I love teaching!

Learn from the masters! We’ll explore and play with formats, voice, characters, plots, and themes of picture books. When every word counts, what do you cut? When should you rhyme? How do you revise? Bring your questions and your favorite picture books for this inspiring, quick-paced time to play!

Writing for children is not  for hares. It takes time! Pull on your running shorts and stretch yourself. Shorten your learning curve and get in the race with this inside information. These tips on writing, revising, and submitting children’s manuscripts will boost tortoises out of the slush and back on track toward the finish line.

“Where do you get your ideas?” Finding your own answers to this near-cliché question asked of authors is more important than most people imagine. You'll fill your Mason jar of ideas inspired from memories, emotions, and imagination. It's time to catch, choose, and refine your best ideas before they flit away!

Is your desire to write  a nagging regret? Do you say you’re too old, too young, don’t have time, or don’t know where to begin? Once you learn to navigate the creative process, you’ll finally have a chance to get out of your own way. Get past doubts and fears, and turn that paralyzing inner critic into a supportive inner creativity coach.

Writers are magicians. We pull rabbits out of hats, heroes from certain death, and stories out of thin air. Amaze yourself as new manuscripts appear or works-in-progress transform before your very eyes. Learn “tricks” to add tension in your manuscripts and “tips” to reduce tension 

in your writing life. Magic wands included!

For published authors to present successful school visits, there are specific skills to master that will make your visit more enjoyable for your audience and especially for you! Design your school visit with a good TIME in mind: Teach, Inspire, Manage, and Evaluate. Master these aspects, and your visit will be a success.