Hello, Janet here. I’m glad you’ve found our Writing Courses page! If you are new to writing fiction for young people, you are in exactly the right place. As a publisher of fiction for kids and teens, I have designed these courses to help you with your novels, step by step. Even if right now you are thinking I can’t do it. 🙂 You can, or you wouldn’t be here!

Children need to hear the good news of Jesus – and what better way than through the medium of excellent, relevant, fun stories? (It’s what Jesus did!)

You can start to improve your stories RIGHT NOW with any of these online courses! If you feel you have been called to write, someone’s waiting for your stories, so don’t delay…

Where would you like to start?

FREE mini course: Gripping Beginnings .

You MUST create a gripping start to your story… because if your readers don’t love the beginning, they may never read the rest…. nooooo!!!!!

Click here to join this FREE course.

Yes, it really is FREE!

Mini Course: Easy Ways to Add Humour to Your Story.

Every children’s story needs humour – even, or perhaps especially, those which have a gripping plot and a serious message to share! This short course will give you lots of ideas on how to make your story more fun. Click here to join the course.

£7.99.

Mini Course: Delicious Ways with Words

Learn how to use literary devices to embellish your story! Onomatopoeia, personification, metaphors… learn how these and more can be used to great effect to create atmosphere and pull your readers in. It’s a bit like icing a cake, then adding a few delicious sprinkles on top!

Click here to join the course.

£7.99

If you love poetry, you will love this course!

The Write for a Reason Academy.

This is the BIG course! In this course you will learn all the essential tools you need to write a successful novel for children/teens.

£295

(Also available: 6 monthly payments of £49.00)

Write for a Reason Academy

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ACADEMY

If you are writing to share the good news of Jesus in some way, your novel will already be extra special, because it has eternal value, but the better written it is, the more children will read and enjoy it!

In the parable of the talents, the servants who received the gifts had to put them to work… the servant who buried his talent was in trouble – don’t let that be you!

Most writers struggle on alone hoping (doubting?) their writing is good enough, but, as with any field of life, you need training, support and encouragement.

  • Get some training to make sure you’re not just waffling on!
  • Get confident in your ability to write!
  • Overcome the overwhelm!
  • Be the novelist you dream of being!
  • Inspire the children you love with your stories!

Thank you for taking the time to educate those of us who feel we have a story just waiting to erupt from the depths of our souls.”
~ Leilanie

This course is for you if you:

  • Are new (or new-ish) to writing novels for children/teens…
  • Or want to make a start.
  • Love creative writing.
  • Have a message to share.
  • Want to learn some new ideas to help make your stories the best they can be.
  • Are willing to put time in to learn your craft.
    CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE COURSE

“The course has come to an end all too soon. I thank God for you and may he keep this group of writers inspired and enabled in this work for His glory.” – Pam

Janet Wilson, founder of Dernier Publishing

Let me introduce myself: my name is Janet Wilson. I’m a mum, grandma and founder of Dernier Publishing (we publish Christian books for children) and Write for a Reason.

In my role as a publisher, I have learnt a few things about great novels. I would love to help you make your stories the very best they can be.

I am a Christian, and this course reflects that, but whatever your beliefs, you will find plenty to help you in your own writing journey.

When you sign up for the Write for a Reason Academy, you will gain IMMEDIATE access to the pre-course runway, which I’ve designed to help you get ready for the weeks ahead (this includes some fun writing prompts!). The teaching modules will then be released to you week by week.

I hope you will join me in the Write for a Reason Academy. I would count it a privilege to help you in the next step of your writing journey.

In this course you will learn everything you need to write a successful novel for children/teens, and come out with a complete story plan.

The Pre-Course Runway
Purpose: To get ready for the weeks ahead.

Module One: Reaching Your Target Audience
Purpose: To know who you are writing for, and get to know their world.

Module Two: Creating Your Protagonist
Purpose: To create a protagonist (main character) your readers will love and be inspired by.

Module Three: Creating Secondary Characters
Purpose: To create engaging secondary characters.

Module Four: A Look at Narrative Voice
Purpose: To consider all the options and choose your narrative voice for your next story.

Module Five: Weaving in Your Theme
Purpose: To know what your theme is, and how to make your “message” work in the context of your story.

Module Six: Creating the Perfect Setting
Purpose: To choose a great setting for your story, and build your fictional world.

Module Seven: Gripping Beginnings
Purpose: To work on a gripping beginning for your story, to draw your readers in.

Module Eight: Satisfying Endings
Purpose: To work out a satisfactory conclusion for your story, that you readers will love.

Module Nine: Conflicts and Resolutions
Purpose: Work out all the terrible things that are going to happen to your characters between your beginning and ending.

Module Ten: Your Complete Story Plan
Purpose: To have a complete story plan in your hands, ready to begin writing your novel in full.

N.B. Each module will include a mixture of teaching and practical assignments. And they’re fun! Yay!

