Back to Home > Courses and Seminars > Writing the Middle Grade Novel

Writing the Middle Grade Novel

Learn how to write for youngsters

Course is closed.

WHEN
Wednesday, May 17, 7-10 p.m.

WHO
For writers who want to learn how to write a middle grade novel.

WHERE
offices of mediabistro.com
West Hollywood, Calif.
310-659-5668

PRICE
$65 ($50 for )
more info

Course Details

Do all sorts of brilliant ideas for a new children's book keep pinging around your head, but you're finding it difficult to corral them into manuscript form? Or do you suffer from the 'Hey, I had that idea years ago!' syndrome every time a new kid's book appears and takes the market by storm? Now is the time to grab those ideas and incorporate them into the first draft of your wonderful new middle grade novel.

Carol Hughes, author and former child star of countless imaginary film and television productions, will teach you lots of easy to learn, but too often overlooked techniques, that will help you craft your brain children into something well worth sending out to agents and publishers.

In this seminar you will:

  • Learn how to galvanize the writer-child within and make him/her sit down and behave long enough to get those stories written down.
  • Study what makes a truly exceptional middle grade novel.
  • Learn how to make your manuscript sing from the very first word.
  • Learn how to write stories [both fantasy and reality] that captivate and enthrall young readers.
  • Discover how to avoid the 5 big no-nos of writing for children
  • Revisit the basics of story structure and character development and learn how they are essential ingredients in the middle grade novel.
  • Learn techniques for how to put yourself inside your characters and think like a modern child.
  • Find out what to do when the well runs dry. Discover how to jumpstart your imagination and leap over any troublesome blocks.
  • Learn how to become your own whimsy police for those times when you fall far too much in love with your own work

Instructor Bio

Carol Hughes's Courses

No courses available at this time.

Carol Hughes
Carol Hughes was born in England and grew up in a small seaside town reading just about anything she could get her hands on. At least that was when she wasn't being forced to work as a chambermaid and indentured skivvy in her parents' small hotel. After a disastrous time studying fine art painting, followed by a series of dull-beyond-belief jobs in London, Seville and Manila, she finally felt qualified to write and has been doing so ever since. Her books, which have been published in many languages, include Jack Black and the Ship of Thieves, Toots and the Upside Down House, Toots Underground, and Toots Underwater. Her fifth book, Dirty Magic, will be published by Random House, Fall 2006.

AvantGuild* Discounts on mediabistro.com courses are just one of the wonderful benefits of being in AvantGuild, our premium membership program. For just $59 a year, you'll receive instant access to our How to Pitch articles and other premium articles, transcripts from selected seminars and panels, and discounts on virtually everything we do (including eClasses and the Freelance Marketplace)! Click here to join now.