October 21 @ 7:00 pm - October 23 @ 7:00 pm
Online
$59Overview
A Two-Night Mini Online Course
Creative thinking and storytelling go together like, well, Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Mike Ciccotello! This dynamic duo of real-life brainstorming partners will showcase the many ways you can brainstorm characters and concepts for picture books, getting you from stuck–>idea–>outline (or first draft!) more quickly.
This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, 75-minute sessions offering limited interaction with the community, and loads of information.
- Monday, October 21, 2024 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Wednesday, October 23, 2024 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the chat
- Access to the recording until November 30, 2024.
Why This Workshop?
Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Mike Ciccotello collaborate in a special way: they are brainstorming partners!
That means they work with another as trusted professionals to share ideas, try out plots, and create drafty first drafts.
In this mini course, they’ll share their process with you!
Not only is it fun, but it can help you find strategies to develop ideas fast, and get rough drafts and outlines together quickly, too.
They will cover:
- Where to start when you’re lost (including balancing inspiration against imitation and managing creative anxiety)
- How to collaborate while preserving your friendships
- Outlining your idea using a model
- Creating a rough first draft quickly
- Evaluating ideas honestly (and in consideration of market trends)
- and more!
Feedback Expected
- None included in the course. There will be limited interaction in the chat feature of the webinar-style program.
It’s a Great Fit If…
- You are starting out as a picture book author or author/illustrator and are looking for ways to kickstart your creativity.
- You are a picture book author or author/illustrator who has already written books and wish to feed your mind with ways to create new stories.
- You are considering writing a picture book for children and want to learn more.
- You’re looking for something short, sweet, and smart! This is not a full workshop, instead it is two, 75-minute sessions meant to engage and build your resources as a picture book creative.
Tentative Agenda
At registration: You will receive a Zoom link to use each night of the course.
IF YOU CAN’T ATTEND LIVE:
If you are unable to attend either session for any reason, you’ll have access to the recordings (with closed captioning) through November 30, 2024.
Please note that if you register for the course after the start of the first session, you will not receive recordings immediately. You’ll receive both recordings after the close of the last session, usually within 24 hours.
All Times are Eastern Standard Time.
Click on the headings below to explore the agenda in more detail.
Part One: Monday, October 21, 2024 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
- Finding inspiration on your own
- Learning market trends to spark ideas
- Refining ideas through collaboration with colleagues
- Writing exercises to take home
Part Two: Wednesday, October 23, 2024 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
- Techniques to efficiently get to a first draft
- Assessing yourself honestly
- Incorporating feedback and letting your idea evolve
- Q&A
How It Impacts Kids
Kids deserve the very best books. This short course will help you develop the very best ideas to share with kids!
Testimonials from Our Community
“Highlights faculty are always impressive! Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen did a fabulous job teaching, introducing concepts, answering questions, and making everyone feel welcome.”
“Even though we were not together in person, I felt the facilitator and Sudipta did a great job in making us feel we were a mini family where we could learn and share freely.”
“I knew I could not attend in person but I signed up because you offered the recording. Having that option was invaluable.”
“Keep the mini courses going for those of us that can’t attend at the Highlights Foundation Campus! It helps us stay in touch and keep our skills growing!!
