Having written – and published (traditionally) – a novel while still in highschool and university, I know how difficult it is to work through a huge fiction writing project from beginning to end.

Now I’m offering the class I wish I could have taken then. 

Each workshop takes place over six consecutive weeks and is open to students in 7th grade through 12th grade. We will meet on Zoom for a live workshop every Thursday from 1:00 to 2:00 PM US Eastern Standard Time (perhaps expanding this meeting until 2:30 if we discover we have too much to say in one hour), so make sure this time is free on your schedule. In addition, I’ll post “Morning Messages” on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday that contain writing instruction, publishing industry tips, quick writing challenges and opportunities to interact with your classmates. 

Each workshop is limited to 15 participants. It’d run twice in Summer 2026: 

• May 04 - June 12
• July 13 - August 21

Cost per student per workshop: $295

Topics we cover will include the following:

• How to map out a novel and develop characters
• Do you NEED a plan? Do you NEED to write your novel “in order”? 
• How to craft effective description and dialogue
• Elements of fiction such as point of view, timing, and character development
• How to use novels you love for inspiration
• Common plot challenges and how to tackle them
• The different genres of published fiction
• How to enjoy the writing process (or persevere when it’s tough!)
• How different “real” authors handle the writing process
• What a “rough draft” really is
• How to (eventually) bring a novel to publication!

While you will not receive extensive feedback on your drafts – I will not be able to provide detailed editing comments on full novels – you will share portions of your choice of your novel with me and your classmates for feedback, and you will share your finished novel with me for a final grade, general suggestions for improvement, and general comments about your strengths as a writer.

You should enter this workshop with at least one idea for a novel, but it’s ok if this idea isn’t fully developed. During the first week of the workshop, we will focus on developing and refining ideas. (If you’re torn between a few ideas, we can help you choose!) All ideas are welcome in any genre! 

Note: While I will ask students to provide content warnings before sharing work, younger students should only participate with parental discretion.

It’s also fine to enter this workshop with an unfinished manuscript that you hope to finish; but you must plan to add at least 50,000 words to this draft (and finish it!) during the course of the workshop. 

The criteria for earning an “A” in this workshop is simple: by the end of the six-week workshop, you must finish (as in actually bring to some kind of conclusion) the rough draft of an original novel that is at least 50,000 words long.  Don’t worry– I’ll break down this process into manageable pieces as we complete the workshop! 

My hope is that we will form a supportive community and motivate each other to accomplish this intimidating goal. 

Instructor: I'm Odelia - an AP English Language and Composition teacher and published novelist. I share my thoughts sporadically with the internet on my blog, where I explore the soul, mind, and environment of the creator. I also run a weekly newsletter on Substack, called Percolations.