Lessons include:

Module 1: The key elements in writing novels for children, starting with characters!

You’ll discover more about the children’s novel and how it fits into publishing for children. You have a unique voice and that’s what’s going to make you special as a writer. This course will help you capture the appropriate voice to suit the age of your character (and your reader). You’ll learn how to make your characters as believable as possible – complete with dialogue, back stories, appearance and motivations that drive their decisions.

Module 2: Point of view

Point of view is the heart of fiction, so it’s crucial to get it right! You’ll learn how point of view works – including how to avoid glitches and common pitfalls. You’ll also discover how to write from a child’s point of view – and how that differs from writing an adult point of view.

Module 3: How to write magnetic beginnings

You need to grab the attention of young readers from the first page so it’s vital that you write a compelling beginning. This module will help you nail your beginnings – not only of the whole novel, but of individual scenes as well.

Module 4: How to structure your story the right way

Once the story is up and running, it’s all about three things – character, plot and pace. In this module, you’ll look at how to manipulate each of these elements to create desired narrative tension that will keep your young reader engrossed (under the covers, with a torch). Along the way, you’ll look at the three-act structure and controlling pace, as well as why the number of scenes is so important.

Module 5: Create a mesmerising world for your readers

A good story has a strong main character. A great story usually also has a diverse and interesting supporting cast. In this module, you’ll learn how to ensure that all of your characters are just as interesting as your protagonist.