Writing for Life! workshops
“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.
Writing for Life!
…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 writing is so
important, and how it can change our lives.
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: 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 5: You Sunk My
Battleship! (grades 5-6 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. Minimum participation: 27 students)
Workshop 6: 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 7: 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.
Custom Workshops: Robert will be glad to discuss customizing or even
creating new workshops to meet your specific needs. Two months notice is
required and additional preparation fees will apply.
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)
- Publicize the event. Robert will provide bio information, press release and a photo as needed. Get your parents involved and note the event in parent/teacher newsletters. Place a display in the library promoting the event. A local newspaper might also be interested in a feature article, if approached early enough. For the success of your author event, it is important to generate excitement. (IDEA: Have a poster or story writing contest for the students and the winner(s) gets lunch with the author.)
- Make sure your library has plenty of Robert’s books.
- Prepare your students. Introduce students to the books. Read Robert’s books in class. Give related assignments, for instance: on space or space exploration or The Cold War period.
- Select the four workshops per day you want, determine your schedule for the day and fax or email this information to Robert by at least three weeks before your event date.
Get Set…
(1-2 weeks before)
- Prepare students for the author’s presentation. Have them write down the questions they’ll ask.
- Autographed books. Arrange to have Robert’s books available for purchase.
- Assign a Book Order Coordinator. Give them the coordinator’s instruction sheet.
- Distribute the book order forms for each student to classroom teachers to give out the day of the event.
- Advertise that the books will be available for sale and will be autographed. Remember, Robert depends on book sales in order to keep speaking fees within reach for most schools.
- Fax or e-mail Robert directions to your school.
- Make sure you have received the handout masters to be copied for the workshops. Copy handouts.
Go!
(Day of the event)
- Make sure your receptionist knows when the author will be arriving and where to direct him.
- Be sure the sound system (lapel microphone preferred) is ready and tested for the assembly.
- Have someone ready to introduce the author.
- Arrange for overhead projector (if needed for workshops selected) and whiteboard or chalkboard in the workshop room(s).
- Double-check that all handouts are copied and ready for each workshop group.
- Make sure teachers all have a copy of the day’s schedule and have the book order forms to pass out to their students.
- Let teachers know all students should bring paper and pencils. They should also plan to stay with their students during the entire assembly and workshops.
- Make sure the author has adequate time for breaks, a glass of water, lunch with students or teachers
- At day’s end make sure a check is ready for the author. Make out the check to Robert Elmer.
- If you enjoyed the experience, please feel free to write and say so. Or have students write!
What they’re saying about
Robert’s visit:
“You have a program you can be proud of.”
—Ardith Hunter, Meadow Ridge Public
Elementary, Mead, WA
“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, Kent, Washington
“We have had a lot of enthusiastic feedback concerning
your visit—particularly as to how well-geared toward kids it was.”
—Jill McPherson, Librarian, Dallas, Texas
“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, Fremont, California
“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,
Ohio
“I would like to express our appreciation for presenting
such a wonderful day of chapel, workshops and just plain FUN!”
—Bonnie Schroeder, Teacher, Ephrata, Washington
“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, Washington
“I know the students have been affected…perhaps
for a lifetime.”
—Cynthia
Kaczmarski, Teacher, Naperville,
Illinois
“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,
Illinois
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