Writing for Life! workshops
…or, a day with an author. Children’s author Robert Elmer helps students discover. . . • Where to uncover exciting story “seeds.” • How to write stories people will want to read. • Why God cares about writing, and how it can change our lives.
“Writing for Life!” full day includes: • 45-minute all-school assembly presentation • Followed by your choice of up to four workshops (50 students maximum in each) • Q&A classroom visits as time allows (typically 10 min. each) • Optional book signing for students who already own my books • Autographed book ordering (students will take home the order forms) • Lunch with an Author • “Bell to bell” availability Optional (but recommended) “Lunch with the Author/Booktalk” A special time for up to six students, from any grade. Each student is given five minutes to read his or her own story and receive informal encouragement from Robert. Bring brown bags and stories or arrange to have a pizza lunch on a checkered tablecloth! After 30 minutes, interested students are invited to chat with Robert about his 50+ books. Honorarium For events within Eastern Washington and the North Idaho: $650 per day. Within the Pacific Northwest (Western and Southwest Washington, N.W. Oregon and S. Idaho): $825 per day all-inclusive. Outside the Northwest: $950 per day, which includes all travel expenses but assumes that Robert will book at least two schools in your region or two days at the same school. If you are the only school in your region but are still near a major city (within 2 hours), the fee is $1100 per day if you book just one day. Schools which are more remote or which aren’t near a major airport will generally pay a higher honorarium fee depending on airfare costs. Honorariums for both regional and national events are also contingent on a school’s participation in our student book order program, which is an integral but low-key component of the visit. If your school elects to not participate in the book order program an additional $200 fee applies. *Your event date will be reserved upon receipt of the signed contract and deposit ($250). Travel arrangements, overnight stays Robert will try to confirm air travel arrangements at least six weeks in advance. He will plan to arrive in your city the evening before your event. Publicity A small packet of publicity materials will be sent to you for use on a bulletin board or display. Student Book Order Program Robert will provide book order forms for teachers to pass out in the classrooms on the day of the event. All students who attend the assembly should receive an order form to take home. Kids enjoy the chance to buy autographed books from a “live” author, and books are normally shipped back to the school within two or three weeks after orders are received. We can also arrange to sell Robert’s books before the event if that suits your school better. That way the students can get purchased books autographed when Robert visits. Of course, book signing time will need to be scheduled into the day’s events. References and more For more information, contact Robert through the contact form. References gladly provided on request. The assembly: A shot in the arm for budding (and reluctant) writers. Here’s a full-time children’s author who inspires young people as he shares from his heart the challenge, excitement and fun of becoming a writer. A trained teacher, Robert’s goal is to work with you as educators to motivate and equip students for excellence. His 45-minute assembly is suitable for all ages, from K to 8th graders. After the assembly. . . Choose any four topics for your one-day event. Each workshop allows 5-10 minutes for Q&A, and includes both interactive/group activities and a few tips from the author. (If your school just wants to have a day of assemblies for the different ages and grades that can be arranged-call to find out more!)
Workshop 1: What If and
History (grades 3-5 or 6-8, 50 minutes) Historical fiction gets
interesting when students learn how to write it for themselves. They’ll search
an old newspaper for springboards to write their own historical fiction, and
discover it’s a lot of fun! Workshop 2: The End is
Near! (grades 3-5 or 6-8, 50 minutes) “And they lived happily ever
after” doesn’t quite cut it. We’ll take a look at common ending bombs, and then
discover 10 better ways to finish stories (and articles) with punch. Workshop 3: Words on
Deadline (grades 3-5 or 6-8, 50 minutes) No, they’re not all going to grow up to become news
reporters. But if a student can learn to write like one, they’re miles ahead of
the game. Here’s how to put the old “Who-what-when-etc.” lesson to practical
use. Workshop 4: Get in
Character (grades 3-5 or 6-8, 50 minutes) Building realistic characters
isn’t so hard. First we’ll search old magazines for a picture of our character.
