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Julie is a former member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers


BOOKS by
Julie H. Ferguson

Crafting Irresistible Query Letters (Beacon Publishing 2002)

Sing a New Song: Portraits of Canada's Crusading Bishops (Dundurn 2006)

and more...
 

Photos  by
Jerald Walliser
(unless otherwise
indicated)

***

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For information on reprinting material from this website, other than the free articles, contact
info@beaconlit.com

***
Last updated on
 Sunday July 06, 2008

               

 

 

"Fast-paced and uplifting!"
"Empowering and REAL!"
"I give it 11 out of 10!"

Jump start your writing in 3 hours with Julie Ferguson!WRITING
WITH
POWER!!



A creative writing presentation...with a difference for

** SCHOOL DISTRICTS: Grade 4-12 teachers and students**
** WRITERS - emerging and experienced**
 


                                      NEXT LIVE PRESENTATIONS FOR WRITERS

 

 To see the 2008 schedule of Julie's presentations, click here.

Exciting writing is accessible! It is a teachable and learnable process based on proven principles. Your students can write better if they separate the creative process from the mechanics. Sadly, most of us are not taught to write this way. The keys to overcoming this challenge in the classroom are professional writing skills that, once learned, bring writing enjoyment and confidence to both teachers and students.  

Using a lively PowerPoint presentation, examples, interactive techniques, and fun-filled exercises, this fast-paced session provides participants with professional writing tools that are guaranteed to have them:

  • banishing boring beginningsMiddle schoolers speed-write at a creative writing workshop, 2005
  • warming up the writing centres in their brains
  • understanding gender differences related to writing based on current brain research
  • identifying power words
  • creating power triplets
  • using power triplets
  • writing paragraphs that jump off the page
  • developing simple outlines for any length project
  • communicating more powerfully than ever before

(Schools,  click here for Julie's bio)



AVAILABLE AS A PAPERBACK OR AN E-BOOK FOR
TEACHERS AND WRITERS HERE


What writers have said about this presentation: click here

What students and teachers have said
about Writing with Power!!

 

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."
"...really inspired me."

"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!"
"Fabulous! Thank you...."

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.Book Julie early for pro-d events!
"Very knowledgeable - I feel empowered!"
"...a wonderful workshop, immediately translatable to the classroom. I will use all of this."
"...empowering and REAL - the strategies are fun and rewarding..."
"...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."
"Julie is very engaging and entertaining..."
"Super handouts."

November 2006, grade 6-8 students (SD 43, Coquitlam, BC)
"Learned how to start with exciting words."
"...discovered how to write creatively."
 "I learned how to grab the reader..."
"Made me think outside the box."                 "Awesome!!"

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."
"...a valuable source of ideas, strategies and information."
"The modelling gave me empathy and insight into my students' experiences."
"...an eye-opening workshop based on teachable strategies and brain-based research."
"I found myself involved and intrigued."
"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."
"Fascinating! Am excited to use this with my students."
"...well articulated"

A boys' only English class take a creative writing workshop, 2005. (Photo: Ferguson)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."
"I like your serious, no-nonsense approach - at first a little scary - but you're quick to pepper it with humour...."

May 2006, Surrey Teachers' Association convention
"...great ideas to change the way I teach writing in the classroom."
"I was stimulated and engaged - the time flew by - and I enjoyed the interactive
  components."                      "...gave me hope!"
"I welcomed the perspective of a professional author."
"Very inspirational!"
"The presenter made us feel comfortable."

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]."

November 2005, middle schoolers, SD 43 (Coquitlam)   
"...I am more powerful and in control of my writing."
"...good to have a published, professional author to talk about writing."
"Thanks for teaching me so many things!" ☺
"Julie was very supportive."

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

 Two aboriginal boys benefit from a creative writing workshop, 2004 (Photo: Ferguson)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." 
 

October 2004 - Myrtle Phillip Community School, Whistler, BC
"On two hikes I asked [my grade 3s and 4s] to develop power triplets to describe their experience. They had good success with starting their writing with one of their power triplet words. We have also done several speed writes and this has helped them increase their fluency and creativity. Thanks for your great workshop and very applicable strategies!  Craig Smith.

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
"I have never [attended] a Pro-D presentation that was so well worth the money.”
SD 43 elementary and middle teachers
"...a great experience for me."
"I would definitely come back for a second [workshop]."Middle schoolers take one of Julie Ferguson's creative writing workshops
Grade 6-8 students, SD 43 (Coquitlam)

April 2003
"Fun and entertaining, very good presentation. A+!"
"A wonderful speaker who really hooked my attention."
"I wrote some of my best work."                
Middle school students, SD 43 (Coquitlam)                                                                                                                       


School districts, please book early to avoid disappointment
 

What writers have said about this workshop:

March 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 programCreative writing workshop

January 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 Program

November 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 Program

October 2002
"Fast-paced and uplifting!"
"Calm, friendly, non-judgmental, and positive."
"...applicable right away."
Students of Surrey's Creative Writing Diploma Program


 Students of Surrey's Creative Writing Diploma program (Photo: Ferguson)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!™