SYNOPSIS OF THE COURSE

Unit 1
The Essence of Writing for Children
Qualities needed for a children's writer . Analysing your aims . How to structure your work . The importance of detail in your stories . Getting to know your readers . The role of your reading audience

Unit 2
Emotions, Themes and Plots
Getting your readers attention . Producing a desired response . The importance of the theme . How to produce variations in the plot . Writing towards a climax . How to give your plots originality

Unit 3
Plot Development
Where to get your ideas from . The need for imagination and observation . From rough outline to plot synopsis . A foolproof formula for successful plot development . How to write the opening . Continuing the action. How to deal with the ending

Unit 4
Characterisation
The importance of characters to your story . How to create realistic characters making characters come alive . How to deal with the hero . The role of the villain . How to use the minor characters . Telling the Story through the characters

Unit 5
Dialogue
Creating action and interest through dialogue . Using dialogue to develop characters. Dialogue as a way of opening . Dialogue for atmosphere . Emotions and humour through dialogue . Use of dialect and slang . How to set out dialogue

Unit 6
Writing for Young Children
The particular needs of younger readers . Getting down to their level . Choosing your subject matter . The use of illustrations . How to write the reading-aloud story . How to write to a word limit . How to write within a restricted vocabulary . Writing the first reading book

Unit 7
Writing Non-Fiction
The market for non-fiction . Giving an old topic an original slant . How to choose your subject . Researching your material . Planning your material . Finding a writing style to suit your topic

Unit 8
Special Areas of Writing
Writing a play- from idea to finished product . Writing the easy reader - special techniques to make your story appeal . Writing for the comic strips - method and layout . Writing the mystery story - how to create suspense

Unit 9
Publication
How to check your work . Preparing your manuscript for publication . The importance of studying your markets . How to deal with publishers . Proof reading . Contracts and Royalties . The rewards of being a published writer

Unit 10
Learn from the Experts
A study of what famous writers say about writing for children . Catherine Cookson . C.S. Lewis . J.R.R Tolkien . Rosemary Sutcliffe . John Rowe Townsend . Maurice Sendak . Aidan Chambers . Ivan Southall