| SCHOOL VISITS
Cindy loves speaking to children and sharing her vast knowledge of the publishing world. Her high-energy presentations are fun, interactive, varied and tailored age groups and your needs.
Cindy can provide presentations on the publishing process, developing story ideas, characterization, plot, dialogue, setting, storytelling, creating a page turner and more!
Cindy is available for full-day classroom workshops or assemblies, teacher in-services, mentoring students interested in creative writing, and evening events. Some presentation options include:
HIDE AND SEEK (Grades 2-6)
· Where do ideas come from?
· How to find, create and develop a good character
· How to find and cultivate conflict
· Surprise Box of Writer Props and other Treats
· Q & A
· Autographed bookmarks to distribute
TO MARKET TO MARKET (Grades 2-8)
· Interactive, engaging overview of the writing process from start to finish
· Cindy shares manuscripts and book galleys with illustrations at various stages in publishing
· Cindy reads from several books, showing fun, concrete examples of:
o How to get a reader’s attention
o Characterization
o Setting
o Using sensory detail
· Review of the editorial process
· Why writing is important, regardless of your career choice
· An inside look at how a working author experiments with narrative and shapes words, rhymes, concepts, and plots to create reader satisfaction
· Ten Tips to Being a Top-Notch Writer
· Q & A
· Autographed bookmarks to distribute
SHOW AND TELL (K-2)
· A fun, engaging, introductory workshop that gets children excited about the world of books and writing. Cindy starts out by gathering with children on the floor and reading an interactive story.
o Where do ideas come from?
o Introduction to Schnooksie – the puppet
o Schnookercize: Rhyme, rhythm and movement
o Overview of reading, writing and books through interactive games and exercises
C.A.T.C.H. Creating A Terrific Character Hook
· A fun, upbeat overview of characters and why they are so important to your story
o Creating characters the reader cares about and remembers
o Creating characters that are unique and special
o Creating characters that work for your story
o Creating characters that advance your story forward
STORY WRITING – A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
Are you in a pickle about how to construct a good story? Does your happily-ever-after seem like long ago and far away? Cindy will provide you with a mouth-watering recipe for success that will have your readers sitting up and begging for seconds!
· Whisk away burned-out ideas!
· Spice up words that feel stale!
· Whet the appetites of your readers with attention-getting openers
· Smother your pages with inviting characters, appealing settings and tempting conflicts
· Heat up a buffet of enticing conflicts and plots
· Exercise your editing by trimming the fat and cutting unnecessary word calories
· Garnish your pages with visual imagery to arouse the most discernable pallets
· Participants will cook up some work and allow others to sample what they’ve done!
HOW TO DRIVE WITHOUT A MAP – OR HOW NOT TO BE A GOOD WRITER!
(Middle School & High School)
· Fun, zany overview of the writing process
· Interactive presentation on how to find ideas, write page turners, re-write & edit
· A glimpse into the submission and publishing processes
· The importance of pursuing perseverance
· Cindy shares childhood & personal experiences that contributed toward becoming a writer so students can see how their own life experiences plays a role in what they write and who they become
· Tips and techniques for organization and good writing
· Full of activities that spurs participation
· Teachers are provided with worksheets and tips for future exercises
ONCE UPON A TIME – A VIRTUAL WRITER VISIT (Any ages)
· Terrific option for schools wanting to bring Cindy into the classroom!
· Inside peek into the writer’s life, filled with fun facts & behind the scene information
· Overview of the writing process
· Excellent exercises to fuel imagination and provide great information
· You will need a projector, screen, computer with camera, internet connection to make calls through Skype
· Teachers emailed with hands-on information and worksheets
ABC’s OF PERFECT POETRY
· Fun, interactive presentation with lively recitations, fingerplays and action rhymes
· Students learn poetry terms, techniques, meter and voice
· Students are inspired and infused with enthusiasm for creating poetry of their own
· Fundamentals of rhythm and rhyme
· Students have an opportunity to imagine, create and perform
THE ABC’S OF DEVELOPING YOUNG WRITERS (For teachers)
· In-depth look at writing using overheads, props and movement
· Cindy works with teachers on ways to help students with all facets of writing
· Cindy provides interactive elements and exercises for story creation, character development, setting, conflict, dialogue and plot.
· Cindy provides insights into how to encourage, inspire, help students revise and edit their work
THE STORY BEHIND THE STORIES – MEET THE AUTHOR (All Grades)
· Give students an opportunity to know that becoming an author is within reach
· Kids see how life experiences influence writing, attitude and perseverance
· A shared story written at their age
· Overview of the writing process, submitting to publishers, rejections and more
· Q & A
ALL PRESENTATIONS RECEIVE:
· A glimpse into submission and publishing processes
· Why writing is important, regardless of career choice
· Question & Answer Session
· Autographed bookmarks to distribute
· Teacher worksheets and tips for future exercises
· Order form for purchasing books
· Many options tailored to your needs!
What Educators and Students Say:
Cindy has an amazing flair for making books come alive! You sparked imaginations and inspired my students!
Agnes Busfield, 3rd Grade Teacher
The kids were absolutely captivated. We all appreciated Cindy’s visit!
Marion Thompson, Librarian
Cindy was personable and fun! These kids are really jazzed about writing now!
David Harmon, High School Teacher
A well-paced presentation with age-appropriate activities these kids won’t forget! The best author visit we’ve ever had!
Betty Maglio, Teacher
Just awesome! Engaging, informative and hands-down the best speaker in children’s writing!
Sue Kastlenga, 4th Grade Teacher
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