(via I Won Teacher of the Year!)

I Won Teacher of the Year!

“And the winner is Laurie Woodward! Congratulations!” the email said. I gaped, tears of gratitude filling my eyes. When you work as a teacher, you get a lot of criticism. From politicians. Parents. Administrators. The community. Many times you have to dig deep in the knowledge that you ARE doing the right thing. You are there for the kids, not anyone else. For thirty years I’ve dedicated my life…

View On WordPress

(via Gaslit Shade: A Poem)

Gaslit Shade: A Poem

Odorless gas wafting from room to room A noxious message within a tonic Of sweet embrace Tangled limbs And connected flesh Eyes droop Pupils dilate And fear begins. The poison takes hold With malevolous mantras She chants again and again Until she is a quivering shade Of her former self. About Laurie: The author of Forests Secrets and Finding Joy as well as The Pharaoh’s Cry,  Portal…

View On WordPress

The Blessings of Being a Teacher/Author

“Thank you.” These are the most wonderful words a teacher can hear. I have been a teacher for over thirty years and still get choked up when a student says them. And when a former student writes to tell you that you inspired them? Magic. Like happened this morning. I was scrolling through emails this morning as I often do, when I came upon one titled, “Your Favorite 5th Grade Student.” I…

View On WordPress

Persistence of Memory: An Excerpt

Captain Sludge stood atop a wooden platform in the glow of torchlight. The red flames flickered as black smoke clouded the surrounding cavern and drifted toward the distant Stalagmite Forest. The rocky jungle left shadows on the cave walls that sparked ideas for new nightmares. There was a rumbling and scores of dark soldiers marched through the entry tunnels toward him. Row after row of…

View On WordPress

(via The Screenwriter's Bible: A Review)

The Screenwriter's Bible: A Review

David Trottier’s book, The Screenwriter’s Bible, is a must have for anyone who wants to write a solid screenplay. With everything from the basics of storytelling and character development to how to revise to a workbook with exercises for writer’s block, this manuscript will set even beginners on the perfect course. After writing several screenplays that I had yet to send out, I bought it…

View On WordPress

(via Peace Cards: Kids Resolving Conflicts in a Few Easy Steps)

Peace Cards: Kids Resolving Conflicts in a Few Easy Steps

Ms. Woodward! She’s being mean to me!” “Mom, he went in my room again!” “Mr. Garcia, Sam won’t play with me.”  If  these outbursts sound familiar, you’ve probably found that every fix was temporary. And frustrating.  But don’t worry, most teachers and parents feel the same way. So what to do? If you can’t fix these problems, who will? The children. For years, I tried solving problems for my…

View On WordPress

Finding Joy: A Teen's Journey

I hide the bruises while they say hippie wannabe, dog, and freak. But I am Joy. Its my name! And I’m really trying to live it. About Laurie: The author of Forests Secrets and Finding Joy as well as The Pharaoh’s Cry,  Portal Rift, Persistence of Memory, Kidnapped Smile, and Dragon Sky of the fantasy series The Artania Chronicles, Laurie Woodward  is also a screenwriter who co-authored Dean and…

View On WordPress

(via Beat it Out: Screenplay Outlining)

Beat it Out: Screenplay Outlining

View On WordPress

(via A Little Shameless Self Promotion)

A Little Shameless Self Promotion

“Our world will be saved if their art is true,” says Artania’s Prophecy. True art? WTF is that? True art is that magical place of creativity inside us all that makes us believe in our own wonder. And that’s the theme of the Artania Chronicles. To inspire true art and take us to love, of self, family, partners, and more. I am pretty friggin proud of this work. Even though I have taught full time…

View On WordPress