Wendy Willett

Ms. Willett has written, illustrated, and published a fantasy fiction for mid-grade to young adult genre called, Amber Shadows and the Missing Wands. She is in the process of writing/completing three additional books to complete the Amber Shadows series.

Wendy has been writing for several years, as far back as grammar school. She attended catholic school, graduated, and joined the working force. Her influences would have to be her love of live theatre, comedy classics on TV and reading other fantastic books of fiction (time permitting). Wendy Willett is a romantic soul who loves old movies (even in this day and age where everything is High Definition and in color).

Ms. Willett proudly holds a diploma from Institute of Children's Literature, has completed a course through Grammatika.com, and has studied acting, and some playwriting. In 2006, Ms. Willett won publication for a piece called Magical Love, published by Joyous Publishing in Internationally Yours: Prize Winning Stories. She has also been nominated and published in Best Poems and Poets in 2002, 2004 and holds two silver bowl awards for poetry.

Wendy has two children who have influenced her writing as well, and they are her biggest fans.
Published Books

Amber Shadows and the Missing Wands by Wendy Willett (Author) Paperback: 460 pages Publisher: Outskirts Press (July 20, 2007)

Enter a magically hidden world of White Magic, secrets, and danger!
Two secrets have remained hidden and protected within a trunk in the Shadows attic. However, unbeknownst to them, hidden within the rings of wood just beyond their backyard, is a third secret. Amber Shadows, the youngest of three, discovers two of these secrets while searching for information on a White Magic witch or wizard relative she must write about in an essay. During a birthday campout, Amber is awakened by an apparition, who leads her to discover the third secret. Having no understanding as to how dangerous possessing these three secrets interlaced by the same quill truly are, Amber convinces her two best friends to journey along with her on a dangerous quest. Terrifying events unfold during her quest to find her parents, grandparents, and two wands with the greatest of magical powers. Amber and friends must overcome obstacles, take on conjured up beasts, find their way out of traps, and manage to return home safe and sound. But will they?

Ms. Willett begins her presentation by introducing herself, her book, and then explains her decision of why she self-published. She asks the students if they have ever heard of self-publishing. Most haven't so she explains what it is in simple terms. When she speaks to the students, she encourages them to go the traditional route when submitting their work to publishers and to follow their dreams. She is more interested in bringing out the creativity of the students and inspiring them to express their person through the written word and/or illustration. Although she touches on her experience as a writer, she asks them to participate in writing techniques and encourages any questions no matter how off the wall they may be. She gives them food for thought through inspiring words . . . encouraging their inner voice to pour out on paper through storytelling. "Everyone can write, dream, or illustrate, or do all three," Willett says, "but it takes that special someone with an inner voice and a determined need to be heard through storytelling to make it in this business. A writer has to grow thick skin where rejections are concerned, learn how to improve their work from critiques they receive, and then make their story come alive and stand out as unique; a worthwhile read through the eyes of the publisher. If you can visualize the entire picture and describe it so the reader experiences the story alongside the 3-D character(s) from beginning to end, then you have a best seller just waiting to be published and enjoyed by the literary world." Willett goes through the basics of how a story becomes a novel when first written, then how editing and polishing is very important when you're looking to land a publishing contract or considering self-publication.

She engages the students in a discussion of the various stages a novel goes through: How to create 3D characters, draft(s), revision(s), and final proofing. She teaches terms the students should familiarize themselves with, including the following: tags, dialogue, show-don't tell and point of view, the differences of genres, and so forth. Her presentations have been summed up as "an interactive and inspirational approach to teaching the students".

"I ask the students a lot of questions to see what their viewpoint is concerning their work, and then I try to find out where they are in regard to finishing their stories." Willett says. "I find out which students are the serious writers and encourage them to give their best . . . to not let others discourage them. With the teachers' approval I give the students a writing project due within two weeks. They can do the project via email, unless the school would like me to come back and go through each piece of work with the student personally to discuss the critique. The project consists of creating a mini novel of 1500 words maximum, using a story they've been working on, or to create one with all the basics I've taught them. Some find it a challenge and do it for extra credit, while some unfortunately shy away from it because they lack self-confidence. I then offer a free follow-up for each student to help them improve their work. I also extend my personal email to the students in case they have questions during the project or after the critique.

Fees: $150 for a half day, $250 for a full day.