This writer's words have been read by hundreds of thousands of students over the years and have been adapted as reprints in educational publications that have reached millions of students. Thousands of schools have hosted his presentation on writing (with many repeat invitations). This "lecture" provides a lot of useful information to guide students in their future writing efforts with an emphasis on the reasons to write that emotionally galanize the audience to write more and with enthusiasm. Better writing brings many values to our lives, and he has a way of bringing that message with great humor and drama. Many schools have taken advantage of the excitement students carry away from this assembly to launch a variety of their own writing projects.
"My job is to bond the emotion of joy with the act of writing - and to emotionally anchor into the students minds the values and rewards that writing skill will bring to them throughout their lives - at least as much as is possible in an hour-long presentation for a large group."
All that is said in this presentation is aimed at teaching, but his method of teaching uses his strong performance background. He uses professional comedic timing and a variety of tricks that are up his sleeves beyond what is usually offered by other "authors' visits". (Surprise is everything in this presentation!)
This author has also performed as a musician (instrumentalist and vocal), actor, dancer and comedian (physical and verbal). His life path has brought him much experience performing for family audiences at the highest levels as he has appeared in a number of family entertainments - his first audition brought him an offer for a lead in a new Broadway musical, Barnum. When that show opened, a series of original comedic bits written and performed by him were a popular part of the evening for the audience. During his New York years he appeared in numerous television and other live venues such as in many commercials and occasional parts in a number of daytime dramas and was asked to write original songs for Sesame Street...
"I loved the presentation!!! You brought home the point well to a hard-sell audience. As a writing teacher, I can say you will be a hard act to follow tomorrow in my classroom."
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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"Thank you so much for coming to my school... You did a great job. When everyone came into the classroom, they wouldn't stop talking about you. Thanks again for coming."
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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"...we wish to thank you for the insightful and comedic presentation you performed for us this past Thursday. Many of the students and teachers were still talking about you the day after. Your thoughts and ideas were inspirational and thought provoking... I certainly would entertain having you speak again in a year or two... You certainly left an impression on many of the students and teachers."
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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“How is it possible that we could get such a GREAT show - and learn so much at the same time - for such a reasonable fee??”
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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"It was the best drug education assembly we ever had - because there was no mention of drugs. The kids wanted to write instead of anything else when it was over... It was the best self-esteem presentation we've ever seen because there is no mention of "self-esteem" as an empty statement - the kids are getting their self-esteem through their accomplishment and growth in writing... It was the best anti-bullying presentation ever because there was no mention of bullying - the students were unanimous in their enthusiasm, so no conflict... Bully! for this program on writing! (and darn! do we waste a lot of time on those other kinds of programs)... AND I bet our test scores go up BECAUSE you don't mention the tests. Nobody wants to do anything with a test as the goal and reward... I think next time we should hire YOU with the drug education money."
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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"Thank you for going out of your way to visit Pampa. I have already had several teachers tell me how much they enjoyed your program. One group of teachers said they plan to use some of your writing suggestions in class. The students loved your program and were very excited about it. I have already written on my library listserv and recommended your visit and included your link at the bottom. I hope it will help. Best of luck and thanks again for your visit. It was such a pleasure to have you visit us!"
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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“I would like to tell you how much I appreciate you coming to talk to us on the topic of writing. Today, most people do not write as much as they should, and I am one of those. When I am assigned a writing assignment, my first response is 'UGGGGGHHHHH more homework'. Through your presentation you gave today, you have changed my point of view on the subject, by showing me that writing is as simple as thinking. You really have inspired me to begin writing more often, and not because I have to, because I want to. I am not a very big fan of public speakers, but today I met a speaker that changed my life by showing me how fun writing can be. After you left campus today, I saw at least five people do your impersonation of a barnacle. When I first saw you come onto our gym floor, my first thoughts were 'Wow! This is going to be boring'. After seeing you perform I am now regretting what I thought and wish to apologize for judging a book by its cover.”
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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"I have used several of your points in writing class. Because of your presentation, the students have a much clearer picture of what I mean."
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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"Thank you for making writing seem cool! These students' eyes usually glaze over when writing is mentioned. You really engaged their attention and could have had them believing anything. Thank you!"
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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"Thanks for your presentation today. We are excited that you could be here with us today and know that you have impacted our children in a positive way."
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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"You were the funniest most wierd person I have ever seen. You were awesome."
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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"Just wanted to say thanks for reaching out to the eighth graders at SHMS! According to the responses I got from my students, you were not the boring, old guy they expected instead you are a guy that they would like to hang out with and learn from. That is high praise from middle schoolers! As a teacher, I was truly excited by your presentation and the way you actively involved the students and stimulated their brains with your words and your movement. Not sure what led you to become who you are today, but I am thankful you are touching our youth in such a positive way!!!"
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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"You came to our school today!!! You rock."
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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" I am a Latin teacher at **** and I saw your wonderful performance yesterday. I just wanted to tell you how terrific it was and how I wish we could clone you... Thank you for promoting the need. It was entertaining, enlightening and enriching."
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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“As a ‘budding author’ myself, I could very much relate to the presenter’s key points. Excellent in many areas and most helpful.”
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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" I am an English teacher here at good ole WHS. I have to tell you what happened to me last Tuesday. I have planning first period and I had to spend AN HOUR of it learning how to do Powerpoint presentations for my students. Now I have been teaching 25 years and I am old and I don't take too kindly to technology - know what I mean? But I did it and I paid attention and I acted like I cared...
Then I went to YOUR presentation - TRULY powerful - TRULY to the point - where you kept those students on the edge of their seats FOR AN HOUR waiting for your every word, your every move - just like the trapeze act in the circus you love so much. AND OH MY GOD - how much technology did you use?????????
Oh that's right - the brain!!
You and I both know that true teaching is not about technology - it is a little about entertaining and a lot about loving what we do and not sitting at our desks hitting a button so the kids can copy notes. We complain because they don't read, and then we turn right around and give them MORE visual learning!!!
I just want to thank you for validating what I knew all along - that a truly good teacher needs very few tools to get the point across (maybe some tricks, but not many tools!)
I DO love coming here every day - we have GREAT students - but I was starting to feel like all this new wave of techno stuff was making me obsolete! After your fantastic presentation, I realize that maybe I am not ready to retire after all!!!!!
Thank you!"
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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"Excellent, inspired and inspiring stuff. Thank you for coming to KUA. You raised the bar for our students’ free-time endeavors. Replaced video games with writing. Great work. I look forward to seeing you continue to make peoples’ lives better."
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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"I love to write... I like your idea of collecting life snippets on a tape recorder. The other day someone was talking about Rio and they used the phrase "riotous beauty." If I don't write that down somewhere I will surely lose it."
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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"I just wanted to let you know that I loved your performance at school and your website looks cool, I just checked it out. Honestly, I think that you should come every year to the middle school because it teaches kids a different way to look at writing as well as life itself. so thank you again for coming and keep working on your barnacle move."
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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"This is the best assembly presentation I have ever seen (28 years as a middle school teacher)! It gave writing teachers some hooks to use with students. It was very informative and highly entertaining (and it used no electronics except the microphone)."
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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"Our 8th Grade SOL (Virginia Standards of Learning) Writing Test scores went up 40 points this year! From 51% to 91%. This is not saying that it was all a result from your assembly, but your program really provided an emotional jumpstart to our school's writing emphasis this year. Thank you."
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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"Just want to say thanks for your super assembly... I took your book home to share with my children and my 12-year-old said, 'I remember him!' ... He saw you out on the cape two years ago. We had a wonderful conversation as we rehashed your performance."
Embracing Writing in School and Life
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