Bobbie Pell
About
For over 35 years, Bobbie Pell has shared her love of story with audiences of all ages through written works, storytelling performances, and workshops. Her specialty area, Celtic folklore and traditions, focuses on faerie lore, ballads, and archetypical myths. Her first book, THE HIGHLAND HEART, explores themes of true love, faerie encounters, and a hero's journey to wholeness. She also tells world folk and fairy tales filled with universal truths to show how Story explores the human heart. Bobbie's first faerie tale collection, JUST ONE WISH, won the national Honor Book Award for Adult Readers by NSN in 2017.
By combining her love of ancient Celtic traditions with storytelling and spirituality, Bobbie wrote dramatic monologues, able to be shared in any sacred setting, in CELTIC VOICES. Each work delves into the backgrounds and mysteries of specific Celtic Saints: Brendan The Navigator, Brighid of Kildare, David of Wales, Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland, Julian of Norwich, Kevin of Glendalough, and Ciaran of Clonmacnoise. A biblical bonus monologue appears for Mary Magdalene.
Bobbie's educational background includes a B.S. in Outdoor Environmental Education followed by three Master's degrees: Library Science, English Literature/Composition, and Creative Writing [MFA-terminal]. She continues teaching creative writing, ballads, and folklore workshops for John C. Campbell Folk School, Montreat Road Scholar, and library/school venues. Nominated for 1996 Excellence in Teaching Award at Asheville-Buncombe Community College. My first faerie tale collection, JUST ONE WISH, received an Honor Award for Adult Readers from NSN in 2017. Biltmore Who’s Who (Inducted for Imaginary Lands Storytelling Entrepreneur, 2007). Accepted as one of 20 story contributors for my ballad retelling "The Mournful Lady of Binnorie" in THE AUGUST HOUSE BOOK OF SCARY STORIES from a pool of storytellers nationwide. Approved on four state performing artist rosters in Creative Writing and Storytelling: South Carolina Arts Commission, North Carolina Mountain Arts Program, United Arts Council of Wake County, and Kentucky Center for the Arts. Actively worked as Visiting Artist in the public schools for over 10 years teaching Writing/Storytelling. Taught adult students various Creative Writing courses at UNC-Asheville in their Special Programs for 7 years. Collegiate Instructor for 25 years: English Composition, Literature, Masters Level Storytelling, Creative Writing, Literacy Programs for K-12 Teachers, Folklore/Fairy Tales/Myths, and all levels of Poetry.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS National Storytelling Network (1992-Present). Healing Storytelling Alliance (2005). Association of Writers/Writing Programs [AWP] (2004-Present). National Writing Project (Senior Fellow/1993, Fellow/1992). Society of Children’s Book Writers/ Illustrators [ SCBWI] (NC/PA). Visiting Artist: Approved Artist Roster (State Arts Councils: KY,SC, NC since 1998). National Wildlife Federation (2005). National Arbor Day Foundation (2005). National Parks Conservation Association (2005). Biltmore Who’s Who (Inducted for Imaginary Lands Storytelling Entrepreneur, 2007) Society of Children’s Book Writers/ Illustrators [ SCBWI] (NC/PA).
My teaching rates are $30.00 for 30 min., and $55.00 per hour. Evening and weekend hours are negotiable with primary times during the week. My teaching method involves direct instruction in techniques vital to creating successful fiction/creative non-fiction: character development, vibrant settings through vivid imagery, use of figurative language, structural plot options, realistic dialogue (voice), employment of universal themes, and selecting appropriate point of view. I offer short exercises with clear focal points in the areas mentioned above. Once completed, the student can apply learning to their individual projects. Specific readings /texts are suggested in alignment with student's writing needs and literary preferences. All student work should be submitted as WORD documents.