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Middle Grade and Young Adult Blueprint
Unit 1: Getting Started
Step 1: Welcome from Laura and Alice (and download your optional Master PDF files) (3:31)
Step 2: How to Use this Blueprint and Your Reading List (2:45)
Step 3: Defining Middle Grade and Young Adult Novels (4:58)
Step 3A: Flash Quiz--How do I know if I'm Writing MG or YA?
Step 3B: Writing for Kids and Teens: Five Rules for Writing for Savvy Readers
Step 4: It's Time to Gather Your Ideas (3:36)
Step 4A: An Exclusive Writing Prompt Bundle to Fire Up Your Imagination
Unit 1 Video Extras: More on the MG/YA Categories
An Editor Breaks Down the Middle Grade and Young Adult Age Groups (20:55)
Graphic Novels: An overview of this exciting sub-genre (9:22)
Unit 2: Laying the Foundation Part 1 — Character Building
Step 1: Idea Summary and Your One-Sentence Hook Line (2:43)
Step 2: Create Your Protagonist (2:42)
Step 3: Discover — What Does Your Protagonist Want? (3:34)
Step 4: Discover — What Stands in Your Protagonist's Way? (2:19)
Step 5: Identify Your Supporting Cast (2:41)
Step 6: Create Your Antagonist (3:19)
Unit 2 Video Extras: Character Building
Author Secrets: What I Learned about Character from "Me (and) Me" (7:25)
Taboo Topics! What NOT to Write (10:00)
Unit 3: Laying the Foundation Part 2 — Setting and Worldbuilding
Step 1: Sharpen Your Powers of Observation (3:22)
Step 2: Craft Your Protagonist's World (7:16)
Step 2A: An Overview of Genre Fiction and Worldbuilding
Step 3: Put It All Together (2:43)
Unit 3 Extras: Author Secrets
Help! I Can't Write for Contemporary Teens! (5:51)
Unit 4: Storytelling Techniques
Step 1: Choose Your Point of View—Which is Best for MG or for YA? (6:07)
Step 2: Choose Your Tense (1:43)
Step 3: The Dialogue Developer (4:41)
Step 4: Writing A Great Scene (2:57)
Step 5: Refine Your Tone and Voice (2:18)
Step 6: Advanced Techniques: How to Show Not Tell and How to Use Flashback (5:42)
Unit 4 Video Extras: Advanced Storytelling Techniques
Creative Formats and Language in Great MG or YA (9:56)
Building a Compelling Trilogy or Series with Author Hilari Bell (26:05)
Author Secrets: What I Learned About Storytelling from "Life on the Refrigerator Door" (8:15)
Unit 5: Designing Your Story
Step 1: Review Your Plot Line (4:38)
Step 2: Two Possible Structures for Your Book (11:28)
Step 3: Brainstorm Your Story's Middle (2:58)
Step 4: What is a Subplot? (6:17)
Step 5: Brainstorm Possible Endings (3:40)
Step 6: Design Your Main Plot Arc (38:11)
Step 6A: The Black Moment
Step 7: Design Your Subplot(s) (15:27)
Step 7A: Identifying Plot Points in Two Published Books
Step 8: Revisit Your Hook Line
Step 9: Write a Great Outline (4:04)
Unit 5 Video Extra: Author Secrets
What I Learned About Outlining from "The Death of Us" (9:56)
Unit 6: Let's Build!
Step 1: Write Your Opening Scene (2:36)
Step 1 A: The Study of An Opening (6:32)
Step 2: Write Your First Draft! (2:39)
Step 3: Day by Day — A Writing Schedule for a Complete First Draft (2:20)
Unit 7: Let's Make It Sparkle
Step 1: Your First Manuscript Read-through (4:00)
Step 2: Initiate the Revisionator! (3:15)
Step 3: Check Your Pacing (2:19)
Step 4: Check Your Dialogue (2:23)
Step 5: Write Your Second Draft (1:52)
Step 6: Cut & Strengthen Words (3:03)
Step 7: Get Outside Input (2:26)
Step 8: Write Your Third Draft (And So On!) (2:19)
Unit 7 Video Extra: Author Secrets
What I Learned About Editing from "Lost For Words" (12:26)
Unit 8: Troubleshooting Your Manuscript
Step 1: Help -- My Writing Doesn't "Sing"! (10:54)
Step 2: Help -- My Story Isn't Working! (...and some words of encouragement
Unit 9: Important Parting Thoughts
Goodbye and Good Luck! (4:36)
Some Parting Words and Guidance for Your Journey from Laura (5:47)
Step 4: Discover — What Stands in Your Protagonist's Way?
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