Creative Writing Quest for Kids

Embark on a storytelling adventure!

Creative Writing Quest for Kids is ideal for children aged around 9-14 who are keen to develop their story writing skills and learn more about the craft.

Kids will:
Learn how to find story ideas anywhere
Create new characters, worlds and plots
Discover writing tips, tools and techniques
Uncover the essential ingredients of fiction
Write a polished story up to 800 words
Receive feedback from a bestselling author
Have fun!

“For a couple of years we have tried to find avenues to develop my daughter’s interest in writing, so your program has filled a real need for us. Thank you so much for taking the time to give individualised feedback to her about her story, Allison. What a great idea to do it through the medium of the video! I wish I had recorded her face when she started to watch your video. She was absolutely chuffed!!!”
– Priya, Creative Writing Quest for Kids graduate parent

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Key information
Key information:
This is an online self-paced course

This is an online self-paced course

Duration:
Your 12 months' access begins straight away

Duration:
Your 12 months' access begins straight away

Feedback:
Personalised feedback on final assignment

Feedback:
Personalised feedback on final assignment

Course Creator:
Allison Tait
Course Creator:
Allison Tait

$245

Let the adventure begin!

  • Does your child love writing?
  • Are you keen to encourage this in a fun and informative way?
  • Want to boost their learning by showing them how authors write their books?
  • Or perhaps you’d simply like to improve your child’s writing skills for school?

Whether your child absolutely loves to write or just wants to learn to write better, the Creative Writing Quest is the perfect way to do it – all online!

Using a mix of video and written content, this online course will guide young writers through the fundamental techniques of writing. From that glorious “lightbulb moment” of finding an idea through to developing characters, setting and plot and finally to editing the story to be the best it can be.

Your child will also receive handy “printables” and bonus exercises so they can unleash their creativity and carve out a regular writing routine.

HOW DOES YOUR QUEST WORK?

The Creative Writing Quest consists of 12 online modules which your child logs in and completes at their own pace (we recommend one a week, but it's up to you – you have a full year to complete them all). As well as a video from Allison, each module will include practical exercises and a story challenge, with a larger story challenge at the end. The course is hosted in an enclosed online learning space, with no interaction from strangers, so it's completely safe – and lots of fun!

What young writers will learn in this course

This Creative Writing Quest guides young writers through the basics of creative writing to end up with a polished story of around 800 words. Along the way, they’ll learn the processes that go into creating a story and complete a series of creative challenges that will build their knowledge of story craft.

The course is split into 12 modules – each a step towards expanding their knowledge of creative writing and also to writing one full story. When one module is completed, the next unlocks, with each designed to teach young writers about writing and inspire them to write.

Young writers will discover:

  • how to find an idea for a story
  • writing prompts that they can use all the time
  • creative challenges to keep them inspired and motivated
  • the essential ingredients for any story
  • how to create a great character, including checklists
  • how to build a world for their story
  • the story formula (which can be applied to any type of story)
  • the basics of story structure
  • the best way to start and finish a story
  • writing techniques such as sub-plots, outlining and dialogue
  • the basics of editing a story

And much more!

“My 10-year-old daughter recently completed Allison Tait’s Creative Writing Quest and absolutely loved it. The course was incredibly well put-together with Allison’s engaging weekly videoed modules, packed with practical advice and writing tools. Maggie enjoyed the journey and learnt a great deal about the craft of writing, which she was able to apply to each weekly task. She then had the satisfaction of completing her story and receiving Allison’s personal feedback, which was detailed, constructive and encouraging. I thoroughly recommend this course, as it inspires kids to write in a relaxed and supportive environment, outside the school world. And with a fabulous author who really knows her stuff and is able to communicate it so well to kids.”

Susannah Hardy, Creative Writing Quest for Kids graduate parent

On completion of their quest, young writers will have a story of up to 800 words that they are able to submit to bestselling, internationally published children’s author (and presenter of this course), A.L. (Allison) Tait. She will provide personalised feedback on their story!

Allison is the best-selling author of The Fire Star, The Mapmaker Chronicles series and The Ateban Cipher series.

What young writers will get out of this course

This course has a very clear goal – to not only teach young writers about writing, but to inspire them to write. Participants will end up with a full gamut of writing tools and techniques at their fingertips – as well as one complete, polished story.

With this collection of ingredients, they will have the steps and the skills to be able to continue to create stories and write with more structure and impact in both their school work and personal endeavours. Simply completing the adventure is an amazing achievement – and the glowing treasure at the end of the quest is a lifelong love of writing!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

My child is 8 but loves to write. Can he/she do the course?
Absolutely. We’ve given 9-14 as a fairly wide range, but if you think your child is at this level, then go for it.

Will there be homework?
At the end of each module, Allison gives participants a story challenge – to help them flex their newfound skills. These are helpful exercises which will make learning faster and more fun. The course also offers a series of OPTIONAL EXERCISES for those children who require additional creative stimulation. Children do not receive feedback on the story challenges and exercises – but if they complete them, they'll be building their skills to help them with their final story that they submit at the end for Allison's feedback.

When will my child receive feedback on their writing?
At the end of the course, your child can submit an 800-word story and Allison Tait will provide them with personalised feedback – via a special video message, just for them!

Why can't Allison provide feedback after every module?
Due to the numbers participating and the self-paced nature of the course, this is not possible. However, the course has been designed so that Allison provides personalised feedback on the completed story at the end – and that's pretty cool!

How much time should I set aside for my child to complete each module?
Most tasks can be completed in 30 minutes or less. Of course, your child may take more or less time depending on their level of enthusiasm – one thing we know about young writers is that once they start, it can be difficult to stop them.

I’m worried about my child interacting online.
In each module, children watch a video and read materials from course creator Allison Tait. Only AWC team members and Allison Tait can access the course and all have undergone “Working with Children” checks. There is no interaction with anyone outside the course or other children.

Does my child receive their own login details?
No. You need to login using the email address provided when enrolling. You're responsible for when your child has access to the course.

Does my child need to log in at a set time each week?
Not at all. We all lead busy lives, so you can complete the course at your own pace. While we recommend completing a new module each week, you could instead choose to knock all 12 over on a rainy weekend! Alternatively, space them out longer – as you actually have a FULL 12 MONTHS access, so there's no pressure whatsoever.

Are there further courses my child can do?
We also have a Teenage Creative Writers’ Program designed for high school students who want to improve their short story skills. It's the perfect course to continue with after Creative Writing Quest for Kids.

Key information
Key information:
This is an online self-paced course

This is an online self-paced course

Duration:
Your 12 months' access begins straight away

Duration:
Your 12 months' access begins straight away

Feedback:
Personalised feedback on final assignment

Feedback:
Personalised feedback on final assignment

Course Creator:
Allison Tait
Course Creator:
Allison Tait

$245

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