Writing Young Adult Fiction

Quick Facts

Delivery Method Online
Professional Certificate
24hrs Suggested Study Time
3 Months Access
Tutor Support
Study On Any Device
952 Students

Develop your own young adult novel and learn how to break into one of today's hottest publishing markets.

From Harry Potter to Twilight, young adult fiction is one of the hottest genres for today's novels. Teens and adults alike have discovered the excitement and passion of these stories, and publishers are hungry for more. If you're eager to break into this market, this course provides you with the recipe for creating your own successful young adult story and shows you how to get it published.

First, you'll learn why writing young adult fiction is both fun and financially rewarding. After that, you'll decide what type of story you want to tell, plan your plot, and choose the dramatic elements that will keep your readers eagerly turning pages.

Next, you'll discover the secrets for bringing your characters to life. You'll also learn about story patterns, the three-act structure, and a technique called scene and sequel. In addition, you'll find out how to introduce conflict, suspense, and mystery so you can grab and hold your readers' attention.

And are you fluent in teenspeak? In these lessons, you'll master the art of creating dialogue that resonates with teenagers and young adults. You'll also decide which viewpoint, voice, and tense you want to use, and you'll see how imagery can make your story sparkle.

As you master each element of young adult fiction, you'll also be writing scenes for your own story. In addition, you'll analyze excerpts from bestselling young adult books to see what makes them so successful.

In the final lessons, you'll get expert advice on publishing and marketing your book. You'll learn how to find an agent or publisher and how to write a synopsis that sells. You'll also get the facts about literary contests and discover why on-demand publishing might be the perfect choice for you.

If you've dreamed for years of becoming an author, this course can help you turn your dream into a reality. In this course, you'll have all the tools you need to create a polished manuscript and get your story in print!

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

In our first lesson, we'll explore what makes young adult fiction the most exciting choice for your writing. You'll discover why it's rewarding from both a creative and monetary standpoint, and then you'll have an opportunity to select the genre that works best for your own original story, which you'll develop during this course.

This lesson is filled with what I call "lightbulb moments" that I hope will make you say "Ah-ha!" We'll begin by defining the important difference between story and plot, and then we'll examine the dramatic elements of young adult fiction. Finally, you'll begin planning your own story by choosing the dramatic elements that will propel it to success.

We all have some idea of how to write a character sketch, but do you know the two most important things that drive your characters? This lesson shows you how goals drive your characters and how flaws impede them. Then you'll have a chance to choose attributes that create your characters' goals and flaws. We'll make it easy, with a Comprehensive Character Attribute Form.

What on earth are "story patterns"? This lesson answers that question. By the time you finish it, you'll have a whole cookbook full of great recipes to use in concocting your own original story. Best of all, you'll understand exactly how other best-selling young adult fiction has used those patterns so you can pick the one that works best for you.

You might have heard of the three-act structure, but did you know that nearly all great fiction uses it? That's because it guarantees an effective beginning, middle, and end. I've refined it into my own nine-checkpoint system that makes it incredibly easy to create a well-structured story. This lesson shows you how to apply it to your own work. After following these simple steps, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it!

This lesson delivers plenty of lightbulb moments. It's all about the ebb and flow of fiction, and how you create that using plot and story. You'll have an opportunity to practice writing scenes for your original story and learn how to use transitions and chapter breaks to achieve maximum impact.

Conflict, suspense, and mystery are what make your story exciting. In this lesson, we'll explore how conflict is much more than a fight—it's the dramatic underpinning of your story. Then you'll learn a simple technique for creating suspense. Finally, you'll discover a few tricks for adding mystery to your young adult story.

Dialogue is very different from conversation. This lesson explains why and helps you develop your dialogue-writing skills. You'll polish your "teenspeak" and learn when to use dialect—and when not to. You'll even discover there are some kinds of dialogue that aren't spoken!

Young adult fiction is almost always written in one of three viewpoints and two tenses. In this lesson, you'll have fun comparing the techniques used in some of the best young adult books and discovering which combination you like best. Then you'll have a chance to try them all on your own original story.

