Bill Torgerson
Assistant Professor St. John's University
- New York NY
Laughs and Lessons: Whether it's on Growing up in the 80s, