Conjuring a wizard brings skill to novel writing

Kami  Kinard’s  poetry, fiction, and nonfiction works have
appeared in periodicals for both children and adults.  Her debut novel, The Boy Project: Kara
McAllister’s Notes and Observations
, is forthcoming in 2012 and will be
published by the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books.  It’s where this teaching artist on the roster
with the South Carolina Arts Commission takes her craft to lead other would-be
novelists that separates her from the traditional writing instructor.

“Novel writing requires creativity and a process,” says Kinard.  “That is, writer’s must recognize that a
formula exists in order to propel their novels to publication.” She contends
that one of the most effective ways to improve writing is to study what other
successful authors have produced and implies that it’s more skill than luck that determines success or failure of a project.  The benchmark that Ms. Kinard brings to her
classroom is none other than J.K. Rowling’s Harry
Potter
® fantasy series. She believes the series provides a
comprehensive guide to establishing good writing skills, from character
development to establishing a setting to the insertion of humor and that these
skills apply to novels aimed at both juveniles and adults.

Scholastic Trade Books publishes
more than 600 new hardcover, paperback, and novelty books each year. Given Kami
Kinard’s evaluation and examination of J.K. Rowling’s work it is perhaps no
coincidence that the Beaufort author’s Kara
McAllister
has found a home in the same publishing house that includes Harry Potter®, Captain Underpants®, Clifford The Big Red Dog®,
Goosebumps®, The 39 Clues™, I Spy™, and The Hunger Games.

Improve your novel is a Life Enrichment offering of the Technical
College of the Lowcountry
(TCL). Those who enroll bring a completed or partial
draft of a novel to Kinard’s course and in a six-week period explore and examine
the writing techniques used in the Harry
Potter®
fantasy series.  In
fact, it’s required reading.  Enrollees of
this TCL offering are required to have read at least one of the Harry Potter® books
before attending the class.  This course is offered each Wednesday 6:00 p.m.
to 8:00 p.m. beginning April 6th and continues through May 11, 2011 at TCL’s
Beaufort campus. The cost to attend this seminar is $110 per person and
advanced registration is required.

  •  To
    register for any Life Enrichment offering call 843.525.8205

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