Alison Lohans

Readings

During the course of 45-60 minutes I will do many of the following:

• Describe my journey to becoming a writer, beginning as a child writer. I have childhood manuscripts to show, as well as my first story published in a magazine at age 12.
• Show and describe several of my published books, particularly those that are a good fit for the ages of the children in the audience. I will read from several age-appropriate books. For the youngest groups I like to read from, and show slides of the art for Nathaniel’s Violin; here I invite audience participation with the sound effects in the story. I also have slides for the art in Sundog Rescue.
• Discuss the writing process, including submissions to publishers and the editing process that brings a book to its final published state. I have examples of manuscripts with editorial markings, galleys in which mistakes have been highlighted, etc.
• Welcome questions from the audience.

Special Equipment:

A large table, and for Kindergarten to Grade 2 audiences a slide projector, if possible.

Book Sales:

Copies of books can be brought to be sold and autographed, if arranged in advance.

Workshops

Much depends on the time frame, the age of the students, and the number of workshop. I have given workshops that have included some of the following aspects of the writing process:

• Developing characters and possible ensuing conflict when characters’ motivations clash. Character motivations and conflict are key aspects of story. I sometimes bring newspaper and magazine photos of people doing interesting things, and invite participants to choose a picture which then serves as a prompt for the character they develop.
• Developing point of view. I ask students to “step inside” someone very different from themselves, and write a brief passage through that person’s perspective.
• Finding just the right descriptive word. This may include a writing exercise that portrays the same scene from different emotional perspectives. When the workshop is a longer one and the group is small, I like to do a writing exercise that also provides a bit of a stretch break: I ask the young writers to get up and walk around the room, “doing research” to describe the kinaesthetic sensations of movement – as I feel this aspect of writing, in general, tends to be overlooked.
• Structuring a scene, based on certain key criteria (for older students). When time permits, I like to divide the students into small groups in which they construct a scene together.
• Writing a riddle poem. This is a nice closure activity.

All of my workshops include writing time, with at least two (sometimes three or more) different activities. When group size permits, I encourage students to read from this work – also coaching the group to be listening for, and to later articulate, positive attributes of their peers’ writing. I sometimes also give brief coaching about the art of reading one’s work to others.

Special Equipment:

I may ask that handouts be prepared in advance or I will add photocopying costs to my fee.

Book Sales:

Copies of books can be brought to be sold and autographed, if arranged in advance.

Biography

Alison Lohans grew up in Reedley, California, and moved to Canada after she graduated from university. She has been writing since early childhood, and at age 9 decided she wanted to become a writer. Her first short story was published when she was 12.

Alison has published 18 books for children and young adults. Some of these include Waiting for the Sun, The Raspberry Room, Germy Johnson’s Secret Plan, This Land We Call Home and Foghorn Passage. She has also published short stories, poems, and non-fiction articles for adults. Alison has won several awards for her work. She has given hundreds of readings and writing workshops across Canada. In addition to writing, Alison is trained as a teacher. She has taught music in schools and to senior citizens, and also teaches writing. Some of her students have gone on to publish their books, and several have won awards. In 2002–2003 Alison served as Writer in Residence at Regina Public Library, where she helped 75 writers with their work.

Alison lives in Regina, Saskatchewan with her family including her dog Tchai, and two budgies. In her free time she enjoys playing the cello, cornet and recorder in various musical groups, and also loves to read, play Scrabble, and do puzzles.

Other websites:
www.canscaip.org/bios/lohansa.html
www.writersunion.ca/ww_profile.asp?mem=1270&N=AlisonLohans