Independent Study

Independent Study courses are offered as either an 8 week course or a 5 week course.
 

5 Week Course – $500



COURSE DESCRIPTION:
I have created this course specifically for students who wish to focus on learning the diagramming method to improve their writing. Through “one on one” online independent study we will explore the structural elements (or “bare bones”) underlying successful picture books. By examining and understanding these structural elements (called story anchors) you will see how to structure your picture books (through this unique Diagramming method). Learning this method of mapping out a story will enable you to not only recognize where but how to revise your current and future work. I strive to provide you with clear understandable feedback as you learn the Diagramming method and apply it to your manuscripts. You will find that this Diagramming method will expand your creative thinking and help you look at your stories (and other picture books) in a new light. The writing exercises will focus primarily on learning and understanding the Diagramming method. And, I promise you will never look at a picture book in the same way
again.

COURSE GOALS:

Learn to identify picture book structural elements (story anchors) within popular picture books and learn the Diagramming method to “map out” the underlying structure of a picture book.
Complete a picture book manuscript and query/cover letter that could be ready to submit to an editor or agent.

INDEPENDENT STUDY 5 WEEK COURSE SCHEDULE

WEEK ONE

  1. Identifying “story anchors” and examining the concept of The Picture Storybook Symmetrical Paradigm and the Diagramming method (“mapping out” a picture book)
  2. Reading Assignment
  3. Homework Assignment

WEEK TWO

  1. Analysis of diagrammed picture books
  2. Reading Assignment
  3. Homework Assignment

WEEK THREE

  1. Applying the Diagramming method to picture books and your work
  2. Step-by-step method for writing a picture book outlined in the text
  3. Reading Assignment
  4. Homework Assignment

WEEK FOUR

  1. Further understanding the Diagramming method
  2. Reading Assignment
  3. Homework Assignment
  4. Query and cover letters

WEEK FIVE
WRAP UP OF COURSE:

  1. The Symmetrical Picture Storybook Paradigm, story anchors and diagramming
  2. Revision techniques
  3. Query and cover letters

 
 

8 Week Course  –  $800

 


COURSE DESCRIPTION:

I have created this Independent course for students who wish to improve their writing and also learn the Diagramming method. Through “one on one” online independent study we will explore fundamental craft skills such as characterization, story structure, setting, voice, point-of-view, dialogue and plotting. In addition, we will examine the structural elements (or “bare bones”) underlying successful picture books. Understanding these structural elements (called story anchors) will help you to see how to structure your picture books (through the Diagramming method), and also enable you to recognize where and how to revise your work. I strive to provide you with clear understandable feedback as I nurture your writing. And, I encourage you to expand your creative thinking in order to develop your own unique writing style (your voice).

COURSE GOALS:

  1. Improve fundamental writing craft skills.
  2. Prepare and analyze a preliminary picture book “dummy.”
  3. Identify picture book structural elements (story anchors) within popular picture books and learn the Diagramming method to “map out” the underlying structure of a picture book.
  4. Complete a picture book manuscript and query/cover letter that could be ready to submit to an editor or agent.

INDEPENDENT STUDY 8 WEEK COURSE SCHEDULE

WEEK ONE

  1. Writing Survey
  2. Overview of various types of picture book genres
  3. The Craft of Writing
  4. Three-Act Story Structure: Beginning, Middle, and End (and a story arc)
  5. Where do story ideas come from?
  6. Reading Assignment #1 Plus: Picture books on Reading List #1
  7. Homework Assignment #1

WEEK TWO

  1. Lecture: craft of writing and the picture books read
  2. Basic elements of storytelling—Dialogue and Action in picture books
  3. Reading Assignment #2 Plus:
    • Picture books from the Reading List #2
    • Picture books from the Reading List #3
  4. Homework Assignment #2

WEEK THREE

  1. Craft of writing—show vs. telling and active vs. passive writing
  2. Identifying “story anchors” and examining the concept of The Picture Storybook Symmetrical Paradigm and the diagramming method (“mapping out” a picture book)
  3. Reading Assignment #3
  4. Homework Assignment #3

WEEK FOUR

  1. Analysis of 3 diagrammed picture books
  2. Reading Assignment #4
  3. Homework Assignment #4

WEEK FIVE

  1. The Diagramming method, Characterization and Dialogue tags
  2. Analysis of 6 diagrammed picture books
  3. Reading Assignment #5 Plus:  Picture books from Reading List #3
  4. Homework Assignment #5

WEEK SIX

  1. Further analysis of 3 diagrammed picture books
  2. Reading Assignment #6 Plus: Picture books from Reading List #4 and my book Z is For Zombie
  3. Homework Assignment #6

WEEK SEVEN

  1. Analysis of 6 diagrammed picture books
  2. Further analysis of picture books read and developing “your voice”
  3. Reading Assignment #7
  4. Homework Assignment #7

WEEK EIGHT

  1. Step-by-step method for writing a picture book outlined in the text
  2. Reading Assignment #8
  3. Homework Assignment #8
  4. The Business of Publishing/Market Research—for submissions, covering the topics:
    • Revisions
    • Agent, Cover, Query and Rejection Letters— Is getting an agent necessary?

WRAP UP OF COURSE:

  1. Questions: Writing craft skills: point of view, dialogue, characterization, voice etc.
  2. The preliminary picture book “dummy”
  3. The Symmetrical Picture Storybook Paradigm, story anchors and diagramming
  4. Revision techniques
  5. Query and cover letters
  6. Researching markets for submission
  7. How you can continue to improve your writing and break into the Children’s Publishing Market—submission and beyond