How To Get That Story Out!

Goal:

To encourage children to think of writing stories as a fun and satisfying activity, with emphasis on the fun part. Kate Duke introduces a few basic story-building rules, showing how their imaginations can be harnessed – but not damped – to make their narratives better.

Description:

Each presentation offers children an informal introduction to the creative writing process.

In her introduction , Ms. Duke talks about what it’s like to be an author and illustrator working on her own at home. She brings sketches, discarded illustrations, and manuscript rough drafts to show that everyone, even a “real” author or illustrator, can make mistakes before getting things right. For older grades (4 – 5), she also talks about being a shy child, and how she found her voice through writing and drawing when she was just about their age.

In the main part of her presentation, Ms. Duke draws at the easel, encouraging the audience to come up with ideas for interesting characters and solutions to plot problems.  The children are always extremely proud of the stories they come up with. Teachers may want to look at  her book Aunt Isabel Tells A Good One to see the outline she follows in moving from plot beginning to happy ending.

Handouts:

All the drawings are left with the school for use in follow-up activities such as thinking up a title, writing the words to go with the pictures, adding color, writing a sequel, imagining alternative endings.

Presenter:

Kate Duke, author and/or illustrator of 24 picture books since 1983.

Audience:

K through Grade Five; classroom or library setting. Preferred audience limit 70.

Fee:

$750 for four presentations; additional presentations $175 each.
$175 for a single presentation.