Lee Edward Fodi is a firm believer in using the imaginative arts (music, drama and especially illustration) to inspire students to become stronger readers and writers and to specifically create a broader understanding of such concepts as character, plot, setting, point of view, imagery, and style.
He offers a variety of presentation and workshop formats, all of which come with a worksheet package. Some of his most popular workshops are described below.
The Creative Carpenter:
How writing a story is like building a house
In this workshop, Lee Edward Födi explains his philosophy of how writing a story is like building a house. He demonstrates how a story, just like a house, will fall down if it doesn't have all the essential parts (the formal elements of fiction). He arms each of his creative carpenters with some tools and tips for building their own stories. This workshop is also a great format for teachers wishing to find inspiration for writing exercises to use in their own language art classes.
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Crafting Kingdoms:
The art of building strong fantasy worlds
This workshop features a presentation on how some of the best-known fantasy authors, including J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis employ visual techniques (such as doodling, mapping, diagramming and illustration) to help construct intricate worlds replete with cultures, customs, languages, and symbols. Lee Edward Födi speak to how he employs these techniques in his own work and gives participants some tips to aid in the construction of their own worlds. Students can then begin on a fun project to develop and design their own world, using a variety of supplied handouts and worksheets. This workshop is suitable for writers aged 11 and up and typically runs 1.5 hours.
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So You Think You're a Villain:
The art of crafting characters that are dreadful and dastardly
In this workshop, Lee Edward Födi delivers a presentation featuring some of the best known villains, discussing the common elements in literature and film that make us feel that icy chill down our spines. He explains how he draws on these archetypes to create his own villains, and inspire students to show (rather than tell about) their characters' personalities. Each student will design a villain, and think about important elements such as secret lairs, henchmen, and diabolical gadgets. At the end of the workshop, time permitting, students present their work and are given feedback.
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How to be a Hero:
The art of crafting valiant victors for adventure stories
In this workshop, Lee Edward Födi delivers a presentation featuring famous and beloved heroes from literature and film, discussing the common elements that make us root for their success. He explains how he draws on these archetypes to create his own protagonists, and inspire students to show (rather than tell about) their characters' heroic personalities. Each student will design a hero, and think about important elements such as costumes, sidekicks, and gadgets. At the end of the workshop, time permitting, students present their work and are given feedback.
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Monster Mash:
Creating creatures for myths, legends, and fantasy stories
In this workshop, Lee Edward Födi discusses the history of monsters in literature and legend and demonstrates how he creates creatures for use in his own books. Afterwards, he leads a drawing session in which each student designs his or her own creature, along with a "wanted" poster. Afterwards, time permitting, students present their work and are given feedback.
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Costume Makes the Character:
Dressing your characters for story success
In this workshop, Lee Edward Födi leads students in an examination of different characters and how their clothes help express their personalities. Students then take a template character—a tiny mouse—and create at least two different outfits for this character. Students will then use these drawings as a springboard to write a story describing how this mouse went on an adventure and grew as a character, changing from one costume to another. This workshop is a great fit for primary students.
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The Power of Pursuit:
Crafting chase scenes to propel your plot
In this workshop, Lee Edward Födi discuss and demonstrate the techniques for writing an exciting chase scene, breaking it down in terms of different elements such as character motivation and setting. Students will then “construct” their chase by drawing a map to help them plot their scene. Afterwards, students will use this map as their visual guide for writing a short story.
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Lee Edward Födi offers many other writing workshops. Be sure to visit leefodi.com for testimonials and other information.
