The Truth in the Lie [Years 5-6] [Years 7-8]

Are stories lies? Participants will ponder this question in this interactive session as Sue explores the importance of putting the ‘truth in the lie’ and the techniques she uses to achieve this. Using Missing, and The Book of Chance as case studies, as well as a sneak peek at her upcoming crime novel Promises and Other Lies, Sue will highlight how she collects ideas and uses research in the creation of her suspenseful page-turning crime/mysteries. Longer sessions will include The Great Puzzler Challenge – and all sessions will explore the importance of reading for pleasure.

Time for Adventure! [Years 3-4 / 3-6]

Join Sue as she takes participants on a wild trouble-filled story adventure trekking across Antarctica. Discover how this story inspired her Pearly and Pig adventure series, where trouble seems to follow Adventurologist-in-training and expert worrier, Pearly Woe and her partner in adventure, Pig, wherever they go. Explore the story-puzzle pieces used to create each of the books and how Sue managed to put them together to create page-turning adventure stories.  [Pearly and Pig and the Great Hairy Beast , Pearly and Pig and the Lost City of Mu Savan and Pearly and Pig and the Island of Secrets will be referenced.]

The Story Thingy [Years P/K-2]

What is the story thingy? And how does it help Sue’s writing? What happens when Sue disappears into the Story Thingy? This session for younger students focuses on dramatic, humorous and interactive storytelling and will encourage students to use their imaginations and actively participate. It will also touch on the process of writing, where ideas come from, and simple narrative structure. Featured books include the CBCA Notable Picture Books Beware the Deep Dark Forest and Good Question – both illustrated by Annie White, and the brand-new Sidney of Sydney illustrated by Liz Anelli. 

Writing workshops

We must never forget that writing is a craft and the only way to develop that craft is to practise it – to write and write and write.

Sue is happy to deliver workshops to any age group from Year One upwards. She draws on her teaching, writing and editing experiences to inspire young writers to use their imaginations and provide tips and exercises for writing development.

Possible topics covered:

* Unleashing innate creativity
* Getting ideas – and what to do with them
* The story triangle: character, problem, setting
* Plotting, planning and making trouble
* Creating intriguing characters
* Writing techniques, such as: using senses and delicious details to bring settings to life, show not tell, using imagery etc.

WHAT IF, BUT and SO! [Years 3-6]

Creating stories is all about imagining, troublemaking and problem-solving. In this fun interactive workshop discover why the words ‘WHAT IF’, ‘BUT’ and ‘SO’ are such important words when creating exciting stories, as Sue puts participants’ imaginations to the test to uncover the best imaginers, troublemakers and problem-solvers in the room!

The secrets to building a sensational story [Years 3-6]

This workshop will focus on how writers BUILD THEIR STORIES. Students will discover the power of the story triangle: character/setting/problem – the BUILDING BLOCKS of a sensational story.

Students will participate in activities that will explore how to build a setting and a character, how to create a problem, build a plot and put all the elements together to create a story.

To quest or not to quest (Years 2-4)

Using Beware the Deep Dark Forest as a mentor text, this workshop explores the essential  elements of quest narratives and guides students through the process of planning and writing their own quest stories. The workshop will involve creating a story map and the development of intriguing characters, evocative settings, and strong story structures. 

SECONDARY SCHOOLS PROGRAM

The truth in the lie [Years 7-8]

Are stories lies? Participants will ponder this question in this interactive session as Sue explores the importance of putting the ‘truth in the lie’ and the techniques she uses to achieve this. Using Missing, and The Book of Chance as case studies, as well as a sneak peek at her upcoming crime novel Promises and Other Lies, Sue will highlight how she collects ideas and uses research in the creation of her suspenseful page-turning crime/mysteries. The session will also explore the importance of reading and writing for pleasure.

The writer’s journey

Using published books and current works in progress as examples, this session will explore the writer’s journey from initial idea to final book. It will demonstrate how authors use a combination of research, their own experiences and imagination to plot and plan, write and rewrite stories that are authentic and gripping.

Writing workshops

Sue is happy to cater to individual school’s needs. Topics include – creating realistic characters, authentic dialogue, story structure, plotting and planning, writing techniques, editing, creating suspense etc.

The inside story

Having worked in children’s publishing for twenty+ years, ten of which as a commissioning editor and publishing manager for Walker Books Sue is in the unique position of being able to speak about the publishing process from a variety of perspectives. The Inside Story provides insight into the world of publishing with tips about how to get a story noticed. (Best suited to ages 12+)