Teaching

For Adult Writers

I teach a weekly writing workshop and offer regular writing retreats–both online and, when possible, live. Occasionally I will take on a private student for a manuscript consultation. Find out more.

For Schools, Libraries & Organizations

See Zoom/Skype Info Page for description of my Zoom/Skype presentations and workshops for schools and libraries.

See below for descriptions of

All-school assemblies
Residencies
Classroom workshops
Workshops for teachers
Inspirational and informative speeches for education and media conferences

Read recommendations and check out this video made by a school after one of my interactive presentations about revision. After creating a rough draft, I asked students to revise for word choice, dialogue, details, plot, character development, setting, etc. The improvisation was so funny and full of great examples of lively writing.

Assemblies for Students K-8

*New: Songwriting Assembly (All grades)

Songwriting is a great way to get reluctant writers excited about the writing process. Mary uses her tested technique to help the audience create a collaborative song on the spot. In the process, students learn about brainstorming, rough drafts, revisions, metaphor, rhythm, imagery, point of view and more.

Author Visit (Grades 3-8)

Mary takes students on a journey through the writing process. Where do ideas come from? How do journals, webs, and outlines help? Why is revising so important? How does a book get published? Mary concludes with an improvisational “revision” game.

Story-Inventing Workshop (Kindergarten-Grade 3)

Students learn the three-part trajectory of the classic story. Using a theater game, they learn how to construct a story—often with hilarious results. Especially helpful for young, reluctant writers.

The Writer’s Notebook (Grades 3-8)

The writer’s notebook is an important writing tool. Mary explains the difference between diaries and writers’ notebooks, shares material from her childhood diaries as well as writer’s notebooks, shows how to this tool in the writing process, and concludes with a humorous game.

Creating Characters (Grades 3-8)

How does a novelist create and develop characters? Mary shows students her strategies for developing characters and uses improvisational games to help students create and give voice to a character. Literary elements that are covered: voice, point of view, character traits, pre-writing, webbing, and self-questioning.

The Chicken of the Family (Preschool and Kindergarten)

Mary shares the story of how she turned a personal experience (being teased) from her own childhood into a picture book and a musical. She reads the book and then involves the audience in a fun improvisation.

Classroom Workshops and Residencies

Mary is available for short and long term teaching residencies. Getting the chance to work with an author can be transformational. These sessions can be designed to support and complement specific objectives in the language arts curriculum, including Common Core objectives. For more info, see the Residency Info Sheet. You can also hear and see a sample of the wonderful and imaginative work of students in a typical residency. Contact Mary directly for more information.

Poetry
Song Writing
STEM-Song Writing
Fiction
Mystery Writing
Folktale Writing

Book Sales

In conjunction with an author visit, many schools and libraries like to offer book sales/signing. You can order books in quantity at a discount from the publisher, work with your local bookseller, or a bookselling agent. Mary can pass on information regarding this once a visit is booked.

Presentations for Adults

What’s So Funny: Finding and Writing Humor in Children’s Books

Explore elements of humor and push yourself to find and exploit humor in your own writing. We’ll look at the funniest characters, scenes, plots, and language in great children’s books and identify specific ways to play with humor.

Fresh Eyes and a Sharp Knife: How To Make a Good Story Great

Did you start your book because a childhood memory or a kernel of an idea kept haunting you? Sometimes holding on to that initial impulse is crucial, but sometimes letting it go is even more important. Hear the stories of how one writer moved from “good idea” to “great idea” with both a picture book and a novel and come away with some “how to” strategies to face your next revision.

Writing for Voice

What is “voice”? Why is it so important? How do you find it? How do you write with it? Mary analyzes and explores the concept of voice, using samples from her own work and the work of others.

Writing the Soul

Writing is a process that not only enables you to capture life, but also to figure out what it means. In this inspirational talk, Mary Amato reveals how a profound loss led her to journal writing and how that has shaped her as a professional writer and as a person and as a mother of two. Hearing her story will motivate you to write yours.

Breaking into Print

Mary shares advice for writing and publishing articles, stories, and more.

Especially for Teachers

Who Wants to Revise?

When asked to revise work, many students groan or panic. Join Mary Amato as she shares of series of fun, concrete strategies for helping writers to actually look forward to tackling revisions. She’ll also share stories and examples from recent work. You’ll want to pass these tips along to your students (and be inspired to use them in your own writing).

Creating Character

How does a novelist create and develop characters? Mary Amato shows her strategies for developing characters and demonstrates improvisational games to help students create and give voice to a character.

Growing Writers

Mary offers an overview of concrete strategies from her more focused workshops (on creating characters, using a writer’s notebook, and revising) that will encourage kids to write.

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