Next, we grill them with an abbreviated personality test. And, voilá, a
full-blown character emerges. Workshop 5: Plots Aren’t
Just in Cemeteries (grades 3-5 or
6-8, 50 minutes) What does it take to build a
page-turner? Car chases? Murders? Students will learn the fundamentals of good
plots as they work together to build their own story outlines. Workshop 6: Christians Can
Be Writers, Too! (grades 3-5 or 6-8, 50 minutes) Is there such a thing as
“Christian” writing? If so, what’s different about it? Students learn from a
Christian author how they can reach the world for Christ with their own
writing—fiction and nonfiction. Workshop 7: The What If?
Game (grades K-2 only, 30 minutes) Ideas can be fun, silly,
serious, and everything in between. Here’s a fun game for younger grades to
play to get their own ideas. Workshop 8: Editing/You
Sunk My Battleship! (grades 4-6 only,
50 minutes) Editing isn’t just yukky, it’s the difference between a B
and an A. But what can take their writing from ho-hum to excellent? We’ll
discover 10 ways to make editing (almost) painless. (Need nine tables for the
students.)
Workshop setting Where should workshops be held? In a quiet room large enough to accommodate 25-50 students, preferably at tables seating five to seven students apiece. Your library may be the ideal setting. Remember that four workshops with 50 students is maximum. It is expected that the teachers will also attend the workshop. The ideal workshop will have 35-40 students. Consider adding another day of workshops if you have lots of students to include. There are additional fees if you want a 5th workshop or extra assembly squeezed into the one-day schedule (see contract). Students should bring: • pencil or pen • paper You should provide: • a lapel mike • whiteboard or chalkboard • overhead projector with fresh markers, large screen (if needed for workshops selected) • all required handouts. (Robert will send handout masters and instructions for you to copy.) • lunch and bottled water for Robert (turkey sub sandwich with the “works” (no mayo) is a favorite) Confirm your schedule. Workshop choices (please name the workshop by title not by number) and times should be settled no later than three weeks before the event so the handout masters can be mailed to you. Among other things, this gives you time to prepare your handouts. Here is a sample of a typical school day schedule. You may choose this one, or make your own within the guidelines (the schedule is flexible to your school’s needs but all students who are scheduled to attend a workshop must attend an assembly first as an introduction to the author). Sample Schedule (Day 1) 9:00 - 9:45 Assembly for all students (or whatever suits your school best) 9:45 - 9:55 Break 9:55 - 10:45 Workshop 10:45-10:55 Break 10:55 - 11:45 Workshop 11:45 - 12:45 Young Authors Luncheon with 6 students or lunch with teachers/parents 12:50 - 1:40 Workshop 1:40 – 1:50 Break 1:50 - 2:40 Workshop 2:40 – 2:50 Break 2:50 - 3:20 Classroom visits to the younger grades or book signing Sample Schedule (Day 2) 9:00 - 9:50 Workshop (or second assembly for another group of students) 9:50-10:00 Break 10:00-10:50 Workshop 10:55 - 11:25 Classroom visits or meet with gifted students for Q&A 11:30 - 12:30 Young Authors Luncheon with 6 students or lunch with teachers/parents 12:30 - 1:20 Workshop 1:20 - 1:30 Break 1:30 - 2:20 Workshop 2:20 – 2:30 Break 2:30 - 3:20 Book signing (for those students who already own books) Let’s do lunch. You’ll provide Robert’s lunch under one of three arrangements: ____ Student Lunch with the Author (45 mins) A special time for up to six advanced students, from any grade. Each student is given five minutes to read his or her own story and receive informal encouragement from Robert. Bring brown bags and stories! After 30 minutes, interested students are invited to chat with Robert about his 50+ books. (Some schools make this into a contest with the prize