Writing a Young Adult Novel
A course by Carola Martinez Arroyo , Writer, Editor, and Educator
Joined February 2020
Discover the tools to help turn your next idea into a novel for teens
Joined February 2020
According to writer, editor, and educator Carola Martínez, young adults are readers in training with a wide variety of options to choose from, and that is precisely what makes them a challenge for writers. That's why it's crucial to have a set of tools at your disposal to help you conquer your fear of the blank page and successfully develop the plot of your story.
In this course, Carola teaches you different techniques to start writing a young adult novel and transform your next idea into engaging literature for teens. Create a plot outline that allows you to organize the characters, conflicts, and narrators that your story will revolve around.
What will you learn in this online course?
16 lessons & 29 downloads
- 97% positive reviews (99)
- 2,279 students
- 16 lessons (3h 17m)
- 29 additional resources (11 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Spanish
- Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Create your own plot outline with a detailed structure of your story.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone interested in writing for young adults or learning more about the world of YA literature.
Requirements and materials
No prior knowledge is necessary to take this course.
All you need are basic writing materials such as a pencil and a notebook, or a computer with a word processor if you prefer to write in a digital format.
Reviews
Carola Martinez Arroyo
A course by Carola Martinez Arroyo
Carola Martínez Arroyo has played an active role in the world of children's and young adult literature since 1998. She is the author of multiple young adult books, two of which, Matilde (2017) and Nunca jamás (2019), have earned a place in the White Ravens catalogue, one of the highest honors in children's and young adult literature.
She is also an editor and runs a specialized blog and bookshop under the same name: Donde viven los libros. When she's not creating, she shares her passion for books by directing a reading program in Buenos Aires and teaching classes and training courses on reading, writing, and literature for education professionals and curious young minds.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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Presentation
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Influences
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U2
Laying the foundations
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Reading for inspiration
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Youth book background
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Difference between short story and novel
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Narrative rundown
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U3
Tools and structure: elements for writing a novel
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Characters
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Dialogue
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Conflict
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Storyteller
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Atmosphere
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Weather
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U4
Let's do it
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Write
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Rewrite, the best part of the process 1
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Rewrite, the best part of the process 2
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Publishing market
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FP
Final project
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Tools for writing a youth novel
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
You’ll learn how to structure plots, build believable characters, distinguish narrators, write authentic dialogue, and apply rewriting techniques to craft compelling youth and children’s novels.
This is an intermediate-level course, perfect for those who already have basic writing skills and want to deepen their understanding of children’s and youth storytelling.
All you need is basic writing knowledge, access to a computer, and a willingness to read and write regularly throughout the course.
A narrative outline is a tool to organize your novel’s structure: plots, characters, and conflicts. It helps you plan and develop your story coherently.
You’ll learn how to develop your characters’ personalities, backgrounds, and motivations using descriptive profiles and observation to add depth and authenticity.
A short story is brief and focuses on a single conflict, while a novel allows for more complex plots and character development. You’ll learn how to choose the right format for your story.
Rewriting means reviewing, adjusting, and refining your plot, characters, and dialogue to create a more coherent, smooth, and engaging narrative for young readers.
Me ha gustado mucho este curso. Te ayuda mucho con los recursos para crear la estructura de tu historia. Lo recomiendo
molto interessante
El curso está bien. Da las herramientas para escribir cualquier tipo de novela y esto es la base para planificar cualquier novela. Quizá esperaba que se centrara más en la novela para jovenes y me ha parecido muy generico.
Muy buen curso
Ayuda a dar una estructura básica para contar una historia