Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop from Udemy

Young Adult Fiction is today's top-selling category. This class shows you how to turn you ideas into a bestselling novel or screenplay that will rival Harry Potter, Hunger Games, or Twilight.

Do you have a Young Adult novel idea, but aren't sure where to begin? Have you started a novel, only to get stuck? Or perhaps you've completed a first draft, but want to add the luster of professional writing?

This course is for you. Featuring lively discussions between Young Adult Fiction authors Steve and Dani Alcorn, this engaging class gives you all the tools you need to create a bestseller.

We'll reveal what makes Young Adult novels today's most exciting genre, and show you how to use the techniques of top-selling authors to create your own finished novel. Step by step, you'll learn and practice:

What Makes Great Young Adult Fiction
Planning Your Project
Story Structure
Character Building
Viewpoints that work best for Young Adults
Experiment with Tense
Create a Vibrant Narrative Voice
Build Vivid Settings
Dialogue for Young Adults
Beginnings and Endings
Polishing Your Manuscript
Cover Art that Sells Young Adult Novels
Getting Published
Marketing Your Work

In addition to the video lectures and panel discussions, the course includes extensive supplemental materials, featuring reference lists, exercises, checklists, and handy reference sheets.

Whether this is your first Young Adult novel or you're an experienced author looking for new techniques, Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop has what you need to get your young adult idea published. Enroll now.

What's inside

Syllabus

Exploring Young Adult Fiction

Meet Steve and Dani Alcorn, and enjoy this preview of all the material covered in the course!

Where did Young Adult literature come from, and where is it going? This lecture shows you.

Meet the four dramatic elements on which all fiction is based.

Scott Westerfeld writes some of the best Young Adult science fiction and fantasy series. This lecture looks at seven of his greatest novels.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Breaks down the elements of successful Young Adult novels, such as character development, plot structure, and narrative voice, which are essential for crafting compelling stories in this genre

Explores various Young Adult genres and their popular themes, providing insights into current market trends and reader preferences, which can inform writers' creative choices

Includes guidance on manuscript polishing, cover art selection, and publishing strategies, offering practical advice for navigating the publishing process and presenting a professional product

Features discussions on viewpoints, tenses, and narrative voice, which are crucial for developing a unique and engaging writing style that resonates with young adult readers

Offers insights into marketing strategies for Young Adult books, which is valuable for authors looking to promote their work and reach a wider audience in a competitive market

Relies on examples from popular Young Adult series like Harry Potter, Hunger Games, and Twilight, which may not reflect the diversity of contemporary Young Adult literature

Reviews summary

Comprehensive workshop for aspiring ya authors

According to students, the Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop provides a comprehensive guide covering the entire process from developing an idea to getting published and marketing your work. Learners particularly appreciated the practical tips and techniques shared by the experienced instructors, Steve and Dani Alcorn, finding their discussions insightful and engaging. Many students felt the course laid a strong foundation, making it ideal for beginners looking to start their first YA novel. While generally very well-received, a few reviewers noted that the course material, particularly the publishing section, could be more in-depth for experienced writers.

Useful exercises, checklists, and references.

"The extra exercises and checklists in the supplemental materials were very handy for applying the concepts."

"I found the reference sheets provided to be a useful resource throughout the course."

"The supplemental materials add good value for practice and review."

Includes overview of getting published and marketing.

"The inclusion of sections on publishing and marketing was a great bonus."

"It was helpful to get an introduction to the steps needed to get my book out there."

"While not exhaustive, the overview of publishing and marketing was appreciated."

Provides strong foundation for new writers.

"If you are new to writing YA fiction, this course provides an excellent starting point."

"As a beginner, I felt the course covered the fundamentals really well and built my confidence."

"It's a solid introduction, though writers with several novels under their belt might find some parts basic."

Useful techniques for plot, character, dialogue, voice.

"The sections on structuring the story and creating compelling characters were incredibly helpful and actionable."

"I found the tips on dialogue and narrative voice particularly useful for improving my manuscript."

"Learning about viewpoint and tense helped me make better choices for my story."

Covers entire process: idea to publication.

"I really liked that the course covered everything from character building and plot structure to actually getting published."

"It was great to learn not just writing techniques but also about polishing, cover art, and marketing."

"This course gives you a start-to-finish roadmap for writing a YA novel."

Insightful guidance from published authors.

"Steve and Dani Alcorn are very knowledgeable and engaging, sharing valuable insights from their own careers."

"Their relaxed discussion format made the lessons easy to follow and felt like a personal conversation."

"It's beneficial to learn from authors who have actually published in the YA genre."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop with these activities:

Review Basic Story Structure

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Reinforce your understanding of fundamental story structures like the Three-Act Structure before diving into the specifics of Young Adult fiction.

