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 It's my Anniversary!
19 years ago this month, I quit a low-paying job to make even less as a writer. It terrified my newly wedded husband, because my little paycheck covered our $600 per month rent. But he supported me in launching my writing career and is still supporting me today. I couldn't have imagined back in 1991 where my journey as a writer would take me - that I'd one day have the privilege of not only seeing my books in print, but of producing a show I care about, launching literacy programs that matter, teaching other writers how to succeed, and reaching out to fill the needs in my community. But no artist can work alone, especially not in today's culture. So this month, I'm thankful for the support I receive from family, friends, fans, and fellow writers. Thank you all!
Did You Know: I was talking to a bookstore owner who works near the Westclox factory where my book Doing My Part is set. She told me about the Radium Girls, women working in factories who contracted radiation poisoning from painting watch dials with glow-in-the-dark paint. They ingested the radium when they licked their paintbrushes. This was still going on during World War II. You can learn more at wikipedia.org/wiki/Radium_Girls
Did You Know: Thousands of schools nationwide have participated in a History Channel event called Take a Veteran to School Day for Veteran's Day in November. For more information, teacher guides, curriculum sources, and sample agendas, e-mail veterans@aetn.com. Thank you to Brad Hoopes for sharing this info.
Did You Know: Beet Street in Fort Collins offers a monthly networking opportunity for anyone involved in the arts. Called Arts and Drafts, the event is held the third Tuesday of every month in a downtown location starting at 5:00. It's a great chance for artists to meet and support each other. Visit www.beetstreet.org/ to learn more. .................................................................................................................................. |
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| Readers
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Readers:
Holiday Shopping
 It's against my principles to talk about Christmas before Halloween, but this is only a monthly newsletter and I need to let you know that any books or teacher or homeschool kits you order directly from me will be marked down 20% for the holiday season. I am happy to inscribe your books as well. Signed books make wonderful gifts. And my novels provide something for everyone in your family! To order, visit my website.
In September, I had the pleasure ofparticipating in a Kids at Heart event in Fort Collins. The program offers support to foster families. Children aged 3-11 cycled through my room in small groups to learn more about being an author and to help me create a story on the spot. The story took some wild twists and turns, but we all had fun! |
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Tell Me Your Stories:
Readers, please don't forget to send me your stories or your family's stories from World War II. We've made it super easy for you to submit your short memories or anecdotes from the war to my website. Simply visit my Reader's Stories page. We have numerous submissions currently posted, so please feel free to visit my site to read these very special remembrances. |
Writer Tips:
That Book Inside You Workshop:
Saturday, November 20.
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Workshop Description:
It all starts with an idea--a middle-of-the-night brainstorm or a concept that's been
building--and you know you've got a book inside you. But how do you begin? Click here for more information on this one-day workshop and to sign up.
Teresa's Quote of the Month:
"Writers Need Writers"
It's true that writing is a solitary task, and no one can write your story but you, but it's equally true that writers should never work entirely alone. You need feedback, as well as support, and no one can provide that better than your fellow writers. Join a writer's group, attend readings, work with a writer's coach, participate in arts events, network with your fellow wordsmiths. Be there for your writer friends, because someday they'll be there for you!
Send Me Your Writing Questions:
And I'll do my best to answer them in this column. Your questions can be on the craft of writing, the business of publishing, the challenges of marketing your finished work or anything in between. I'm eager to hear your questions!
How to Start a Writer's Group:
In keeping with my theme of seeking out support for your writing, I've posted a few tips for starting and maintaining solid writing groups. I teach a workshop on this topic as well, so watch for workshop dates in 2011. |
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Educators
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New School Program
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Hey teachers, check out my new five-part Author Program for schools. This program goes way beyond the standard author visit. In addition to my school appearances, you'll get a six-part writing unit, the option to bring art and theater into your schools through my Reader's Theater skits and more. In this time of serious budget cuts, I can assist you in helping fund the visits.To learn more, please click on my School Visits page. Be Thankful! In the September newsletter, there was a lesson to teach about "Community Helpers". Who are they? What jobs do they perform? November is a time for being thankful, so let's take this one step further. Click here for some ideas how! Check out our December newsletter for a lesson plan that helps us thank our military soldiers fighting for us right now! |
Student Activity:
Have You Ever Wondered...
