Visits and Tours  |
| In the Library and Hall |
| Workshops for Children |
| Workshops for Adults |
| Judgings, Panels, Readings ... |
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Children As a fulltime freelance writer, author, and speaker since 1990, John Parker is able to write in, workshop on, or give talks about, the following:
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It was good enough for revered American poet Robert Frost in his poem To The Thawing Wind to praise the spring gusts that had blown him outside into the fresh air. So it's good enough for John Parker, too.
Hence he gets out and about more than somewhat – and not only in the spring.
Visits and Tours
John has participated frequently in book tours and Storylines events; and has clocked up over 200 visits to schools throughout New Zealand to talk about books and writing to age groups from kindergarten to late secondary. These visits can be arranged either through the Writers in Schools scheme administered by the NZ Book Council, or else contact John Parker directly.
Hence he gets out and about more than somewhat – and not only in the spring.
Visits and Tours
John has participated frequently in book tours and Storylines events; and has clocked up over 200 visits to schools throughout New Zealand to talk about books and writing to age groups from kindergarten to late secondary. These visits can be arranged either through the Writers in Schools scheme administered by the NZ Book Council, or else contact John Parker directly.
Burst into my narrow stall;
Swing the picture on the wall;
Run the rattling pages o'er;
Scatter poems on the floor;
Turn the poet out of door.
Swing the picture on the wall;
Run the rattling pages o'er;
Scatter poems on the floor;
Turn the poet out of door.
In the Library and Hall
John Parker's sense of drama (he has even been known to sing!) and his story-reading skills ensure the visits and class sessions are always entertaining. He enjoys establishing a sense of a writing co-operative, sharing his experiences of the writing process along with those of the children and students.
John Parker's sense of drama (he has even been known to sing!) and his story-reading skills ensure the visits and class sessions are always entertaining. He enjoys establishing a sense of a writing co-operative, sharing his experiences of the writing process along with those of the children and students.
Workshops for Children
His frequent workshops with children focus on subjects such as:
His frequent workshops with children focus on subjects such as:
- choosing and developing topics
- recording and developing ideas
- the importance of drafting – especially for the more experienced writer
- finding stronger and more telling words
- growing the imagination from observation
- techniques for extending and developing content.
Out and about in the classroom
Workshops for Adults
John also facilitates writing courses or workshops for adults wishing to write for children, and who hope to turn rejections into acceptance slips.
John also facilitates writing courses or workshops for adults wishing to write for children, and who hope to turn rejections into acceptance slips.
Out and about above Queenstown
Judgings, Panels, Readings, Talks, Reviews
John Parker has also:
New Zealand Society of Authors is a useful site for information on minimum rates of pay for writers and speakers.
John Parker has also:
- judged writing competitions
- participated in forums and panels on children's literature
- given readings from his books and those of other authors
- spoken frequently on writing and the writing life to educational, arts, literary and library audiences
- reviewed adult and children's books on Radio New Zealand National
New Zealand Society of Authors is a useful site for information on minimum rates of pay for writers and speakers.
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My dictionary tells me that persevere means to continue firmly on a course of action in spite of difficulty. | I'm lucky enough to know many professional writers. They all seem to own persevering pens. Otherwise, their novels would dribble away at the bottom of page four, their poems would peter out halfway through the first stanza, and their plays would grind to a halt after six lines of dialogue. Persevering pens seem to know that good writing takes time and effort – and some self-belief. Persevering pens seem to finish the job. |
