I am available to speak to
students in grades 1-12 and adults . When speaking to children, I prefer groups of no more than 75 students, but I can make accommodations for larger groups. Following is a description of my basic presentation. For information about other programs,
click here or scroll down.
Much of who I am as a person and an author is rooted in my upbringing as the first-born child of Italian immigrants. In this presentation, I discuss how my background and life experiences influence my writing. I also describe my roundabout route to becoming a published author, emphasizing the importance of both reading and writing in accomplishing career goals, whatever they may be. I typically use PowerPoint or overhead slides to show some of the milestones (and humorous events) along my path to publication. This presentation lasts 45 minutes to one hour, including time for questions. I am willing to do up to four presentations in one day.
"Worms, Pens, and Butterflies" is best suited to grades 3-6. Contact me for information regarding programs for younger or older audiences.
To read what educators and attendees have to say about my presentations,
click here.
I love to teach almost as much as I love to write. Here I am presenting a workshop at the Annual Illinois Young Authors Conference.I am also available to present writing workshops based on classes I have taught, and I will tailor my talks to the audience's needs. (For example, I often incorporate the
6 + 1 Traits of Writing.) In my children's workshops, I use games and group activities to "make writing fun." Here are some sample topics:
Re-Visioning—Seeing with "Fresh Eyes": describes the many revisions
Rosa, Sola went through prior to publication and presents specific techniques to help students "re-vision" their own writing.
Transforming Life Into Fiction: explains how I fictionalized people, places, and events from my childhood to write
Rosa, Sola. Students practice transforming their own real-life experiences into fiction.
Young Author's Workshop: presents techniques for generating ideas, developing characters, creating plot, and describing setting.
Markets for Young Writers: provides a step-by-step process for submitting work, along with tips for finding markets open to students in grades 3-12. (For links to writing tips and market information for young authors, be sure to visit the
For Writers page.)
My adult classes include:
Writing for Children
Transforming Life into Fiction
Writing with Feeling
Point of View—Getting it Right!
Writing with Prompts—Jump-Start Your Writing
For photographs and descriptions of past presentations, see the
News page.
"Thanks again, Carmela, for a wonderful presentation. . . . You are a terrific author, but I hope you know that you are a wonderful teacher and motivator as well.”
—Gail Hilmer,
Addison Public Library
"Many thanks for an outstanding two hours chock-full of valuable information for our creative writing group. . . . In the words of the students, ‘It was awesome and informative!’ ”
—Paulette Goodman,
Kennedy Junior High School, Lisle, IL
"Your interactive presentation was inspiring and entertaining. . . . The afternoon workshops were especially helpful. Students enjoyed the writing exercises, and your concrete tips were just what was needed . . . ”
—Beth Cushing,
Mary, Seat of Wisdom School, Park Ridge, IL
"I enjoyed the workshop very much. It also taught me how to write better stories. I learned a lot on how to improve my writing for now and the future. Now I have more ideas for stories in the future."
—Brian M, Grade 6
"Thank you for coming to my school and teaching us about writing. I loved your presentation and your book. You have inspired me to write more."
—Amber A, Grade 6
"I learned a lot about writing. I have always wanted to be a writer myself, except I write poems. You helped by encouraging me, and telling me that I could do it!"
—Michele F, Grade 6
"I really liked how you took time to answer our questions about the book and tell us about yourself. I also enjoyed listening to your presentation about your personal life and your public life. When you were here I learned how hard it is to become an author and how many steps it takes to actually publish a book."
—Shannon, Grade 6
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