What games kids played before computers, Wii or Gameboy? Here is a game that kids in the 1940s played that is still fun today! This would be a great game to play on Thanksgiving Day if you have company coming.
Clothes Pins in the Bottle:
Place a milk bottle (or glass container with a small opening) on the floor. Standing above it, let each person try dropping 10 clothespins in the bottle. Whoever gets the most clothespins in the bottle, wins!
You can get clothes pins at craft stores or in the supplies department of a grocery store. If you don't have clothespins, try using pencils or large paperclips instead!
Mind Bender
Keep a look out each month for a mind bender. It could be some sort of activity or a trivia question. Check out the next month's newsletter for the answer. Good luck and have fun!!
Answer to Last Month's Mind Bender The man is a of short stature. He can't reach the upper elevator buttons, but he can ask people to push them for him. He can also push them with his umbrella. |
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Pass it on
Every month we work hard to include as much helpful information as we can for teachers, parents, homeschoolers, and students. If you like the activities you see here, please pass this newsletter on! To see our archived activites, click here. |
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Contact Teresa At:
Teresa Funke & Company116 W.Harvard St., Suite 1Fort Collins, Co 80525Phone:970-223-4484Cell:970-215-4155Fax:970-223-4414email:teresa@teresafunke.com |
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| News
and Events
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Events:
Halloween Fun!
I'm hosting a family-friendly, Old-Fashioned Halloween Party on Friday, Oct. 29 from 6-10 pm at The Rio's Agave Room. We'll have Rio appetizers and their famous margaritas, entertainment, crafts for children, contests and more.The admittance fee will go toward providing Do Your Part School Kits to teachers on our waiting list. Admittance is, $20 per individual, $10 for children 17 and under, $50 for families.
It would mean so much to me to see you there, please come! |
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Catch Me This Month at:
Hoopla for Hope benefit for the Mathews House at the CSU North Ballroom on Nov. 11th.
The AAUW "Conversations With Authors" fundraising event on November 13 at the Embassy Suites in Loveland.
The Senior Center Craft Show on November 26th and 27.th
To see details on these and other speaking engagements in November, check out my events page. |
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Sponsors Needed:
Read a Hero Literacy Program:
We are conducting a statewide literacy program through the Boys & Girls Clubs in Colorado. This dynamic after-school program will focus on reading, writing, and history education through a six-month curriculum. But the clubs need your help! Please contact us at tfcinfo@teresafunke.com to find out more about sponsoring a club.
Great Book Giveaway for Christmas 2010:
For a second year, I'll be donating books through my Great Book Giveaway program. Our recipients this year include Realities for Children, Kids at Heart, the CSU Triumph Tutoring Program and The Poudre Library District. If you'd like to help provide books and an inspiring author appearance to children this Christmas, please contact us at tfcinfo@teresafunke.com |
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Thank You to Our Sponsors:
A heartfelt thank you to Myra Monfort who sponsored our Read a Hero Literacy Program for all three Larimer County Boys & Girls Clubs! The clubs and I are so very, very thankful!
And I'm extremely pleased to announce a new partnership with North Beach Dental. As part of their outreach, these amazing professionals offer quality and consistent dental care to patients on Medicaid and CHP+ insurance. They also provide free dental care to pregnant women. I'll be partnering with North Beach on multiple projects this year, including the Read a Hero Literacy Program, the Great Book Giveaway and the Do Your Part School Kit program. I'm happy to help spread the word about their services. Their heart for the community is strong. Visit them at www.northbeachdental.com |
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Teresa Funke & Company provides books, programs, and resources to Readers, Writers, Teachers and Students. Teresa is a Speaker, Presenter, Writers coach and author of five books based on true stories from World War II. To learn more, please visit www.teresafunke.com |
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