Author Visits

Details…

What do you get?

My classroom visits have tended to work best as workshop events. We start with a brief talk about writing stories and have a short Q&A. After that I read an excerpt from my work that illustrates a writing skill. Then I explain the writing skill, strategy, technique or idea that we’ll focus on. I’ll give the children a short while to try it out themselves, then we gather together to share what everyone’s come up with.

Great. How long does that take?

1-2 hours, usually.

Usually?

Yup, usually. Schools have busy schedules. It can’t be easy to cram everything you’d like into a day. I’m happy to make the session shorter if that’s needed. I promise I’ll not just talk really fast to fit it all in!

Alternatively, you might like to explore writing and stories in more depth. That’s fine, too. As long as I know in advance.

Will there be books for sale/signing?

Only if you want. I am always happy to bring some of my books to sell and sign. I am just as happy to keep commerce out of it.

What topics will you cover?

That depends on the class I’m visiting. Naturally a P2 class will need different material to P7. I’ve done both, and everything in between, so we can definitely make it work.

At the younger end I tend to look at oral storytelling tradition and where stories come from. Found objects as story-prompts have worked well in the past. I can bring my own prompts, or for a bonus challenge the pupils could bring some in too.

For older children, I’ve covered subjects like story structure, surprise and misdirection in stories, and creating character traits that increase story tension.

That’s not an exhaustive list, of course. If there’s something you’d like me to cover (or avoid), I’m sure I can accommodate.