Writers have power. Yes! Writers have the power to dictate to their readers how to read a text. The construction of sentences can create pacing, place emphasis, create emotional impact, drive home a point, provide cohesion, maintain clarity, show the writer’s voice, and more. Sentence variety can also change the way the text is laid out on the page. In fact, sentence variety is one of the keys to writing readable, entertaining, engaging text of any kind. 

Rob Sanders has been writing since he was in high school. His foray into traditional publishing began with fiction picture books. Then he discovered his love for writing nonfiction. But that’s not all. In 2022 Rob’s first middle grade novel in verse was released and this year’s releases will include a poetry collection. Rob is known for his careful word choice, stunning prose, and of course, his sentence variety. 

In this session, Rob will use some of his own writing as mentor texts allowing you to see sentence variety on the page. Then you’ll be introduced to a dozen ways to add sentence variety to your writing and have opportunities to practice many of the techniques using your own work-in-progress. 

ROB SANDERS is a teacher who writes and a writer who teaches. He is known for his funny and fierce fiction and nonfiction picture books and is recognized as one of the pioneers in the arena of LGBTQIA+ literary nonfiction picture books. Rob’s nonfiction books continue to break new ground, including the first picture books about the Pride Flag, the Stonewall Uprising, a transgender Civil War soldier, a gay presidential candidate, and the first gay marriage in America. His work also continues to introduce readers to heroes of the LGBTQIA+ community—from Harvey Milk to Gilbert Baker, from Cleve Jones to Bayard Rustin, and more.  His fiction explores friendship, relationships, standing up for others, and being allies. Blood Brothers, his first middle grade novel, written in powerful, raw verse released in July 2022 and was named an NCTE 2023 Notable Novel in Verse. 2024 releases will include Rob’s first nonfiction poetry collection—Queer and Fearless: Poems Celebrating the Lives of LGBTQ Heroes (Penguin Workshop) and two fiction picture books—Between You and Me (HarperCollins) and We Are a Class! (Beaming Books). Rob believes in paying it forward. He serves on the SCBWI Impact and Legacy Fund Steering Committee and is a frequent speaker, teacher, mentor, coach, and critiquer. Rob is represented by Rubin Pfeffer. For more information about Rob and his books, visit https://www.robsanderswrites.com/. 

This workshop is on Zoom and registration is required. Please click here to register. 

The video is available for on-demand viewing April 7 – June 4. 

Sponsored by the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation.