FEEDBACK  ABOUT MY SPEAKING AND TEACHING “Susan, I just wanted to write and let you know how very much I enjoyed your talk at the conference.   You are very inspiring and your story really helped me.  I will forever hold you as the model for how to succeed in children's writing and publishing.” Barbara H. “My students have had truly memorable experiences working with Susan.  She has turned them on to the joy of writing and guided them into recognizing their own writer inside. She expresses thoughts to the kids in a supportive manner that makes them want to write. Overall, my students' experiences working with Susan have greatly improved their skill as well as the way the view themselves as writers.” Carla & Mike Hurchalla, Virtual Authors-in-Residence Program, Delmar, Maryland “I just wanted to thank you for your expertise.  Our one-on-one exceeded my expectations.  You not only offered constructive criticism (saving me months of work) you also gave me great inspiration.  Thanks to your sharp insight, I have the confidence and the direction to revise my book. You've made a big difference.” Nancy Avdoian "I have to share with you a conversation that Lori and I had today.  I asked her about the suggestions you gave her for her writing.  She told me that they were very helpful and she never expected you to give her so much help.  I just listened.  The she said, “She must really care.” I agreed with her and then tried to shake off the goosebumps that her statement gave me. I hope you realize the impact you are making on her life.  She just can't get over the fact that you actually care about her and her writing. Isn't this awesome? I really wanted to thank you for what you are doing. Thank you for giving so much of yourself." Carla "Thank you for being my mentor through our book writing project.  I had the idea but you helped me to make my draft the best that it could be.  I enjoyed playing the What If? Game with my story.  It sure helped me to use my imagination.  I appreciated the time you took to read my rough drafts and to send me helpful suggestions.   I am very proud of our story!  I know that you are a wonderful writer already and it was great the way that you took your time to help me.  I will always remember the help that you gave to me this summer during our Authors Mentoring Author's class." Your writing pal, Heather “Thank you so much for being an indispensable part of the Jack London Writer’s Conference again this year. Your insights into the world of writing for children always make this event a success.” Mariann M. Jackson, conference chairman “I was just going through my notes from Susan Taylor Brown's workshops. I don't usually go through past notes; I'm very glad to have these. Her comments are there to support me when I need them the most, especially when I am doubting myself or wishing that my story was less risky. Susan told us, many times, to take those risks and believe in stories that are hard and fearful to tell. My notes bring the energy of her workshop back to today, right now, where my writing needs it.” Kate Barsotti "Susan Taylor Brown's critique of the first ten pages of my novel really helped me see I wasn't accomplishing what I wanted with the story.  The exercises Susan had us doing combined with thoughts from the critique and I woke up the next morning excited about starting my novel over." Sue Ford “Susan Taylor Brown gave a very enlightening presentation to the students at our school. Her stories about how her childhood and personal experiences have influenced her writing were fascinating.” Sue Barton, St. Joseph’s School "Thank you so much for the wonderful presentation you gave my GATE students. You did an excellent job. We’ve discussed your ideas and feel really excited about our upcoming author’s faire."  Lisa Torres, Discovery Bay, California "How can I possibly thank you sharing your joy and enthusiasm? What a blessing you are to the entire community but especially to me! Thank you for your kind words and gentle guidance. Your help will make not only my writing and story stronger – but me as well. I look forward to keeping in touch with you and continuing to exchange ideas." Stephanie Finke, Highlights Conference at Chautauqua 2003 "Thank you! for being a part of the Reading Rainbow ceremony. Your storytelling and words of inspiration were wonderful. I look forward to working with you again." Rolanda McCowan, Director of Educational Outreach, KTEH FEEDBACK FROM THE MISSOURI SCBWI RETREAT Dynamic, inspiring, nurturing.   Susan Taylor Brown was outstanding!  Her exercises opened up my mind to ways to transfer real-life emotions into my writing. Very personable.  I enjoyed hearing her. The time flew by.  Information helpful. In fact, one of the exercises gave me the idea for a book - I'm excited! Loved Susan.  She has a lot of energy and enthusiasm and her comments were helpful. Susan was magnificent.  I really like hearing from someone who KNOWS the trials and tribulations of being a writer, someone who knows process and isn't trying to convince me that my work will only sell if I do it this one way (their way).  