Reviews

From: Eclectic Homeschool Online

Full Review on EHO's website here.

"Mr. Schwabauer knows his subject, and what’s more, he communicates his passion for writing in a contagious manner. He connects with his students in a meaningful way, but serious work is going on. He is a competent teacher, an engaging lecturer, a thoughtful guide. He’ll lead your student through the steps of character development, voice, setting, plot, conflict, dialog, resolution—just to toss out a few of the terms.

...only your student won’t just be learning these terms while analyzing others’ works, but writing an original work!

One Year Adventure Novel can be used to supplement any high school English course, but it can also stand on its own as a complete English course for one year of high school credit. It’s my opinion, having gone through the materials, that your student will have not only an original, well-thought-out, carefully crafted novel to show for the effort, but also a deeper understanding of how literature is put together, and a deeper appreciation of classic literature, after finishing this course.

I give this course high marks."

-Jean Hall
Eclectic Homeschool Online

Full Review on EHO's website here.

Email from an Illinois Mom:

I just wanted to let you know that my 14 year old son, who has been allergic to any kind of writing for YEARS, loves the One Year Adventure Novel.  He loves the DVD portion and the specific questions in the workbook.  He is very excited to write his first adventure novel, and has been writing in great detail in his workbook.  I am astounded!  I just sit back and let him drive on.

I will tell you that we have tried 6 writing curriculums and have dropped all six in the past 4 years.  No curriculum ever made it past the second month.  I knew my son was very creative, but he never was able to organize his thoughts and get them down on paper without being totally overwhelmed.  He would become bored quickly and he never seemed to be able to finish what he started.

So far not only has he not become bored, he actually looks forward to writing and is anxious to finish the novel.  Again, I am amazed and I am thanking God for this answer to prayer!!
Singing your praises,

J.B.
ILLINOIS

Email from a School Teacher:

"Wow!  This series is completely amazing, and the kids are learning so much!  This morning, one student said, "Mrs. Hill, you have just ruined all movies for me.  I can't watch anything anymore without analyzing everything the characters are doing and why they're suffering and the story goal and the author's intent!"  Then a bunch of others were all like, "Yeah! Me too!"

I just smiled and thought, "They're learning!"

Later I graded their workbooks that have their novels so far - plot lines and plans.  They sound great - way better than you would expect from 10th graders, probably because there's such specific instruction about how to develop each character, how to build suspense, etc.  Even students who struggle to write, couldn't wait to get them back with my comments about their story.  (In fact, [one student] said he comes home every day, and it's the first thing he wants to work on!)

I'm very impressed with the One Year Novel Curriculum.

Tyler Hill
English Teacher

Email from a Student:

"I would like to say thank you so much for writing the One Year Adventure Novel curriculum. It is exactly what I have been wanting and needing and praying for. It's an amazing program and I've recommended it to all my young writer friends.  In fact, some of the exercises in the workbook helped pull one of my friends out of a writing rut.

I'm really enjoying everything about it, especially the workbook.  I would like to say again, thank you so much for putting so many years of work (I'm sure it took years to do) into the OYAN program. It has really changed my outlook on writing. I can't tell you how much we all appreciate what you've done. "

O.Y.A.N. Student

A Reviewer's Feedback, posted on homeschoolreviews.com

"Incredible course! Worth the money!

If you have a High Schooler that is creative and is filled with great stories, but just can not seem to finish a writing project, you have GOT to get this curriculum! Daniel Schwabauer is a great teacher and has lots of practical and helpful tips to make writing more meaningful and more interesting. Writing a novel is not so daunting with Mr. Schwabauer walking your student through the process step-by-step.

I got this class for my daughter, a gal who loves to read, has great story ideas, but never got past chapter one in any book she began. If you would ask her the greatest things she learned from the class she would say that she now knows how to start a novel and that she can efficiently organize her thoughts into a workable format.

I think the most amazing part for me was what happened in my daughter's CONFIDENCE as a writer and as a critical READER, believe it or not. When her class was nearly completed, she was asked to provide input for a novel her friend was writing. She read her friend's novel and I'll never forget the conversation I had as she was formulating her response e-mail to her friend. I asked how his novel was, if she enjoyed it. She said it had a great premise, and that it had a lot of potential, but that it really needed more conflict. Of course, I was confused. Conflict isn't a pleasant thing for most people. Then she began to explain to me how conflict effects a piece of writing and how necessary it is in order to bring about the emotional participation of the readers. She said it would make the difference between a classic and a book that was happy and fluffy and sits in a file cabinet with the 'other things I wrote in High School.' Needless to say, I felt like I had gotten my money's worth when I realized I had a child who could not only complete a novel, but could offer constructive criticism and helpful analysis of others' ideas as well.

This class did more for her than give her a credit for her High School Transcript. It gave her TOOLS to be able to use her gifts to tell her stories. It taught her what to look for in quality literature (she says she's a book snob now, like tasting fine foods... once you read a great book, it's hard to be satisfied with a plain, ordinary one.)

And I'm blown away by the fact that with this curriculum (and the password you get) my daughter can STILL (even though she took this class a year ago) get online and dialogue with Mr. Schwabauer about her ideas and get his input! She has met some of the most wonderful young writers world-wide through the One Year Adventure Novel website. These are also High School students that have a lot in common beginning with an interest in writing, so the students seem to really enjoy discussions on the forum. They are able to share their ideas and receive help on their novels! It really is impressive!

I highly recommend the One Year Adventure Novel Curriculum- I think it's worth the money! Daniel Schwabauer keeps it interesting, does all the teaching and is available to help the student online... there's not a better deal out there for Creative Writing or Novel Writing that compares to what One Year Adventure Novel offers!"

homeschoolreviews.com

This is what they'll be displaying at my graduation as my favorite homeschooling memory:

My favorite experience had to be the day my One Year Adventure Novel curriculum arrived in the mail. Through "OYAN," I achieved my dream of becoming a better writer, and I met other writers who are now my best friends. I can't express just how life-changing OYAN has been, and I'll be forever grateful for it.

Jessie in Tennessee, O.Y.A.N. student