Class Description
Geared toward young adult and middle grade writers (but open to all), this class will dig deep into the structure and pacing of your novel. We'll explore a variety of models and tools for building the macro structure of your story (i.e., the plot), and look on a more micro level at the structure and pacing of individual scenes. Each week, we’ll investigate a different aspect of structure––like plot-mapping, scene architecture, layering, pacing our first chapters–– and examine it more deeply through readings from a diverse set of middle grade and young adult authors and exercises that help us apply what we learn to our own novels. Throughout the course of the class, you will also have 2-3 opportunities to submit your work for feedback from the rest of the class––in the first week, everyone will submit the first page of their novel for brief feedback from the rest of the class, and you will also have the opportunity to submit both a scene and the outline or synopsis of your novel for both micro and macro level feedback.
You’ll come away from the class with a greater understanding of structure and pacing when it comes to the novel, both in general, and for your novel in particular, and renewed energy and enthusiasm for continuing your novel draft.
This class was built with YA and middle grade writers in mind, but will be useful for any novel writers with some previous experience (a Jumpstart or similar class) who are eager to investigate structure and pacing more deeply.
*NOTE that while our handy dandy "Schedule" tab states a 6-7pm class time, there are actually no live meetings for this class! Weekly lessons and assignments open each Wednesday. Students will receive an invitation to Wet Ink, our online class platform, before 5pm on the first day of class.
Scholarship Information
Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.
For more more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.
Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.
For more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.