Recent and Upcoming Events
May 12, 2018 College Essay and UK Personal Statement Wrting Workshop, Paris 75007
April 11, 2018 College Essay Writing Workshop at Beacon High School, NYC
October 18, 2017 College Essay Writing Workshop at LaGuardia HS for the Performing Arts, NYC
June 27, 2017 College Essay Writing Workshop at Ermitage International School, France
April 22, 2017 College Essay Writing Presentation, American Library in Paris
April 20, 2017 Fondation de France Gala College Essay Writing Workshop
January 12, 2017 Forbes article on College Essay Writing by George Anders:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/georgeanders/2017/01/12/great-college-writing-the-wrong-essay/#66050472113e
May 10, 2016 College Essay Writing Workshop at Lycée de Sèvres International Section
Cathy Altman Nocquet
Creative thinking was always part of my curricula. It trained me to find any problem interesting. It also taught me to consider and value words. I love to analyze, debate and entertain the absurd.
Words and numbers never tire me. I work out with them the way other people lift weights or run laps, whether I’m writing, teaching, editing or fundraising for projects close to my heart. Being bilingual brings an added awareness of words, not just in writing, but in living. It’s wonderful to interact with so many like-minded people in Paris. Most of the students in the writing workshops are bilingual. We constantly play with language, meanings and sounds. This leads to an ease of expression, an improved skill in writing, and a marked delight. Join us anytime. |
Creative Writing
group workshops and private sessions for children and adults College Essays generating unique content to find your brand developing your voice on the page Teacher Training using writing in the classroom to develop creative thinking for English mother tongue and ESL students Editing fiction, academic articles, biographies, speeches, college essays, IB Extended Essays Writer Coaching in person or via email guidance for new authors insights for professionals |
Then and Now
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IVORY TOWERS
University of Chicago Laboratory Schools Reed College Barnard College/Columbia University HARD KNOCKS Young and Rubicam, Paris D’Arcy, Paris Tatham Euro RSCG, Chicago Leo Burnett, Paris Leo Burnett, Chicago DDB, Chicago Waring & LaRosa, New York Awards for radio, TV and print advertising campaigns |
THE GREAT ESCAPE
Creative Writing Workshops The American Library in Paris Ecole Jeannine Manuel Lycée International Saint-Germain-En-Laye Notre-Dame/Saint Sigisbert, Nancy Gifted in France Paris Girl Scouts Ecole Koenig Manatee County Libraries, FL Barnes and Noble, Brooklyn, NY Books of Wonder, NYC Bankstreet Bookstore, NYC Words Bookstore, Maplewood, NJ Working Moms Short Hills, NJ Yoga Retreat Milos, Greece Yoga Retreat Orvieto, Italy |
College Essay Writing Workshops
American Library of Paris Lycée International de Sèvres Beacon High School, New York City Teacher Training English Language Schools Association Ecole Jeannine Manuel Lycée International Saint-Germain-En-Laye Lycée International, Valbonne American Association of International Sections Writer in Residencies Lycée International Saint Germain-en-Laye Canadian International School, Bangalore Lycée International Valbonne 2011 Paris Short Story Contest Shortlist and Editorial Prize Nominee |
Recommendations «I have never seen nor heard of anyone who works with people, young and old, in as inspiring a way as Cathy Altman Nocquet in her creative writing workshops. With humour, wit and depth of understanding, she opens her students' minds to the endless possibilities of their own imaginations, giving them the skills and direction to put this into words, sounds, rhythms, phrases. Cathy values all her students’ work and ideas, and stays encouraging and instructive, guiding each person to find his or her own voice.»
Amy Gamlen, Musician, Composer and Teacher, April 2010 «Looking at how much Cathy's creative writing class has helped our children to gain self-confidence in their own ability to write, it strikes me that there is scope to develop a kind of counter-culture Creativity Camp which has as its overarching goal the mission of challenging and developing each child's unique talent.» DY, Education journalist, Dec 12, 2008 WRITING CLASSES
«S has been writing non-stop in his notebook since your classes. His French and English teachers both noticed he was writing more and better. Your workshop inspired him and we are enjoying reading his writing together every night. Thank you very much for this great beginning to creativity and writing!» LF, Paris, June 2011 «L's English teacher writes that ‘her writing is becoming ever more creative and literary, particularly her poetry writing’. She also scored 'dedicated, descriptive, eloquent and expressive'.... This is all in no small part due to the fun she is having in your classes, by far her favourite activity. Many a dinner table conversation has revolved around various plot lines and neologisms. We're all benefiting from this literary trickle-down!» L.M., UK, April 2010 «Your workshops are a blast because you come up with such creative incentives for writing and understand all the road blocks we all put up about any endeavor.» L.K., San Francisco, May 2013 COLLEGE ESSAYS
Over 30 recommendations on the Vouch Tutors website: https://www.vouch.com/3z1sG6e "Thank you so much for all of your help, I couldn't have gotten that essay out of me without your sparkle!" S.J. (admitted to Columbia University) "Thank you again! I couldn't have done it without you. Your advice really got me going in the right direction and I am very satisfied with the final draft." Y.D. (admitted to UCL) "Your comments are incredibly useful and make writing each draft easier!" J.T. (admitted to University of Chicago) «If I’m able to write like this it is thanks to you and your wonderful classes. The confidence I gained while completing your writing assignments was incredibly precious. Thanks for being an excellent writing and life tutor!» M.F.M, Italy (admitted to Haverford) EDITING
«Your comments are right, right, right - again and again. The line edits are masterful, and in fact I'm writing this note after pausing at the end of Chapter 2, because I couldn't in good conscience read any further without expressing proper appreciation. Everything you say about bigger issues is very perceptive, too. You framed the choices well and your detailed direct feedback is incredibly valuable. Please keep the wisdom coming!» G.A., Author, Feb 2014 «I admire your balanced delivery of praise and criticism -- encouraging, without crushing. Clearly a well honed art.» T.G., Author and parent, May 2014 ADVERTISING
«Cathy’s intelligence, talent and humor are undeniable. She is able to pierce then transform the most complex problems into stunningly simple and strategic solutions. Her imagination is alive and well and her unique way of seeing and describing things leaves ordinary writers in the dust. Any client would be fortunate to have this truly original mind working on his/her business.» Arlene Wanetick, Creative Director at the Joey Company, New York, Dec 3, 2008 |
Student Awards
Young Author's Fiction Festival (YAFF) 2016
1 Second Place YAFF 2015 1 First Place 1 Fifth Place YAFF 2014 1 First Place 2 Second Places 1 Third Place 2 Fourth Places 1 Fifth Place 2 Honorable Mentions YAFF 2013 2 First Places 2 Second Places 2 Third Places 1 Fifth Place 1 Honorable Mention YAFF 2012 2 Third Places YAFF 2011 1 First Place 1 Third Place 2 Fourth Places 1 Fifth Place 1 Honorable Mention YAFF 2010 1 First Place 1 Fifth Place 1 Honorable Mention 1 Student admitted into the Barnard College Creative Writing Program Red Wheelbarrow Writing Contest 2009 1 First Place 2 Honorable Mentions |