Will Weaver - Author Residency 2011
Young Adult Author Will Weaver conducted a two day residency (the "Residency") in the young Adult Writers Author Expo.
Event Dates, Locations and Attendance at each individual event:
1. 06/20/2011: School presentation at Horizon Middle School in Moorhead - 200, Writer’s Workshop at the Barnesville Library, and Author Presentation at the Barnesville Library - 13
2. 06/21/2011: School presentation at Detroit Lakes Middle School, School presentation at Detroit Lakes Middle School - 220, and Author Presentation at the Historic Holmes Ballroom in Detroit Lakes - 75
A total of 508 people attended activity sessions.
• Partner Organization(s): Northwest Regional Library, Historic Holmes Theatre
• Partner Organization(s) Contribution/Role in the Program:
Northwest Regional Library also hosted performances by Ron Gamer. The performances were scheduled so the activities could take places in both regions during the same time period. The Historic Holmes Theatre provided venue space in Detroit Lake at 50% of their regular rental rate.
Measurable Outcomes may be collected by survey, anecdotal responses, pre-test/post-test, observations; Describe proposed end user change in Behavior, Attitude, Skills, Knowledge, Condition and/or Status.1. Reluctant Readers will be re-engaged.2. Participants will learn about the writing business.3. Participants will learn about writing.4. Participants will meet successful writers.
A summary of survey results are as follows:Please rate the quality of this program: (Using 1-5 scale, with 5 being excellent and 1 being poor)
- Not rated -(0), 1- (0), 2 - (0), 3 - (1), 4 - (4), 5 - (51), Average (4.57)
What did you like best about the program?
- Personal tie to his life, writings and student lives – local interests
- Casual, intimate, great information
- Insightful workshop
- So much helpful information presented in an engaging manner
- Will’s honest sharing and good help
- Talked with us, not to us – Very teachable – Applicable
- Will’s stories
- Mr. Weaver gave such clear, poignant examples for writing, facilitating the discussion so well
- Speaker – his perspective
- Relaxed atmosphere (2) & give and take w/audience (9)
- People where able to talk and ask questions about their own memoirs
- Readings – love that he visited schools
- Was too short
- How we can write! (2)
- Intelligent talk
- The “hands-on” tips and strategies offered
- Will’s sense of humor and straight forward style
- Knowledgeable & friendly speaker – good inspiration (3)
- Everything (4)
- Mr. Weaver has a wonderful approachable manner
- Very clearly stated – as are his books
- Wonderful speaker – inspiring
- Gave me some incentive to write!
- The informality of it
- Interaction – audience input & questions (4)
- Approach was great, gentle, engaging
- Weavers reading & stories (4)
- Authors natural manner & friendliness
- Objects which trigger & inspire personal writings
- All the writing options
- Will’s easy style of presentation; helpful ideas on writing a memoir
- Add internet
What did you expect to experience or learn from this presentation? Were your expectations met?
- Build a connection to reading via author personal life & encourage writing
- Yes (23)
- And no idea, better than I expected
- Expectation well met
- Expected insights on writing memoirs – got insights and more
- Encouragement to begin
- Tips and insight into what constitutes a story or a memoir
- I had great expectations
- Absolutely
- Learn a little about writing
- His life, where he gets his ideas (3)
- I didn’t know what to expect – it was wonderful!
- Knowledge & inspiration to write memoir (2)
- The process of writing memoirs (10)
- I was just thrilled to be able to meet Mr. Weaver
- More than met
- Really enjoyed it
- Writing tips (4)
- Wished it would have been longer
- Writing can be a multi-faceted reward
- I had no expectations, but was pleasantly surprised how enjoyable it was
- Hoped to get concrete info to help my writing, need more time & personal
- I wanted to learn how to put some family stories into book form
- Hoped for a longer presentation
- Pleasantly surprised (2)
- Was all very good
- How to write
- I wished for more
What other programs would you like to see offered at the library?
- Love the author presentations
- Open
- More authors (5)
- More “how we can do this”
- Music, visual arts, nature
- Love new creative ideas
- Authors, Explorers, more of what we already have
- More workshops/demonstrations/interactive in the morning or afternoon
- Iran & Mtn Climber
- More of the same (2)
- Publisher
- Storytellers
- Anything on literature
- Literary works & presentations; especially diversity issues & cultural matters
Prior to this program, have you ever attended a program at the library or sponsored by the library? Yes (39) - No (20) How did you hear about the program?Program flier – 2Information/poster at the library - 9Information/poster in the community – 4Library newsletter - 4Library web site – 7Newspaper/magazine – 35Radio - 5Television - 1From library staff - 12From another person – 14 Check your age range: Birth to 5 (0), 6-17 (1), 18-54 (18), 55 and over (40) What is your zip code? 56560 (4) 56514 (6) 58103 (1) 56501 (33) 56621 (1) 56511 (1) 56578 (3) 56573 (2) 56544 (3) 56554 (3) 56361 (1) Do you have a current library card? Yes - 50 No – 6 NA – 4 # of evaluations received: 60