Speaking Topics for Writers and Writers Groups

 The Perfect Pitch

Fifteen minutes, face-to-face with an editor. One chance to sell your idea. In "The Perfect Pitch," Allison shares some of her less impressive, less successful editor encounters while pitching her first novel, Ten Thousand Charms. Learn what to say (and, more important, what not to say) to get your project across the plate and make the editor take a swing. 

Black and White and Red All Over

There's nothing quite like the experience of the precise perfection that comes from the line-editng process. In "Black and White and Red All Over," you'll be alerted to some of the common obstacles that create a barrier between good writing and better writing.

Living with Iron Efficiency

The Christian Writers Group of the Greater San Antonio Area has grown from 3 members to 30 over the course of nine years. Regular meetings and consistent support has helped them become a prayerful, powerful, prolific group of writers whose publishing credits span over 100 publications. In "Living with Iron Efficiency," you'll learn more about this group and how to bring some of its successful elements to your own writing or critiqugroup.

Block Party

Need to pull some fresh ideas out of stale air? "Block Party" will take you on a journey that will leave you with a year's worth of writing. 

Speaking Topics for Theater Arts Groups

Four Minutes to Truth

Nothing sheds new light on a familiar truth like a short dramatic presentation. Whether it be a monologue or a short sketch, a well-written, well-performed drama can accomplish a lot in 4 minutes. In "Four Minutes to Truth," you'll learn how to zero in on the conflict, concept and character to create meaningful, powerful dramas (and comedies!) to enhance your church's worship services.

So, A Guy Walks onto a Stage...

One actor, one voice, but there's nothing simple about writing a monologue. In "So a Guy Walks onto a Stage..." you'll learn the how to create memorable characters to convey memorable truth.

Not Another Nativity

Feel like you want to do something beyond the familiar manger scene, while still imparting the powerful truth of the Christmas story? In "Not Another Nativity" you'll explore some of the elements often ignored in traditional Nativity plays. You will also have the chance to read and preview some of Allison's original scripts to purchase for your church's Christmas program.

Speaking Topics for Teachers

Higher Ground

As teachers, we want our students to engage in higher level thinking skills, but too often the study materials provided by textbook companies and other literature ancilaries engage students in basic recall and comprehension activities. In "Higher Ground," you'll learn concrete, applicable approaches and questioning techniques to get your students to produce sophisticated, evalutative responses. Recommended for grades 6 and up. Presentation focuses on Language Arts Curriculum.

The Humble Composition Book

You know how you can tell you're in an English teacher's classroom? You can't see the top of the teacher's desk. Language Arts teachers can be washed away in the paperwork and assignments that flow between teacher and student. In "The Humble Composition Book," learn how this simple little notebook saved one frustrated teacher's sanity. You'll learn specific assignment ideas to put the responsibility of learning and organization back into the hands of your students. Recommended for grades 6 and up. Presentation focuses on Language Arts Curriculum.