Voice can be a slippery concept, but this lesson makes it easy to hold on to. You'll learn how to give your main character or narrator a distinctive voice and then discover other techniques for imparting deeper meaning and bigger imagery to your own young adult story.

As you've seen so far, there's a lot more to writing your novel or screenplay than just jumping in and writing your long form! In this lesson, you'll learn about the collateral documents that will help you with the planning, writing, and marketing stages—stages that are all equally important. You'll also discover how to write a synopsis that sells your work. Finally, I'll give you an extensive Manuscript Evaluation Checklist to help you make your story perfect.

It's all about getting into print so others can read your work, and this lesson shows you how. You'll learn submission strategies for finding an agent or publishers. We'll also discuss what contests can (or can't) do for you. Finally, you'll explore how print-on-demand publishing can turn your young adult fiction into income and might be your perfect choice.

Steve Alcorn

Steve Alcorn is the published author of a wide range of fiction and nonfiction works including the mystery A Matter of Justice, the historical novel Everything in Its Path, the romance Ring of Diamonds (under the pseudonym Sha... Read more

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Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.

If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.

What people are saying about our courses

This course was extremely helpful and the instructor is excellent. The course material helps to develop a young adult fiction idea and to turn that idea into a story you would want to write and to be enjoyed by the teens reading your work. This course has made a huge difference in my writing and has sparked a great idea for my work of fiction. It has also been helpful for the other students that have already written a story that needs some fine tuning.

Verified Student

Mr. Alcorn is a professional instructor who really cares about his students and the writing process. I had a completed draft of a YA manuscript when I started this course, and through the lessons, I was able to tighten up the story substantially. The lessons took my writing one step beyond, but more importantly, I feel confident that perhaps someday I will see my book in print.

Verified Student

Taking this course has confirmed my desire to write a novel in this genre. Moreover, it also helped me to reassess the story behind my novel, which was becoming a bit overwhelming. I now have a new plan to tackle it because of this course. I highly recommend it, in addition to any other courses that this instructor teaches.

Verified Student

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The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Writing Young Adult Fiction you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

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Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

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There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

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Writing Young Adult Fiction

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Integrative Medical Mental Health

Quick Facts

Delivery Method Online
Professional Certificate
24hrs Suggested Study Time
3 Months Access
Tutor Support
Study On Any Device
983 Students

This groundbreaking online course offers a holistic, integrative approach to treating mental health problems.

This groundbreaking course addresses the dramatic shift taking place in the healthcare field as alternative, holistic, and integrative therapies are increasingly being used to treat mental health conditions.

Integrative mental health emphasises treating the mind, body, and spirit. In this program, you'll learn how this new model of medical care combines scientifically proven alternative and complementary methods with medications and psychotherapy to address the physical, psychological, and spiritual needs of individuals with anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-tramatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mental conditions associated with aging, depression, chronic pain, and Alzheimer's disease. In addition, this program explores the treatment of bipolar disorders in children and adolescents.

Medications and conventional psychotherapy have their place in the treatment of individuals with mental health disorders. However, as you'll learn in this program, there is growing evidence of the effectiveness of other treatment approaches such as nutritional supplements, exercise, light therapy, pet therapy, guided imagery, massage and other manual therapies, music and art therapy, dance therapy, stress management techniques, healing touch, biofeedback, sleep hygiene, acupuncture, and spiritual counselling.

This course is ideal for professionals in nursing and other healthcare fields, as well as individuals interested in integrative mental health.

Anxiety disorders are the most frequently occurring mental disorders, manifested by disturbances of mood, thinking, behavior, and physiological activity. The five major types of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social phobia disorder (or social anxiety disorder), and panic disorder. The goal of this course is to provide an overview of the types of anxiety disorders, describe conventional treatment modalities, and examine integrative treatment approaches.

