Writing Stories for Children

Workshop One: Writing Stories for Children

A Two-part Interactive Course
With Award-winning UK Author Alan Durant

Venue:  Soulistic Expressions, Melville Johannesburg (See www.soulisticexpressions.co.za )

Date: Tuesday 9 October 2018
Time: 10:00 – 15:00
Cost:  R300 SCBWI members, R700 non-members (per workshop)
RSVP: To Jenny at SCBWI.SA.Gauteng@mweb.co.za

About the event: This workshop is the first of two. The second workshop will be held in February 2019 and will give participants the opportunity to discuss work-in-progress. (It is possible to attend one or both workshops.)

 Whether you want to write picture books, middle grade stories or young adult fiction, for yourself, your own children or relatives, or for publication, this workshop with award-winning UK author Alan Durant will explore some of the key techniques and considerations involved. Characterisation, voice, language, style, plot and more will be covered in this fun, practical and informative workshop, suitable for writers of all levels, providing plenty of opportunities for writing and discussion. Book now!

Tutor profile
Alan Durant is an award-winning author of one hundred books for children – from picture books to young adult novels. His titles include Billy Monster’s Daymare, winner of the Royal Mail Scottish Children’s Book Award, Burger Boy, Angus Rides the Goods Train, Always and Forever, Dear Father Christmas, Game Boy and Blood. Alan is an experienced writing tutor, who has run many workshops for children and adults around the world. Find out more on his website, www.alandurant.co.uk More about Alan…
http://www.alandurant.co.uk/discover.html
http://www.alandurant.co.uk/mybooks.html

Bring your writing, illustration to share with participants and for feedback.

This event is for illustrators and writers.

Storytelling in an envelope facilitated by Joan Rankin

Venue: Johannesburg (address to be sent to respondents)

Date: Tuesday 17 March 2015

Time: 10:00 - 14:30

Cost: R80 SCBWI members, R160 non-members

RSVP: By 13 March to Jenny at SCBWI.SA.Gauteng@mweb.co.za

This workshop will explore the use of an envelope and a postcard to tell a story. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore your creativity. The workshop is for illustrators and writers.

A light lunch will be provided. Numbers are limited to 10. Please book early.

Writing for the child and adolescent markets

A one-day romp through the basics of character, setting, description, plot, theme and genre – from idea generation to development and shaping. Suitable for beginners and experienced writers of child and adolescent literature as well as illustrators who would like to write text as well or who would just like more insight into the writer’s process.

Donna Wyckoff-Wheeler will facilitate the workshop.

Venue: Randburg Ridge (address will be sent to respondents)

Date: Friday 9 May 2014

Time: 9:30 for 10:00 (finishing by 15:00)

Cost: R100 SCBWI members, R200 non-members

RSVP: By 5 May to Jenny at SCBWI.SA.Gauteng@mweb.co.za

Dr Donna Wyckoff-Wheeler, who offers courses in writing, is an alumnus of the Ohio State University, where she specialised in Applied English, folklore and narrative studies.

Illustrators and Writers Retreat in Gauteng

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) (Gauteng Branch) will be holding a Retreat at a secluded venue in Gauteng on the theme:

CREATE, DEVELOP, REVIEW ...

The Retreat will be led by two established practitioners:
Joan Rankin (illustrator) and Donna-Wyckhoff Wheeler (writing specialist)

The workshops and discussions will cover topics such as plotting, characterisation and setting, giving you an opportunity to take a fresh look at your craft in the light of stimulating discussion.

WRITING COURSE

WRITING FOR CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MARKETS. (7 Weeks: 3 February – 17 March.)

This module will deal with reading and analysis, writing practice, and marketing opportunities in the basic genres of children’s literature: picture books, poetry, fiction and non-fiction.

A letter from Hans Wilhelm (Writer of children's books)

Dear fellow writer and illustrator: When I started to write and illustrate children’s books some 30 years ago I knew very little about it. I had just arrived to America and had not heard about SCBWI. However, I was fortunate to have met some wonderful successful children’s book authors and illustrators who guided and helped me through my first struggling years. I am deeply grateful to these incredible artists for having shared their knowledge and time with me. Today it is my great pleasure to pass my own experiences and observations on to others in lectures and workshops around the world.

Judy's Writing course

Aspirant writers might enjoy this online writing course.

Writing for child and adolescent markets

Dr Donna Wyckoff-Wheeler will offer a 7-week module on WRITING FOR CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MARKETS.

On-line writing course by Janie Oosthuysen at Skryfgeheime.co.za

Skryfgeheime - van idee tot publikasie - for more information see www.skryfgeheime.co.za

SCBWI Writing Course

Reviva Schermbrucker facilitated a wonderful writing course for Gauteng writers in March 2008.

