Would you like a real, live author to visit your school, library or bookshop?

I run regular creative writing workshops at schools across the UK. Each workshop lasts for at least an hour, and looks at a different aspect of the writing process. Up to three of these workshops can be run in a day.

Due to the nature of creative writing, the workshops are better suited to Key Stage 2 pupils, although they can be adapted for younger children if required.

I have an enhanced CRB disclosure certificate and can provide a copy of this in advance of any workshop.

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WAR OF THE WORDS

The end of the school year is approaching fast and, no doubt, you want to reward your pupils for all their hard work.  What better way to do so than with WAR OF THE WORDS - a manic game show from children’s author, Tommy Donbavand.

WAR OF THE WORDS pits boys against girls in a series of action-packed games that require quick-thinking, a vivid imagination and a superb sense of humour.  Plus, there’s magic, drama, story-telling, balloon modeling and tons of interaction thrown in, too!  The show gets everyone laughing and clapping so much that they won’t even notice the ever-so-subtle literacy theme to the games…

Your pupils will:

* RACE to find items beginning with a certain letter in GRAB IT!
* SHOUT and SCREAM as they provide the noises for the SOUND EFFECT STORY!
* PRETEND to be different pantomime characters in ACT FAST!
* INVENT a brand new magic spell for RAINBOW RUSH!
* and much more!

**EXTRA DATES NOW ADDED**

WAR OF THE WORDS lasts for 75 minutes, and can be run in a classroom for a single group, or the entire school in the hall.  There are no heavy props to bring, so I can be in and out before you know it (with plenty of time to set up for lunch!)  I am now delighted to announce that I will be running WAR OF THE WORDS right up until the very last day of term.

The cost for the 75 minute show is just £100.  (Remember, this can be for the entire school at once, if you wish.  If you want to run the show twice for different ages, you can book a second performance on the same day for an extra £50 - half price!)

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THE WRITE STUFF

The Write Stuff is my most popular workshop, covering the most essential of all writer’s tools, the story plan. Through a series of fun, interactive exercises, your pupils will:

* Choose a unique setting for their story.
* Populate their story with three-dimensional characters.
* Invent an exciting plot with a defined beginning, middle and end.
* Plan an ending that will leave their readers wanting more.

I provide detailed worksheets for the teacher so that your pupils can then write, illustrate and bind their stories at a later date.

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SCARY SCRIBES

My new creative writing workshop for 2008 is ‘Scary Scribes’ - the ultimate guide to creating frightful fiction for both KS1 and KS2.

Key Stage 1 pupils will be treated to a trip through a (not so) haunted house as we create a map of their story and then act it all out!

For Key Stage 2, I will help devise perilous plots with a brand new story invention technique; create creepy characters by mixing and matching monsters; and teach pupils how to put a terrifying twist in the tale!

I’ll also have plenty of leave-behind information for teachers that explains how to continue the spooky story fun and get even more from my workshops.

I look forward to helping your pupils get spooky!

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SEVEN STORIES

I’m also the writer-in-residence at Seven Stories, the centre for children’s books in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. So, if your class books a creative writing workshop there, chances are, it’ll be me that runs it!

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TESTIMONIALS:

I just wanted to contact you to let you know what a great morning the children had with you! Reception were thoroughly ‘thrilled’ by your scary story-telling! Year 1 and 2 loved planning their ideas for spooky stories and have been inspired as writers now! We look forward to welcoming you back in the future.

Verity Marshall, Broomhaugh First School

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The workshop was a fantastic way to inspire the children’s story writing. It was invaluable for the children to see the processes a real author uses to create stories. We all had great fun!

Year 3 and Year 4 teachers, West End First School

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Dear Tommy

I enjoyed the lesson, so I am sending you a thank you letter. Your teaching was great. I really enjoyed learning how to write stories.

From Aaron, West End First School

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Dear Tommy

Thank you for coming into our school. I had fun writing our own stories and liked the new stories we got to hear.

From Lucy, West End First School

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Tommy worked with my year six class of 34 mixed ability children on a writing project in connection with ‘Seven Stories’, the centre for children’s books. Before the project, my class were, on the whole, fairly positive about writing, although some were less than enthusiastic. After the project however, they were ALL really enthusiastic about writing and saw themselves as authors in their own right! Tommy managed to fire up their imaginations and created genuine enthusiasm. His interaction with the children was excellent, holding them in the palm of his hand during writing planning and drama workshops, culminating in a final celebration of the whole project.

Barbara Brown, St Matthew’s School, South Tyneside

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Thank YOU!  I have had so much positive feedback about you from parents and from staff - you really did connect with the children and really helped to make the Junior Speech day something special.  We really look forward to seeing you in October!

Clive Bulmer, Sunderland High School Juniors

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Rates are based on those suggested by the Society Of Authors, plus travel expenses. I prefer to run workshops within daily traveling distance (I live in the north east of England), but events can be arranged further afield with the addition of overnight accommodation.

For further details of school bookings, and to check whether a particular date is available, simply email me.