Understanding Writing for Children and Families

Literacy is a gift that lasts a lifetime and writing a book can be your legacy to the world. Whether fiction or nonfiction, there are multitudes of genres that comprise Writing for Children and Families. Key elements are age-specific content and graphics as well as engagement and memorability. Your story can run the gamut from being a personal saga and based on facts or history to being fanciful and larger than life…and everything in between. Well written stories will be passed through generations and learning professional writing skills can help insure the quality of your work.

What Get from this Course

  • Develop Your Story

  • Gain Confidence

  • Personal Satisfaction

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Gaining Confidence as a Writer for Children and Families

    • Today is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life

    • Five Steps for Creativity and Structure as a Writer

    • Defining Your Writing Style
  • 2

    Writing Exercise

    • Take 15 minutes to write your story.

    • If you have a story or an idea, write a synopsis of the story.

    • If you don't have a story, just write whatever comes to your mind.
  • 3

    Children's & Family Books Defined and What are the Genres

    • Book formats from board books to pop-ups and everything in between
  • 4

    Capturing Fantasy

    • A plot that could not happen in real life or in this world or a world undiscovered…or could it?
  • 5

    Developing Characters

    • What Makes a Character Memorable

    • Based on Reality or Fictional
  • 6

    Story Structure

    • Dissecting the 5 Parts of a Plot of a Story

    • The first line of a book

    • The last line of a book
  • 7

    Diversity and Inclusion

    • What Is Diversity and Inclusion - Two Interconnecting Concepts

    • Why are they important in children's and family literature?
  • 8

    Working with an illustrator

    • What makes a book visually memorable

    • Learning the steps to finding and appropriate illustrator
  • 9

    The importance of professional editing

    • No writer should go at it alone

    • Finding an editor that has similar sensibilities and says it in the writer's voice A good editor can bring clarity, logic, flow, meaning, and enjoyment.

Getting published : A How To Guide to Your Options

Q & A

What to Expect

Writing for Children and Families is a highly participatory course including instruction with attendee participation both through their writing and verbal interaction.

Why This Workshop Matters

Books are the foundation of literacy. By writing a book you can preserve your legacy for future generations.

Meet your Course Instructor

Instructor

Patrice Samara

Patrice Samara - COO and Co-Founder, Wordeee Patrice Samara is an Emmy award winning author, producer and Global Communications Advisor. In her 30+ year career she has published seven children's books and has edited many more. Her by-line has appeared in major media worldwide. With a strong Tech, STEM, & Education sector experience working in 40+ countries, she is across-cultural specialist know for building coalitions and civil societies as a 2x United Nations NGO representative. Ms. Samara has developed cross-platform brands and produced beloved children's and family entertainment with memorable characters such as Alphabet Kids, Muppet Babies, Sesame Street, Good Housekeeping Children's Learning Series, Baby Professor, and Round the World Sing-a-Long working with Walt Disney, The Jim Henson Company, Best Brands, Busch Gardens, Peter Pan Entertainment, Kids Klassics, Putumayo Kids, and many more.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the cost?

    $125.00

  • How long is the workshop?

    Duration: Four Hours

  • Are there any breaks?

    There will be one 15 minute break

  • What is the date?

    Saturday, June 11, 2022

  • Is writing experience necessary?

    This is a workshop for all writers of all levels interested in Writing for Children's and Families.

  • What are the course components? Lectures and writing exercises with topics that include but are not limited to:

    •Getting Started
    •Genres from Board books to YA novels
    •Organization of ideas
    •Plot Development
    •Developing characters
    •Working with an illustrator
    •Working with an editor
    •The importance of Inclusion and Diversity •Publishing options

  • Is there an age requirement?

    Attendees must be 14 and older.

  • What are the required materials?

    •This is a live virtual Workshop taught via Zoom videoconference platform
    •Access to Zoom with audio and video operative
    •Paper & pen •Quiet environment

  • What happens if I sign up for the workshop and cannot attend?

    You'll receive a certificate for a future workshop. Students may reschedule one time.

What Our Students are Saying: testimonials

Source of Inspiration

Gerry S.

"Your workshop inspired me to discuss the importance of storytelling with my kids and we shared family stories. It was a good bonding experience. I now have the confidence to get started on my kid's book!"

Fulfilling Experience

Dr. Zen

It was a really fulfilling workshop. I learned a lot of story tips that I can use both personally and in my practice. It inspired me to organize my thoughts for my book."

Directionally Inclined

H. Z.

"I appreciated you literally kicking me in directions I truly wanted to go. Well, enough compliments for one day!"