To request a class to run at your convenience, email Debbie at deb@realistek.com. We’ll schedule a time that works for your family, you can share with your circle of families and I will publicize as well. Once four learners have registered, the class will run.

Reminder: If you’re unable to attend the live classes, a hybrid option is available. You get all of the benefits of the class, including the instructor coaching in-between sessions, you would just watch a recording of the live class instead of attending. I’m always available for questions! Let me know if you’d like to take advantage of the hybrid option. NOTE: The hybrid option is only available on select classes — email me for details!

All pricing for 8-week classes is as follows:
- 2-3 students = $209
- 4+ students = $199

Ages 8-12

Write, Revise, Edit!
ages 11-13
8 weeks
Writing your story is only part of your job as an author — really! In this workshop, we'll dig deep into the writing process, allowing all stages of writing to shine with their own strengths and importance. The result? Your story, the best it can be! Using mentor texts and mini lessons along the way, we'll examine the best strategies for composing, making your story better, and making it grammatically correct. We'll support each other's writing and help one another grow as authors. At the end of class, you'll get a class anthology in digital file format.

New! Between classes, kids will be able to share their writing in our dedicated Google Classroom space, and leave feedback for one another.

Crafting Picture Books
ages 8-12
8 weeks

Do your eyes light up at the thought of creating your own picture books? Writing a picture book can be such a satisfying venture for writers who love to make art and artists who love to write. But there are specific writing techniques that lend themselves to creating picture books. Finding the right angle for your topic, defining your audience, and choosing an illustration style all factor into making the best picture book you can construct.

In this class, we'll delve into these topics and more, all while learning the conventions of good writing, grammar, and language mechanics. We'll each create one fiction and one non-fiction picture book. Mentor texts will provide inspiration and guide our creative processes.

And art! We'll look at collage, watercolor, black and white drawings, and more. We'll find the art style that feels right for you and your book topic, and support will be with you every step of the way.

A reading list of mentor texts will be provided, all of which will be available through Interlibrary Loan.

Mastering the One-Page Story
ages 8-12
8 weeks
Are you up to the challenge of writing a powerful story that fits on one page? Sure, you could write a chapter book or an epic tale; there's nothing wrong with that. However, by compressing your story into just one page, you have the opportunity to be a better writer on several levels. Your sentences will be stronger. Your pacing will be more fine-tuned (suspense!). You'll appreciate the value of writing concisely and deeply, developing your characters effectively, and captivating your readers. You can always apply your newfound skills to a multi-chapter adventure story ... after class! ;-)

Class structure will include interactive lessons, writing time with instructor feedback, sharing and discussion, and homework (usually continuing the story or revising, with more individualized instructor feedback). At the end of class, you'll get a class anthology in digital file format.

Write About Everything!
ages 10-12
8 weeks

Do you want to write down your ideas about a book you're reading? Or maybe you've learned something so fascinating in history that you want to write about it ... but you're just not sure where to start. In this class, we'll take those ideas you want to write about and dig into how to organize them and make them captivating for your readers. We'll explore creative ways to express your deep thoughts -- because this kind of writing can actually deepen your learning and understanding of the subject -- so you can become an expert! If you're passionate about a certain book or something you studied in history or science ... write about it! Some skills we may explore: organizing ideas, writing strong introductions and conclusions, narrative writing, opinion writing, evaluating, analyzing, cause/effect, and more ... all wrapped up in a bubble of creativity!

Class structure will include interactive lessons, writing time with instructor feedback, sharing and discussion, and homework (usually continuing the story or revising, with more individualized instructor feedback).

Grammar with Purpose
ages 8-12
8 weeks

If your learner thinks grammar and language mechanics are no fun and have no purpose, look no further for a motivating experience with writing conventions! We'll apply every concept we learn in our own writing to make it relevant and meaningful. Using mentor texts, humor, and games, we make the reading-writing connection between good grammar, language mechanics, and readability. We'll focus on the most persistent errors seen at this developmental stage: run-on sentences and ways to fix them, proper punctuation usage to help make our writing easier to read, punctuating dialogue, and using apostrophes. Toss in some grammar sticklers, like homonym usage and verb tenses, and you've got a fun and informative learning experience. We'll write each week and also have a bit of homework, to reinforce application and extension of all the concepts.

Writing Spooky Stories
ages 8-12
8 weeks

Writing spooky stories takes a lot more than just grossing out your readers! It requires the knowledge and skill to build suspense, keep your readers interested with original ideas, and avoid clichés. In this class, we’ll create a writer’s toolbox to help you craft your horror stories, but you’ll be able to apply these tools in all kinds of writing. Through fun writing exercises, interactive writing games, and analyzing mentor texts, you’ll fine-tune your writing skills. And yeah, you’ll learn how to write disgusting stuff in a classy way, if that's something you like to include in your stories! At the end of class, you'll get a class anthology in digital file format.

