Plan a Novel with Me–for those just starting and those revising
About the Class
Plan a Novel with Me is a course designed to help you plan a new middle grade or young adult novel or plan to revise one. Each week we’ll dig into a different element of the novel, from character to setting, from desire lines to structure. You’ll also have a 60-minute individual coaching call during the last half of the course. At the end, you’ll have a comprehensive plan for drafting or revising a story only you can tell.
Who Is the Course For?
This course is for you if:
You have an idea for a novel, but don’t know how to get started.
You have a draft of a novel, and you’re not sure what to do next.
You have an idea or draft, and you want guidance in thinking through the story as a whole and the detailed elements that make the story unique.
You want to create in a community of writers who are working alongside each other to tell stories the world needs.
Not sure if this course is right for you? Schedule a call with me.
Planning is Writing
Sometimes it feels like the only words that count are the words that make up scenes and grow the overall word count of a project. But much of writing is creative, generative, and imaginative. Thinking is as much a part of writing as shaping words with your pen on paper or your fingers tapping a keyboard.
As I’ve grown as a writer, I’ve found there’s a sweet spot for me between being a Plotter and a Pantser–a “Plantser” mode. Too little planning and a novel feels unwieldy and impossible. Too much planning, and either the writing itself feels dull or I feel locked into the plan when I discover something new about my story that could take it in a different direction.
I’ve designed this class to hit that sweet spot, where you have done the thought work and exploration to the point where you have a map to guide you, but where you have also left room for discovery as you draft or revise.
What to Expect
Each week, you’ll complete a number of sidewriting exercises–writing that won’t necessarily go into the novel, but sits alongside it–that cover various topics, like character desire, setting exploration, character relationships, theme, etc.
We’ll meet for a 90-minute class on Zoom once a week to share discoveries, talk through craft elements related to the week’s theme, ask questions, and check in on progress. Classes will be recorded, and you will have access to the recordings, slides, and handouts soon after each class meeting.
You have the option to submit your assignments 48 hours before class, and I’ll read and add comments before our class meeting. My feedback is focused on pointing out moments that spark and sizzle, asking questions, and suggesting additional writing exercises. These generative exercises often have tender sprouts of ideas in them–my goal is to foster those ideas as you grow your story.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Week 1: Pinpoint what you know about your story and what you need to discover
Week 2: Dig into Character and Theme
Week 3: Play with Voice, Tone, and Point of View
Week 4: Explore Setting
Week 5: Delve into Secondary Characters and Character Relationships
Week 6: Plan Key Scenes and Design Structure
Week 7: Develop Subplots
Week 8: Create your Drafting or Revision Map
You’ll also schedule a 60-minute individual coaching call with me during the second half of the course. We’ll talk through your plan to make sure you’re confident heading into your drafting or revision phase.
Time Commitment
Before the course, I’ll ask you to complete a few exercises gathering what you know about your story and what you still need to discover. It will be helpful to read through all the material you have so far. As you go, you’ll jot down any thought that pops into your head on a post-it note. (If you have a full draft, this process may take a couple of weeks.)
During the course, we’ll meet for a 90-minute class on Zoom each week. You’ll need at least five 30-minute timeslots a week to complete assignments, more if possible, and you may want to have time available to read books similar to the one you’re working on.
Not sure if this course is right for you? Schedule a call with me.
Ready to Register? Sign up now.
Course Details
8 weekly class meetings
Maximum 8 students
Led by KidLit Craft founder Anne-Marie Strohman
Upcoming Session:
Summer 2025
Mondays, June 9-July 28
11am-12:30pm Pacific/2-3:30pm Eastern
Your Instructor:
Anne-Marie Strohman, KidLit Craft founder
I am a teacher at heart. I have eight year’s experience in course design and teaching at the college level. I hold an MA in English Literature, including courses in writing theory and pedagogy; a PhD in Renaissance Literature; a certificate in Professional Editing; and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. I’ve led book group discussions, lectured on various craft topics, and written numerous articles about writing craft.
More importantly, I’m a writer. I write everything from picture books to young adult, and short stories for adults. I’ve published flash fiction and short stories, and my YA short story, “What You Don’t Know Now” was recently nominated for a Pushcart Prize.
I started KidLit Craft as a way to share what I was learning. The website has grown to over 400 posts on the craft of writing for children. My co-writers and I analyze mentor texts to figure out the mechanics of how writers do what they do so we can apply it to our own work. (Really, this means we just nerd out about writing a lot.) This year I’ve been working on a podcast with KidLit Craft contributor Erin Nuttall.
I’ve been a speaker at regional conferences on topics such as flash fiction, reading like a writer, getting emotion on the page, and the impact of vulnerability in writing. In 2022-23, I served as SCBWI SF/South’s Scholar in Residence. I find my best ideas when I’m hiking on my favorite trails on the SF Peninsula.
Not sure if this course is right for you?
