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Contact:
fholt@telusplanet.net

Faye combines reading and writing pursuits with comments, visuals or props so anticipate an interdisciplinary approach. Western Canada’s past is often an aspect of her presentations and student writing activities. Ideas about inspiration, a writer’s life, writing process and style are interwoven with programs. Expect PowerPoint. Below are descriptions for presentations and writing workshops. Choose the individual program or combination that best serves your students’ needs. Screen, rolling cart, electrical outlet, backup computer, projector and table, please.

Amazing Alberta: Discovering Our True Stories (Presentation Grades 3-7)
Referring to real people and events, this program inspires students with our own Alberta stories. Source material from Alberta: A History, Amazing Alberta, Settling In and Faye's other books extends student understanding of our people, history, nature & geography. Accompanied by PowerPoint images and excerpts from her books, Faye invites participants to explore the familiar and unfamiliar concerning Alberta. Discussion about forts, soddies, other homes, settlers and First Nations encourages them to uncover or research our past and compare it to life today. They come away knowing that our dinosaurs, people, agriculture, resources, transportation and mountains are truly fascinating. Then, they are encouraged to turn our true stories into their own fiction or nonfiction and share their work.

Blue Pencil Workshops & Individualized Meetings (Grade 4 and up)
Whether schools prefer blue pencil workshops with groups under 10, meetings with individual students or both, Faye will offer feedback and help on student writing projects in any genre except drama & film scripts. The intent is always to help students discover how they can use language more effectively whether in stories, poetry, essays, blogs or presentations.

Captivating Characters (Writing Workshop Grades 3-7)
Characters? Characters! Our real and imagined worlds are filled with fascinating people. We meet them, read about them, see them on TV and in movies, and create them for our stories. Writers, readers and viewers are drawn to characters, but what makes them live in our memories and imaginations? In this workshop, students discover and create amazing characters. Then, there is time to convey and share those amazing personalities with others. Expect talk, writing and sharing characters–whether real or imagined.

From a Child's Point Of View I (Presentation Grades 3-7)
Pioneer children's lives were filled with challenges, heroism and sadness just as often as they were filled with bright spots and fun. Students discover real-life experiences that are as fascinating as fiction. Such stories are enjoyable, scary, inspirational and even unbelievable. What problems did kids have? What responsibilities and chores waited? And what did they do for fun? Just listen, view, talk and learn.

From a Child's Point of View II (Writing Workshop Grades 4-7)
True stories written by children about their lives are important. Students are inspired to write what they know from experience. These stories might be about experiences at home, in school, while travelling or at special events. They might be about problems, responsibilities, chores or even someone they know who was heroic. After writing their stories, they have an opportunity to share with the group.

Fun is More than Fun (Presentation Grades 1-3) - groups under 20
Based on her book, Homemade Fun & with toys as examples, Faye suggests the types of fun children enjoyed in Western Canada in the “old days.” Often, that fun meant developing skills, as well as a sense of self-worth & community. When toys were in limited supply & computers, video games & TVs nonexistent, children in the old days were forced to be creative. From PowerPoint images, excerpts & activities, students discover how playthings & games of First Nations & settlers reflected life & culture. Faye reads a poem from a favourite childhood book. Also, she reads a short excerpt requiring students to listen carefully to determine an answer. Then students have the opportunity to express their own preferences for fun.

Not Just a Journal (Writing Workshop Grades 4-7)
Great characters, places, memories and thoughts lurk in everyone’s life. Many writers explore ideas through journals & diaries. Hear journal entries from Faye's own writing and from Canada's past. Then, young writers let loose their imaginations to express their own impressions in their journals. Also, they discover how to use photos and art to make journals unique and especially valuable.

Western Men, Women & The Famous Five (Presentation Grade 4 and up)
Women’s roles & rights were changed by Canada's Famous Five women. That meant changes for men, too. From gaining the vote to serving in government, these & other women helped create a new Canada & a new West. Two of the Famous Five, Emily Murphy and Nellie McClung, were writers in their own right. Along with Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney & Irene Parlby, they inspired their contemporaries & will inspire today’s young people with their work in writing, art, social welfare & government. Having researched & written about all five & many other western Canadian women, Faye shares their stories & how they impacted our lives.

Writer's Process - A Writer's Life (Presentation Grades 4-7)
What is it like being a writer? How do you know whether you should write poetry, short stories, novels, magazine articles or non-fiction books? Where do you find ideas? What do you do when you get stuck and can't finish a story? What is it like having your work edited and published? Listen, view, talk and learn.

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