One of my favorite parts of being a writer is sharing my books and stories with readers and aspiring writers of all ages. I enjoy visiting schools and shining a light on the dark mysteries of writing and publishing.
Employing a variety of high-energy interactive programs, I speak about my own experiences, with a focus on where authors find their stories and where students might find theirs.
I have spoken to small and large groups at elementary and middle schools, public libraries, book fairs, educators' conferences, and writers' conferences. I also enjoy taking the writing workshop model I learned in college and graduate school and applying it to younger writers.
Prior to every visit, I work closely with the school to determine which talk/presentation/workshop would work best. I am always happy to incorporate suggestions from faculty. Employing a variety of high-energy interactive programs, I speak about my own experiences, with a focus on where authors find their stories and where students might find theirs.
I have spoken to small and large groups at elementary and middle schools, public libraries, book fairs, educators' conferences, and writers' conferences. I also enjoy taking the writing workshop model I learned in college and graduate school and applying it to younger writers.
A sampling of presentations I offer:
Stories
This is a broad overview, usually done in an auditorium/gym setting, for grades one through five. It includes everything from how I came to write the stories I have written to where students can find good ideas to turn into their own stories. I discuss the difference between writing fiction and nonfiction, and how good writing emerges from rewriting. This presentation always includes a question and answer session.
Everything You Need To Remember About Writing
This presentation, best suited to the older grades, is chock-full of the best writing advice I've learned in my decades as a professional writer. We'll discuss beginnings, middles and ends; what to do when writer's block strikes; plot and pacing; how to use fresh language and weed clichés out of your prose; and finding your story in the revision process.
Finding Your Inner Buffalo (for middle and high school)
Editors always say that voice is the most important element in a book. It's also one of the hardest things to define. Using the example of the buffalo books (Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? and Teach Your Buffalo To Play Drums), we will talk about how to experiment with voice, and how to know when you've found one that works.
Where's My Story?
Sometimes figuring out what story you want to tell can be a beginning writer's biggest challenge. Using my fiction and nonfiction picture books as examples, we will discuss where writers find their stories. We will look at the evolution of an idea from conception to completed project. I will reveal tricks for finding new ideas and story-starters.
The Truth About First Drafts
Anyone who has ever written anything wants to be told that his first draft is brilliant! It doesn't need a bit of work! It should be published immediately. But the truth is that a first draft is a first step. Great books emerge from revision, revision, and more revision. We will discuss a variety of approaches to the much-dreaded process of revision and try to answer the elusive question: How will I know when I'm done?
Writing Workshops
This smaller-group single or multi-day visit is available to students from third grade through high school. New in 2011-2012 school year: Schools may choose to add on follow-up Skype visits to allow for ongoing interaction and development.
School Visits
References:
"The lessons you taught our students are already surfacing in their writing. The teachers all loved the highlighting trick for revision. You were energetic, well-spoken and funny. The website has tons of information and teachers' guides which were very helpful to prepare for the visit. It was fantastic!"
--Laura Healy, media specialist
Randall Carter Elementary School, Wayne, NJ
"Thank you for providing such an authentic learning experience for my third-grade students. You have such a wonderful way with children! You were very receptive and provided the students with valuable insight on all the elements that go into creating and illustrating a book. Your visit has inspired my students to become better writers!"
--Christine Picerno, elementary gifted and talented teacher
Ocean Township School District, NJ
"I want to thank you for such a wonderful workshop. The students and staff alike were so impressed with your teaching style and knowledge. You really supplied us with so many excellent writing techniques. We wish you could have stayed for an entire day or two. I can't wait to try out some new ideas with my students in the classroom. No more boring beginnings or flat endings!"
--Susan March, fifth-grade teacher
Kingwood Township School, NJ
"The visit was fantastic. The presentation was organized, entertaining and informative. It was beneficial to give our input about what would be meaningful for our kids. The students learned to follow what you love and to revise!"
--Ellen Raupp, fourth-grade teacher
Hawes Elementary School, Ridgefield, NJ
"The students were encouraged to keep a journal, to never give up on an idea they love, to find the kind of books they enjoy reading, and to pay attention to a potentially good story...Mrs. Vernick is an excellent communicator."
--Colleen Muldowney, second-grade teacher
Fairview Elementary, Red Bank, NJ
"Mrs. Vernick met with children in grades preK-4 and kept all of them engaged and entertained. Teachers were impressed with her ability to keep the children focused and the fact that she reinforced everything our teachers present in their writing instruction ... Students loved the fact that inspiration can come from so many places."
--Lorri Ann Wahlgren, librarian
Wanamassa Elementary School, Wanamassa, NJ
"I wish we could bottle you and share you with all our students!"
--Karen Petillo, reading specialist
Wayside Elementary School, Wayside, NJ
"The lessons you taught our students are already surfacing in their writing. The teachers all loved the highlighting trick for revision. You were energetic, well-spoken and funny. The website has tons of information and teachers' guides which were very helpful to prepare for the visit. It was fantastic!"
--Laura Healy, media specialist
Randall Carter Elementary School, Wayne, NJ
"Thank you for providing such an authentic learning experience for my third-grade students. You have such a wonderful way with children! You were very receptive and provided the students with valuable insight on all the elements that go into creating and illustrating a book. Your visit has inspired my students to become better writers!"
--Christine Picerno, elementary gifted and talented teacher
Ocean Township School District, NJ
"I want to thank you for such a wonderful workshop. The students and staff alike were so impressed with your teaching style and knowledge. You really supplied us with so many excellent writing techniques. We wish you could have stayed for an entire day or two. I can't wait to try out some new ideas with my students in the classroom. No more boring beginnings or flat endings!"
--Susan March, fifth-grade teacher
Kingwood Township School, NJ
"The visit was fantastic. The presentation was organized, entertaining and informative. It was beneficial to give our input about what would be meaningful for our kids. The students learned to follow what you love and to revise!"
--Ellen Raupp, fourth-grade teacher
Hawes Elementary School, Ridgefield, NJ
"The students were encouraged to keep a journal, to never give up on an idea they love, to find the kind of books they enjoy reading, and to pay attention to a potentially good story...Mrs. Vernick is an excellent communicator."
--Colleen Muldowney, second-grade teacher
Fairview Elementary, Red Bank, NJ
"Mrs. Vernick met with children in grades preK-4 and kept all of them engaged and entertained. Teachers were impressed with her ability to keep the children focused and the fact that she reinforced everything our teachers present in their writing instruction ... Students loved the fact that inspiration can come from so many places."
--Lorri Ann Wahlgren, librarian
Wanamassa Elementary School, Wanamassa, NJ
"I wish we could bottle you and share you with all our students!"
--Karen Petillo, reading specialist
Wayside Elementary School, Wayside, NJ
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Email audrey@audreyvernick.com for information on rates and availability.
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Click the picture to view video coverage of a visit to the Village Charter School in Trenton, NJ