What You’ll Get in This Masterclass:
Small, personalized classes, capped at 8 students, to ensure that you’re getting the most out of the material and can ask any question you want in a friendly environment.
Weekly assignments to guide you through the planning process
My friendly comments on your assignments
Access to a class Slack channel for mid-week discussions
One 60-minute individual coaching session during the last half of the class
Outcomes – What This Course Will Do for You:
You’ll develop a comprehensive plan for drafting or revising your novel.
You’ll gain the confidence and craft toolbox you’ll need to move forward.
You’ll meet other writers developing their craft and can forge connections that could lead to critique groups, reading groups, and more.
You’ll have access to me and each other through weekly Zoom meetings and a dedicated conversation space for mid-week questions and discussions.
All sessions will be recorded and available, along with slides and handouts, for lifetime access.
Join Me!
Registration
How much the course costs
$800 for 8 class sessions, maximum 8 students
Not sure if this course is right for you? Schedule a call with me.
Not the right time? Fill out the interest form below to get information about future sessions.
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Course Add-Ons
While this course does not include critiques, you can choose from these course add-ons. Prices include an enrolled student discount.
First 20 pages critique ($230 $190): Send in your first 20 pages, and I’ll give you detailed written feedback on what is working, what questions I have, what questions you might consider as you move forward. I’ll look at both the scene shape and structure and the first pages as a set-up for the whole novel. After you’ve had a chance to digest my comments, we’ll have a 45-minute Zoom meeting where you can ask any questions you have, or where we can talk through new ideas you have. Use within six months of completing the course.
20 pages from anywhere critique ($230 $190): Send in 20 pages from anywhere in your novel as well as a brief synopsis and a brief description of where the scene fits in context, and I’ll give you detailed written feedback on what is working, what questions I have, what questions you might consider as you move forward. I’ll look at both the scene shape and structure, as well as how the scene elements (dialogue, description, interiority, etc.) fit together. After you’ve had a chance to digest my comments, we’ll have a 45-minute Zoom meeting where you can ask any questions you have, or where we can talk through new ideas you have. Use within six months of completing the course.
Novel structure review ($320 $250): Send in a brief pitch for your novel, a 1-2 pages synopsis, and brief summaries of your seven key scenes. We’ll have an hour-long Zoom call to talk through your plan. Afterward, I’ll send a written summary of our discussion and a set of questions that can guide you to next steps.
Additional Individual Coaching Session ($200 $150): We’ll schedule a 60-minute call so we can talk through any questions you have or go over your drafting or revision plan. You can submit up to 10 pages of writing before the call to guide our discussion. You’ll have the option of recording the call, and you’ll have lifetime access. *Note: course includes one individual coaching session.
Select add-ons at checkout.
What past students are saying about KidLit Craft Classes:
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“Through mini-lessons, writing prompts and spotlight opportunities where participants gain insights specific to their stories, the course provides the perfect balance of inspiration and concrete craft technique to launch writers into productivity. While attending this course, I completed a major revision to a current project (start to finish) and made significant headway in planning a new novel. If you find that encouragement and community plus a healthy spoonful of craft tips helps you get writing done, this is the right course for you. I highly recommend it.”
—Kristi Wright, author of The Basker Twins in the 31st Century series and KidLitCraft contributor
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“It's like a mini-MFA! There's so much craft content and an opportunity to put it into practice and receive feedback. It gives you the tools and confidence that you need to move from PB to longer work.
The course decreased my fears about taking on such a big project. It helped me break things down into manageable chunks that feel doable
Anne-Marie is a gifted teacher who presents complex concepts in an accessible way. I've taken other writing classes and learned bits and pieces of craft content, but this course puts those concepts together in a way that really makes sense. For the first time I feel like writing a novel is within reach.”
--Ann Bonwill, picture book author
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“This was one of the best craft classes I've ever taken. The content, the pacing, the thoughtful use of mentor texts and suggested homework – I now have everything I need to dig in to writing my middle grade novel, including the confidence to do so!
This class leverages what you know about writing picture books to help you understand how to write a longer narrative. And you learn about craft in a way that helps you better understand your own process.”
—Casey W. Robinson
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“Anne-Marie is a very generous and articulate teacher. Even though I've taken other MG courses and workshops before, I feel that I've learned so much more from Anne-Marie's specific and detailed lessons. After taking her course, I felt a sense of confidence and ease that I didn't have before.”
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“Anne-Marie is both a master at craft and an excellent teacher. She explained concepts in a way that was easy to understand and put so much time into finding examples to demonstrate the concepts. She broke the complex process of writing a middle grade novel into digestible classes. She also continuously amazed me by the breadth of her knowledge and recall of so many different concepts and stories in which they could be found to help clarify and deepen our understanding of the concepts we learned.”
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“Anne-Marie is a fantastic teacher. She is organized, thorough, and handled our myriad of questions and writerly woes with skill and grace.”
--Darshana Khiani, picture book author
Join Me! Register Now!
Not sure if the course is right for you? Schedule a call with me.