Simon Rose's Blog, page 225

Creative Writing Programs for Home School Students at Southwood United Church - November and December 2010

Join me this fall for classes in creative writing especially for home school children at Southwood United Church in SW Calgary. Classes take place every Monday from November 1 to December 13, 2010. The cost is $99 per student for seven classes and registration details are available by e mailing me at sorcerersletterbox@gmail.com.

Ages 7 to 10 - Inspiration, Imagination and Invention: Story Creation 
In this series of interactive, fun and lively creative writing sessions, turn your own ideas into incredible stories, find out where writers get their inspiration, learn about descriptive words, use story starters to get your imagination moving, create brilliant beginnings, marvelous middles, exciting endings and more. 

November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, December 6, 13 - 1.00 pm to 2.15 pm 
$99 plus GST per student

Ages 11 to 15 - Inspiration, Imagination and Invention: Amazing Artifacts 
In these creative writing classes, craft your own adventure story featuring a unique mysterious artifact with wondrous powers, a curse or a deadly secret. Perhaps it's a coin or medallion from an ancient civilization? Or a ceremonial mask discovered in a ruined temple? Perhaps a gemstone unearthed in a long lost tomb? Create an exciting, fast-paced tale featuring adventurers, explorers, scientists, secret societies, perhaps even a race against time to save the world.

November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, December 6, 13 - 2.15 pm to 3.30 pm 
$99 plus GST per student
All classes take place at Southwood United Church, 10690 Elbow Drive SW Calgary AB T2W 1G4. Contact me directly at sorcerersletterbox@gmail.com or through my website at www.simon-rose.com for details on registration and on all my programs for home school children, including online writing workshops, which you can also check out on my website at http://www.simon-rose.com/online_wkshp_yngadults.htm

Writing Historical Fiction - Classes for Writers with Chinook Learning Services in Calgary, October/November

[image error] The Calgary Board of Education provides adult and continuing education through Chinook Learning Services. This fall, I am pleased to be offering the following classes in Calgary.
Writing Historical Fiction - Tuesdays, October 19 to November 9 Do you want to bring history to life? Then you need to know what history to put in and what to leave out. In this course you will examine the writing of historical fiction and the need to fully immerse yourself in a particular time period to make your storytelling more believable. You will learn how to write effective, authentic and appealing historical fiction, how to turn your ideas into compelling stories, understand what exactly defines historical fiction and different historical time periods, how to create believable settings and plausible characters and how research plays a crucial role in the creation of your novel. Historical fiction, when it is done right, when its facts are compellingly used, will take the reader into the story of real people from long ago.
Register now at Chinook Learning Services.

Creative Writing Classes for Home Schoolers @ Cardel Place, Calgary - November 2010 to June 2011

Join me for classes in creative writing especially for home school children from the northern part of the city of Calgary and in the surrounding area at Cardel Place, located at 11950 Country Village Link NE, Calgary, AB T3K 6E3. Classes take place every Thursday, from November 18, 2010 to June 23, 2011. Registration details are available here. 
Thursdays - November 18 to December 23, 2010: People Plotting: Creating Memorable Characters
10.45 am to Noon, Ages 8 to 10 * 12.15 pm to 1.30 pm, Ages 11 to 16Without people there is no plot and characters are at the heart of any story. In these workshops, we explore where writers get ideas for the people in their stories, the selection of appropriate names for characters, methods of creating strong characters and how to use descriptive language to build them. Children invent their own unique characters, complete with occupation, career path, friends and family, likes and dislikes, hopes and dreams - in short, anything that makes them come to life and also learn how to write effective and engaging dialogue, plus lifelike scenarios, for their creations.
Thursdays - January 13 to March 3, 2011: Fabulous Fantasy Realms10.45 am to Noon, Ages 8 to 10 * 12.15 pm to 1.30 pm, Ages 11 to 16In these classes, we examine the elements of fantasy and the many creatures and characters that inhabit the fantasy realm. Most children are very familiar with monsters and strange creatures from mythology, books and movies and in these workshops they invent their own unique mythological creature along with its powers, enemies, diet, habitat and the land where it lives. Children will also create their own fantasy kingdom, complete with its system of government, myths and legends, magical objects, currency, major landmarks, natural features such as mountain ranges, rivers and oceans and more.
Thursdays - March 10 to April 28 2011: The Future is Now10.45 am to Noon, Ages 8 to 10 * 12.15 pm to 1.30 pm, Ages 11 to 16These classes examine how the pace of technological change has rapidly accelerated in recent decades, how research could benefit mankind, helping with medical conditions and seemingly incurable diseases and explore what kind of scientific breakthroughs may occur in the coming decades. Participants then imagine future developments that could transform our way of life, before designing a magazine or newspaper advertisement plus the script for a TV commercial for their product. These could be related to transportation, the military, medical, sports, entertainment, lifestyle, habitat or even household appliances.  Children also imagine themselves to be living in this incredible environment and create a journal describing a typical day in the future.
Thursdays - May 5 to June 23, 2011: Spectacular Story Starters10.45 am to Noon, Ages 8 to 10 * 12.15 pm to 1.30 pm, Ages 11 to 16What if you discovered a door into another universe at the back of your bedroom closet? Or a flying boy dressed all in green appeared at your bedroom window, inviting you to take a journey to a magical land? Perhaps you followed a rabbit down a hole and ended up in a bizarre underground universe? Learn where ideas come from and how writers turn them into stories. Find out how writers get ideas from pictures and paintings, craft your own sequels to your favourite movies, create alternate endings to familiar stories and more in these classes guaranteed to provide inspiration, spark imagination and stimulate invention.
Cardel Place is located at 11950 Country Village Link NE, Calgary, AB T3K 6E3. Registration details are available here. You can also check out my online workshops for children and young adults on my website. Contact me directly at sorcerersletterbox@gmail.com or through my website at www.simon-rose.com for details on all my programs for home school children.

