Previous Page | Registration Form | Site Map | Next Page

Workshop Descriptions & Instructors


Marilyn Abildskov
Mary Allen
Kate Aspengren
Thomas Fox Averill
Nancy K.Barry
Timothy Bascom
Kyle Beachy
Karen Bender
Linda Bendorf
Maudy Benz
Venise Berry
Bruce Bond
David Bouchier
Michael Dennis Browne
Maggie Conroy
Mary Cross

Thomas K. Dean
Amber Dermont
Janet Desaulniers
Kelly Dwyer
Hope Edelman
Josh Emmons
Jill Esbaum
Sarah Fay
Hugh Ferrer
Katie Ford
Geoffrey Forsyth
Cecile Goding
Douglas Goetsch
Sands Hall
Christine Hemp
Jim Heynen
Rick Hillis
Charles Holdefer
Richard Jackson
Rebecca Johns
Cheryl Fusco Johnson
Wayne Johnson
Daniel Khalastchi
Carolyn Lieberg
BK Loren
Peter Markus
Fritz Mc Donald
James McKean
Gordon Mennenga
Sharelle Byars Moranville
Michael Morse
Barbara Robinette Moss
Marc Nieson
Shannon Olson
Diana Ossana
Lon Otto
Juliet Patterson
Kiki Petrosino
Mark Jude Poirier
Leslie Carol Roberts
Anjali Sachdeva
Sarah Saffian
Sam Samuels
Sandra Scofield
Mary Kay Shanley
Robert Anthony Siegel
Carol Spindel
Karen Subach
Mary Vermillion
Kris Vervaecke
Ashley Warlick
Michelle Wildgen
Bart Yates

Cheryl Fusco Johnson

Transforming Memories into Children’s Stories: Beginning Writers at Play
Weekend Workshop
June 13–14

Children’s Writers Workout
Weekend Workshop
July 18–19

Biography

 

 

 

 

Transforming Memories into Children’s Stories: Beginning Writers at Play
Weekend Workshop
June 13–14

“Just go in the right direction and the trees, insects, clouds, bricks of buildings will make a minute turning with you and salute you.”—Natalie Goldberg, Old Friend from Far Away: The Practice of Writing Memoir.

“Make a bit of effort,” author and writing teacher Natalie Goldberg advises. “It doesn’t have to be enormous.” In this beginners’ level class, we’ll explore two genres, adult memoir and children’s fiction. First we’ll practice blasting through writers block by tapping our vast reservoir of memories. Then we’ll discuss how to transform these written recollections into literature for children and teens. Non-threatening in-class and overnight writing exercises will provide practice in shaping memories into stories for young people. We’ll briefly discuss characteristics of different genres: memoirs, picture books, easy readers, and middle grade and young adult novels. No advance preparation is required. We’ll conclude the session with goal setting, networking, and marketing tips. Handouts include guidelines on formatting manuscripts, sample cover and query letters, genre descriptions, a booklist, and pertinent website addresses.

Children’s Writers Workout
Weekend Workshop
July 18–19

“Daring to write is more satisfying than ducking that risk.”
—Ralph Keyes, The Courage to Write

Kindle your creativity by indulging in a lively weekend of reading and writing. We’ll read excerpts from children’s and young adult classics and from new favorites, including published work by former Iowa Summer Writing Festival students. Guided by class interest, we’ll discuss many genres, including both fiction and nonfiction and ranging from picture books and easy readers to middle grade and young adult novels. As we read, we’ll identify and practice specific writing techniques. Students will receive in-class and overnight writing exercises. These non-threatening, one-page workouts will cover topics students choose, such as character development, dialogue, point-of-view, imagery, theme, voice, setting, and tone. No advance preparation is required. Expect to write a lot, to enjoy writing, and to take home fresh story ideas plus the renewed courage to pursue them. We’ll conclude with goal setting, networking, and marketing tips. Handouts include guidelines on formatting manuscripts, sample cover and query letters, genre descriptions, a booklist, and pertinent website addresses.

Biography
“For nurturing many writers who have gone on to success in children’s literature,” Cheryl Fusco Johnson (J.D., University of Washington School of Law) received the 2004 Outstanding Service Award from Iowa’s Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Her students have won fiction contests, writing grants, and contracts from major book publishers. Cheryl’s writing has appeared in The Writer, Cricket, Highlights for Children and other publications. She currently writes a fitness column for The Iowa Source.



 

 

Site Map | Welcome | Workshops by Session Date | Workshops by Instructor
Workshops by Genre | Registration & Housing Information | Registration Form

Sponsored by the Division of Continuing Education
Iowa Summer Writing Festival
C215 Seashore Hall
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone 319-335-4160
FAX 319-335-4743
iswfestival@uiowa.edu

Last updated on February 10, 2009