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"Just wanted to say how much Rose and I enjoyed your poetry presentation. It's rare to find someone who is so skilled in both the craft and teaching of poetry. I especially liked the segments about using words and sounds for pacing, but all three hours were very educational. Your teaching, support and encouragement have made me a better poet." ~ Robert Ferrier, Attendee, Poetry Seminar, Oklahoma City "I was the girl you convinced to come into your first session and I cannot thank you enough! I bought both of your books and the book on dialogue is extremely helpful. I am a reporter by trade and am having a lot of problems transitioning my writing from 'reporter quotes' to realistic dialogue. Your book is making a major difference in the way I view my own writing." ~ Kim Stem, Attendee, OWFI Conference, Oklahoma City "I loved your seminar yesterday afternoon at the Embassy Suites. I was unable to attend the rest of the OWFI conference but found that what you had to say about sound and punctuation and line breaks already is dancing about in my fiction this morning." ~ Chalise Miner, Attendee, Poetry Seminar, Oklahoma City "Something has happened to my thinking and to my writing since [the SSA conference in] Tucson. I express myself much more confidently, and without fear of criticism. It is a very liberating feeling, and I am reviewing my work in that light. You had a lot to do with it, because it was only after seeing punctuation as a tool of expression rather than one of mechanics, that I was able to look at my words differently. Now the brain leads, and the words just follow." ~ Paul G. Schreiber, Attendee, SSA, Tucson "Your class in Tucson was awesome, great fun and very intensive! Have been re-re-reading your jam packed hand-out as well. Thank you for a wonderful learning experience!" ~ Skylar Khan, Attendee, SSA, Tucson "As you have done for several years now, you made the [Society of Southwestern Authors' 2005 Wrangling with Writing] conference look good and gave a lot of yourself. Your voice got a bit scratchier than I recall, but the information was great. You had very good comments from the people I talked to at the conference. Your workshop was outstanding ...." "I attended the 2005 SSA conference in Tucson last week and sat in on Harvey Stanbrough?s class. He was one of the better ? if not the best ? presenter there. Enjoyed his presentation very much." ~ EJ Phillips, Author, WOMAN: What She Has Done With Where She Has Been, member, Society of Southwestern Authors. Also see Friends of Stonethread. "In September 2004 I heard Harvey Stanbrough speak at our local writers' group, Panhandle Professional Writers. This helped me understand the ins and outs of writing. Then I read Harvey's books, Punctuation for
Writers and Writing Realistic Dialogue & Flash Fiction. As I began to practice the advice in these books I began to feel like a writer for the first time. These books have helped me understand how words and punctuation come together to convey a message. This is the key to being a writer." "Harvey, I found your workshop entertaining, enlightening and down-right practical! Keep encouraging writers. You served our membership as a gracious guest and one energetic guru." ~ Lisa Roskens, Secretary, Panhandle Professional Writers, Amarillo "The workshop was wonderful and exciting. You do a great job of connecting with your audience as well as being so informative. Your workshop marked the first time [another member] has stayed for both sessions. He really appreciates down-to-earth information like you gave and not the usual 'It's-virtually-impossible-to-get-published'; you were just the ticket." ~ Diane Neal, Panhandle Professional Writers, Amarillo "The way you work an audience and the good knowledge you give, I think you could speak on How to Fold a Piece of Toilet Paper and it would be a success!" ~ Molly McKnight, 2005 Frontiers in Writing Conference Chair, Panhandle Professional Writers, Amarillo "Harvey not only comes to our conference as a workshop leader year after year, but as a sincere and honest friend to writers. He understands where the weaknesses are in writing, and he knows how to explain what to do with a fresh outlook. No one falls asleep in Harvey's classes. How could they? He makes every writer feel she is a writer, not just wishing, and every year on the faculty evaluation sheets for the Wrangling With Writing conference he has rated at the top. Here in Tucson, we can't wait until next year." ~ Penny Porter, Society of Southwestern Authors, Tucson "I've been working with writers for almost 20 years through SouthWest Writers, the Taos School of Writing, Western Writers of America and Author's Venue. I've seen hundreds of presenters and attended many workshops. I've never seen anyone work harder or do a better job than Harvey does." ~ Suzanne Spletzer, friend, former president and conference director, Southwest Writers' Workshop, former president and conference director, Author's