I especially benefited from her discussion of quiet--needs more emotion.  Fantastic. Sincere, caring, helpful.  Pushes you (gently) to do what you need to do for yourself and your writing.  Susan was dynamic, nurturing. Enjoyed Susan very much. Excellent, well-prepared, energetic.  Great exercises - very helpful critiques. I thought Susan was wonderful. She was very giving and freely disclosed information about her own work as well as the art and business of writing. I am astounded how helpful my 15 minutes with her were.  She is very astute and knowledgeable. I've got some practical goals already set up for myself as a result, so I feel as if I tapped into a gold mine. Many, many thanks. Susan made me feel comfortable as an unpublished author. She encouraged me and reassured me that although I felt less accomplished than the others here, it was ok because I'm in "my own place." Excellent editor - gentle but able to discern manuscript problems. Excellent insight and direction. Right on.  Helped tremendously. Generous and incisive. It was very validating and encouraging. She said similar things to my critique group and also gave me the tools to do it.  Yahoo!  But she seemed to realize throughout the whole process that this was my sandbox and that it still had to be mine in the end.  She wasn't remaking my work in the image of her own. FEEDBACK FROM THE SAN JOSE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM My initial contact with Susan was met with sincere, motivated interest and an immediate ability to define what she was offering and how she could assist my alternative education class of reluctant 7th, 8th, and 9th grade learners at San Jose Community School. During our 2 year collaboration, Susan worked closely, and individually with all of my students, patiently working with them to improve their literacy, She used poetry, prose, autobiography and short story forms of the written word to provide self-confidence building experiences for the students. At the same time, these were opportunities for emotional healing of the students as well. Susan worked with my class during 2 1-hour sessions each week. In both years, Susan became part of the class and gained the respect, love and admiration of many of the students. In both years Susan worked as a teaching consultant with our class, she spared no effort to make sure that the student’s works were the best quality possible. In fact, the De Saisset museum of art at Santa Clara University agreed to display their works during their spring exhibition. Susan gave me encouragement and support in the area of language arts instruction, methods and resources that I needed. Her help was instrumental in improving the quality of language arts instruction in my classroom, and enabled me to blend it with the other academic subjects in class. I have only the highest praise and deepest gratitude for her service to San Jose Community School and alternative education. Steve Trujilo, teacher, Santa Clara County Office of Education FEEDBACK ON MY WEBSITE "Susan, You are truly an inspiration!  Thanks for reminding us all that once you've bottomed out, there's nowhere to go but up!" Ann D. "Quick note to tell you I'm enjoying your website immensely. I've bookmarked it as it's not one that can be taken in at ‘one swell foop’."  Lynda M. "There are just those days when you wonder....how did I find this piece of information? Today, while researching some children's books for my site, I found yours and I must tell you that as I write, I am tearful. Something clicked with me and I'm on my way to finding out. Thank you for following your dream! " Pat K. "Hope you do not mind me getting personal, but I feel like I know you! I just spent some time and read your entire website.  Thank you so much for all the information and encouragement." Deborah H. "While researching children's writing I happened upon your site through Inklings, and I'm glad I did. It offers information and inspiration in a wonderfully imaginative way. Thank you for taking the time to do this. Through my career, I've always offered moral support to fellow writers (heaven knows we all need it) and truly appreciate people who do so too." Greg "Enjoyed my visit, thank you. I was very impressed with your insights into writing on a professional manner." Tom D. "I enjoyed reading your "About the Author". It struck a chord in the heart of a middle-age child who is attempting to recapture my long ago dream of being a writer. Thanks." Bill R. "Do you know the song by Roberta Flack...Killing me Softly with His Song....well your information and feelings about hiding the truth for so long, the truth that you want to be a writer and breath writing...that without it you feel empty...that you long to write day in and day out....etc... You have described what only I have felt, hid, and truly know that's what will ever make me happy - writing!  