Here are three examples of the many schools that I have been to. One in Swindon in England and two in the Rhondda in South Wales.
For teachers; Colin holds a current C.R.B. check.
I do a talk and workshop's!
The Talk - is approximately an hour.
1. I begin with talking about myself and how I started on the road to my writing career.
2. I integrate my short stories and the books I have written into the discussion. I also play act one of my short stories, 'in which I chase an ice-cube' and is an hilarious part of my session.
3. There is a Q&A session where students can ask me anything about writing and I can spend time answering and give them a chance to relay why they picked that question.
4. I explain how I begin writing a book, exploring narrative adding characters and dialogue. I also explain how I develop the character's and how I come up with character and place names.
5. I read a chapter from one of my books and afterwards I do a booksigning and sell the books to the children (normally the school buy copies too) and that finishes the talk.
Workshop's - are an hour a session.
Session 1:
It starts with a test I've developed, that the children enjoy. I have ten titles on cards that they have to identify and answer as quickly as possible on author's and book titles (a quick-fire round) which the children really have fun with, trying to answer first.
I get more indepth, explaining and exploring; Narrative, description, dialogue and pace. I also do a,'Minds Eye,' sketch.
I ask questions in the session and drop in a bit of humour to keep the interest. At the end of the workshop, I read a short story I've written especially for the workshop.
Session 2:
This part of the workshop is for the children to either carry on the story or write a completey new story on my title. I will coach them on their ideas and direction and some of them can read the story out in class. This ends the workshop.
-OR-
Session 2:
The Publishing World: An insight into the in's and out's of the publishing process. Explaining how to produce a manuscript and where to go from there.
My fee for the talk and the workshop is a total of £300.00+ travel expenses, depending on the distance. If your school has a small budget, why not get another primary school involved and share the expense of £400.00 total for the two schools in one day.
The talk and Workshop's lasts a day, but I could do one Primary School in the morning and one in the afternoon. There would then be only enough time for one talk or workshop in each school.
Reviews by schools
We thoroughly enjoyed the informative and entertaining assembly and workshop you gave. The assembly was both funny and exciting and really captured the pupils' imagination. It was a real roller coaster ride through the Wizards' Kingdom trilogy with a sharp turn into The Curious World of Shelley Vendor and short visits to Katie Hinge and Crank Tech One. Every pupil was inspired and engaged in you every word.
The Year 6 workshop was a perfect follow-up. They benefited from the in-depth discussion on writing fiction and interactive, thought provoking short story you read.
I know that the pupils have been influenced by your visit and your books we have in our library are evidently popular with them all. Thanks once again.
Mr Kyle Winter (English teacher) at Bryncethin Primary School April 23th 2009.
I also do talks in libraries, writing circles and institutes and I am part of the 'Writers on Tour,' scheme with Academi.