It would be an honor for me to come to your school and do a CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP. My program is interactive and aims to educate, inspire, and entertain the students. The following is an overview of my full day program; although I am willing to customize any part of it in order to meet the needs of your students, teachers, or curriculum.

I start by reading my new book BeBa and the Curious Creature Catchers. The size of the group may vary although works best when limited to 100 students at a time. The session is about 45 minutes long. I ask the students and teachers to sit according to class. After reading the book and answering questions, I break the group into smaller groups in order to brainstorm. BeBa and the Curious Creature Catchers is about a zebroose (a moose who looks like a zebra). The kids brainstorm new animals such as turmingos (turtle and flamingo), snorses (snake with horse head), and snunkeys (a snake and a monkey). This is a wildly fun activity for everyone and really always the creativity to flow. I also remind the students that a writer does not have to be an illustrator to produce a children's book. And an illustrator does not have to be a writer in order to produce children's book illustrations. I emphasize the benefits of team work, developing personal talents, and focusing on ambition.

In the afternoon, I spend 30 minutes in selected classrooms creating new BeBa stories. I teach the formula that I use for my stories, i.e. main character, setting, plot, solutions, and title (always using alliterations). We brainstorm a new BeBa outline using a character that the students create. I emphasize “showing” not “telling,” action verbs, and the importance of word selection.

If you are interested in having me come to your school, please give me a call.

(877) 836-1579 or Lydia@laffinminorpress.com

Art Copyright ©2006 Stephanie Lostimolo
Text Copyright ©2006 Lydia Griffin
BeBa™ is a Trademark of Laffin Minor Press.