Prerequisite: Learners will need to be able to write two-to-five sentences independently in about five-to-ten minutes. They are welcome to use voice recognition software or have someone at home scribe for them. Spelling and grammar need not be conventional, and limited one-on-one time with the instructor will be available.

Smash the Flash Fiction!
ages 8-12
8 weeks

Writing fiction — creative, amusing, and challenging, right? But what if you only had 1000 words to tell your story? In this class, we’ll explore the conventions of writing effective fiction, with a twist! Techniques for lowering your word count while improving your content will be explored, and you can apply this to all genres of writing. We’ll also experiment with fun prompts, games, and activities to activate the short fiction writer in all of us. At the end of class, you'll get a class anthology in digital file format.

Prerequisite: Learners will need to be able to write two-to-five sentences independently in about five-to-ten minutes. They are welcome to use voice recognition software or have someone at home scribe for them. Spelling and grammar need not be conventional, and limited one-on-one time with the instructor will be available.

Writing Microfiction
ages 8-12
8 weeks

What’s microfiction? It’s a teeny-tiny story, anywhere from six words to about 300 words long. We’ll try our hand at writing microfiction stories in various genres, learning sure-fire techniques for saying a lot using as few words as possible ... all while having unfathomable amounts of fun! The best part? The techniques you learn while writing small can be applied to any writing you do, so you'll become a better author overall. At the end of class, you'll get a class anthology in digital file format.

Prerequisite: Learners will need to be able to write two-to-five sentences independently in about five-to-ten minutes. They are welcome to use voice recognition software or have someone at home scribe for them. Spelling and grammar need not be conventional, and limited one-on-one time with the instructor will be available.

Growing Your Writing
ages 8-12
8 weeks

Writing is a flowering plant, and in this class, we'll learn the right balance of soil, water, and nutrients to make your writing blossom. Starting with the seeds of ideas, we'll learn techniques for writing and revision that bring you from sprouts, to buds, to a finished piece of writing that is a beautiful bloom. We'll use inspiration from famous authors about how they revise, and gain insights from minilessons, mentor texts, and each other. At the end of class, you'll get a class anthology in digital file format.

Prerequisite: Learners will need to be able to write two-to-five sentences independently in about five-to-ten minutes. They are welcome to use voice recognition software or have someone at home scribe for them. Spelling and grammar need not be conventional, and limited one-on-one time with the instructor will be available.

Lead On: the Start of Good Writing
ages 8-12
8 weeks

The way you begin your story sets the tone for everything that comes next. Does it pull your reader in? Does it inspire you to keep writing your story? In this workshop, we'll explore various ways to start your stories and learn how different leads can take our stories down different paths. We'll write, share, and grow as writers as we investigate how beginnings "lead" to endings, with skillfully-written details sandwiched in-between.

Prerequisite: Learners will need to be able to write two-to-five sentences independently in about five-to-ten minutes. They are welcome to use voice recognition software or have someone at home scribe for them. Spelling and grammar need not be conventional, and limited one-on-one time with the instructor will be available.

Ages 11-14

Microfiction: The Sweet Spot
ages 11-14
8 weeks

Writing microfiction stories: One of the best ways to have fun while improving your writing skills! Ranging anywhere from six words to around 500, microfiction word counts hit that sweet spot -- long enough to develop character, plot, and sensory details with precision, short enough to fine-tune your word choice, sentence structure, and descriptive language.

To do this, we'll look at a new type of microficton every week or two, by studying mentor texts, revising together, playing with words, and becoming flexible writers. You'll soon realize that using more words doesn't always make the best writing, and these newfound skills can be applied to any writing you do. At the end of class, you'll get a class anthology in digital file format.

Teen Fiction MindMeld: A Writer’s Group, but Better!
ages 13+
8 weeks

NOTE: You can sign up for this class infinitely many times. It’s different every session!

Part master class, part mentorship, and part mastermind! This class is full of rich writing experiences for you to soak up like a sponge ... or maybe a fountain pen (or maybe a failed simile ...)?

n this format, participants will be able to work on and get feedback on their own writing projects. We'll brainstorm together, work together to set goals, revise effectively, and become stronger writers across the board using mini-lessons and mentor texts. We'll all be accountable to one another, and also serve as resources for one another. As always, I'll be providing comments through the learners' private Google docs to help with revision and editing improvements.

But that's not all! This immersive writing experience will include in-class writing contests and/or individual challenge stories where everyone gives feedback to everyone else (designed to highlight strengths and improve skills, not to encourage a competitive environment), and weekly writing prompts to stretch us creatively.

There will also be a very active collaborative writing time each week, in which the teens share their writing and give feedback to one another.

As with anything in life, the more you put into it, the more you'll get out of it ... and we'll all be there, cheering you along!

Teen Essay MindMeld!
ages 13+
8 weeks

Introducing ... the inaugural Teen Essay MindMeld -- part master class, part mentorship, and part mastermind! This class is full of rich writing experiences to help you fine-tune your essay-writing skills … for contests, for applications, for editorial submissions, for homework, or just for fun! Who knows, there could be some aspiring journalists or columnists in our midst!

