The goal of my presentations are to get students excited, not only about writing, but also about the research process.
Each workshop begins with a power point presentation of how I became an author. I show photos of me with my creative writing students, and then of myself as a teen. I talk about how being a preteen afraid of muppets shaped my fascination with mythology, and then as a teen how I became a storyteller through Dungeons and Dragons.
The next step is a discussion of my books, and how I use strong characters as a basis to write and discover plot. Through maps and photos of real places, I create realistic make-believe towns that I am often asked where they really exist. Mythology plays an important part, whether I am writing about werewolves or martial arts. This is followed by writing time, and can be continued by the teachers as a class project.
Each presentation typically lasts 60 minutes.
Dystopia Workshop
Grades 6+ Audience Size: Max 30 students
With the Myan calendar counting down, many students are finding an interest in dystopia literature such as the Hunger Games, Maze Runner and Blood Red Road.
This workshop consists of a role-playing game, where students become "colonists" and have to pit their wits against each other and natural (and unnatural) disasters to be the colony that survives.
Map Making Workshop
Grades 5+, teachers and post-secondary students Audience Size: Max 30 students
In my map-making workshop, students work as teams to draw world maps - both fantasy and realistic. Starting with nothing but a setting, each team comes up with a story of their world and the characters that live in them.
See Yourself in a Comic
Grades 4+ Audience Size: 10 students
Storyboard and create comics by acting out and photographing yourself in each scene. A skill in writing and drawing is not required, though a love of comics is. You’ll write a script while exploring different styles such as fantasy and realism.
Ongoing at Place des Arts:
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Creative Writing I Classes
9-12 year olds
Ongoing at Place des Arts
Creative writing is more than just words. Discover how to create characters through costumes, explore settings through maps and develop plots through games. In short, learn to write by having fun in a friendly, upbeat atmosphere. Write stories to share with each other and with parents.
Mondays • Sep 24 - Dec 17 • 4:00 - 5:30 PM • $130.50
Mondays • Jan 14 - Mar 11 • 4:00 - 5:30 PM • $99
Mondays • Apr 8 - Jun 17 • 4:00 - 5:30 PM • $120
Creative Writing II Classes
10-13 year olds
Ongoing at Place des Arts
This class is for the keen writer who wants to explore characters, settings and plots through different writing styles. You’ll start a story in week one and have it finished by the end of the session. Then, add it to a class anthology in e-book format.
Mondays • Sep 24 - Dec 17 • 5:45 - 7:15 PM • $130.50
Mondays • Jan 14 - Mar 11 • 5:45 - 7:15 PM • $99
Mondays • Apr 8 - Jun 17 • 5:45 - 7:15 PM • $120