Reviva Schermbrucker

Reviva Schermbrucker will be presenting a Writing Course in Johannesburg from 10 to 14 March 2008. See right-hand side for course details and how to register. Born in Israel in 1954, Reviva arrived with her family in South Africa aged 5 and a half. Reviva became a South African in Johannesburg in the 60’s. After matriculating, she attended WITS (the University of Witwatersrand) and began a Fine Art degree. She completed her undergraduate degree in Philadelphia ,USA and followed it up with a Masters in Fine Art from the University of Wisconsin. She returned to South Africa to a life in Cape Town, married to Peter. Before and in between raising their two sons, she taught art at what was then known as the Cape Technikon and at various schools. But teaching has always been a second choice. Her real passion is making books. Her first foray into children’s books was as a writer. Charlie’s House ( Songololo Books, David Philip) was illustrated by Niki Daly and first appeared in 1989. A Child’s Garden (Tafelberg, 1992) is a practical book with a dual audience. It is chock full of fanciful ideas to be experienced in the garden by both children and their parents. Reviva worked as a materials developer for ELRU (the Early learning Resource Unit) for 10 years producing children’s picture books and readers - including some that fit into matchboxes! (The Matchbox Library) - picture packs, an unique set of alphabet cards (Ah Bekutheni?), innovative games including updated card games (Snap! and Happy Families in South Africa) and a foundation phase numeracy kit (We all count!), award-winning posters and even the lyrics for a musical tape. Cindy ( ELRU, 2001)is one of the five books in the Keteka series of readers which gives voice to actual children living in situations or communities which rarely make it into the world of children’s books. Am I a Lion that Eats People? ( ELRU, 2004) is one of four books in the Mielie Book series which addresses tough issues such as poverty, prejudice and stereotyping in fresh and child-friendly ways. Lucky Fish! ( Jacana, 2003) is a full-length novel for teenagers and adults based on fact. It is set in Johannesburg during the 1960s, and is told by a 13-year old boy named Steven whose parents, Ivor and Lucy, become political prisoners. Alongside her work for NGO’s and educational publishers such as ELRU, PRAESA (Project for Alternative Education in South Africa) Maskew Miller Longman, Shooter and Shuter etc.– what she calls her ‘bread and butter work’-- Reviva has continued to write and illustrate children’s picture books for the general market The Jam Tin and the Teacup ( Songololo Books, New Africa Books, 2002) follows the conversation between an endearing orangutan that emerges from the label of a jam tin (APE !– ricot) and a rather uppity damsel who is painted on the side of a porcelain teacup. An African Christmas Cloth, an advent calendar for children in Calendar form, was published by Jacana in 2005. The works above are a sample of all she has produced. There is a novella for newly literate adults, a number of teachers’ guides and a whole lot of early readers. As Reviva says, “One has to keep producing in this field if one is to keep the wolf from the door.”

Write a Children's Book

Are you tired of reading predictable stories to the children in your life and think you could do better? Do you have a great idea for an engaging picture book? Do you want to be the next Dr. Seuss, Eoin Colfer or J.K. Rowling? This practical, interactive course is designed to help you turn your great idea for a children’s book into a reality.

Run over four Saturday mornings in November from 9am - 1pm at Sasani Studios, Highlands North, Joburg, Write a Children’s Book will be led by two highly experienced South African children’s authors and editors, Linda Weber and Darrel Bristow-Bovey. Numbers are limited, to ensure individual attention, and the total cost is R2,800.

Write a Children’s Book will cover the specific challenges of writing for children as opposed to adults and examine such topics as: issues of plotting; how to speak to your readers (rather than at them or down to them); the importance of character and, above all, the importance of not being boring!

It will also include a session with a children’s book illustrator plus a Meet the Publishers session, where you can hear directly from children's book publishers what they look for in a manuscript, how to present your ideas and how they approach and market children's literature.

A course overview, tutor biogs and registration details can be found on www.creativeindustry.co.za

For further information contact:

Fiona Walsh on 072 298 7736 or email fiona@creativeindustry.co.za

Courses for writers

Are you interested in attending a course for writers. We could make up a group of children's writers and aspiring writers and invite a course leader to spend three to five mornings with us. Express your opinion. What do you think? Here are some possibilities: Reviva Schermbrucker - (based in Cape Town - could travel) writer of "Lucky fish" Dianne Stewart - (teaches writing in the Durban area) Dorian Haarhof - (based in Somerset West, prepared to travel) Maren Bodenstein - (based in Gauteng) The Write Co -(based in Sandton, Gauteng, offers a wide range of courses)www.itsallwrite.net