In this format, participants will be able to work on and get feedback on their own writing projects. We'll brainstorm together, work together to set goals, revise effectively, and become stronger writers across the board using mini-lessons and mentor texts. We'll all be accountable to one another, and also serve as resources for one another. As always, I'll be providing comments through the learners' private Google docs to help with revision and editing improvements.

But that's not all! This immersive writing experience will include in-class writing contests where everyone gives feedback to everyone else (designed to highlight strengths and improving skills, not to encourage a competitive environment), and weekly writing prompts to stretch us creatively.

As with anything in life, the more you put into it, the more you'll get out of it ... and we'll all be there, cheering you along!

Due to the extremely collaborative nature of this class, the hybrid option will not be available. Thank you for understanding!

Teen Fiction MindMeld!
ages 13+
8 weeks

Introducing ... the inaugural Teen Fiction MindMeld -- part master class, part mentorship, and part mastermind! This class is full of rich writing experiences for you to soak up like a sponge ... or maybe a fountain pen (or maybe a failed simile ...)?

In this format, participants will be able to work on and get feedback on their own writing projects. We'll brainstorm together, work together to set goals, revise effectively, and become stronger writers across the board using mini-lessons and mentor texts. We'll all be accountable to one another, and also serve as resources for one another. As always, I'll be providing comments through the learners' private Google docs to help with revision and editing improvements.

But that's not all! This immersive writing experience will include in-class writing contests where everyone gives feedback to everyone else (designed to highlight strengths and improving skills, not to encourage a competitive environment), and weekly writing prompts to stretch us creatively.

As with anything in life, the more you put into it, the more you'll get out of it ... and we'll all be there, cheering you along!

Due to the extremely collaborative nature of this class, the hybrid option will not be available. Thank you for understanding!

Essay Writing for the Fiction Lover
ages 13+
8 weeks

You love writing fiction, but you realize you should probably get some practice writing essays, too. Well, you're in luck, because many techniques for effective fiction writing translate to essay writing. Essays shouldn't be sterile; you can breathe that same life that permeates your fiction stories into your essays -- really! You want to build suspense? Do it in an essay! You want to show off your strong sense of voice, tone, or point of view? An essay!

Sure, we could write the ubiquitous five-paragraph essay, but aren't we better than that? Have you ever seen a published five-paragraph essay? We'll focus on making the length of our essays fit the content, and maybe you'll end up with five paragraphs, and maybe you won't. But you will have an irresistible introduction, a riveting conclusion, and mesmerizing content in-between. Possible essay genres include personal narratives, expository essays, research papers, and persuasive/argumentative essays.

Essay writing is as captivating as fiction writing if you take the right approach. We will, with a combination of motivating lessons on style, format, and voice using mentor texts. Instructor feedback, sharing during class, and revision will be an integral part of this class.

Fiction in a Flash
ages 13+
8 weeks

Writing fiction stories in less than 1000 words … there must be a trick? In this class, we’ll dig deep into the world of Flash Fiction, exploring different genres and formats, as well as ways to include imagery and description in effective, yet brief, ways. We’ll also learn about when Flash Fiction fails, so we don’t make the same mistakes. Microcosms, vignettes, open doors, and other formats will be studied and written, shared and revised. Build on your effective writing techniques and apply them across all genres of writing! At the end of class, you'll get a class anthology in digital file format.

Writing Microfiction
ages 13+
8 weeks

What’s microfiction? They're miniature stories that pack a punch with their limited word count (six words to about 300 words), but short doesn't mean easy to write! Each week, we'll explore a different type of microfiction and a skill or technique for writing it, all designed to help you say a lot using as few words as possible. We'll study mentor texts, revise together, play with words, and become flexible writers. You'll soon realize that using more words doesn't always make the best writing, and these newfound skills can be applied to any writing you do. At the end of class, you'll get a class anthology in digital file format.

Microfiction II
ages 13+
8 weeks

This is a continuation of the Writing Microfiction class, open to all teens (even if you didn’t take the first class) who want to further investigate the conventions of effective, concise writing through more microfiction! There are more formats of microfiction to explore -- 55 fiction! Twitterature! Microcosms! and more! -- and we'll delve deep into different types of microplots. Famous authors will give us their advice on brevity and we'll continue to hone our microfiction writing skills that can be applied to all genres of writing. At the end of class, you'll get a class anthology in digital file format.

Horror and Suspense Writing
ages 13+
8 weeks

Writing truly scary stories takes a lot more than just grossing out your readers! It requires the knowledge and skill to build suspense, keep your readers interested with original ideas, and avoid clichés. In this class, we’ll create a writer’s toolbox to help you craft your horror stories, but you’ll be able to apply these tools in all kinds of writing. Through fun writing exercises, interactive writing games, and analyzing mentor texts, you’ll fine-tune your writing skills. And yeah, you’ll learn how to write disgusting stuff in a classy way, if that's something you like to include in your stories! At the end of class, you'll get a class anthology in digital file format.