being lunch with the author. They provide pizza and drinks or some other favorite meal set on a colorful tablecloth to make it a special event for the students.) This is Robert’s favorite lunch preference. ___ Teacher/Parent lunch (30-35 mins) We’ll meet in the lunchroom and chat. It’s always fun. ____ Quiet Lunch (30 mins) Give Robert a quiet room in which to eat with a newspaper to read. Tips to Making the Most of Your Day On your mark… (3-8 weeks before) Get Set… (1-2 weeks before) Go! (Day of the event) What they’re saying about Robert’s visit: “Thank you so very much for the encouragement that you gave all of us. Your talk was so inspiring.” —Mary Bron, Skagit Valley Homeschool Assoc., Mt. Vernon, WA “Your warm, friendly spirit and sharing from your heart was an inspiration.” —Thomas Winger, Principal, Valley Christian School, Kent, WA “We have had a lot of enthusiastic feedback concerning your visit—particularly as to how well-geared toward kids it was.” —Jill McPherson, Librarian, Scofield Christian School, Dallas, TX “If you ever need someone to recommend your speaking engagements, please feel free to call on me. I couldn’t believe your ability to do back to back workshops and keep the kids so involved.” —Shirley J. Miller, Principal, Christian Community Schools, Fremont, CA “Every child I talked to said they enjoyed the workshop and assembly. When sixth graders enjoy something you know you’ve made a hit!” —Darlene Simon, Librarian, Toledo Christian Schools, Toledo, OH “I would like to express our appreciation for presenting such a wonderful day of chapel, workshops and just plain FUN!” —Bonnie Schroeder, Teacher, Ephrata Christian School, Ephrata, WA “Just wanted to thank you again for the great day. The kids loved it! The teachers did too. Several people sought me out after you left just to say how much they enjoyed your workshops.” —Brenda Angelico, Librarian, Longview Christian School, Longview, WA “I know the students have been affected…perhaps for a lifetime.” —Cynthia Kaczmarski, Teacher, Calvary Christian School, Naperville, IL “Your talk at the assembly challenged our students to use their abilities and talents to write. We appreciate all that you did today.” —Edith Bury, Librarian, Wheaton Christian Grammar School, Wheaton, IL Washington State schools where Robert has spoken... Eagle Ridge (public) Elementary School, Ferndale Lynden (public) Middle School, Lynden Isom (public) Intermediate School, Lynden Fisher School (public), Lynden Nooksack Valley (public) Middle School, Sumas Pioneer School, (private) Spokane Valley Meadow Ridge Elementary, (public) Mead Olympic Range Carden Academy (private), Port Townsend King’s Elementary (Crista Schools), Seattle St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, Ephrata Valley Christian School, Kent Moses Lake Christian School, Moses Lake New Life Christian School, Ephrata Evergreen Christian School, Bellingham Tacoma Christian School, Tacoma Maple Valley Christian School, Renton Bear Creek School, Woodinville Snohomish County Christian School, Everett Life Christian School, Tacoma Kirkland Seventh Day Adventist School, Kirkland Nazarene Christian School, Tumwater West Seattle Christian School, Seattle Tacoma Baptist School, Tacoma Bellingham Christian School, Bellingham Longview Christian School, Longview Sylvan Way Baptist School, Bremerton Evergreen Christian School, Olympia New Hope Christian, Graham Valley Christian School, Auburn Cornerstone Christian, Vancouver Christian Heritage School, Edwall Hillcreek Christian School, Mt. Vernon Home school gatherings where Robert has spoken... Huntsville, Alabama Clinton, South Carolina Abbotsford, British Columbia Greenville, South Carolina Hartford, Connecticut Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Newark, Delaware College Station, Texas Boca Raton, Florida Boise, Idaho Orlando, Florida Nampa, Idaho Kankakee, Illinois Bellevue, Washington Springfield, Illinois