PRIMARY SCHOOL
STORY WRITING WORKSHOPS
John Houghton

Information for teachers

What can you expect if you invite me to your school?

• An experienced writer and public speaker

I have written some thirty published books of fiction and nonfiction and I have been a storyteller and writer for most of my adult life. I am comfortable addressing small groups or many hundreds at a time, and I enjoy doing it.

• A stimulating and memorable time

My visits usually commence with a whole school or whole year group where I stride around in costume doing dramatised readings from my work. I then answer questions from the children. These sessions vary from 30 - 40 minutes, though I once had to do 2 hours! One teacher remarked kindly, 'Children should leave school with a store of inspiring experiences. Few will remember revising for SATS but they'll remember your visit for the rest of their lives!'

• Workshops that complement KS2 class work

My interactive storytelling and writing workshops are usually with one class at a time or with smaller groups of KS2 children, and they occupy a normal lesson period. I try to provide a lively, stimulating and fun session 'outside of the box' that will enhance pupils' writing experiences and storytelling abilities. To do this I weave some of the following elements into my workshops:

• Overcoming the blank page - a threat or an invitation? Mind maps and matrices.
• Using your imagination - where images come from - how to catch them.
• Finding a setting and bringing it life - creating authenticity - appealing to the six senses.
• Inspiration and perspiration - sources - self-discipline - practicalities.
• Creating believable characters - description through dialogue and direct observation - making characters three-dimensional.
• Storyboarding the plot - the importance of conflict and tension - introduction, interaction, climax, resolution - time & space - mythic structure.
• Finding the underlying theme - why write the story - moral and motive.
• Discovering your own style - learning from others - what makes you tick - unblocking your gift.

We explore these themes together by question and answer, simple exercises, visual aids, small group work and discussion.

My rates are at present a bit lower than those recommended by the Society of Authors.

For further information, details of availability and costs, and a booking form, please contact me.