Ghost Writing Services @ simon-rose.com

Is there a book you desperately want to write? Maybe you're an expert in your field, well respected by your colleagues, who are all convinced that you should become an author. Yet there's no time in your busy schedule to actually sit down and write. Perhaps you're a performer or artist, eager to commit your experiences to paper? Or you have a great idea for a self-help book, a how-to manual, a cookery book, a tourism or restaurant guide? Or are you wanting to write your autobiography or the biography of someone else in your family? 


Whatever the subject, fiction or non-fiction, for adults or children, I am available for collaboration on your next project. Visit my website or contact me directly for rates and fees at business@simon-rose.com.

The 2010 Children's Fiction Writing Award

[image error] The Calgary Children's Book Fair and Conference, set to take place in November 2010, is proud to present the Children's Fiction Writing Award. Children in the following age categories, eight/nine, ten/eleven, twelve/thirteen and fourteen/fifteen, will unleash their own incredible imaginations to create a truly unique story, which will then be published in an anthology.The winning entries for the fiction writing award will be announced at the Calgary Children's Book Fair and Conference on November 27, 2010.You can read the winning stories from the 2009 award online here. Further information and details on how to register for this year's award can be found here.

Classes with Chinook Learning Services in Calgary, Saturday November 20

[image error] The Calgary Board of Education provides adult and continuing education through  Chinook Learning Services . This fall, I am pleased to be offering the following courses.
Writing Children's Books: Intro - 9.30 am to Noon November 20In this workshop you will discover how to balance youthful imagination with adult professionalism, and gain awareness of writing for various age ranges. This workshop explores the do's and don'ts of writing for younger readers, turning ideas into stories, the writing process, the importance of editing and revision, story structure, and the role of research. Come and get a taste of a wonderful craft!
Forming Fictional Characters - 1.00 pm to 3.30 pm November 20Characters are the heart of every story - their actions drive the plot. Their individuality is what readers or audiences most remember. This workshop explores where writers get ideas for characters, and how to use descriptive language to build them. Participants will invent their own unique characters and learn how to write engaging dialogue and lifelike scenarios. Create an unforgettable story with unforgettable characters.
Register now with Chinook Learning Services.

Live and In Person on YouTube

The story of the Princes in the Tower, in which England's boy king, Edward V, along with his younger brother, Richard, Duke of York, vanished within the confines of the Tower of London in 1483, remains one of history's most enduring mysteries and served as the inspiration behind my second novel, The Sorcerer's Letterbox.  [image error] 'In a hidden drawer in the base of an old wooden box, Jack discovers a letter from a boy calling himself Edward. Penning a reply, Jack is astonished to be corresponding through time with the boy king Edward V, one of the famous Princes in the Tower, murdered by King Richard III. Travelling back in time, Jack attempts to rescue Edward V and his brother from their fate, but is soon fighting for his life in the terrifying London of 1483.'  Check out the video on YouTube, in which I talk about the story behind the story of The Sorcerer's Letterbox.
The Doomsday Mask, my sixth novel, is a fast paced and exciting adventure story involving Atlantis, pyramids, prophecies, ancient lost civilizations, legendary artifacts and secret societies.   'The legendary crystal ceremonial mask of Kulkaan, high priest of Atlantis, was believed to have been endowed with incredible powers. In the ancient civilization's destruction, the mask was thought to have been shattered and irretrievably lost, eventually being forgotten. Long considered to be a mere myth, the mask's crystal fragments have now been found and the mask of Kulkaan reassembled, with deadly consequences for all mankind. In a desperate race against time, Josh and Erica must prevent the mask from falling intact into the hands of the shadowy Crystalline Order, to save the world from catastrophe.'
Check out the video on YouTube, in which I talk about the story behind the story of The Doomsday Mask.
In this one, I talk about virtual author visits for schools, libraries and writer's groups, using Skype. There are also details here on my website www.simon-rose.com.
And finally, this YouTube video, features my books, my school programs, my online workshops for adults and young authors, my various services for writers, such as editing, manuscript critiques and coaching programs, plus my copywriting for blogs, individual and company websites and business communications. 
Visit my YouTube channel today.

