Roswell author Jenny Cote visited Alpharetta Christian Academy on Jan. 28 to present her writing workshop using her own book to teach the students.

The lively author used her book, The Dreamer, the Schemer, and the Robe, a 2010 Readers Favorite Award Winner, as the backdrop for her presentation.  Students were treated to a writing lesson by a popular author, which included fascinating stories and classmates dressed in costumes.

Mrs. Cote captured everyone’s attention while giving an insightful and practical writing instruction on dialogue, research, character development, and artistic license. She coached the children to use dynamite dialogue to develop the characters and the story.  She advised, “Have the characters tell you about themselves and about the story.”

She also stressed the importance of research, while keeping everyone’s attention with stories of her own research.  Research, she wanted everyone to know, could be fun.  She also advised students to “educate the reader and make it fun.”

As an example, in her book The Dreamer, the Schemer, and the Robe, she gives each chapter name in English and in hieroglyphics.  Readers have the opportunity to solve the hieroglyphics puzzle if desired.

Mrs. Cote also counseled students to show how characters and stories change over time and to keep the reader guessing.  She also explained artistic license as when, “You get to mess with the facts a little bit to fill in the gaps.”

About Jenny Cote

Jenny Cote is an award winning author whose books have been sold all over the world.  She claims C.S. Lewis as her hero, and an opportunity to write at his home was a highlight of her research.  Her writing and workshops are an opportunity for her to blend her “passions for God, history, and young people.”  More information may be found about her books at www.epicorderoftheseven.com.