Game-Writing Workshop

Visiting Author Paula Johanson

on Whidbey Island in April 2014

Write Your Own Games

This one-day session shows ways to create your own games – science games, funny jokes, role-playing adventures – that you can use once, or play for years. Includes samples and a handout to get you inspired. Ask questions based on your own needs and goals as well as on the ideas presented.

Saturday April 19 9:00am til noon

To register for this workshop, contact:

Whidbey Island Community Education Center, located at Old Bayview School
5611 Bayview Rd Langley, WA 98260 phone 360.221.5020 http://wicec.us/

Paula Johanson has worked as a writer and editor for over twenty years, teaching writing workshops for community colleges, libraries, and recreation centers. As well as making games for her own family's use, Paula has written game materials for d20-compatible game publishers.

Green Paddler

People who like kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding are people who care about the environment. Kayaker Paula Johanson, writer for the blog KayakYak, will be visiting Langley Library to show us how to be Green Paddlers. Did you ever carry a kayak on a bus? Or a train? Or an airplane? Paula has.

Come handle the folding inflatable kayak and gear used in the Gulf Islands, Ladysmith BC, Toronto Ontario, and the Red Deer River in Alberta. Join us and share ways to reduce your carbon footprint while getting out on the water.

Friday, April 18 at 3:00pm 

To attend this free talk, contact Langley Library at 104 2^nd Street Langley WA 360-221-4383

http://www.sno-isle.org/locations/langley/

Taking Science Fun to the iPad People

Last year I had the wonderful opportunity to write a script for a kids' "appisode" - a web-based story and game combo for iTunes and the iPad. It was exciting to be part of a team working in what was a new format for all involved. The challenge - to bring science ideas to a new audience in an exciting and interactive way.

The results, I'm thrilled to say, are now available for download at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dr.-greenies-mad-lab/id565671925?mt=8. I'd be thrilled if you would check it out and try some of the games. And laugh at some of the groaner jokes I wrote for it too!

Special feature!!! Here's a sneak peek at the "Achievements" page for the games. Notice howyou get special points for  being rude and for offering a  bean-powered fart boost...

Science Plus Kids TV Equals Fun!

Written by Helaine Becker

For the last three years, alongside my other writing projects, I've been the staff writer for a science- and environment-themed television show for children called Planet Echo (You can see it on APTN, or watch it on line.). The segment I write is called Dr. Greenie's Mad Lab. It mixes serious, science-y information with an abundance of fart jokes. Hey, what's not to like?



Dr. Greenie mixing up something gross  - and educational! - in his lab.

The Mad Lab segment has indeed proven so popular with viewers that we are spinning it off into a stand-alone show. Some sample footage from the new show was submitted recently to the Juried competition at MIP Junior, the preeminent international trade show for children's television.
And guess what! Dr. Greenie's Mad Lab has been selected as a finalist!

The awards will be given out at a chi-chi red carpet gala in Cannes on October 7. Alas, a plane ticket to attend the event is not in my pay package; I will have to get the news of the winner via a tweet from producer Chris Greaves.

In the meantime, I'm adding tweaks to the all-new webisode for the show, an exciting project that includes both a fun plot and three interactive games kids can play on their tablet or phone.

Watch this space for news of the award winners, and wish us luck!