Peter Cohen Pamphlet Transcript
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PETER ZACHARY COHEN
childrens author
[rearing horse illustration]
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COMING IN FALL 1982
CALM HORSE, WILD NIGHT
The girl squeezed his arm hard, and pulled him back. There was no doubt she was strong. "Your horse is stolen--You've got to get him back--Or they'll kill him when they're done, to be rid of him!"
Arley yanked completely loose from her. "We've got to get the cops!"
"No," she commanded. "There's no time. If you yell for police I won't tell you where he's gone. I won't even know you."
[illustration of a crescent moon among clouds]
The horse meanwhile is being led deep into the woods by the girl's brother. Soon, old dependable Tug, physically hurting but undisturbed by human turmoil, will be calmly giving all his strength to aiding desperate anti-smugglers, impartially.
PUBLISHED BY
ATHENEUM NEW YORK
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PERSONAL APPEARANCE PROGRAM
With kids in the 8-14 age range of my books I've been meeting groups, usually of from 20 to 30 in schools, and at the annual Childrens Literature Festival in Warrensburg, Missouri. I begin by trying to answer the main questions usually put to an author. Then from the questions I guide the group into a brief discussion of a topic that seems of common interest. Then I invite them to deal with the topic as a story we compose together.
I don't view writing as a mathematical process, but for beginners I can sketch the general frame a story can have, and then ask the students to describe the characters and propose the action and dramatic relationships they think should be involved, moving from an opening scene through to an ending. When possible it can be fun and useful to have volunteer illustrator(s) working at a blackboard.
A total of 20 to 30 minutes per group can be sufficient. Four such groups/day seems the maximum. With older children and more time per session we can get beyond plotting and structure, into the use of language in telling a story. With adults the process covers yet more ground (I created and teach a course in writing childrens literature at Kansas State University).
The fee is $300/day plus travel expenses. Address: Peter Z. Cohen, Route 1, Alta Vista, Kansas 66834. Phone: 913-499-6428.
Peter Z. Cohen [signature]