Classes and Challenges to Change Your Craft
10 Ideas for Becoming a Better Writer
By Leslie Colin Tribble
As writers, we constantly desire to improve our craft. You could shell out the big bucks to get a writing degree. But why do that when you could take one of the classes, workshops and challenges below?
Some of these are free, others aren’t. Keep in mind this isn’t
an exhaustive list. Have a class you though was invaluable? Give it a shout out in the comments.
This list isn't meant to be all inclusive. These are classes or workshops which GROG members have experienced or heard good things about. Here's an additional list I found on KidLit 411.
Fee Classes/Groups
KidLit College - Agent Jodelle Sadler has put together a wealth of workshops and webinars for all writers. Check out this site for all the goodies, such as How to Write and Sell a Picture Book, Pacing Picture Books to Wow, Candace Flemming's 5 Secrets of Writing Narrative Nonfiction, and more.
Writing in Rhyme Class - This four week class created by Angie Karcher teaches writers the ins and outs of that ever so tricky genre, rhyming picture books.
Art of Arc - This new class developed by author Alayne Kay Christian serves to teach writers about story and character arc. A self-paced, independent study in 10 lessons, Art to Arc seeks to improve your storytelling using the classic story arc concept.
Free Classes
KidLit Summer School - Authors Kami Kinard and Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen at Nerdy Chicks Write, love teaching writing courses and participants benefit from their knowledge and experience. This is a great class to keep sharp on your skills during the summer doldrums.
ReFoReMo - Carrie Charlie Brown's Reading For Research Month challenge happens in March. This class teaches writers how to read and research picture books to improve your craft. Registration opens in February.
Summer Sparks - Tracey Cox wants you to create 14 picture book sparks in 14 days in summer. Do you hit your writing hard at the first of the year and find yourself fizzling come May? Here's a chance to re-ignite the fire.
PiBoIdMo - Tara Lazar gives writers a great way to start their new year - Picture Book Idea Month in November. PiBoIdMo is a challenge to "create 30 picture book concepts in 30 days.
RhyPiBoMo - Here's another 30 day challenge, Rhyming Picture Book Month in April. Angie Karcher wants to propel you from prose to poetry.
Picture Book University - Pam Calvert offers this free, mini-workshop to anyone wishing to learn the basics of creating picture books. This course is self-paced, which is great in case you've already signed up for everything else.
Great list and all in one place! Ty, Leslie!
ReplyDeleteMuch boosting wonderfullness here for writers. Appreciations, Leslie.
ReplyDeleteThanks for putting them all into one place, Leslie!
ReplyDeleteTwo other FEE classes that people might be interested in checking out:
ReplyDelete1. Making Picture Book Magic with Susanna Leonard Hill (http://www.susannahill.com/MAKING_PICTURE_BOOK_MAGIC.html)
2. Nonfiction Archaeology with Kristen Fulton (http://www.nonfictionarchaeology.com/)
I've done both and highly recommend.
I've also received two great critiques from Susanna Leonard Hill. She's awesome! And I've taken Kristen Fulton's Nonfiction Archeology class. I learned a huge amount in her class. She's also an extremely generous person who wants to see all of her students succeed.
DeleteSue and Jilanne, thanks for your additions. Picture Book Magic is an awesome class but I didn't add it because it was already listed on the KidLit411 roundup. Also Kristen's Nonfiction Archeology is an excellent class, but there weren't any openings for several months. I didn't want Kristen flooded with folks asking to take the class if she didn't have room.
DeleteWow! I'm honored that my course has been included in such a fine group of challenges and courses. Thank you so much Leslie and GROG!
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome Alayne! Thanks for creating such a great class!
DeleteA very nice roundup. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'd also like to give a shout out to Sudipta Barhan-Quallen's Kidlit Writing School. I've taken two of her online courses that include live webinars. They are packed with information, and the webinars provide live critique opportunities. You can also pay extra to get an in-dpeth critique. Right now, she's partnering with Marcie Colleen and agent Susan Hawke to teach a fall class on plotting picture books.
ReplyDeleteGood addition to the list Jilanne. Thanks for letting us know.
DeleteI've also taken several of Jodell's Kidlit College webinars and critiques. The presenters, usually editors from major publishers, agents, or successful authors, provide a wealth of insight and information. You can also pay extra to get your work critiqued by presenters. Well worth the investment. She also has Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann teaching a 4-week picture book workshop, starting RIGHT NOW! I took one of Candace's breakout sessions at the LA SCBWI. She's a great teacher! And Eric has fantastic illustrator chops!
ReplyDeleteGreat list, Leslie! So many wonderful places to learn. For rhymers, Angie Karcher has also put together a "Rhyme Revolution" conference on December 5. Eight speakers, including authors, editors and agents, and a small group, so lots of face-to-face time. http://rpbrevolution.com
ReplyDeleteSo much extra classtime wonderfulness in comments, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for mentioning the ReFoReMo Picture Book Challenge, Leslie. This is a nice collection of upcoming challenges and classes. :)
ReplyDeleteCarrie, I've heard really great things about your challenge. Thanks for helping us be better writers.
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