I have been a workshop leader, keynote speaker and guest lecturer at numerous venues including Case Western Reserve University, University of California, University of San Francisco, San Francisco Writing Conference Mendocino Coast Writing Conference, San Francisco Writer’s Salon, American Library of Paris, and Shakespeare & Co., Paris.
I’m able to connect with and inspire a variety of audiences, besides sharing wit and wisdom about my books and award-winning travel writing. As a former professional actress, I’m a dynamic, riveting presenter. I create fun presentations about my children’s books for kids from kindergarten through high school.
Please contact me for more information on the following topics.
References provided upon request.
Lectures:
To Give Voice
EXPLORING LESSER-KNOWN PERIODS AND PLACES IN JEWISH HISTORY
I’ve twice won the Sydney Taylor Award given by the Association of Jewish Libraries for “The Most Outstanding Book in the Field of Jewish Literature for Children.” I’ve also been twice nominated for the National Jewish Book Award and won the Sugarman Family Award and the Louis B. Dessaur Grant for excellence in Jewish Writing for Young People. In this lecture, I tell how I came to writing about lesser-known periods and places in Jewish history. I touch on the importance of recording oral history and of rescuing from obscurity the “nooks and crannies” of Jewish life that have been hidden for centuries.
60 minutes | History | Writing | All ages
Curtain Up!
USING THEATRE TECHNIQUES TO CREATE BELIEVABLE CHARACTERS
This 90-minute lecture has proved enormously helpful to both beginning and advanced writers who want to improve the quality of their work. With a BA in Theatre Arts from U.C. Berkeley and diverse experience as a professional actress for both stage and television, I will show how I apply acting techniques to my fiction writing to create believable characterization, enhance dialogue, tighten structure, gain grace, and uncover meaning. Original, entertaining and highly practical, this lecture offers tips and tricks that participants can easily use right away.
90 minutes | Beginner & Advanced Writers
Writing As Ritual–7 Steps to Sacred Authoring
POWERFUL WAYS TO FOSTER A WRITER’S PERSONAL AND ARTISTIC GROWTH This is for all working writers, whether aspiring or experienced. I share my guide to the writing life using as a framework, seven spiritual rituals by which a writer can gain insight, inspiration, confidence, order and joy. Writing as Ritual is packed with nuggets of advice, writing tips and techniques for enhancing your spiritual and emotional connection to your work. Learn how the rituals of sacrifice, communion, reflection, pilgrimage, candle lighting, recitation and hallowing serve as acts for a writer to strengthen commitment, increase efficiency and foster both personal and artistic growth. This talk is as much about the writer’s worth as it is about the writer’s words. It is designed to encourage and empower writers to take charge of, and value their writing aspirations.
90 minutes | Beginner & Advanced Writers
A Suitcase Full of Ideas
CRAFTING GREAT TRAVEL WRITING
In this 60 or 90-minute talk, I’ll share my professional travel writing tips that will help you kickstart your own travel writing journey.
You’ll learn to:
• Recognize the difference between a travel essay and a travel article
• Shape and deepen your experience-the 2 keys to turn anecdote into story
• Use fiction techniques in your writing
• Craft sensory details and dialogue
• Leverage your unique talents and knowledge
• Create an “angle” to market your work
• Hook your reader right off the bat
60-90 minutes | Beginner & Advanced Writers
Places In Time
REFLECTIONS ON A JOURNEY
Once, I traveled the world for a year and a half, meeting people from Austria to Afghanistan. Years later, I wrote about the adventures I experienced and the extraordinary people I met. Through the lens of time and with middle-aged wisdom, I came to understand how my youthful adventures lent meaning and perspective to my life. Now in its third printing, Places in Time, was named Best Travel Book of the Year by the Northern California Travel Writers Association and won the Gold Award from the Society of American Travel Writers.
This program includes the dramatic reading of a story followed by Q&A and some tips on getting started as a travel writer.
60-90 minutes | Beginner & Advanced Writers
The Art of Travel Writing
HALF | FULL DAY WORKSHOP
For those who dream of being a professional travel writer or just want to sell the occasional article from their vacation, this is the workshop! I discuss the craft of the travel writer including the art of selection and description, use of creative non-fiction techniques, hooking the reader, and finding the right “traveler voice.” Also covered is the business of travel writing: how to find the right market for your work, as well as information about press trips and travel organizations. An inspiring combination of hands-on exercises, discussion and personal guidance. This can be a half or full-day workshop.
4 or 8 hours | Beginner & Advanced Writers
Write A Book Kids Want To Read
All children’s books need to tell a story but how do you know if you have a good story? I can move you closer to getting published by examining the elements of your story idea or manuscript: plot, structure, character and dialogue. Whether you’re interested in writing a picture book, chapter book for beginning readers, a middle grade book, or a young adult novel, you’ll learn these easy tips and techniques to take your writing to the next level.
You will learn:
• The main elements your story must have
• To visualize scenes before writing them
• To bring forth your own unique and authentic voice
• The best way to plot your story
• Techniques to make your character believable
• When to use narrative and when to use dialogue
• The goals your revision must accomplish
4 or 8 hours | Beginner & Advanced Writers
This workshop is appropriate for beginning and intermediate writers. It’s a combination of lecture, discussion, readings, in-depth critiques and hands-on exercises. The focus is deeply personal: on your specific work and your writing goal
And There’s More…
Contact me to learn about programs for Children and Young Adults.
maxineroseschur.com 