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I Don't Want to Write About That!
Suggested grade level: Third
through sixth
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| I Don't Want to Write About That uses story and
slides to explain the meaning of the expression "write what you know." In it I
describe how I came to write my first book, My Life Among
the Aliens, and then focus on how I worked personal experiences into the
later book. The slide show can be followed by a brainstorming session regarding events in
the students' lives that could be used in a story. The
presentation ends with a question and answer period. |
 
Sample slides from "I Don't
Want to Write About That!"
Slides are in PowerPoint format. Sponsoring agencies
interested in PowerPoint presentation will need to provide and setup a computer with CD
drive and a PowerPoint Projector. |
From Idea To Story
Suggested grade level: One through
three
|
 
Sample slides from "From Idea To Story"
Slides are in PowerPoint format. Sponsoring
agencies interested in PowerPoint presentation will need to provide and setup a computer
with CD drive and a PowerPoint Projector. |
From
Idea to Story uses slides and readings to introduce the concepts of
setting, character, and plot to younger students. In this presentation I describe how I
moved from my original idea for the book A Girl, a Boy, and
a Monster Cat to the final product. Emphasis is placed on how setting,
character, and plot changed as the story evolved. Students are encouraged to focus on
setting, character, and plot when revising their own work. The
presentation ends with a question and answer period. |
 | Other types of presentations: I would be
happy to discuss customizing a presentation to your needs, including:
 | Adapting presentations to other grade levels |
| Writer-in-residence programs |
| Book fair appearances |
| Library readings |
| Book group appearances |
| Teacher presentations
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| Length of presentations: Forty-five minutes
to an hour
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| Number of presentations: Up to five a day at
one site
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| Selling books: Sponsoring organizations are
welcome to contact G. P. Putnam about
selling books. Book signings can be worked into the day's activities.
|
| Locations: I am available in New England and
eastern New York.
|
| Fees: Please contact
me for information about fees. |
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Special
Events:
| Reader, Read Across America Day,
The Friendship School, Waterford, Connecticut |
| Featured Author, Kids Heart Authors
Day, Bank Square Books, Mystic, Connecticut |
| On-line discussion, McArthur Public
Library, Biddeford, Maine |
| On-line Q&A, Mount Mansfield
Union High School, Jericho, Vermont |
| Participating Author, Author Fest,
Massachusetts School Library Association |
| Speaker, Author Luncheon, Greater
Waterbury/Naugatuck American Association of University Women |
| Presenter, New York State
Association of Comprehensive Educators Regional Conference |
| Presenter, NESCBWI Whispering Pines
Writers' Retreat |
| Presenter, Leave 'em Laughing:
Humor in Children's and YA Literature, The New England Roundtable of Teen and Children's
Librarians Conference |
| Presenter and Keynote Speaker,
"Celebration for Young Writers" seminar, Litchfield, Connecticut. |
| Session Leader, "Goals and
Objectives Workshop", Student and Teacher Writing Conference, University of
Connecticut/Connecticut Writing Project. |
| Facilitator, enrichment cluster,
"Playing With Ideas: How Authors Get Started," Marlborough Elementary School |
| Session Leader, "Free-writing
Workshop," Student and Teacher Writing Conference, University of
Connecticut/Connecticut Writing Project. |
| Presenter, Connecticut
Children’s Book Fair, University of Connecticut |
| Reader and book signing,
"Connecticut Loves to Read Day," Enfield, Connecticut. |
| Author Presentation, "Boats,
Books, Brushes with Taste," New London, Connecticut. |
General
Author Talks:
| Benjamin Phelps School, Agawam, Massachusetts |
| Ellen P. Hubbell School, Bristol, Connecticut |
| Ivy Drive School, Bristol, Connecticut |
| Jack Jackter Elementary School, Colchester, Connecticut |
| Edna C. Stevens School, Cromwell, Connecticut |
| East Hampton Public Library, East Hampton, Connecticut |
| Welles-Turner Library, Glastonbury, Connecticut |
| Ridge Hill School, Hamden, Connecticut |
| J. Milton Jeffrey Elementary School, Madison, Connecticut |
| Annie Vinton School, Mansfield, Connecticut |
| John F. Kennedy School, Milford, Connecticut |
| Milton Junior/Senior High School, Milton, Vermont |
| Lucy Robbins Wells Library, Newington, Connecticut |
| Salem Public Library, Salem, Massachusetts |
| Central School, Simsbury, Connecticut |
| Parker Memorial School, Tolland, Connecticut |
| Daniels Farm School, Trumbull, Connecticut |
| Frenchtown Elementary School, Trumbull, Connecticut |
| Jane Ryan Elementary School, Trumbull, Connecticut |
| Woodbridge Town Library, Woodbridge, Connecticut |
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