet and a headset with microphone.

Misc:
Mrs. Brown Conroy will be available via email in between classes for questions and comments.
Recordings of classes are provided to students within 24 hours and available for 6 months.
Homeschool Connections does not provide record keeping services.