One of my favorite parts of being a writer is sharing my books and stories with readers and aspiring writers of all ages. I have spoken to small and large groups at elementary and middle schools, public libraries, book fairs, educators' conferences, and writers' conferences, and have conducted numerous writing workshops.
My primary goal when visiting a school is to find the best way to reinforce what teachers are teaching. I love to hear teachers say, "That's just what we've been telling them!" (This usually has to do with the importance of revision.)
In the planning stages, I am always happy to incorporate suggestions from faculty. I customize each visit for each school.
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.
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.
Finding Your Inner Buffalo
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.
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?
A Book's Journey
Using my books as examples, we will look at the long journey a manuscript takes on its way to becoming a book. Beginning with an idea or concept, through first drafts and revision, to the editor's role, to reviews, and why some books end up on best-sellers lists and others end up on the remainder table.
The Message
I end each session by encouraging students to follow even their silliest, most impossible ideas and to remember how important it is to continue to try in the face of rejection.
Writing Workshop
This multi-day visit is available to all age groups, from second-graders through high school
Focus on:
Beginnings, Middles, and Ends
I'm Stuck: Now What?
Plot and Pacing
Cliché Busters: Using Fresh Language
Finding your Story in the Revision Process
What Is Voice?
My primary goal when visiting a school is to find the best way to reinforce what teachers are teaching. I love to hear teachers say, "That's just what we've been telling them!" (This usually has to do with the importance of revision.)
In the planning stages, I am always happy to incorporate suggestions from faculty. I customize each visit for each school.
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.
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.
Finding Your Inner Buffalo
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.
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?
A Book's Journey
Using my books as examples, we will look at the long journey a manuscript takes on its way to becoming a book. Beginning with an idea or concept, through first drafts and revision, to the editor's role, to reviews, and why some books end up on best-sellers lists and others end up on the remainder table.
The Message
I end each session by encouraging students to follow even their silliest, most impossible ideas and to remember how important it is to continue to try in the face of rejection.
Writing Workshop
This multi-day visit is available to all age groups, from second-graders through high school
Focus on:
Beginnings, Middles, and Ends
I'm Stuck: Now What?
Plot and Pacing
Cliché Busters: Using Fresh Language
Finding your Story in the Revision Process
What Is Voice?
School Visits
Books
School Visits
Books
Reviews
Adult Ed
References:
"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 tecniques. 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
"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 children were captivated by your reading of Bark and Tim. Your expressive delivery reflected your experience with young children. You were so patient and responsive to the children's creative comments. We hope to have you return."
--Joan Brown, director
Wesley Nursery School, Oakhurst, 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 tecniques. 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
"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 children were captivated by your reading of Bark and Tim. Your expressive delivery reflected your experience with young children. You were so patient and responsive to the children's creative comments. We hope to have you return."
--Joan Brown, director
Wesley Nursery School, Oakhurst, NJ
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Email audrey@audreyvernick.com for information on rates and availability.
It's hard not to make a face when you explain what cud-chewing is.