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SOME BOOKS by
Julie H. Ferguson
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Jerald Walliser
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Last updated on
Sunday June 20, 2010
"Fast-paced and uplifting!"
"Empowering and REAL!"
"I give it 11 out of 10!"
WRITING
WITH
POWER!!
A creative writing
presentation...with a difference
for
(Schools, click here for Julie's bio)
AVAILABLE AS A PAPERBACK OR AN E-BOOK FOR
TEACHERS AND WRITERS HERE
...Next live workshop for writers....
For 2010, click here
What writers have said about this presentation: click hereWhat students and teachers have said
about Writing with Power!!
November 2009, grade 4-7 advanced learners (sponsored by MindStein)
"Life-changing! I learned more today than I have ever learned..."
"...broadened my writing knowledge."
"...the writing skills offered were very exciting compared to skills taught in school."
"...sparked my creativity and...skills."
"Fantastic!"
"Wish it was longer."October 2009, grade 6-8 students from SD43 (Coquitlam, BC)
"A very intense workshop that sparked my creative side."
"...learned how to be creative, imaginative, and free with my ideas."
"...will make me a better writer."
"...many writing tricks I had never heard of before."
"[Julie] was very encouraging and gave helpful advice. It's more important to hear this from a professional writer."
October 2009, TALONS students, SD43 (Coquitlam, BC). A special version for talented grade 9-10 students.
"Very clear, engaging, interesting."
"PLEASE come back!!"
"...pushed my limits."
"Amazing personality, straight-forward, captivating."
"...very inspirational."
"[Julie] is clearly an adept teacher..."
September 2009, teacher at Myrtle Philip Community School, Whistler, BC
"I had the tremendous pleasure of hearing you speak at Terry Fox school in August many years ago and I still use the excellent resources and the invaluable information that I received from you there. Your book Writing With Power!! is still my favourite writing resource book. ...from one of your biggest fans!"February 2009, North Vancouver Teachers' Association conference, Balance
"Great energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge. Very 'real.'"
"Do a full day next time...!"
"Its power was in having to do the actual [writing]exercises."
"...succinct and concrete."
"Very positive, refreshing, and supportive."
October 2008, Quirien Mulder ten Kate, coordinator of the TALONS program - The Academy of Learning for Outstanding and Notable Students - in SD 43 (Coquitlam)
Thanks, Julie, for inspiring these young writers today. Your workshop flowed so well and lots of time to write. See you again next year!
(This session, Rev-up Your Written Word, was specially designed for the grade 9 and 10 TALONS .)Some student reactions:
[Julie] is a very strong leader and her workshop left an impact.
...opened me up to ideas I had never been exposed to before.
...really entertaining and interesting. [Julie] makes writing fun.
...very interactive. Inspired me.
...gave me processes to build on. The leader did an amazing job...
...nice balance of listening, generating ideas, and actual writing.
...captured and involved me.
November 2007, grade 5-8 students from SD 43 (Coquitlam, BC)
"I loved how [Julie] interacted with us."
"...the leader was kind, supportive, and serious about her work. ...she gave us positive feedback."
"...helped me get my imagination flowing."
"...a lot of fun to learn the [professional writing] techniques..."
"[Julie] made hard things seem easy. ...AWESOME! I loved it."
"Thank YOU for a wonderful day. You would be very proud of the students from my school who attended your morning session. They coached the rest of our Challenge [gifted] group to create a [power word] triplet and then do a 5 minute warm-up write. It was pretty cool to see the writing energy in our small space!" Louise Malfesi, Gifted Education Coordinator, SD 43.
August 2007, Okanagan-Skaha Teachers' Union conference, Links to Learning
"I took away many useful ideas and tools to implement...."
"Good ideas to make writing more meaningful and powerful."
"I found the techniques probably the most useful I've seen!"
March 2007, Lee Thomas, a teacher in Florida
"I am...a Power Writing fan! I have two of your books--use the concepts ALL the time. In light of your studies, you may find the following observations interesting. The children I teach are all home schooled. ...It is interesting that the boys who have been "read-aloud to" past the age when they can read fine by themselves (around 10)--have excellent vocabulary skills, and freely express themselves. These families don't watch a lot of TV.... The boys don't want to sit down and write, but their heads are full of stories of valor, honor, and heroism. I don't require my students to physically handwrite their own assignments--unless they want to (most girls want to) The younger boys (8-13) are extremely creative and use power words with very little prompting if they are allowed to dictate their work. The high school boys seem to thrive with prompts that require a persuasive writing approach."
February 2007, North Vancouver Teachers' Assn (SD 44) conference, Celebrating Empowerment
"Invigorating!" "Very good leader."
"Great presentation - well thought out and interactive."February 2007, Comox District Teachers' Assn (SD 71, Comox, BC) conference.
"Very knowledgeable - I feel empowered!"
"...a wonderful workshop, immediately translatable to the classroom. I will use all of this."
"...presented with passion!"November 2006, teachers of Maple Green Elementary (SD 36, Surrey, BC)
"Thought-provoking and timely connections from brain to pen and the path between."
"Great tips and information specifically for boys..."
