Cari wants every visit to be the best it can be. To that end, she tailors her presentations to the unique needs/desires of each audience. It is very important that you communicate with her what you would like students to gain/experience from the visit. Are you looking to get kids excited about reading and writing? Do you want to focus on helping kids create memorable characters? Do you want to know how publishing works — from idea to finished book? Do you want to give your writers a few "tricks of the trade" to help overcome writer's block? Are you interested more in large group presentations or small group writing workshops, or both?

Cari starts most presentations with an interactive reading/discussion of her books, and concludes with a brief questions/answer period...the middle part is up to you! Here are some of her more popular presentations/workshops:

A STORY BAG (TM) BRAINSTORM

This is a hands-on brainstorming session that highlights CHARACTER, SETTING & CONFLICT with the help of 3 colored velvet bags & the surprises inside them. LOTS of AUDIENCE participation.

HOW A BOOK IS MADE: FROM IDEA TO FINISHED PROJECT

This interactive session follows a first draft through its ups and downs until it becomes a book in a library or bookstore.  This session highlights the people in the book world that are important to a writer (editors, illustrators, reviewers, designers, librarians, etc.). It includes a segment on REVISION.

HOW TO CREATE FANATASTIC (&MEMORABLE) CHARACTERS

A fun, interactive session on how to create great characters includes the “What’s in his Backpack?” exercise and the popular “Tower of Presents.”

THE IDEALS VS. THE REALITIES OF BEING A WRITER. . .A PEEK INTO CARI’S WORLD

What is the best part of being a writer?  The worst?  What is her typical day like?  How does she handle rejection? This presentation includes a short section on Cari’s personal favorite middle/YA books. . . After all, being a good writer means being an avid reader.  

HELP! WHERE DO I BEGIN?

The page or computer screen is blank.  You have to write something?  What????  A discussion on brainstorming/writer’s block, ways to unlock creativity, tricks of the trade; can be used in conjunction with THE STORY BAG.  In this session, students should bring a laptop or notebook.