Classroom Visits / Workshops / Library Visits

Pat Schmatz

Pat will come prepared with games and writing exercises tailored to the age, writing level and interest, and to any specific requests by the teacher or the students.

Pat's favorite topics are:

  1. CREATIVITY What is it? Why does everybody talk about it? How do you get some? Or if you already have some, what the heck do you do with it?
  2. SENSORY DETAIL! Can you use all five senses to describe an unpleasant encounter with dog poop? Can you make your reader experience it with you?
  3. REVISION It's not what you think…fierce revision is a ride down the re-vision road, and it can be the best part of the process if you learn how to love it.
  4. FAVORITE BOOKS What are yours? What makes a book good? Some books are like eating potato chips and some are like a full-course meal. Some are pure dessert. Which do you like best? Why bother with a balanced diet?
  5. FICTIVE DREAM What is that? How do you create one of your own?

These topics can be tailored to adults, teens, or children. Fees are variable; for more information, please contact the author at pschmatz5@yahoo.com.

Comments on Pat's classroom visits and workshops:

Pat captivated the students when she visited, beginning her visit by telling a story that showed the importance of sensory words in writing. After some follow-up writing in class I mailed a collection of their writings to Pat, and she took the time to comment personally to each of them about their strengths. This made a huge impact on the students, knowing that an award winning author saw what was good in their writing.
Robbi Weil, 5th/6th grade teacher at Talmud Torah

Pat conducts her workshops with a professional ease. Her passion for writing and love of the craft are contagious.
Sara Akin, SCBWI member

• So personable! Makes you feel like you've known her forever and could trust her with your critique.
• Revision exercises were particularly helpful, and I love the concept of "cultivating joy" in revisions.
• Gave me lots to think about. She is a very eloquent speaker and her passion is contagious.
• Really great! So emotionally resonant to build each person's relationship to their own motivation.
• Awesome! She helped me break through a critical problem and contemplate why I'm not revising.
Evaluation comments from SCBWI members following Pat's 2010 Fall Conference Session on "Fierce Revision"