Workshop

Kansas City Writers Internet Workshop – Saturday, March 13, 2010

by Dianne on March 14, 2010

3-13-10 Christine Taylor-Butler and Dianne de Las Casas encircled in books!

3-13-10 Christine Taylor-Butler and Dianne de Las Casas encircled in books!

Friends:

Today, I taught my workshop, “Taming Technology: Using the Internet for Biz Success” to the Kansas City Writers Group. Christine Taylor-Butler, a children’s book author, was my hostess. The workshop was held at the gorgeous Kansas City Plaza Library. The workshop started with some tech issues. The library’s WiFi was offline so neither I nor the workshop participants could connect to the Internet. This was a vital part of the workshop but I went to Plan B – talk. I went over the Internet jargon and took polls to see “who” was in my audience. I had both fiction and nonfiction writers and adult and children’s writers. When the WiFi was finally connected, we were all able to get on the Internet with no problems.

3-13-10 Kansas City Writers work on their laptops during the Taming Technology workshop

3-13-10 Kansas City Writers work on their laptops during the Taming Technology workshop

They learned about the importance of a good website, how to use social media such as Facebook, Facebook fan pages, and Twitter to attract new fans and followers, and several free, useful Internet tools. It was a three hour workshop and they were all very engaged and overwhelmed. It is a lot of information to intake. I gave them a way to prioritize their biz and marketing goals so they could take things one step at a time.

3-13-10 A cow in the Kids Zone is painted with KC landmarks

3-13-10 A cow in the Kids Zone is painted with KC landmarks

After the technology workshop, we went to lunch at a fantastic pizza place called Spin. When we returned to the library. I sat in Christine’s critique group as a guest, offering suggestions on how to pepper their presentations with storytelling strategies. It was a great day and I loved every minute of it.

3-13-10 Art is displayed in the library's children's area

3-13-10 Art is displayed in the library's children's area

The Kansas City Plaza Library is beautiful and I really enjoyed meeting all the writers that came to the workshop. A big hug and special thank you to Christine Taylo-Butler for inviting me and organizing my entire visit, and to April Roy for the awesome library space.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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MS Arts Commission Taming Technology Workshop; Thursday, January 21, 2010

by Dianne on January 22, 2010

1-21-10 MAC Artists attending the workshop

1-21-10 MAC Artists attending the workshop

Friends:

I had the great pleasure and honor of being a presenter at the Mississippi Commission for the Arts Artist Seminar, “Creating Your Future.” I presented a workshop called “Taming Technology: Using the Internet for Biz Success.” In a great irony of events, we had major technology issues!! My laptop was not compatible with the MAC’s projectors. After unsuccessfully trying to connect many laptops and projectors, a workshop participant, Bill, lent his Mac and projector. We had success, at least for the last 45 minutes of the workshop.

So I taught my Internet technology workshop without technology for most of it. LOL Fortunately, the information was strong enough to carry through even without the addition of the Internet. The workshop participants were very curious, participatory, and fun to work with. In addition to a plethora of information, there was also a lot of laughter. The workshop was well-received and I had so much great feedback from the participants. I loved those Mississippi artists!

1-21-10 Chuck Galey, Author & Illustrator, taking notes on his Mac

1-21-10 Chuck Galey, Author & Illustrator, taking notes on his Mac

After the full day seminar (a teaching artist did another workshop and there was a panel discussion), I went to dinner with Diane Williams, my host, and some of the workshop participants, Rick Anderson (Children’s Book Illustrator), Philip Levin (President of Gulf Coast Writers Guild), and Richelle Putnam (President of Mississippi Writers Guild). We went to this restaurant in downtown Jackson called Hal & Mal’s. It was down home cooking and the food was delicious!

1-21-10 At Hal & Mal's with Richelle Putnam, Diane Williams, Rick Anderson & Philip Levin

1-21-10 (L-R) At Hal & Mal's with Richelle Putnam, Diane Williams, Rick Anderson & Philip Levin

Dinner was a great way to end the day. I made meaningful connections and had a wonderful time. It was a great week in Mississippi! A special thank you to Diane Williams, Kim Whitt, Larry, and all the people of the Mississippi Arts Commission. And thank you to all the fabulous artists who attended the workshop!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Handmade Tales Workshop; Friday, April 4, 2008

by admin on April 4, 2008

Handmade Tales Workshop: Telling Bandana Man 4-4-08

Friends:

Today, I did a professional development workshop for teachers at an elementary school in the metro New Orleans area. What made the day so special was that my youngest daughter, Eliana (7), accompanied me and was my little assistant throughout the workshop. She passed out supplies and even took all the pictures (except for the one of us). (Thank you, sweetheart! Mommy loves you!)

I began the workshop with a cut and tell of “Joseph Had an Overcoat.” It was fun seeing the teachers cut out all the shapes. Next, we moved to draw and tell stories. Here is a picture of my original draw and tell tale called “Catching the Pest.”

Handmade Tales Workshop: Catching a Pest 4-4-08

“Catching a Pest” uses the numbers 1-7 to illustrate the story and at the end, becomes a mouse. The teachers loved the story. Next, we did another draw and tell story titled “The Emperor’s Dragon,” based loosely on a Chinese folktale. It’s a fun story that kids love watching and drawing themselves.

Handmade Tales Workshop: Emperor’s Dragon 4-4-08

Following that story, I told the story of “Bandana Man.” The teachers really responded to the story. It’s an adaptation of “The Gingerbread Man,” told with bandana folding. The story begins with an old woman…

Handmade Tales Workshop: Teachers being Old Woman in Bandana Man 4-4-08

Here’s my favorite old woman…

Handmade Tales Workshop: Man Old Woman in Bandana Man 4-4-08

Here are the teachers with their bandana men. “Run, run, run as fast as you can. You can’t catch me, I’m Bandana Man.”

Handmade Tales Workshop: Teachers Making Bandana Man 4-4-08

The workshop ended with the story of “The Stubborn Turnip,” a string story based on a Russian folktale. It was so much fun and the teachers loved every minute of it. Eliana helped me perform the story. She was definitely a show stopper! Here is a picture of us telling together.

Handmade Tales Workshop: The Stubborn Turnip w Eliana 4-4-08

It was a funtastic workshop full of energetic, enthusiastic teachers. I’ll get to see them again soon. Next Friday, I have  performances at their school for “Family Literacy Day.”

Eliana was such a big help that I treated her to a surprise lunch. Lunch was the show and the show was lunch! We went to a Hibachi Bar. It was a blast. The Hibachi chef really knew how to heat things up.

Hibachi Chef with fire 4-4-08

Eliana, thank you so much for all your help today. You were an absolute angel!

Handmade Tales Workshop: Eliana 4-4-08

Happy Handmade Tales to You! Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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