Screenshot write for a reason website logo

Is it time for you to invest in your writing?

If you join the Write for a Reason Academy, you will have access to:

  • Ten teaching modules, including 40 lessons
  • Videos and
  • Writing exercises and assignments
  • Loads of encouragement!
  • Modules are released every week, but you are free to take as long as you like over the course.

How can they put their trust in Him if they have not heard of Him? And how can they hear of Him unless someone tells them?
Romans 10:14 (NLV)

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE COURSE

“I have really enjoyed the course and learned so much. I know I have much to think about and to practice. 

You have taught me so much and been always a great encourager, thank you. 

You’ve never made me feel like it’s too late or that I’m to old or not good enough. 

Instead, I have felt hopeful and excited. I want to keep writing and honour the Lord with what I believe he’s put in my heart.

I’m going to write [my book]. Not sure how it will turn out but if I don’t try I’ll never know.

As St. Julie has said, ‘ better mistakes than paralysis, it’s your choice ‘.” – Juliet

Copyright Janet Wilson

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21 thoughts on “Writing Courses

  • 17th August 2014 at 4:45 pm
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    Hello. I was sent this link from Julie Carville and am very interested in taking part in the course. I am currently entering the last month of a five month sabbatical which has focused on a series of Children’s books called ‘Wunderland’ God has been planting in me for some time. My query is how much time is required for the course over the seven weeks as I have a delicate balancing act between very busy parish ministry and building on the preparation of the sabbatical?. I share your passion for good Christian literature for children and young adults. ‘Wunderland’ is aimed at the 6-9 age group and will (DV) grow with them into their mid teens. I look forward to hearing from you and thanks for your passion. Yours faithfully,
    Baden Stanley.

    Reply
    • 18th August 2014 at 8:31 am
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      Dear Baden Stanley, thank you for your query – delighted to hear from you and hear of your shared interest in reaching children with the good news through story. To make the most from the course I am suggesting to participants a minimum of three to four hours study per week. I do hope that will fit into your busy schedule. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. 🙂 Every blessing, Janet.

      Reply
  • 18th August 2014 at 4:59 pm
    Permalink

    Thanks Janet for your quick reply. I will register as soon as I can. Really looking forward to it. God bless. Baden

    Reply
    • 19th August 2014 at 10:16 am
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      Hello Baden, I’m delighted you will be joining us 🙂

      Reply
  • 21st August 2014 at 7:40 pm
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    Hello Janet I too am coming through Julie Carvill and have a question – will the tutorials be at a specific time or posted online so we can access when we have the time?

    Reply
    • 22nd August 2014 at 10:58 am
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      Hi Cliodhna, good question, I should add this into the FAQs – thank you for bringing this up. The new module will arrive every Monday via email as pdfs, so you can keep them on a computer, print them, or transfer them to any mobile device as you wish. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  • 1st September 2014 at 6:57 pm
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    Hi Janet
    Hope you are well
    I was wondering of there were still places on your writing course??
    Many Thanks
    Catrina

    Reply
    • 3rd September 2014 at 8:10 am
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      Yes, it would be great to have you on the course! I understand there may be a problem with the Paypal button so I will try to sort that today – gulp! – in the meantime, I will add your name to the subscriber list and let you know when all is sorted. Delighted you will be joining us!

      Reply
  • 1st September 2014 at 8:44 pm
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    Hi Janet. It may be that i am a techno-dinosaur but I am not able to pay for the course online. Is it possible to pay by credit card over the phone or is there an idiot’s guide to paying online. Thanks. Baden

    Reply
    • 3rd September 2014 at 8:14 am
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      Oh dear, I will look into the paypal pay button and get back to you as soon as possible. In the meantime, I will add your name to our subscriber list, so be assured you are on the course, and we can sort payment in due course. Really pleased you will be joining us!

      Reply
    • 3rd September 2014 at 10:20 am
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      Apologies for the technical issue. I have reset the PayPal button and on testing it now appears to be working correctly. Please do let me know if you have a further problem. Many thanks, Janet

      Reply
    • 8th September 2014 at 7:39 pm
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      Thank you for booking; it’s great to have you Catrina. I hope you received the Introduction and First Module safely. May the Lord bless you on your writing journey!

      Reply
  • 2nd June 2015 at 6:31 pm
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    Please add my name to the subscriber list.is there no way of paying by cheque to the address..I do want to do the full course.

    Reply
    • 3rd June 2015 at 8:43 am
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      Dear Waveney, we don’t offer the option of paying by cheque on the website, as the course is open to people from any country in the world and it could become complicated! Looking forward to having you on the course!

      Reply
  • 2nd June 2015 at 6:47 pm
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    I think my comment went astray I want to do the full course . Can I pay by cheque?

    Reply
    • 3rd June 2015 at 8:41 am
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      Hello Waveney, I have replied to you by email, but yes, that’s absolutely fine, as long as you live in the UK. Delighted that you are going to join us next month!

      Reply
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