Capturing Voice, Pacing & Real-Life Concerns for a YA Audience
Level: All Levels
How can adult authors best dramatize the voice, pace, and real-life concerns of their characters when writing young adult fiction? It is not simply a matter of creating characters who say “like” at every breath, streamlining description, tossing in references to suicide or gender, or limiting a novel’s word-count to 65,000. So how does one find the sweet spot of authentic voice, honest emotion, and page-turning suspense?
Using examples from a variety of novels, the first two hours of the workshop will focus on four essential elements of young adult fiction:
- great beginnings that hook readers from page one
- a confident narrative voice
- dialogue that sounds true to readers
- action that creates an emotion-driven, fast-moving plot
Participants will explore these elements and discuss what clangs and what rings true when writing fiction for young adults.
The class will then workshop an excerpt from a work-in-progress by each participant, keeping in mind the morning’s discussion.
+ SUBMIT After registering, participants are asked to submit an excerpt from a YA work-in-progress of up to 1,500 words in standard formatting (1” margins, double-spaced, 12 pt font) by no later than 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 18. Please take the deadline and word count seriously as MWPA likely cannot accept late submissions and excess words will be cut. Please email the manuscript to hannah@mainewriters.org with the subject line: “PADIAN WORKSHOP MSS.” *Word docs (ideally) or PDFs only, please.
+ PLEASE NOTE This workshop will occur online, using the video meeting platform Zoom. Students do not need to create an account to participate, but should test out Zoom before their class if they are first-time users. On Thursday, March 25, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, MWPA’s Hannah Perry will offer a test session on Zoom. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the test session, which usually takes only 5-10 minutes, and those who do not are responsible for ensuring that they are able to use Zoom on their own. The week of the workshop, students will be emailed a link that they may click to enter the test session and the class.
+ REQUIRED EQUIPMENT A reliable, fast internet connection (broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE), speakers & a microphone (built-in or USB plug-in), and a webcam (built-in or USB plug-in).
If you would like to quickly and easily test your internet connection and your computer’s compatibility with Zoom, click HERE. Full details on supported Operating Systems, internet browsers, and more can be found HERE. To download and familiarize yourself with Zoom, click HERE.
Maria Padian writes realistic young adult fiction from her home in Brunswick, Maine. Her work has been honored by YALSA, the Maine Library Association, Bank Street College and the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance. Her novels include Brett McCarthy: Work in Progress (Knopf, 2008); Jersey Tomatoes Are the Best (Knopf, 2011); Out of Nowhere (Knopf, 2013), Wrecked (Algonquin Young Readers, 2016), and How to Build a Heart (Algonquin Young Readers, 2020). Follow her on Twitter @mpadian. VISIT mariapadian.com
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
All MWPA workshops require advanced registration. We accept registration by phone, mail, and online via PayPal. We cannot guarantee registration in the final 24-hours before a workshop, and can rarely accommodate day-of registration.
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICIES
If you need to withdraw from a class after registering for any reason, please email or call the MWPA immediately. You may be eligible for a partial refund or credit, depending on how far in advance you cancel. → MORE INFORMATION
QUESTIONS
For any questions regarding this workshop, please contact Hannah Perry at hannah@mainewriters.org.
REGISTER BY PHONE
Call 207-228-8263 and register with your VISA or MasterCard.
REGISTER BY MAIL
If you prefer to pay by mail, please print this registration form (downloadable PDF) and mail it to the MWPA with a check or credit card information. Please note that mail delivery to the MWPA office is currently experiencing extensive delays, so please email hannah@mainewriters.org first if you would like to register by mail.
SCHOLARSHIP
The MWPA is proud to offer one full scholarship to this workshop for members-only. Scholarships are awarded on a combination of need and merit. Application Due on March 15 at 9:00 a.m.
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MWPA WORKSHOP POLICIES
Registration in any MWPA workshop, program, or event constitutes your agreement to our terms and conditions. → MORE INFORMATION