"Spoken from the heart and passionately."
"Super handouts."October 2006, grade 5-12 teachers of the Catholic Independent Schools Vancouver Archdiocese
'I enjoyed...the ways to tap into the writer within all our students."
"The modelling gave me empathy and insight into my students' experiences."
"...an eye-opening workshop based on teachable strategies and brain-based research."
"An excellent presenter with a good mix of hard facts, useful classroom strategies, and personal anecdotes."October 2006, elementary teacher, SD 36 (Surrey, BC)
"I started off my year with the 'power' word approach with my grade 2/3 class... They wrote some' powerful' pieces about 'Friendship.' They were in command of their thoughts and feelings and their writing was succinct and conveyed deep thinking that I have not read from this age group before. They wrote with confidence. The idea of three words, [which] evoked an image of their friendship, gave them a strong and safe place to start.
August 2006, the Central Okanagan Teachers' Association Summer Institute
"Thanks for trusting our professionalism and giving us the ideas, yet saying, 'Now you know how to apply it in the classroom."
"...well articulated"August 2006, The Literacy Continuum conference
"The results with students are always so impressive. Thanks for modeling such an empowering approach."
"Julie was simply delightful! Her delivery of the material kept me hooked and wanting more. I am inspired to revamp my writing program...."
"One of the best [presentations] I've attended in a while. I have many ideas to implement now."
"Excellent presenter - very prepared, great modeling. Would go back to her again."
April 2006, Craig Smith, teacher, SD 48 (Whistler, BC)
"...it is some of the best writing "stuff" I have found."
February 2006, Coquitlam Teachers' Assn conference
"Enlightening! Eye-opening! Enthusiastic!
"Nice to learn something new from professionals who bring something
new into teaching."
"...the power triplets is a fantastic way to get [students] going and excited..."
"I appreciated that the session was presented by a published [writer]."March 2005, Abby Middle School, Abbotsford
"...she pumped new energy into writing."
"Words are hard to find to say thank you...your approach is innovative, exciting and inspiring. Students [are] in awe of what they can [write] after your workshop and a few have said, 'All students should do this!'"
"I can't wait to start! I have tomorrow's lesson ready. I can see how to motivate my 'guarded' writers."
Grade 6 and 7 teachers.
"I might...be a writer!"
"It was hard, but good." "She helped me write a good story."
"I felt joy that I could write [well] because I always thought I was bad at writing."
"Really, really cool!"
All boys grade 7 class
November 2004 - Elementary and middle school teachers of
Tl'etinqox and Alexis Creek Schools, BC.
"I loved the visual work in the classroom
[with the students]."
"Very practical and easily transferable to the classroom."
"...very informative and insightful."
April 2004 - Middle Years Association of BC Convention, Penticton, BC
"The first thing I did when I got back to the classroom was agree to scribe for the student I work with. Instead of the usual one or two sentences, we filled an extra long sheet of paper... single spaced. I could barely keep up with his words once he got going....A rewarding day all around...thank you very much."February 2004, SD 43 elementary and middle teachers
"I have never [attended] a Pro-D presentation that was so well worth the money.”
School districts, please book early to avoid disappointment
What writers have said about this workshop:
July 2008
I have taken your Writing with Power!! course and you continue to be an inspiration to me. I will definitely be purchasing a copy of the [second edition of] Book Magic…thank you for the advance notice of your new release!
Lorna HallMarch 2006
"Very reassuring approach. A sense of 'authority' about the writing process and various techniques. A fine, balanced approach for the beginner and the more experienced writer alike." Barry Hill
"...upbeat and factual."
"...the first paragraph bully has been reduced to a well behaved assistant. I gained a great deal...from the class, but for me, this has been a special gift." Loreen Hutchison
"...incredibly useful tools, tips, and techniques - particularly inspiration." P. MacQuarrie
Students of Surrey's Creative Writing Diploma programJanuary 2005
"Very good clear communicator."
"Ms. Ferguson was enthusiastic and stimulating"
"I very much enjoyed her style."
Students of Vancouver Community College
April 2004
"Quick tactics to facilitate creativity."
"I was impressed with [the instructor's] teaching style, expertise and willingness to share her experience."
"It works!!"
Students of Surrey's Creative Writing Diploma ProgramNovember 2003
"Julie is an exceptional instructor... and an absolute pleasure to learn from."
"...very organized, motivational and encouraging."
"Material is excellent."
"I am so impressed with what I learned..."
"Julie's love for the written word and her enthusiasm for teaching impressed me most."
Students of Surrey's Creative Writing Diploma ProgramOctober 2002
"Fast-paced and uplifting!"
"Calm, friendly, non-judgmental, and positive."
"...applicable right away."
Students of Surrey's Creative Writing Diploma Program
October 2000:
"Excellent! What impressed me most was Julie's organization, clarity, and faith in our ability as writers."
"Fast paced, a non-threatening atmosphere, and a professional leader."
Students of Surrey's Creative Writing Diploma Program
For more information, please contact
BEACON LITERARY SERVICES at:
(604)469-1319 or info@beaconlit.com
...from inspiration to publication!™
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