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Workshops
 Listening to a teacher read a student's story at Keller High School in Texas. The Art of Revision Revision is as much a part of writing as drafting a story or article. Using various other artistic mediums, such as painting and composing, Ms. Miller shows students that works of art are not created on the first try. Moving from sketches and drafts to finished art, students learn to appreciate, if not love, the process of revision. Longer sessions incorporate more hands-on revision techniques, including a chance to revise a sample first draft of Mary Beth’s writing. They then can see how she edited it. Workshop can be tailored to all ages. What If—Getting Students Started in Creative Writing This workshop is designed to move students past the initial “brain freeze” experienced when someone is told to “write a five page story.” Sources for ideas are explored, as is the concept of playing with an idea to develop a more complete story. Examples and story starters are given. Can be tailored for all ages. Longer sessions develop students’ stories from idea to finished work. Can be tailored for professional education to show teachers how to get students writing. In professional sessions, the art of asking questions without dictating the story’s content or plot is discussed, as is keeping students inspired. Time will be spent helping students move beyond thinking the first draft is the final draft. Let Me Show You Painting word pictures of actions, setting, and scenes is discussed in this workshop that is designed to move students beyond telling and into showing. This workshop helps students to develop other writing patterns besides sequential (and then this happened, then this, then this). It also explores the art of omission (leaving out unimportant details) and inclusion (using details to create mood and atmosphere and to develop character or tension). Longer sessions practice writing scenes with the intent of creating different moods or from the perspective of different characters. Workshop can be tailored for all ages. Voice: The Holy Grail of Writing A distinct voice is arguably the hardest thing to achieve in writing, and it is one of the hardest writing skills to teach. Mary Beth uses other art forms to help students grasp voice as well as examples from literature (both current and classic works). Longer sessions help students craft a short work of fiction with a distinct voice. For Eighth Grade and above. Creating Believable Characters What’s believable and what’s not? This workshop explores not only believability in characters, but credibility in fiction since they are interconnected. It also discusses creating distinct characters, developing a “past” for characters, and avoiding stereotypes. Longer sessions have writing exercises designed to help students create living, breathing characters, who are individuals and as distinct from other characters as people are from each other. Can be tailored for all ages. Setting Is in the Details From research on native plants and animals to the selection of the right details to create atmosphere and illuminate character and theme, setting is as important as character for many stories. Can be tailored for all ages. Twist and Twist Again: Weaving Stories Tension is great when making ropes and creating fiction. Too little tension, however, and the rope and story fall apart; too much and the rope and story break. Students learn to take multiple strands and weave them into an effective plot. Can be tailored for all ages. Talk Like a Man Creating dialogue that sounds natural yet helps the story flow and character development. Sounds complicated? It isn’t. Can be tailored for all ages. Starting Points A fun, hands-on workshop. Participants pick a story prompt from photographs, first lines, and titles then write a story or first chapter from the prompt. Particularly fun is having a group of people use the same prompt and seeing the variety of stories that result. Stories are read aloud to the class, and writing techniques are discussed. Generally for a more advanced, older group of students. An excellent program for teachers looking to learn a new creative writing technique to share with their students. Building a Book The Nuts and Bolts of the publishing business. All aspects of creating a book, from idea through multiple drafts, submission procedures, rejection and acceptance, editing, galley review, publication, to the little-discussed, post-publication trials will be covered. Can be tailored for all ages.  Lucy Kubo, a librarian, on the right and myself at a recent school visit to Keller High School. Fees
School Visits $300 for half a day, which consists of two programs and a meet and greet/book signing period, plus travel expenses. (Schools within an hour’s drive pay mileage only. Schools over an hour may be asked to provide hotel accommodations.) $500 for a full day, which consists of four programs and a meet and greet/book signing period, plus travel expenses. (Schools within an hour’s drive pay mileage only. Schools over an hour may be asked to provide hotel accommodations.) Residencies Week-long Residency: $1000 plus travel expenses. Eight-Week Residency: $1200 plus travel expenses. Professional Learning Seminars $300 for half a day, which consists of two programs and a meet and greet/book signing period (if desired), plus travel expenses. $500 for a full day, which consists of four programs and a meet and greet/book signing period (if desired), plus travel expenses. Etceteras Week-long Residencies, School Visits, or Professional Learning Programs taking place more than one hour’s drive from Mary Beth’s home may require hotel accommodations. Multiple programs at different schools can be scheduled during the same week to help allay travel expenses. Residencies and School Visits are limited in number and will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Payment is expected at the time of the visit unless prior arrangements are made. It’s helpful if Residency students read Aimee and On the Head of a Pin prior to the Residency. Chapters of other books may be assigned for those classes with limited class time (less than one hour). | |
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