Many people long to write for children because they have compelling memories of the way a particular encounter with a children’s book illuminated their whole lives. But writing for children is often harder than it looks and it can sometimes be difficult to even know where to begin! Join award-winning writer Lisa Shanahan for an engaging and inspiring one-day course, for aspiring and emerging writers. Through practical exercises, discussion and reflection, study the essential narrative requirements for writing picture books and junior novels for young people. Learn how to explore fresh ways of harvesting original ideas from memory and observation. Discover how to write with freedom, heart, humour and truthfulness, while exploring the importance and power of poetic and playful line-by-line writing.

Participants will review the importance of editing and redrafting; when and where to deploy a critical eye and how to process feedback favourably. An overview of the children’s book publishing industry will also be given, including issues regarding submission, layout of manuscripts, finding publishers and agents, the practical daily business of being a writer.

---

Expected Learning Outcomes

1. Participants will explore some of the essential narrative requirements for writing picture books and junior novels, including the key differences.
2. Participants will discover how to harvest fresh and original ideas from both memory and observation.
3. Participants will study some of the basic fundamentals of good writing; including how to create convincing characters, evocative language, exciting plots and believable settings.

---

Participant Requirements

• Bring your favourite children’s book.