Writing for Children and Young Adults

    Monday, May 23, 2016 at 11:00 AM until Monday, June 27, 2016 at 1:00 PMUTC -04:00


    Sarah Lawrence College
    1 Mead Way
    Bronxville, NY 10708
    United States

    Instructor: Wendy Townsend
    Length: 5 sessions, $450
    Mondays, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM     (no class on May 30)

    In this workshop, we will focus on middle-grade and YA novels, and picture books. But, sometimes, we have a YA novel that turns out to be a story for grown-ups. Or, we have a middle-grade novel that really wants to be a memoir. And so, whether you have a work-in-progress or a complete draft you want to revise—or just the beginnings of a story—our goal is to support and guide you through the process of writing and revising. The writing prompts we do at the beginning of each class are set up so you can write either from your own memories or from the point of view of your story’s character. They’re a great way to get you up and running with the beginnings of a story, or with a new scene, or to revise one that’s not working. During group feedback time, writers may choose to read the piece generated by the prompt or from a work-in-progress. Rather than criticize, we will support and elicit each writer’s vision. Because finding and correcting faults is copy-editing, we will focus instead on core issues such as character development, structure, and tension. As nuts-and-bolts elements of craft emerge, we will have an ongoing dialogue about techniques for making our stories stronger. And, since writing can feel like a roller-coaster ride, now and then, we might open the floor to a discussion about writing and life. As part of this workshop, each writer will receive written critiques from the instructor. The instructor is available for questions after class. This workshop will be capped at eight participants.

    Wendy Townsend (BS, Empire State College; MFA, Vermont College) taught workshops for children’s writing at Empire State College from 2002 to 2009. In 2008, she published her first young adult novel, Lizard Love, which received a Booklist Starred Review. She also co-authored and illustrated Iguanas: A Guide to Their Biology and Captive Care in 1993 and has written articles for Reptiles magazine. Her second novel, The Sundown Rule, has received a Bulletin starred review, is among the Kirkus Reviews best children’s books of 2011, and is a Bank Street College book of outstanding merit for 2012. Her third novel, Blue Iguana, was on the short list for The Green Earth Book Award.

    Writing Institute Registration Process:

    Step 1 - Registration Information: Complete this registration form in full.

    Step 2 - Payment: Once you click submit on this form, a new page will appear in your browser with a payment link. Click on the payment link, complete the required information, and submit your payment. 
     
    Payment is required for your registration to be confirmed. If we don’t receive your payment within 48 hours of submission of this form, your registration will automatically be cancelled. You will have to complete the form again if you wish to register for the class.

    Step 3 - Confirmation: Once we receive your payment, your registration will be finalized and confirmed with an email. Please keep this email for your records.  Details about room assignment, parking, and any other information relevant to the course will be emailed to registered students the week before classes begin.

    If you have questions about the registration process, please call us at 914-395-2205 or email sorefice@sarahlawrence.edu.

    Registration is no longer available because the registration deadline has passed.