NaNoWroMo starts November 1st

I am participating again this year in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). This is a one-month (30-day) writing challenge to write a 50K word novel in 30 days. That is about 1700 words per day. I hope to finish my second novel in a series I am writing. At the same time, I have a grad paper to write for my course. Together, they should come out to about 50K.

I am also the ML (Municipal Liaison) or rather co-ML for Montreal. That means I am here to help Montreal writers get together and enjoy their NaNoWriMo experience. I will be hosting a write-in every Sunday from 10am to 1pm at Concordia Vanier Library, third floor, room 301-22. I hope folks come out. These will be happening in October too in order to help folks prepare for NaNoWriMo.

Write-ins
Sundays in November
10am-1pm
Concordia Vanier Library (7141 Sherbrooke St. W., H4B 1R6)

Young Writers Program

I am ready and very excited to start a new year for the Young Writers Program. This is a program for students grades 4-6, but also for high school.


This is a great opportunity for students to improve reading comprehension, spelling, and grammar. Students learn all this as they learn how to write a short story (novel) and see it through the editing and publishing processes. They gain confidence as writers and reader, but also gain social confidence as leaders of their stories. They interview editors and artists, engage media and venues, and develop poise and public speaking as they host their own book launch for the anthology they will publish at the end of the school year. 

Contact me for more details or press your school to have me offer the program where your child already studies.

Words and Art

Writing is just art put into word form. I happen to love both genres and try to incorporate a bit of both in every project or class that I do.

Try taking a single word or theme (Frustration, Passion, Loss, Beauty, etc.) and paint, draw, sculpt something that embodies that word. What colors, textures, patterns, images would you incorporate? Would you use a heavy or light hand? Can you write a sentence that captures and moves the reader to feel/see/know that theme without using the word in the sentence? Can you describe the theme in a paragraph? Maybe find a poem or a scene from a book and create that in picture form.

Here is a poem I really like: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44272/the-road-not-taken

How about going the other way?

Find a painting, drawing, sculpture that is interesting. What is it that is interesting? What does it evoke from you? What does it make you think of or how does it make you feel? Write a page describing the image. Narrow down and write just a paragraph. Can you capture the essential feeling in a singe sentence? If you had to choose a single word as the theme of the image, what would that word be?

Here is a picture I happen to really like:

Wards and art go hand-in-hand. In fact, words are literally just another form of art. If you like calligraphy, words can BECOME art. Here is a calligraphic example and a graffiti example:

Summer Schedule 2017

We are coming into summer. Are you ready? It is important to have your child evaluated early so you know what to work on before their last report cards. It is important to know their strengths and what they are struggling with or what they need to improve on over the summer.

We host evaluation exams and and specialize in English Language Arts: improving grammar, vocabulary, reading and writing in English. Our best program is the Young Writers Program which applies all our tutoring knowledge but with the focus of teaching children and teens to write a story from the planning phase to the editing phase (skills they can use in any field of study). The end result is publication in an anthology, learning the publishing process and marketing themselves as they host their own book launch! Life skills that stay with them forever.

Let us know what interest you. or what your needs are.

Exam practice and evaluation:
$100 (by appointment)

English Summer Program:
$50/ half-day (3-hrs 9am-12pm or 1-4pm)
4 days per week (Monday thru Thursday)
2 week sessions:
- July 3-13
- July 17-27
- July 31 - August 10
- August 14-24

Young Writers Program $200/m September through May
* December is free for open writing practice
* June is free presentation practice and book launch

Teaching Through the Genres

If you missed our Facebook post, we have posted it here to help inspire you.

Looking for new ways to encourage reading and writing? Try tapping into a fun theme. Star Wars. Harry Potter. Marvel Super Heroes. Look for events around town that are part of your child's/teen's favorite genre.

Example: Maplestone Academy is a Harry Potter themed event that happens once a month for a year where your child could immerse themselves in the world of Harry Potter for that one day each month. There they will be challenged to problem-solve, learn bits of creative science, practice their reading and writing and comprehension... all within the setting of something totally fun!
http://maplestoneacademy.blogspot.ca/

Example: Montreal ComicCon is a huge science fiction/comic.fantasy convention that happens in July. Get your child/teen involved but reading about their favorite characters, learning how to cosplay, meeting actors, artists and writers in person! What a great way to inspire young learners!
http://www.montrealcomiccon.com/