Visits and Talks
I absolutely love talking at schools, retreats, spiritual organizations, publishers . . . (really almost anywhere) about my books, but also about writing, the creative process, and the book industry in general! My speaking fees vary, depending on travel and what level of program development is involved, so please contact me about that.
If you don't see a discussion topic below that sparks your interest, let's get creative!
Here are examples of what I can do:
Book Club Discussion
Assign any of my four titles to your group, and I’ll come for a discussion — answering any and all questions!
“Thirteen Ways of Looking At A ______" Poetry Workshop
Some of the poems in After the Kiss are inspired by existing work from famous poets. In this hour-long, participatory workshop, we read together “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird,” by Wallace Stevens, and then compare it to the modified version in After the Kiss. Attendees will walk away having analyzed an advanced poem, and written their own “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a ______” poem.
Getting Started: Ideas for Stories
This is a participatory workshop about the early stages of writing, wherein students generate story ideas based on freewriting, reading headlines from tabloid stories, as well as song titles. Can be done with small or large groups, with supervisory help.
How I Became a Real Author
Designed for small or large groups, this is a discussion about my own interest in writing from an early age, and how I followed that personal passion to become the published author I am today.
How a Book Is Made
Excellent for all ages, this is my play-by-play talk about how a book gets published, from the first idea to the final product. Agents, editors, publishers, and even the self-published process is covered here.
Wax On, Wax Off: What I Learned About Writing From the Karate Kid
Designed for large groups, this “motivational speech” focuses on the hard work of writing and how important it is to continue to do it even if you don’t feel like you’re getting anywhere. Content can be adjusted to also include frustrating writing moments, my own writing process, bits of my own old writing, and/or how to get over writer’s block.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
This is a fun, interactive exercise wherein students are paired together and shown (via one very crazy picture and a lot of drawing) how important clarity is in your writing.
Things I Learned About Getting a Job (By Being a Writer)
Great for juniors and seniors, this talk highlights the things that will help you in your career (find something you're good at; practice; meet others who share the same interests, etc.), whether you're interested in creative writing or not.
Getting Physical with Your Characters
Your characters are pretty much the most important part of your story, and your readers need to be able to see them. But how you describe your characters physically can also say a lot about who they are. In this interactive workshop, we look at several different images of characters and work to not only describe them with specificity, but deeper meaning, as well.
Resources for Readers & Writers
F. Scott Fitzgerald said nobody ever became a writer by just wanting to be one. So definitely the best thing you can do to become a writer is to write. A lot. The second best thing you can do to become a writer is read. (Because by reading good writing and thinking about good writing you will learn how to make your own writing something worth reading.)
Another thing you can do to help your writing is to be on the lookout for opportunities to write and be involved in writing wherever you are. Seek out book or writing groups at school or in your community. Enter contests. Go to readings. Take extra classes or camps, visit writers' homes — surround yourself with anything that will make you feel inspired to write and learn more about writing. If you can become involved in a magazine or journal, that is a good way to learn a lot about writing, too. Anything that will keep you engaged and practicing is going to be good for you!
Meanwhile, here are some other resources I like:
- Girls Write Now: Articles, reviews, contests and more.
- Poets & Writers Magazine
- Reading Rants: Rants on reading!
- Teen Eye Magazine: An international online magazine created entirely by teens, for teens.
- Teen Ink: A 'zine by teens.
- The Week Junior: Magazine for 8-12 year-olds.
- The Writers Workout: Be a better writer.
- Underlined: A community for Book Nerds.
- Young Writers Project: Ideas & support for teen writers.