Teresa Toten



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Workshops & Presentations

I’m usually available for school, library and conference presentations. For 2011, I have three interactive talks crafted for larger groups and one writing workshop. Each talk is visually supported and has teacher handouts. Each talk can run from 50 to 90 minutes and is tailored for grades 7 to 12. and is supported visually for grades 7 to 12, or . . . I can wing it!

"Teresa Toten's writing workshop inspired our students to take ownership for their own continued creative development!"
- Jacqueline Maloney, Teacher-Librarian

1.Why the Seventies?

Can a time period be a character in a story? Me and the Blondes, Better than Blonde and Beyond Blonde were all set in the psychedelic seventies. Why? An interactive argument on the differences in technology, sexuality, moral codes, secrets and eating disorders is followed by a valuable checklist on authenticity.

2. A Ton of Truth and a Lot of Lies.

How much of that has happened to you? This is the most often asked question about my novels. How much of the writer’s life is fair game? What’s ethical, what’s moral? Should friends and family beware? Useful writing tips on how to best to steal from yourself and everybody in your life. How to mine the good stuff and make it rock.

3. Fitting into Canadian Classrooms Piece by Piece.

When do you become a Canadian? When do you belong? Using Piece By Piece: Stories About Fitting Into Canada, Teresa introduces tips on how to honour and celebrate cultural diversity in the classroom as well how to create a Classroom Anthology.

4. Who Are These People?

This is a hot writing workshop in character development. How do you name and tame your people? Do your characters drive your plot? Are they juicy and alive on the page? Writing tips and exercises to create and control great people. (Note: this is a writing workshop and hence best for groups of 15 to 35 or so.

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Praise from Happy People...

"Teresa Toten is dynamic! The students were totally spellbound with her enthusiasm & literary expertise."
- Linda Girardo, Teacher Librarian Head, Father Bressani CHS, Woodbridge, ON.

"Teresa Toten's writing workshop inspired our students to take ownership for their own continued creative development!"
- Jacqueline Maloney, Teacher-Librarian, St Jean de Brebeuf Catholic High School, Maple, ON.

"Whether speaking to our grade 9 reading club or facilitating a Hot Writing Workshop with our Senior English Writer's Craft classes, Teresa Toten was engaging and stimulating. Both staff and students were thrilled with her presentation and professionalism."
- Francine Mulherin, Head of Library and Teacher-Librarian, Brother André Catholic High School, Markham, ON.

“It was hard to believe when it was over as it happened so fast!” - Arlene, Grade 9 teacher, Westmount Junior High, Edmonton.

“I really enjoyed having Teresa come to our class. I felt she did a lot more than just come to talk about herself and her life. She came to our class to teach us about the writing process.”
- Katherine, grade 12 student.

“I was extremely impressed with Teresa Toten. I had a lot of fun and she made me feel really comfortable. She was very encouraging about my writing.”
- Megan, grade 12 student

“Teresa is a very good speaker. She is captivating. Her lesson had some great activities, involving all of the students. Because of her presentation I learned how much thought is needed to write a novel.”
Harriet, grade 12 student

“I really enjoyed Teresa’s visit. I’m glad I met her and I loved her writing tips!”
Shaina, grade 12 student