Rachna Gilmore

Readings

Rachna’s presentations are always flexible to the needs of the students as well as to teachers’ requests. Reading from one of more of her books, Rachna talks about the unexpected and quirky ways in which she gets her ideas, or how ideas get her. Depending on the age of the students, Rachna also shares tips on how she plarks (plays, works and larks) at her own writing, from first drafts, to piecing together stories, to editing. She brings some of her messy first drafts and notes to show students and always leaves enough time for questions. On request, Rachna can focus her presentations on specific topics such as:

• how a picture book comes together (from the stages of writing to the stages of illustration, including showing various stages of artwork)
• any particular book (e.g.,the Gita books, to explore the experience of new Canadians)
• a particular aspect of writing (e.g., character development)
• the creation of a collective class story to demonstrate some of the basics of how to write fiction.

Special Equipment:

Flip charts with markers or chalk board with chalk. Name tags for all students.

Book Sales:

Copies of books can be brought to be sold and autographed, if requested.

Workshops

A hands-on two hour writing workshop that covers some of the basics of writing stories such as the shape of a story, how to develop a plot with a satisfying emotional arc, how to create believable and interesting characters, the use of sensory detail and “show don’t tell”, as well as tips on re-writing. Students have the opportunity to write, ask questions, and if time permits, to exchange feedback.

Special Equipment:

Flip charts with markers or chalk board with chalk. Name tags for all students.

Book Sales:

Copies of books can be brought to be sold and autographed, if requested.

Other Presentations

Rachna is available for adult writing workshops, keynote addresses, as well as for professional development sessions for teachers and librarians. Her PD sessions for teachers offer insights into the general themes of her books, and include many innovative and creative classroom activities to demonstrate how they can be used most effectively to supplement curriculum goals. The following are only some of the presentations available to teachers:

Media Literacy for Young Children: (for Grade 1 – 3 teachers)
This presentation demonstrates how the lively early reader, Ellen’s Terrible TV Troubles, can be used in classrooms to help children become more aware of the deep and pervasive influences of the media on their lives, specifically that of television. Many innovative classroom activities are included.

The Power of Creating Our Own Tales: (for Grade 5 – 8 teachers)
The focus of this presentation is on how to teach creative writing in the classroom. Many innovative creative writing exercises are suggested, using the fantasy novel The Sower of Tales as a vehicle to demonstrate the importance and power of telling our stories.

Connecting Our Stories (for Grade 1 – 4 teachers)
Using the popular GITA books (Lights for Gita, Roses for Gita, A Gift for Gita), this presentation explores the specific as well as universal themes of these stories, and how they can be used most effectively in the classroom. Many creative classroom activities are offered to demonstrate how the specific cultural experiences of these stories can be interwoven into the wider cultural framework of society so that children of all backgrounds can connect and relate.

Building Bridges Through Stories (for Grade 4 – 8 teachers)
This presentation focuses on the classroom uses of the middle grade novel, Mina’s Spring of Colors, and the young adult novel, A Group of One, both of which feature Canadian children of Indian heritage, and bear witness to our evolving Canadian cultural ethos. The specific as well as universal themes of these books are explored, and classroom activities suggested to demonstrate how particular cultural experiences can be interwoven into the wider cultural tapestries of our societies.

Creative Writing Workshops for Adults: Writing Children’s Fiction
A hands on writing workshop to help adults tap their inner creativity and learn how to write with authentic children’s voices in order to create stories that ring with truth. Time frame: half or full days.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY WORKSHOPS FOR TEACHERS (60-75 mins): $300.00 per workshop, plus GST. Travel expenses claimed for out of Ottawa readings (bus, train, plane, or mileage where appropriate.)

Biography

Rachna Gilmore loves to write weird and wonder-filled stories and has written books for children of all ages, from picture books, early readers, middle grade novels to young adult novels, and even adult fiction. As a child, Rachna loved to daydream and always wanted to write, but it wasn’t until she turned thirty that she finally began to really plark (play, work and lark) steadily at her writing.

Rachna’s books have won and been shortlisted for all kinds of awards, including Governor General’s Award for the picture book A Screaming Kind of Day. Her other picture book titles include the well-known Gita trilogy, Grandpa’s Clock, and a re-issue, with new illustrations, of When-I-was-a-little-girl. Her children’s novels include the popular A Friend Like Zilla, Mina’s Spring of Colors, and A Group of One, which was named a 2002 Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Honor Book, and recommended by the New York Public Library’s Books for the Teen Age List. Rachna’s latest novel, a fantasy, The Sower of Tales, won the 2006 National Chapter IODE Violet Downey Book Award and was nominated for the Red Maple Award and the Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award.

Rachna’s books are sold internationally with translations in French, Danish, German, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, Bengali, Chinese as well as several other languages. She loves to talk to students about her love of the written word and to share her enthusiasm for stories. She has given innumerable readings and workshops in schools, libraries and conferences across the country, as well as internationally.

Rachna’s latest release is the picture book Making Grizzle Grow – a funny story about what happens when Emily starts to feed her bad tempered snow dinosaur called Grizzle.

Born in India, Rachna has lived in London, England, and Prince Edward Island. She now lives in Ottawa where she continues to dream up all kinds of stories.