Live and In Person on YouTube

The story of the Princes in the Tower, in which England's boy king, Edward V, along with his younger brother, Richard, Duke of York, vanished within the confines of the Tower of London in 1483, remains one of history's most enduring mysteries and served as the inspiration behind my second novel, The Sorcerer's Letterbox. 
'In a hidden drawer in the base of an old wooden box, Jack discovers a letter from a boy calling himself Edward. Penning a reply, Jack is astonished to be corresponding through time with the boy king Edward V, one of the famous Princes in the Tower, murdered by King Richard III. Travelling back in time, Jack attempts to rescue Edward V and his brother from their fate, but is soon fighting for his life in the terrifying London of 1483.'  


Check out the video on YouTube, in which I talk about the story behind the story of The Sorcerer's Letterbox.







The Doomsday Mask, my sixth novel, is a fast paced and exciting adventure story involving Atlantis, pyramids, prophecies, ancient lost civilizations, legendary artifacts and secret societies.  'The legendary crystal ceremonial mask of Kulkaan, high priest of Atlantis, was believed to have been endowed with incredible powers. In the ancient civilization's destruction, the mask was thought to have been shattered and irretrievably lost, eventually being forgotten. Long considered to be a mere myth, the mask's crystal fragments have now been found and the mask of Kulkaan reassembled, with deadly consequences for all mankind. In a desperate race against time, Josh and Erica must prevent the mask from falling intact into the hands of the shadowy Crystalline Order, to save the world from catastrophe.'
Check out the video on YouTube, in which I talk about the story behind the story of The Doomsday Mask.

In this one, I talk about virtual author visits for schools, libraries and writer's groups, using Skype. There are also details here on my website www.simon-rose.com.
And finally, this YouTube video, features my books, my school programs, my online workshops for adults and young authors, my various services for writers, such as editing, manuscript critiques and coaching programs, plus my copywriting for blogs, individual and company websites and business communications. 




Visit my YouTube channel today.

The Calgary Children's Book Fair and Conference, November 27, 2010

[image error] The Calgary Children's Book Fair and Conference featuring local children's authors and illustrators in Calgary and the surrounding area, will be held on Saturday November 27, 2010 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Centre in north west Calgary.



The Calgary Children's Book Fair and Conference represents a fabulous opportunity for children to meet local writers, chat with them about their work and obtain an autographed and personally inscribed copy of a favourite book. All participating authors will also be reading from their own work, followed by a short question and answer period, throughout the day. If you are interested in becoming an exhibitor at this year's event, you may find registration information here.
The Calgary Children's Book Fair and Conference will also feature the very first Children's Fiction Writing Award. Children in two age categories, eight to twelve and twelve to fifteen, will unleash their own incredible imaginations to create a truly unique story, in the genres of science fiction, fantasy or mystery. The winning entries, to be announced at the Book Fair and Conference on November 27, will then be published in an anthology. Learn more about how to register for the Children's Fiction Writing Award here.
This year's conference will feature a number of highly informative presentations by authors, illustrators, publishers and industry professionals throughout the day. Some of the topics to be covered at this year's event will be character development, science fiction and fantasy writing, the art of illustration, marketing and promotion, methods of research, publishing your novel and more. 
The Calgary Children's Book Fair and Conference - Inspiration, imagination and invention, right here in your own backyard.

The 2010 Children's Fiction Writing Award

[image error] The Calgary Children's Book Fair and Conference, set to take place in November 2010, is proud to present the Children's Fiction Writing Award. Children in the following age categories, eight/nine, ten/eleven, twelve/thirteen and fourteen/fifteen, will unleash their own incredible imaginations to create a truly unique story, which will then be published in an anthology.The winning entries for the fiction writing award will be announced at the Calgary Children's Book Fair and Conference on November 27, 2010.You can read the winning stories from the 2009 award online here. Further information and details on how to register for this year's award can be found here.