April 19, 2023 - June 7, 2023
Online
$399Overview
A 3-Part Online Cooperative
This supportive program takes all writers (nonfiction or fiction, picture books, novels, essays, and more) from goal-stating to finished drafts. Together, we’ll move through live sessions, writing prompts, daily inspirations, check-ins, and feedback with Sarah Aronson, Chris Tebbetts, and special guests Diana Ma and Meera Trehan.
- This is an online course in three parts:
- Part 1 is goal setting, daily inspirations, weekly writing prompts, and weekly LIVE sessions to discuss progress and problems.
- Part 2 offers similar support, but with special guests to participate in the live meetings, and facilitate daily inspirations and weekly writing prompts.
- Part 3 is time for independent work, a private consultation with Sarah or Chris, and community celebrations!
- 8 live online sessions will take place on Wednesdays at 8pm Eastern (April 19, 26, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, & June 7).
- Discussion and interaction will occur in the virtual classroom.
- You’ll get a 1:1 20-minute consultation with Sarah Aronson or Chris Tebbetts in Part 3 to discuss progress, ask questions, and plan for next steps.
- 50 participants max
Why This Workshop?
How many drafts does it take to get to a “final draft”?
While we can’t answer that question, we do know that you only need one draft to start. But we also know that getting that first draft finished can be extremely difficult.
This collaborative program provides the support and structure you need to help you finish your draft—no matter your format or genre.
Part One begins with goal setting and plans for daily tracking and check-ins. You will receive daily inspirations each morning, as well as weekly writing prompts to keep you moving forward. We’ll spend time each week sharing progress, problems, and ways to persevere in order to meet your goals.
During Part Two, we’ll invite our special guests Diana Ma and Meera Trehan to engage in our weekly meetings, offer their own experiences, and provide the daily inspirations and weekly writing prompts.
Part Three reserves time for you to meet privately with Sarah or Chris to discuss your progress and plans for moving forward, and prepare up to 1,000 words to share with your fellow writers during our celebration ceremony!
Feedback Expected
- Informal feedback from faculty and peers in LIVE sessions and in the virtual classroom.
- A 1:1, 20-minute consultation with Sarah Aronson or Chris Tebbetts during the week of May 22 to discuss progress, ask questions, and plan for next steps.
It’s a Great Fit If…
- You are a writer at any stage in your journey—new or experienced—who craves support and accountability to complete your first or final draft.
- You write any genre, with children and/or teens as the intended audience. The writing prompts and daily inspirations will sample from fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, and more.
- You’d like a high level of engagement with fellow writers and faculty so that you can move forward on your work-in-progress with new ideas and inspiration.
- You crave time with fellow writers. We’ll build community online in this supportive, collaborative experience.
- You enjoy online learning. This multi-week course relies on LIVE Zoom interaction and contributions in the virtual classroom.
Detailed Agenda
All Times are Eastern Standard Time.
Pre-Workshop
You will receive a link to our virtual classroom where you can introduce yourself to fellow writers, engage in Highlights Foundation related resources (including our Community Standards), and ask program related questions before we dig in!
Please note:
- For Live Sessions: All sessions will be live streamed using Zoom; you’ll receive the link in our virtual classroom.
- For Daily Inspirations & Weekly Writing Prompts: These will appear in your inbox using our virtual classroom messaging system.
