In my school and library visits for kids, I offer a peek into my messy, colorful creative process and share how books are made. We can also take a deeper dive in a workshop, to give participants a chance to develop their own characters and stories. Choose from the options below, or reach out to discuss a customized visit.
All writers rely on tools and tricks to help them create good stories. In this dynamic presentation, you’ll learn the 10 things that have helped me most as a writer. If you’re interested in becoming a writer, these things can help you, too!
In this highly visual presentation, I share each step of the process, including my rough drafts, editing the text, as well as the illustrator’s initial sketches and final artwork. Choose either Best Friends in the Universe or Behold! A Baby. Followed by a Q&A.
To grab readers’ attention and keep them hooked till the last page, your story needs high stakes. In this workshop, we’ll do fun group activities and writing exercises to practice upping the ante.
Do you ever sit down to start a story and find yourself staring at the blank page? Writing prompts, also known as story starters, can be a great way to get the ball rolling. As a group, we’ll create Story Jars–writing prompt tools that can remain in the classroom for future use.
A multi-session residency gives your group a chance to explore ideas, build skills, and create finished work. No two residencies are the same, but here are two recent examples:
I lead an annual five-day writing and drawing workshop with first graders at Bancroft Elementary. Through this partnership with Minneapolis Public Schools and the American Swedish Institute, we develop original comic strip characters, settings, and storylines. At the end of the residency, each child has created an original comic strip, which we celebrate at a publishing party with caregivers and teachers.
During summer school at Highland Park Elementary, I led a 6-week Comics Lab with 4th and 5th graders. Twice a week, we experimented with different drawing techniques, developed original characters and used them to create comic strips, and collaborated on a class character. We practiced drawing expressive faces and bodies in motion. At the end of the residency, student work was publicly exhibited in the Picture Book Parade at the Minneapolis Farmers Market.
Every residency is customized around your group and your goals. Tell me what you have in mind, and we'll figure out the shape that fits!
Chat about a residency
My class was thrilled to have Stephanie come for an author visit to lead a character workshop. She helped the students create interesting characters by asking probing questions, which led to mapping out exciting individual stories. At the end of the workshop we had time for a Q&A session and autographs!
—Rayna Lechelt, 3rd grade teacher at Prairie View Elementary, Eden Prairie, MN
It is a joy to work with Stephanie Watson and the residency she does with my 1st graders. She brings a level of enthusiasm and engagement that is amazing! She purposefully seeks input in her lessons from all of my students and makes connections with them in a very short time. Students feel seen by her and then are more invested in their work with her. She is so creative and draws out creativity from my students too.
—Rebecca Ramgren, first-grade teacher at Bancroft Elementary in Minneapolis
Stephanie Watson spent two days with the pre-K to fifth grade kids during the Blake LitFest. She had fun, age-appropriate interactive presentations, and her stories kept the kids engaged and asking questions. We loved working with Stephanie!
—Jacquelyn Fletcher-Johnson, The Blake School LitFest Co-Chair
Interested in a visit, workshop, or residency? Let me know what you have in mind!