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Several weeks ago I started a new secret project--making resources for classrooms and learners. Originally, I was going to wait until I had more material up before sharing, but given how COVID-19 unexpectedly has us all trapped in our homes . . . I'm sharing it now.

My resources consist of handouts, worksheets, exercises, guides, and workbooks. These are intended for teens and adults and anyone who would like to use them in their classes, workshops, writing groups, conferences, or as homeschooling.

For years I have had teachers use my blog posts in their schools--now they can have material to supplement that. I have tried to make them accessible and fun to newer writers, while also incorporating professional techniques. If you are wondering whether or not a product is for you, you can click on it to get to a preview.

As always, anyone is welcome to use my blog posts for free (as long as I'm given credit and my website is mentioned). If you'd like to go to my TpT store directly, you can visit it here. If you have questions or requests about anything, feel free to contact me.

I hope to eventually get a lot more resources up (ideally for every part of the creative writing process).

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https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Character-Creator-Protagonist-How-Heroes-are-Made-Distance-Learning-5337436Description:

One of the common problems I see when it comes to character creation is that beginners focus too much on figuring out surface details about their heroes and don’t know how to add dimension and depth to them. This resource will help with that.

These pages start with some basics—such as name, appearance, and personality—then get to key questions that will add depth, with a section specifically on how to make a character complex. From there, they go into the “character arc”—how the character will grow and change through the story (which will help play into the story’s theme)—and then character voice and story preparation. By the end, participants will have a complex, deep character that they can grow through the plot of their story. Learn more.


https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Character-Creator-Antagonist-How-Villains-are-Made-Distance-Learning-5338239Description:

Often beginning writers focus too much on the “good guys” in their stories and not enough on the antagonists. But as some say in the creative writing world, your story is only as good as your villain. This is because if the villain isn’t strong, the hero doesn’t have to be.

In fact, it’s often very effective to brainstorm the antagonist, early, as the antagonist and the protagonist will be the biggest driving forces of the plot (because they will be reacting to one another). This resource will help writers create antagonists that are varied, complex, and formidable—which will, in turn, bring out the best of their heroes.

First, we’ll discuss types of antagonists (which may not all be “villains”). Writers are encouraged to pick a “self” antagonist, a “person” antagonist, and another of their choosing. There are exercises for ALL possible types. Special attention will be paid to the “person” antagonist, where basic traits are decided, along with deep and thematic elements, including how the antagonist foils the protagonist. Learn more.


https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Character-Creator-Side-Characters-How-Casts-are-Made-Distance-Learning-5370420Description:

A problem that can come up with creating side characters, is that newer writers will craft characters that might be fine as individuals, but they don’t work very well together. They might be interesting themselves, but the interesting parts don’t fit the story.

Another common problem is that the characters are all too much alike. They may have the same beliefs, worldviews, interests, or voices. This leads to a story feeling unbalanced, and its theme, incomplete.

This resource will help writers create balanced, captivating side characters that will strengthen conflicts, relationships, and plot. These pages look at things like theme, archetypes, and character roles to make the cast cohesive; foils, similarities, and personal lives to play off the protagonist and antagonist; types of side characters and which need the most development; and will walk writers through creating their own side characters. Learn more.


https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/8-Archetypes-Worksheet-Handout-Activities-Distance-Learning-5349695Description:

Archetypes are recurring symbols, figures, or patterns found throughout almost all cultures and time—going clear back to myths. This resource goes over 8 character archetypes and includes a worksheet, exercise, and ideas for other activities. This information can be used in relation to literature or creative writing. By the end, participants will be able to identify and use archetypes themselves. Learn more.


https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/7-Types-of-Conflict-Handout-Worksheet-Exercise-Distance-Learning-5333974Description:

In storytelling, there are seven types of conflict. Help participants learn each one, how to identify them, and then write their own examples. This can be used in relation to literature or creative writing. Learn more.

~FREE~




https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/How-to-Punctuate-Dialogue-Distance-Learning-5334199Description:

Perhaps the most common punctuation problems I see relate to dialogue, which makes sense—it’s tricky to learn and get right. This resource breaks down dialogue text from dialogue tags, an important step in identifying how to properly punctuate.

From there, it discusses how to handle sentences when the tag 1) comes at the end of the dialogue text, 2) before the text, 3) and in the middle of the text. There are exercises for each of these—with a total of 9 exercises.

Additionally, it also discusses how to handle paragraphing and characters’ direct thoughts. Learn more.


https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-EASIEST-Explanation-of-Semicolons-Distance-Learning-5334040Description:

Semicolons are probably the most misused and misunderstood form of punctuation, which is ironic, because they are actually one of the easiest. Easier than dashes, easier than commas, easier than ellipses, quotation marks, colons, and even the interrobang (?!).

This product contains a simple trick that will make semicolons easier for anyone. Inside you will find guides, 4 worksheets/exercises, and a quiz. Never be confused about semicolons again! Learn more.


Description:

Beginning writers usually write in abstract ways, focusing on feelings and concepts, rather than making the world come alive for the reader. When the audience experiences the story, they will care more about it. This resource will help writers learn how to craft imagery--descriptions that appeal to the five senses. It includes exercises for each sense, as well as some additional, lesser-known senses to consider (such as the sense of motion). By the end, they will be able to identify and craft imagery. Learn more.

Description:

Structure is critical to a satisfying story. While there are many approaches a writer can use today, this resource contains the most basic, which permeates ALL other story structures. This can be used for creative writing or literature and includes a handout, exercises (with variations), and a worksheet (with an answer key). By the end, participants will have a solid understanding of basic structure--the foundation of all great stories. Learn more.


https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Heros-Journey-Guide-Exercises-Distant-Learning-5435401Description:

With examples from Mulan, Spider-verse, Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, Hamilton and more. As a professional editor, I have helped with and studied a lot of stories. The Hero's Journey is one of the oldest story structures--and still in use today. This resource will teach instructors and learners alike about this mythic narrative approach. First, it will explain and define each element. Then it will show how these are used in four specific (and popular) stories. It will compare the structure to other story structures and outline strengths and weaknesses of the Journey, help learners identify and evaluate each element in a story, and/or help writers use them in their own stories, and more. Learn more.


Description:

The ideal structure for those already familiar with the basics and ready to learn more. The 7 Point Story Structure is one of the most popular story structures in use today, in novels and especially in films. This resource will teach instructors and learners alike about this narrative approach. First, it will explain and define each element (Hook, Plot Point 1, Pinch Point 1, Midpoint, Pinch Point 2, Plot Point 2, Resolution), then show how these are used in examples (Spider-verse, Hamilton, The Hunger Games, The Golden Compass). It will compare the structure to other story structures and outline strengths and weaknesses, talk about timing for each element, help learners identify each element in a story, and/or help writers use them in their own stories, and more. This can be used for creative writing, literature, or film. Learn more.



. . . And more on the way!

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