Apropos of Dan Elish’s wonderful essay about the differences between writing fiction for the children’s market and for adults, here’s an upcoming class at the Writer’s Center in Bethesda:
Writing, Like, a Kid: a workshop for writing for 8 to 12 year olds, with Erica Perl
It has never been a better time to write for young readers, and you don’t have to be J.K. Rowling to do it! In this workshop, we’ll explore the wide range of fiction being written for and read by "middle grade" audiences and work on advancing our own projects. Short lectures with discussion and in-class writing prompts will be followed by critiques of participants' work. Among topics to be discussed are those central to writing a novel (character development, setting, narrative structure, conflict) and those specific to writing a middle grade novel (importance of voice, vocabulary/slang, gender differences, pacing, use/avoidance of technology and "taboo" topics). We will also discuss publishing and marketing issues concerning middle grade books. 8 sessions. Workshop meets Wednesday evenings, 7:30 to 10 p.m. and starts on February 13.
Erica reports that, “Although the course is open to folks who are new to children’s book writing, several of the currently enrolled students seem to have book projects underway. So, I’m excited that we may have an enthusiastic group with a good range of experience (and lively discussions, as a result).”
For more information and/or to register, go here, or email Erica directly: Erica@ericaperl.com