Wausau, Wisconsin Appleton, Wisconsin Baltimore, Maryland Seattle, Washington Rochester, New York Lawrenceville, Georgia Greenville, North Carolina Burlington, Washington Tulsa, Oklahoma Memphis, Tennessee Hershey, Pennsylvania Dallas, Texas Quakertown, Pennsylvania Bonners Ferry, Idaho Charleston, South Carolina Kansas City, Kansas Private Schools around the nation where Robert has spoken... Paradise Valley Christian School, Phoenix, AZ Scottsdale Christian Academy, Phoenix, AZ Tabernacle Baptist Christian School, Concord, CA Calvary Chapel Christian School, Downey, CA Bostonia Christian Elementary School, El Cajon, CA Christian Community School, Fremont, CA Redding Christian School, Redding, CA Redwood Christian School, San Lorenzo, CA Linfield Academy, Temecula, CA Westminster Academy, Ft. Lauderdale, FL Lakeland Christian School, Lakeland, FL Landmark Christian School, Fairburn, GA Providence Christian Academy, Lilburn, GA Open Door Christian School, Kansas City, KS Southfield Christian School, Detroit, MI Crestview Elementary, Grand Rapids, MI Princeton Christian Academy, Princeton, IL Freedom Baptist School, Hudsonville, MI Tri-Unity Christian School, Grand Rapids, MI Maranatha Christian Academy, Minneapolis, MN Wesleyan Education Center, High Point, NC Wake Christian Academy, Raleigh, NC Vineyard Christian School, Grants Pass, OR West Hills Christian School, Portland, Or Mitchell Road Christian Academy, Greenville, SC Rosemeade Baptist Christian School, Carrollton, TS Grace Academy, Dallas, TX Scofield Christian School, Dallas, TX Metropolitan Christian School, Dallas, TX Christian Academy of Louisville, Louisville, KY Heritage Academy, Florence, KY Delaware Christian School, Delaware, OH Walnut Ridge Baptist Academy, Waterloo, IA Regent Christian Academy, Surrey, BC, CANADA Tattnall Square Academy, Macon, Georgia Greenwood Christian School, Greenwood, SC Roanoke Valley Christian School, Roanoke, VA Shiloh Christian School, Springdale, AR Horizon Christian School, Suwanee, GA Wheaton Christian Grammar School, Wheaton, IL Calvary Christian School, Naperville, IL Mokelumne River School, Lodi, CA Umpqua Valley Christian School, Roseburg, OR Greater Atlanta Christian School, Norcross, GA Fellowship Christian Academy, Roswell, GA Hickory Grove Christian School, Charlotte, NC Lancaster Baptist Christian School, Lancaster, CA Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA Post Falls Christian Academy, Post Falls, ID North Heights Christian Academy, Roseville, MN New Life Academy, Woodbury, MN Rockford Christian School, Rockford, IL The King’s Academy, West Palm Beach, FL Calvary Christian school, Naperville, IL Portage Christian School, Portage, IN Peoria Christian School, Peoria, IL Concordia Elementary Lutheran School, Fort Wayne, IN Emmanuel St. Michael Lutheran School, Fort Wayne, IN Edgerton Christian Elementary School, Edgerton, MN Sioux Falls Christian School, Sioux Falls, SD Lake Worth Christian School, Boynton Beach, FL Intermountain Christian School, Salt Lake City, UT Brentwood Baptist Christian Academy, Des Plaines, IL Wellington Christian School, Wellington, FL Carmel Christian School, Matthews, NC Covenant Day School, Matthews, NC Charlotte Christian School, Charlotte, NC Greater Atlanta Christian, Norcross, GA Fellowship Christian Academy, Roswell, GA St. Matthew Lutheran School, Walled Lake, MI Curtis Baptist, Augusta, GA Wayne Christian School, Goldsboro, NC North Hills Christian School, Salisbury, NC Whittier Christian School, Whittier, CA Coral Spring Christian Academy, Coral Springs, FL Spanish River Christian School, Boca Raton, FL Oakland Christian School, Auburn Hills, MI Faith Lutheran School, Bay City, MI North Heights Christian School, Roseville, MN Calvary Christian Academy, Chula Vista, CA
Byron Center Christian, Byron Center, MI
Elkhart Baptist Christian School, Elkhart, IN
Valley Christian Elementary School, San Jose, CA
First Baptist Academy, Naples, FL