Browse courses on Story Structure

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Read articles or watch videos explaining basic story structures.
Analyze the structure of a familiar movie or book.
Outline a story using a chosen structure.

Develop a Character Profile

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Create a detailed profile for your protagonist, including their backstory, motivations, and relationships, to build a compelling character.

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Brainstorm character traits and background information.
Write a short biography of the character.
Create a visual representation of the character.

Read 'Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction'

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Explore creative writing techniques and exercises to enhance your imaginative storytelling abilities.

View Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating... on Amazon

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Read a chapter of 'Wonderbook' each week.
Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.
Discuss the concepts with other writers.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Write a Scene Based on a Specific Conflict

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Practice writing scenes that showcase different types of conflict (internal, external, interpersonal) to add depth and tension to your story.

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Choose a type of conflict to focus on.
Outline the scene, including the setting and characters involved.
Write the scene, focusing on dialogue and action.

Read 'The First Five Pages'

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Learn how to craft a compelling opening that grabs the reader's attention and sets the stage for your story.

View The Plot Thickens on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes on key takeaways.
Analyze the first five pages of your own manuscript.
Revise your opening based on the book's advice.

Critique Partner Exchange

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Exchange manuscripts with a critique partner and provide constructive feedback on each other's work to improve your writing skills.

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Find a critique partner with similar writing interests.
Exchange manuscripts and read each other's work.
Provide detailed feedback on strengths and weaknesses.

Rewrite a Scene in a Different Viewpoint

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Experiment with different viewpoints (first person, third person limited, omniscient) to see how they affect the narrative and choose the best one for your story.

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Choose a scene from your manuscript.
Rewrite the scene in a different viewpoint.
Compare the two versions and analyze the differences.

Career center

Learners who complete Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Young Adult Author

The role of a Young Adult Author involves crafting compelling stories that resonate with young readers. You spend your days developing plots, creating characters, and writing in a way that appeals to a younger demographic. This course, the Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop, will be invaluable to anyone pursuing this career. This course helps you understand the specific elements that make young adult fiction so popular, such as character building and viewpoints that work best for young adults. By teaching techniques used by top selling authors, this course positions you to create your own finished novel. Learning to build vivid settings, create vibrant narrative voices, and write compelling dialogue for young adults is all part of this course. Furthermore, the course covers polishing your manuscript, designing cover art, getting published, and marketing your work. Aspiring Young Adult Authors will find this course to be a comprehensive guide to the world of young adult literature.

See salaries and explore the career path for Young Adult Author

Developmental Editor

As a Developmental Editor, you work closely with authors to shape and refine their manuscripts, focusing on overall structure, plot, and character development. The Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop course helps you understand the nuances of writing for young adults, which is crucial for providing effective feedback. This course will reveal what makes Young Adult novels today's most exciting genre. The course covers story structure, character building, viewpoints, narrative voice, setting, dialogue, beginnings and endings, and more. Understanding these elements allows a Developmental Editor to effectively guide authors in creating a successful manuscript, particularly when the audience is young adults.

See salaries and explore the career path for Developmental Editor

Fiction Editor

Fiction Editors work with authors to refine their novels, focusing on improving prose, pacing, and clarity. The Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop course offers valuable insight into what makes young adult fiction successful. You will learn how to make your manuscript ready for publication. The course covers various elements of fiction writing, including story structure and character development, as well as polishing your manuscript. Understanding these elements allows you to provide targeted feedback to authors, improving their novels and increasing their chances of publication. Furthermore, the course instructors, Steve and Dani Alcorn, offer insight on the themes of modern Young Adult Fiction.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fiction Editor

Literary Agent

Literary Agents represent authors and sell their manuscripts to publishers. They must have a keen eye for marketable stories and a strong understanding of the publishing industry. Because this course covers what makes young adult fiction sell, it will be especially helpful for literary agents. The Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop course covers several important topics, including cover art that sells, getting published, and marketing your author's work. Steve and Dani Alcorn, the course leaders, offer insight on the themes of modern Young Adult Fiction and the range of genres. You will gain insight into the best marketing practices, maximizing your ability to sell your clients' books to publishers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Literary Agent

Freelance Writer

Freelance Writers work on a project basis, writing articles, blog posts, and other content for a variety of clients. The Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop course helps you develop the skills needed to write for a young adult audience, opening up a new market for your services. This course covers character building and viewpoints that work best for young adults. Furthermore, the course will assist you in creating a vibrant narrative voice and building vivid settings. The course also covers polishing your manuscript, getting published, and marketing your work, which are all essential skills for a freelance writer.

