Workshops
Since I was a camp counsellor at the age of 15, I have been teaching in some capacity. Whether it was after school kids programs, high school volunteer teaching, or what I’m doing now –teaching English and Digital Communications at college–I love engaging and facilitating learning with people of all ages.
I love talking about books, writing and the things that you are passionate about, and how to make it onto the page.
“I enjoyed this workshop and it helped with a writing slump I’d been in with an ongoing project. Even without a writing piece in mind I think the nurturing space Melanie created would have sparked my imagination. She used discussion, writing prompts and a fun set of ‘rules’ to guide us and remind us to be kind to our writing selves. I went in feeling nervous and a bit intimidated but committed to participating as fully as I could and I believe that is what helped me break out of my shell and get the most out of the workshop that I possibly could have. ” — Heather Thornton, How to Find the Writer Within Workshop
Book Clubs and School and Library Visits
Geared to grades 5 and up, I will adapt my talks to grade level or group size. I’m available for talks in the Toronto and GTA and am available on Skype.
Here’s some of what I talk about:
- Writing Process/Path to publication
- L.M. Montgomery as Teen Writer
- History of women during late-19th century Canada
- Tapping into your creative potential and passion
Please contact me for more information.
Writing Workshops: Teens
I facilitate interactive writing workshops that encourages you to write about what you’re passionate about, and to connect to your
creative self. We work with concepts of inner critic, writing process, with a heavy focus on revision techniques. I can also gear my writing workshop to specific genres, such as historical fiction, memoir writing and writing young adult fiction.
Writing Historical Fiction: This 1 to 2-hour writing workshop provides best practices on writing historical fiction, focusing on plotting, character, structure, description and dialogue and research.
Journal Writing: This 1 to 2-hour workshop shows how journal writing can not only be the first step in the writing journey, but also a tool for self-exploration, giving you the opportunity to tap into your creativity.
Young Adult Fiction: This 1 to- 2-hour workshop will strategize best practices on young adult fiction writing, focusing on character, structure, plotting and strategies to getting your story to the next stage.
Writing Workshops: Adults
Finding the Writer Within affords participants a blessed opportunity to delve in – back in – to the reasons we are called forth to write. Exercise by exercise – with gentle and measured intent – young adult author and college professor, Melanie Fishbane, enables her group to re-discover their love for story while gently pulling away any reservations or self doubts that are getting in the way. A skilled and compassionate writing teacher, Melanie offers herself and her experiences as a gift to help each of us find our writer within and fall in love with words all over again. — Finding the Writer Within Participant, Cheryl Smith, Caledon Ontario.
As someone who’s struggled to start writing again after a dry spell, this was a fantastic workshop. Melanie was a great facilitator and she made all of us feel comfortable sharing things, considering that almost none of us had met before. The exercises were terrific to re-engage my writing muscle and I just may have had an epiphany in regards to a factor missing from my work in progress. Highly recommended to anyone who’s working on something and needs a kickstart. I am looking forward to future workshops! — How to Find the Writer Within Participant, Mark Brodsky, Toronto On.
How to Find the Writer Within I: Do you have a story to tell, but are not sure where to begin? Perhaps you’ve written something, but don’t know what to do next? This one-day workshop is for anyone who has wished to explore writing and isn’t sure where to begin. It is also for those who have been struggling with their inner critic, imposter’s syndrome, and other blocks that keeps you from writing your story. This workshop will explore different techniques—such as journal writing, meditation and visualization, and using writing prompts—to help you tap into your inner wisdom to find your writer within. It will also show how you can combine your writing and spiritual practices together.
Journal Writing: This workshop shows how journal writing can not only be the first step in the writing journey, but also a tool for self-exploration, giving you the opportunity to tap into your creativity.
Please contact me for more information.
