Writing Classes: Fiction for Teens

We are very excited about our fiction writing program for teens. This is a wonderful series of courses for students who enjoy creating their own stories. By the end of the series, students will have all the tools needed to complete and publish their own novels! 


Fiction writing is a fun way to learn necessary writing skills while at the same time encouraging the imagination. As C. S. Lewis once said, "Reason is the natural order of truth; but imagination is the organ of meaning."

The fiction writing program consists of six mini-courses of four weeks each. The courses can be taken in any order. Students are invited to begin with us in September, 2012 or join us later as we continuously offer the six courses over the upcoming years. Our instructor, E. B. Conroy, is a published author and provides direct feedback to the students on their writing assignments.

The current schedule:
September 2012: Character and Dialogue
October 2012: Theme, Style, and Point of View
November 2012: Conflict and Creating the Breakout Novel
January 2013: Authoring a Book: How it works, what it takes, and how to succeed
February 2013: Plot and Structure
March 2013: Description and Setting

Below are course descriptions for the three fall courses. Register early to save up to $30 next semester:

Characters and Dialogue (Write Your Own Book Fiction Writing Series)

click on the course title above to register

Series description: There are a total six parts to the Write Your Own Fiction Book Series. Students can jump into this continuing series at any time. Once you have completed all 6 mini-courses, you can have a completed book!

Class dates: Thursdays, Sept. 6 to Sept. 27, 2012

Total classes: 4

Starting time: 2:00 pm Eastern (1:00 Central)

Duration: 1 hour

Prerequisite: None

Suggested grade level: 8^th to 12^th

Fee: $80 if you register on or before Aug. 1, 2012. $90 after Aug. 1 for all 4 classes

Instructor: E. B. Conroy, MA
Course description: This course teaches the key components of creating dynamic characters and dialogue for fiction books of any genre. Designed for writing fiction for middle grade, young adult, and adult plots, the course covers how to develop characters, the character arc, how do develop dialogue, and how to weave dialogue into character development and action. The course will also center on how to implement your Catholic worldview into your characters and dialogue.

Course outline:
Class 1: Types of characters, developing characters fully, introducing your character

Class 2: Character arc: Your lead character’s inner change
Class 3: Dialogue how-to’s, do’s, and don’ts

Class 4: Showing your character in the dialogue: weaving dialogue with your character and the action

Course materials: Word 2007 or later version. All materials are provided FREE via the instructor.

Homework: Weekly writing assignments, with direct feedback from Professor Brown Conroy, with an estimated three to four hours per week for homework outside of class time that includes reading, writing, and responding to feedback.

Theme, Style, and Point of View (Write Your Own Book Fiction Writing Series)

click on the course title above to register

Series description: There are a total six parts to the Write Your Own Fiction Book Series. Students can jump into this continuing series at any time. Once you have completed all 6 mini-courses, you can have a completed book!

Class dates: Thursdays, Oct. 4 to 25

Total classes: 4

Starting time: 2:00 pm Eastern (1:00 Central)

Duration: 1 hour

Prerequisite: None

Suggested grade level: 8^th to 12^th

Fee: $80 if you register on or before Aug. 1, 2012. $90 after Aug. 1 for all 4 classes.

Instructor: E. B. Conroy, MA
Course description: This course teaches the key components of creating dynamic theme, style, and point of view for fiction books of any genre. Designed for writing fiction for middle grade, young adult, and adult plots, the course covers types of theme, how to develop theme, developing your style of writing, and all of the major fiction writing points of view. The course will also center on how to implement the Christian worldview into your theme.

Course outline:
Class 1: What is theme and how to use it in your book

Class 2: What is style and how to develop yours
Class 3: Point of view

Class 4: Integrating theme, style, and point of view to create a dynamic story

Course materials: Word 2007 or later version. All materials are provided FREE via the instructor.

Homework: Weekly writing assignments, with direct feedback from Professor Brown Conroy, with an estimated three to four hours per week for homework outside of class time that includes reading, writing, and responding to feedback.

Conflict and Creating the Breakout Novel (Write Your Own Book Fiction Writing Series)

click on the course title above to register

Series description: There are a total six parts to the Write Your Own Fiction Book Series. Students can jump into this continuing series at any time. Once you have completed all 6 mini-courses, you can have a completed book!

Class dates: Thursdays, Nov. 8 to Dec. 6 (No class Nov. 22)

Total classes: 4

Starting time: 2:00 pm Eastern (1:00 Central)

Duration: 1 hour

Prerequisite: None

Suggested grade level: 8^th to 12^th

Fee: $80 if you register on or before Aug. 1, 2012. $90 after Aug. 1 for all 4 classes.

Instructor: E. B. Conroy, MA
Course description: This course teaches the key components of creating conflict that gives us the breakout novel. The course will also center on how to implement the Christian worldview into your conflict.

Course outline:
Class 1: What makes a great novel and “stakes” (personal and universal)

Class 2: Conflict in the setting, characters, and plot
Class 3: Playing the “what if” game: making your character do the unthinkable

Class 4: Cliffhangers, self-sacrifice, and turning points

Course materials: Word 2007 or later version. All materials are provided FREE via the instructor.

Homework: Weekly writing assignments, with direct feedback from Professor Brown Conroy, with an estimated three to four 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 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.

ADDENDUM: Our Fiction Writing Series is also available in recording through our Unlimited Access! Service (click to learn more). As our live classes are completed, they are converted to recordings. Currently available through Unlimited Access! are Plot & Structure and Description & Setting. The other courses in the series will become available within 4 weeks of completion. Also available are a variety of middle school and high school basic and advance writing classes, from Essential Grammar and Punctuation to Writing for College.