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Author Publicist

An Author Publicist promotes authors and their books to the public, increasing their visibility and driving sales. The Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop course provides valuable insights into the young adult market, helping you create effective publicity campaigns. This course covers cover art that sells young adult novels and provides guidance on how to market your author's work. The course also explores themes of modern Young Adult Fiction. This knowledge allows you to tailor your publicity efforts to resonate with young adult readers, resulting in greater book sales.

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Blogger

Bloggers create and manage blogs, sharing their thoughts, ideas, and expertise on a variety of topics. The Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop course helps you learn how to write in a way that appeals to young audiences. This course will guide you in creating a vibrant narrative voice and building vivid settings. Furthermore, you will learn how to create compelling dialogue for young adults. These skills can be directly applied to creating engaging blog content for young adult readers. The course is led by young adult fiction authors who reveal what makes young adult novels so popular.

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Content Writer

Content Writers produce engaging written material for websites, blogs, and other digital platforms. The Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop course helps you understand how to write in a way that appeals to young audiences. You'll learn how to create vibrant narrative voices and build vivid settings. This course also covers how to experiment with tense and write compelling dialogue. These skills can be directly applied to creating engaging content for young adult audiences. The course is taught by young adult fiction authors who reveal what makes Young Adult novels today's most exciting genre.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Writer

Creative Writing Teacher

Creative Writing Teachers instruct students in the art of writing fiction, poetry, and other creative forms. The Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop course provides you with a structured approach to teaching young adult fiction writing. This course will show you how to use the techniques of top selling authors to create your own finished novel. It also covers the elements of polishing a manuscript and getting published. By learning the best practices in young adult fiction writing from this course, you'll be equipped to guide and inspire your students in their creative writing endeavors.

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Social Media Manager

Social Media Managers create and curate content for social media platforms, engaging with followers and promoting brands or products. The Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop course helps you understand the nuances of the young adult market, which is essential for creating effective social media campaigns. This course explores the themes of modern Young Adult Fiction. It also covers cover art that sells young adult novels and how to market your work. This knowledge allows you to tailor your social media strategy to resonate with young adult readers and increase engagement.

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English Teacher

English Teachers educate students in English literature, writing, and grammar. The Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop course helps you expand your knowledge of young adult literature. This course will show you how to use the techniques of top selling authors. By learning about the elements that make young adult fiction successful, you'll be better equipped to select engaging reading material. This course also includes extensive supplemental materials, featuring reference lists, exercises, checklists, and handy reference sheets. You will be able to inspire your students to explore the world of young adult fiction.

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Web Content Manager

Web Content Managers oversee the creation, organization, and maintenance of content on websites. The Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop course helps you understand how to create engaging content for a young adult audience. This course will help equip you to create a vibrant narrative voice. It teaches how to build vivid settings and write compeling dialogue for young adults. These skills can be directly applied to creating engaging web content for young adult readers, increasing website traffic and engagement.

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Librarian

Librarians manage library resources, assist patrons with research, and promote reading. The Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop course enhances your understanding of young adult literature. This course will reveal what makes young adult novels today's most exciting genre. You'll be able to better curate your collection, recommend books to young readers, and develop programs that promote young adult literature. This course also explores the range of genres for Young Adult fiction. It also covers getting published and marketing your work.

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Screenwriter

A Screenwriter crafts scripts for movies and television, often adapting existing stories or creating original ones. This course, the Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop, may be useful for aspiring screenwriters interested in the young adult genre. The course will show you how to turn ideas into a screenplay that will rival popular works. You'll learn about story structure, character building, and creating dialogue that resonates with young adults. The course also covers the crucial elements of beginnings and endings. You will have access to reference lists, exercises, checklists, and handy reference sheets. Through exploring themes of modern Young Adult Fiction, you may be inspired to craft your own compelling screenplays.

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Copywriter

Copywriters create marketing materials for a variety of products and services. This course, the Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop, may be useful if you are interested in copywriting for young adult books. The course includes lessons on cover art that sells young adult novels and marketing your work. Understanding these elements will help you create effective copy that resonates with the target audience. This course also includes extensive supplemental materials, featuring reference lists, exercises, checklists, and handy reference sheets.

See salaries and explore the career path for Copywriter

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop.

Wonderbook

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Comprehensive guide to creative writing, with a focus on imaginative fiction. It covers a wide range of topics, including world-building, character development, and plot construction. It's particularly useful for YA writers because it encourages experimentation and breaking traditional rules. This book is best used as additional reading to expand on the course.

Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating...

Paperback

The Plot Thickens

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Focuses on the importance of the first five pages of a manuscript in capturing an agent's or editor's attention. It provides detailed advice on crafting compelling openings, avoiding common mistakes, and hooking readers from the start. This is especially useful for YA fiction, where grabbing the reader's attention quickly is crucial. This book is best used as a reference tool.

Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive workshop for aspiring ya authors

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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