Bravo, I thank you for saying it, since I have had it in my soul, hidden for so long!" Esther "Thank you. I have led a sheltered life. I thought it was only myself who started out backwards before realizing I needed to "turn around." I now have hope." Amy K. "I think your website is one of the best I've ever seen." Jan "I'm an aspiring writer and I came across your page. Reading your site has given me the courage to continue pursuing my dream of having a novel published.  Thank you so much. " Leslie "First, thank you for your web site.  I especially LOVED the page about your writing habits.  I can completely identify with the way you talked about ideas popping in and out of your head and how you keep several things going at once.  For a little bit there it sounded like my autobiography. Thank you." Colleen S. "I just visited your updated site. It's wonderful!" Deborah C. "Your website is great!  The layout is really nice--an effective way to show off your talent, tell your story, and offer lots of good advice.  I loved your free article about prayer and plan to use it on my website.  I'm expanding WonderKorner to include ParentKorner and TeacherKorner, so your free articles will be wonderful additions there - and will hopefully drive some traffic back to you, as well. Thanks for creating a site that helps readers, parents, students, and fellow writers sit up and take notice. Best wishes in all you do." Bonnie Bruno “...was just led by God and all of his/her companions to your website...what a hoot... kept going to your site...VERY interesting. ...Yikes, it's 4:30 a.m., gotta travel back to bed---so, will be talking later. "Pedro "I don't write children's books, far from it.  I found your site while looking for motivational articles after having received another rejection from an agent yesterday. (I meant to say, I write romance.) I enjoyed your articles immensely.  They really pepped me up and I swear I feel better prepared to face my day. I just wanted to say thanks!"Terescia "I enjoyed your encouragement for new authors. Your site is very pleasant." Sandy A. "What can I say? Except that your site is fandabeedozee!  It is an inspiration to me."  :-) Claire "Just to say a big 'thank you' for your excellent website.  As a novice writer from the UK I have been scouring the web for inspiration and have found your site so very helpful. Thanks again." Tricia J. "Your website is great! Keep up the good work!" Alaina A. "This is a wonderful web site. Thank you for what you have given me to get me to where I am." Millie "Today I was searching for a quote and I came upon your webpage. It is wonderuful...thank you for taking the time to put your thoughts to paper." Gina J. "I just wanted you to know that I am an aspiring writer, and have been for years.  Your website has been so helpful and inspiring because I can relate to your life.  Well, The Writer's Antic is a wonderful resource for me, and your story and all the successes you have had are an inspiration too.  Thank you so very much.  I hope that I will be brave enough to send out my stories soon.  I know that I will because it is my dream.  The question is when?  Thanks again for your advice, and I wish you continued success in all you do."  Lynette Y. "Love your web page.  Good stuff!  Thank you!" Donna P. "Your website is very inspirational and filled with wonderful information for beginning writers. I can tell you put much thought and time into creating it. It is truly wonderful. It was also a great "boost" to my self-confidence problem. So thank you for all your inspiration and kind words!" Diane B. "I just wanted to thank you for all the work and love you have put into this website.  It's the first thing I found, and I found it to be extremely encouraging and inspirational." J.J.R.   "I was introduced to your writing by a very special friend.  My friend has often found inspiration and comfort from your articles during his 6 year bid in federal prison.  His sister often sends him your articles when she notices one in a magazine and he does the same.  I have now gotten into the spirit as well.  I am writing you to let you know of the impact you have made on him as a person and to say thank you.  Thank you from me and thank you from him!" Nadia B. "I was so pleased to find your website. I personally have been interested in writing a novel for years and have not completed one thing I’ve started.  After being motivated again by your work and reading the things you talk about I am ready to get started again!  Thank you!" Natalie "I was looking up Motivational speakers for my children and stumbled across your page. I'd like to Thank You...I'm a poet, in the closet anyways, your words inspired me and I think I need to start stringing beads. I also enjoyed your website. It's very nice." Alcina T. "So thank you for your website, I’ll be checking in with it often.  My instinct is to sit and read it all day long until I am done, BUT that is an avoidance tactic (as is writing you this email if I admit it) because I am afraid to write.  Even though I KNOW I am VERY good at it and it SOMETIMES comes REALLY easily to me.  I am bursting with ideas. Know that you have inspired me and lifted me up and I thank you very much.  If you ever come to my neck of the woods, look me up!" Alison V.