It is sometimes difficult to determine if a child or adolescent is going through a "phase" or showing signs of a more serious psychiatric challenge such as bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder causes unusual shifts in moods and energy. These shifts are different from the normal "ups and downs" that every child or teenager goes through from time to time. Children and adolescents with bipolar disorder can suffer from damaged relationships, substance abuse, and poor school performance, and they can even commit suicide. However, today there are more treatment options available than ever before for children and adolescents with this disorder. The goal of this course is to provide an overview of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents; examine the symptoms, risk factors, and traditional treatment methods available for this specific population; and explore integrative approaches to assessing, treating, and managing the disorder.

Sleep disorders are common complaints and they include difficulty falling asleep, early awakening, and interrupted sleep. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only one-third of adults say they get enough sleep every night. The goal of this course is to present an overview of sleep disorders and describe conventional as well as integrative treatment approaches for sleep disorders. The primary types of sleep disorders, methods of diagnosing sleep conditions, conventional treatments, and integrative approaches will be presented.

This course will provide health care professionals with an overview of mental health and aging, including mental health wellness strategies, mental health disorders, cultural competence, cultural diversity, complementary and alternative medicine treatments, animal-assisted therapy and mental health, mental health resources, and trends in mental health and aging. The goal of this course is to discuss the most commonly occurring mental health problems experienced by older adults and important factors related to mental health promotion and wellness, as well as strategies, therapies, and services that may be directed at improving the mental health of the elderly.

Depression is one of the most serious and costly health care problems facing the United States today. It is one of the most common types of mental disorders. Depression interferes with an individual's daily life, normal functioning, and may cause emotional pain for the individual with the disorder as well as family and friends. Although depression is a common but serious mental illness, with treatment depressive symptoms can be alleviated. The goal of this course is to describe the different forms of depressive disorders, examine the pathophysiology, symptoms, and diagnosis of depression as well as explore the conventional and integrative treatment approaches for depression.

Pain interferes with the enjoyment of life. It makes it difficult to work, socialize with friends and family, sleep, and accomplish activities of daily living. It may reduce productivity and create financial hardships in terms of lost work and high medical bills. Chronic pain can lead to a loss of appetite, depression, and physical weakness as well as a loss of the joy of life. The goal of this course is to provide an overview of pain and pain management, including the scope of the issue, key historical events in pain management, the physiology of pain, types of pain, conventional pharmacological treatments for pain, and integrative approaches to pain management.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a condition in which the concept of loss is central—the loss of one's memories, independence, ability to recognize loved ones, and dignity. Often referred to as "the long goodbye," AD is the most common type of dementia, affecting millions of Americans. It is responsible for billions of dollars annually in health care costs; however, new research is providing hope for those with Alzheimer's disease as well as for their families and caregivers. The goal of this course is to provide health care professionals with an overview of Alzheimer's disease as well as various other types of dementia. Signs and symptoms of the disease, methods of diagnosis, aspects of care and treatment, caregiver issues, integrative health considerations, and implications for the future of this disease are discussed.

When individuals experience a traumatic, terrifying, life-changing event or series of events, with a real or threatened risk of death, they may experience a variety of symptoms known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although this condition has been described throughout history, veterans groups and health-care providers have been slow to acknowledge its existence or explore the many dimensions of the disorder.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an increasingly common neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood. Usually first diagnosed in childhood, it often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD have trouble paying attention, focusing, and controlling impulsive behaviors, or they may be overly active.

Cyndie Koopsen and Caroline Young

Cyndie Koopsen,RN, BSN, MBA, HNB-BC, RN-BC, NC-BCis a nurse who has cared for patients in acute care settings, community clinics, and the home. Her professional nursing career has involved nursing executive leadership and administration, staff dev... Read more

Read Cyndie Koopsen and Caroline Young's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

What people are saying about our courses

I will have a greater understanding of what residents and patients are experiencing and I will be able to more able to know what to do for them.

Verified Student

I currently work with the mentally retarded and some mental health. Our resident's are becoming older, as I have been there 14 years, and I now am more informed in caring for them.

Verified Student

This course has helped me to understand the needs of my patients mental status.

Verified Student

See More Reviews

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Integrative Medical Mental Health you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.