Part 1: Getting Started, Week 1
- Wednesday, April 19, 2023 from 8pm – 9pm Eastern: Live Zoom session
- Introductions
- Overview of course structure
- SAY IT OUT LOUD! (Goal setting for your work-in-progress)
- Daily goals
- Weekly goals
- The future of your project
- Overview of Writing Prompt #1
- In the virtual classroom:
- Daily inspirations
- Writing Prompt #1
- Goal Setting Resources
Part 1: Getting Started, Week 2
- Wednesday, April 26, 2023 from 8pm – 9pm Eastern: Live Zoom session
- New Ways to Think About the Drafting Process
- Discussion and Q & A
- Overview of Writing Prompt #2
- In the virtual classroom:
- Daily inspirations
- Writing Prompt #2
- Check-in! Charting Goal Progress (publicly or privately)
Part 1: Getting Started, Week 3
- Wednesday, May 3, 2023 from 8pm – 9pm Eastern: Live Zoom session
- When New Ideas Want to Take Us Away
- Discussion and Q & A
- Overview of Writing Prompt #3
- In the virtual classroom:
- Daily inspirations
- Writing Prompt #3
- Check-in! Charting Goal Progress (publicly or privately)
Part 1: Getting Started, Week 4
- Wednesday, May 10, 2023 from 8pm – 9pm Eastern: Live Zoom session
- The Relationships We Have With Our Characters, Our Stories, and Our Process
- Discussion and Q & A
- Overview of Writing Prompt #4
- In the virtual classroom:
- Daily inspirations
- Writing Prompt #4
- Check-in! Charting Goal Progress (publicly or privately)
- Sign up for 1:1 consultation (A 20-minute meeting with Chris or Sarah, to take place May 22 – 31 at a mutually convenient time)
Part 1: Getting Started, Week 5
- Wednesday, May 17, 2023 from 8pm – 9pm Eastern: Live Zoom session
- Positive Mindset (What does that mean to me? What does that mean to you?)
- Discussion and Q & A
- Overview of Writing Prompt #5
- In the virtual classroom:
- Daily inspirations
- Writing Prompt #5
- Check-in! Charting Goal Progress (publicly or privately)
- Special guest bios and reading lists
Part 2: Welcome Special Guests! Week 6
Week 6:
- Wednesday, May 24, 2023 from 8pm – 9pm Eastern: Live Zoom session
- Special Guest Presentation with Diana Ma
- Guided discussion with special guest and host
- Overview of Writing Prompt #6
- In the virtual classroom:
- Daily inspirations
- Writing Prompt #6
- Check-in! Charting Goal Progress (publicly or privately)
Part 2: Welcome Special Guests! Week 7
- Wednesday, May 31, 2023 from 8pm – 9pm Eastern: Live Zoom session
- Special Guest Presentation with Meera Trehan
- Guided discussion with special guest and host
- Overview of Writing Prompt #7
- In the virtual classroom:
- Daily inspirations
- Writing Prompt #7
- Check-in! Charting Goal Progress (publicly or privately)
Part 3: Consultations, Independent Practice, & Celebrations! Week 8
- May 22 – 31: Attend your 1:1, 20-minute consultation with Sarah Aronson or Chris Tebbetts to discuss progress, ask questions, and plan for next steps.
- By May 31, please sign up for the Open Reading during the last live session.
Week 8:
- Wednesday, June 7, 2023 from 8pm – 9pm Eastern: Live Zoom session
- Open Read: Share! Celebrate! (Up to 1,000 words)
- Closing comments
Commitment Required for the Best Experience
- This course is best if you engage in all sessions. If you cannot attend live, please commit to keeping up with the writing prompts and check-ins located in the virtual classroom.
- Participants are encouraged to leave open and/or schedule blocks of time for themselves to work on their drafts/the prompts.
- Submission of weekly exercises in the virtual classroom is optional, but highly encouraged.
- Schedule your 1:1 meeting with Sarah or Chris between May 22 – May 31, a a mutually convenient time.
- You will have access to all recordings and discussions through July 31, 2023.
How It Impacts Kids
A first draft is an important step to getting a story to a child. This online course can help get you to that crucial “first draft is done!” stage.
Testimonials from Our Community
“Just Do It reminded me to show up to the work daily whether I’m writing or thinking about the story. To trust my voice – all stuff I know, but it was really helpful to be reminded and encouraged.”
“Sarah is a thoughtful teacher who is generous with her time. She truly cares about her students!”
“Chris Tebbetts is an extraordinary teacher—his direct critique went straight to the heart of my novel and the techniques he provided, through the live and recorded sessions gave me revision tools which are relevant to my manuscript and to my overall writing goals.”
See more testimonials at From Just Do It to Just Did It!
Resources
- From Just Do It to Just Did It!
- Getting the Work Done: Shifting Negative Self-Talk to Constructive Ideas
- Just Do It! How Momentum and Effort Can Help You Finish Your Draft
- Trust Your Story with Yourself and Your Community
- Keep It Moving: Movement and Writing Practice
- Using Visual Outlining with Your Novel Draft
- Working Writers Chat with Chris Tebbetts and Sarah Aronson
- Craft, Community and Your Career: Some Lessons Learned
