Later this year – from Wed 15 Jul to Wed 19 Aug 2009 I’m running a six week Short Course in writing for children. We’ll be looking at all sorts of things from picture books to chapter books – and the many styles within this genre. It’s a fascinating area! There’s a lot to talk about – writing styles, working from real life, how to take the illustrations into account, plotting, simple stories, sophisticated stories, rhyme, rhythm, different ages… and practical ways to break into the industry and pitch your ideas.
It’s happening in the evenings at the city campus of RMIT. So, if you’ve ever said “I’ve always wanted to write a picture book…” here you go! It could be the start of a beautiful career…
More info on a new page – here.
4 Comments
Hi Elise, this is Kim, Rachel Power’s friend. I met you that day at the cafe in Nicholson St with Sally?
Anyway, I have been thinking (ok, planning) on taking a bit of time to start writing my own children’s book (have only illustrated other people’s stories up until now) and am wondering if you think this course would be useful for me. I already know a lot of the basics of children’s books from illustrating them, have just never done the writing side before….
would appreciate your advice!
Cheers
Kim
Hi Kim,
I certainly do remember you and I’m glad to hear that you’re wanting to do your own stories. You probably know quite a bit of the material when it comes to approaching publishers and you already have a foothold in the industry… What I found helpful when I did a similar subject a while back was the chance to talk through my ideas and writing with others in a critical way. We know what we like when we see it, but it can be another thing to craft our own work to that stage and be able to take a step back to see it as others do. The course will also give us the chance to talk in depth about picture books (not something we get to do much otherwise) which I find really valuable. And there will be writing exercises to get you going and being around like-minded people all with slightly different styles and ideas… So, I do think the course would be useful to you. And for me, it would be great to have you there to contribute your experiences as an illustrator – you’ll have a different perspective to many others there.
I hope that’s helpful! Till then – I’d carry around a little notebook and start jotting down as many ideas and thoughts as you can, no matter how small or silly. Whether you do the course or not – it’ll be useful.
Lovely to hear from you! It would be great to have you in the group
Elise
Thanks for your advice Elise. I decided to jump straight into a writing course that’s on now through VU which is focussed specifically on picture books – seemed more targeted to what I want plus I was keen to start right away! If I’m still hungry for more after that then I”ll definitely keep your course in mind.
and good tip on carrying a notebook too, must do that…
all the best with all of your projects – looks like you’re very busy!
I quite understand
Have a great time with it and let me know how you go!