Venue "Your lecture was so powerful I talked about the experience in an essay I wrote for admission into Texas Christian University." ~ Nathan Roberts, Writer, Student, North Central Texas College ~ Keynote Address, NCTC Creative Writing Awards Ceremony "His relaxed style of teaching allows students to ease themselves into the writing process...." ~ David Sabol, Instructor, Indiana University/Purdue University, Indianapolis "Harvey is an excellent writer and teacher who deserves a wider audience. I saw him present a workshop in Albuquerque last summer and he was absolutely mesmerizing ? the guy actually makes punctuation seem interesting!" ~ John Oelfke, Publisher, Central Ave Press, Albuquerque "I attended both of Harvey's workshops at the SSA conference. He is an excellent, dynamic presenter. His Observation workshop is the kind that changes people's lives. Amazing." ~ Anonymous attendee, SSA 2004 Wrangling With Writing Conference, Tucson "Harvey Stanbrough's quick wit and humor permeate his presentations and make the subject matter easy to understand and fun to learn. Stanbrough's knowledge and experience are impressive, and his fresh approach and energy are inspiring." ~ Carol Costa, author, My Bargain with God and Labor of Love (novels) and Teach Yourself Accounting in 24 Hours and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Surviving Bankruptcy (nonfiction) ~ Treasurer, The Society of Southwestern Authors, sponsor of Wrangling With Writing Conference, Tucson "Your vitality constantly amazes me. You've influenced me far more than you might imagine. The fact that you give so much of your time to developing the 'fire' in others is indicative of your uniqueness and selflessness." "Thanks for coming to the OWFI Conference and ... sharing your knowledge on poetry. I heard great things about your sessions and can't wait to hear the tapes." ~ ~ Deborah Bouziden, Former President, Oklahoma Writers' Federation Inc. "After attending your Flash Fiction class at the SSA conference this past weekend, I wished I had secured an interview with you. Your workshop was informative and I enjoyed your fun style of teaching. It was a pleasure to observe someone so passionate about what they are doing." ~ Rebecca S. Guthrie, Member of Society of Southwestern Authors and Romance Writers of America ~ SSA 2001 Conference, Tucson "I am contacting Sandra Whelchel, Executive Director of the National Writers' Association. I so enjoyed your SSA presentation that I hope she will consider you for the NWA conference in Denver."?~ Laurel J. Becker, Member of Society of Southwestern Authors and National Writers' Association ~ SSA 2001 Conference, Tucson "I would never have dared tackle poetry had I not been lucky enough to hear you speak and read in Georgetown, TX, this spring (2001). That was really an epiphany for me.... I truly feel like a more complete writer now." "The interview with Harvey Stanbrough had the most informative and helpful material I've read on writing poetry. I've gone over my poems, followed his guidelines for stanza structure and line breaks, and cleaned up my act. Thank you, thank you. At last, clear, specific help for struggling poets." ~ Ann Shalaski, reader, commenting on an article in Beginnings Magazine "On Saturday afternoon at SSA's conference, I gave a 2-hour talk on "Following Your Thread: Finding Your Poems.' Last January I showed up [for an interview with you] as a supplicant with a poetry manuscript. Your affirmation kicked me into gear about getting published and doing public readings. This January I [spoke] at SSA with my book and my speech. What a year! What a shift! You helped open a door that I'd hidden behind ? with my hand on the knob ? for way too many years." ~ Bill Mawhinney, attendee, SSA 2002 Conference, presenter, SSA 2003 Conference, Tucson "Thank you for your input of wisdom and craft. You are a gift to our harbor of humanity, and know that this solitary poet loves and values you and your contribution to us all." ~ Clayton Scott, attendee, SSA 2001 Conference, Tucson "I have to tell you, I learned more about the art of the line break from your article in Beginnings than I have from several books on poetry I have read. I feel like I can finally DO it. Thank you." ~ Freada Dillon, reader, commenting on an article in Beginnings Magazine "Harvey Stanbrough captivates audiences with humor. Then he slips in breakthrough truths that revisit you long afterward." ~ Joan Upton Hall, past Conference Director at Georgetown, Texas, freelance editor, and author of Grand Old Texas Theaters That Won't Quit "I just wanted to thank you again.... You've given me a way to add dimension to my characters [and] make them much more believable. I came away with a renewed desire to write, and a great direction to improve on that writing. If you are ever back in Shreveport for another workshop, I'll be one of the first in attendance." ~ Julie Murphree, attendee, private workshop for writers' group members in Shreveport, November 2001 |