Visits
My talks are dynamic and fun and cover all aspects of writing (and sometimes illustrating) a book. I show children how I start with an idea and develop that into a whole story. I have lots of funny pictures and drawings to share; even the first book I wrote when I was 10. A talk can be for around 60 or 70 students or less.
Workshops - usually working with a maximum of about 25 students - are tailored to suit the group. They are lots of fun: developing a character, plotting, sense of place, fattening sentences, etc. I have years of teaching experience, as in a previous existence I taught Biology at secondary level. I also have an MA (Distinction) in creative writing from Bath Spa University.
I live in Bristol and visit schools all round the South West.
Recent feedback:
Heather Blake, Deputy Head, St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Marnhull, Dorset:
"Thank you so much for your entertaining and interesting presentation to our children last week. They were buzzing with interest in your books. We were very interested in seeing your diary and the beautiful pictures you had painted as part of the process of book making. It was the start of a good Book week. Thanks again."
Anne Miller, Headmistress, Hollyfields School, Gillingham, Dorset:
"Many thanks for your visit on Tuesday. The children thoroughly enjoyed it; one child told his mother it was the best day ever! Some of them now want to be authors and there is a waiting list to read your books."
Clifton High School, Bristol:
“Thank you very much for coming to see us at Clifton High School. Not only did you inspire the children but the staffroom became the latest branch of your fan club!
Hope you will come again soon." Alison Dobson, Librarian
That was a great "Meet the Author" session you presented to our junior classes last week! The children just loved seeing the first book you wrote as a child and you planted the seed in many of them to write themselves. The idea of buying a beautiful book to write in has already inspired some budding authors.
As a teacher I loved your advice about starting the story from your own experiences and letting it evolve from there……exaggerate and embellish…. wonderful advice.
The children were rapt, listening. They loved the book you wrote in French and illustrated. They were absorbed in the stories behind the books and how your characters came about.
You gave them more in that one session than I could have done over many months. Plus we are all so involved, infact gripped, in your ‘Copper’ novel. It really means so much more now they have met you and been able to ask relevant questions about the plot! Infact, in our Assembly play this week, one child who is being bullied by an older sibling uses the device of talking to her bear so the audience knows what she is feeling- her own idea. Many thanks and I look forward to reading aloud many more Rebecca Lisle stories to future classes! Fran Barnard
Paragon School, Bath:
"The children were spellbound. It was a fantastic talk and the children had a marvellous day."
Sunninghill Prep School, Dorchester:
"The children were thrilled to meet you and were talking about it long after you had gone." "The children had already read many of her books in the run up to her visit. There were squeals of excitement as they realised that here was the author of the book they had so enjoyed... She had storyboards and sketch books with drawings that showed the development of the first drawings through to publication." "The parents have all been talking about the 'Rebecca Lisle' visit and how their children loved it!"
Norton Hill School, Midsommer Norton:
"Rebecca spoke about how she got into writing and showed the pupils diaries she had written as a keen young writer and how her writing had improved to her present-day success. The tasks got the children really interested. The students got a lot out of the session."
Brimsham Green School, Yate:
"The day went really well - very positive response from the pupils and teachers at the school. That you for putting so much into it all."
Bristol Grammar School:
"Thank you for yesterday. A real treat for that group and for me!"
Gill Trueman, Librarian, Peasedown St John Primary School
Rebecca Lisle visited Y5 and Y6 children in our school.
The day began with a talk/presentation to all the Y5/6s. The children and teachers listened enthralled as she described how she started writing as a nine year-old (with very bad spelling by her own admission!) and developed into the writer she is today. During her presentation she introduced us to most of her books, and gave us many interesting writing tips. Two writing workshops for Y6 classes followed and a lively question and answer session with some Y5’s in the Library at lunchtime. At 3:15pm many children enthusiastically collected their signed books (Rebecca ran out of copies of “Amethyst”!)
Since her visit, many teachers have reported that they have had some fantastic discussions about story writing, and I have had a run on Rebecca’s books in the library! All in all, a very successful day!
Contact me:My fees are in line with those suggested by the Society of Authors, of which I am a member.
