December 2 @ 7:00 pm - December 4 @ 7:00 pm
Online
$59Overview
A Two-Night Mini Online Course
Picture books can follow a plot that depends heavily on the emotional shift from the beginning to the end of the story. That leaves writers with a lot of work to do on the middle! Join award-winning author Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow to unpack ways to develop the middle of your picture book so that it serves the perfect emotional bridge between the beginning and the end.
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, but loads of information.
- Monday, December 2, 2024 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Wednesday, December 4, 2024 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the chat.
- You will have access to the recordings until January 31, 2025.
Why This Workshop?
Crafting the middle of a picture book, especially when it comes to traditional (or semi-traditional) narrative arcs, takes focus on plot and reader engagement.
Within a limited word count, writers must raise the stakes and deliver a compelling bridge between the beginning promise of the story, and a satisfying resolution.
Join award-winning author Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow to:
- Define the elements of traditional (or semi-traditional) narrative arcs in picture books,
- Examine the demands on the middle of a picture book, and ways to keep it from being “murky, muddled, or muddy,”
- Learn ways to support readers expectations for the narrative through-line,
- Explore examples of contemporary stories that speak to young readers.
Feedback Expected
- There will be limited interaction in the chat feature of the webinar-style program.
- Jamilah will try to answer as many questions as possible during the second evening of the program.
It’s a Great Fit If…
- You are starting out as a picture book author or author/illustrator, and you’re building your understanding of the picture book form.
- You are a picture book author or author/illustrator who has already drafted picture books and are ready to dig back into a revision with a better understanding of narrative form.
- 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 understanding of the importance of the “middle” of a picture book narrative.
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 January 31, 2025.
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 Time Zone.
Click on the headings below to explore the agenda in more detail.
Part One: Monday, December 2, 2024 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
- Picture Books: Beginning, End, & MIDDLE
- Examining “Murky, Muddled, or Muddy” Middles & what to do about them!
- Writing exercise
Part Two: Wednesday, December 4, 2024 (7pm-8:15pm EST)
- Middles in “Tradition, Semi-Traditional, and Non-traditional” Picture Books
- Revision tips and techniques
- Open Q&A
How It Impacts Kids
The middle of the picture book is often where kids find connections and sense a change in the characters (and themselves). Join Jamilah to discover ways to make the middle of your picture book as strong as it can be (and everything your reader deserves).
Testimonials from Our Community
“Jamilah’s eye for craft is outstanding and she really helped me improve my manuscript.”
“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!!”
