For Groups & Book Clubs
Scroll down for discussion topics & questions.
To request an in-person appearance, video chat, or phone call at your book club or group, please email me - [email protected]
For groups - I give the talks below (with plenty of humorous anecdotes),
or I can craft one to your specific group's interests.
General:
So, You Want To Write a Novel?** (Comprehensive overview of what you need to know)
Storytelling is as Old as Humans
Specific:
There Are Rules, But . . . (The Basics)
What is POV?*
Show & Tell Ends in Third Grade
Writing Dialogue That Crackles***
Beating a Dead Horse (Avoiding What's Been Done to Death)
Writing Interior Descriptions to Drastically Improve Your Book
But, How Do You Make it Funny?
Tying it All Together
Everyone Judges a Book by its Cover
For groups - I give the talks below (with plenty of humorous anecdotes),
or I can craft one to your specific group's interests.
General:
So, You Want To Write a Novel?** (Comprehensive overview of what you need to know)
Storytelling is as Old as Humans
Specific:
There Are Rules, But . . . (The Basics)
What is POV?*
Show & Tell Ends in Third Grade
Writing Dialogue That Crackles***
Beating a Dead Horse (Avoiding What's Been Done to Death)
Writing Interior Descriptions to Drastically Improve Your Book
But, How Do You Make it Funny?
Tying it All Together
Everyone Judges a Book by its Cover
*Testimonials/Comments from the January 11, 2020, 'What Is POV?' at the Alvin Sherman Library at Nova Southeastern University:
"Author was very informative, an expert, good at clarifying & teaching."
"Thorough coverage of POV - with lots of examples to practice."
"Well-prepared, highly relevant, well-presented."
"This content was critical for writing success."
**Testimonials/comments from the June 22nd, 2019 'So, You Want to Write a Novel?' presentation at the Key Largo Library:
"I learned more about writing in these two hours than at the conferences I've been to."
"It was so comprehensive and amazing. I was surprised to find out how little I know about publishing."
"It gave us so much to think about. Excellent."
***Testimonials/comments from the Jan. 12th, 2019 workshop at the Alvin Sherman Library at Nova Southeastern University:
"Excellent discussion. Many topics covered."
"Loved it!"
"Great!"
"Great topic and handout. Excellent information to apply to your writing."
"Very helpful."
"Exceptional!"
"Very informative & interactive. Thank you for allowing the time to self-reflect, listen, & apply. Also, thank you for the materials to take home & continue working."
"Author was very informative, an expert, good at clarifying & teaching."
"Thorough coverage of POV - with lots of examples to practice."
"Well-prepared, highly relevant, well-presented."
"This content was critical for writing success."
**Testimonials/comments from the June 22nd, 2019 'So, You Want to Write a Novel?' presentation at the Key Largo Library:
"I learned more about writing in these two hours than at the conferences I've been to."
"It was so comprehensive and amazing. I was surprised to find out how little I know about publishing."
"It gave us so much to think about. Excellent."
***Testimonials/comments from the Jan. 12th, 2019 workshop at the Alvin Sherman Library at Nova Southeastern University:
"Excellent discussion. Many topics covered."
"Loved it!"
"Great!"
"Great topic and handout. Excellent information to apply to your writing."
"Very helpful."
"Exceptional!"
"Very informative & interactive. Thank you for allowing the time to self-reflect, listen, & apply. Also, thank you for the materials to take home & continue working."
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Alias: Mitzi & Mack
Topics & Questions This story developed because of a conversation I overheard at a Century Village pool in West Palm Beach. Do older women really pay men for sex? Have you ever heard of a 'walker'? Do you believe that intense financial stress & pressure (and the humiliation it brings) can convince people that doing something illegal/immoral is okay? What were Stanley's & Shirley's alternatives? What prevented them from asking their children for help? Do you think that's unusual? Do you understand why Stanley made the decision he did to go with Catherine at the end? What happened to Shirley as their venture succeeded? What did she lose or gain? Who was your favorite character? Every character has a little of the author in them. Can you guess which character is most like the author? |
A Little Bit Sideways
Topics & Questions There are many ridiculous situations in the book, yet some of the stories needed zero exaggeration (sad to say). Can you guess which ones they might be? Which ones did you relate to the best? Surprisingly, an awful lot of research happens before writing some of these essays. I love non-fiction history books, because people never change. Did any of the essays make you want to do more research yourself? Learning to laugh at ourselves is a wonderful thing. Has this book helped you to realize there can be humor in awful situations? Has that helped? There are plenty of (as yet) untold stories involving me & my screwball family. I'll be happy to share some. :) |
Blinke It Away
Topics & Questions Dark secrets from a person's past can change everything. Was Jenny right to keep hers and not tell Bess the truth? How do you think Bess would have reacted, had she known? What about Bitsy? She knew. Why do you suppose she didn't say anything? Do you believe that Jenny had become the person Bess believed her to be? Bess Blinke is a haole, from florida. After a number of years on Oahu, she's been accepted by the locals. What are your thoughts about that? Does knowing the history of what was done to Queen Liliuokalani & the Hawaiian people change they way you see their attitudes toward haoles? Bess has no children of her own. Is it hard to believe that she's so good with Jenny's kids? What in her background helped her with that? |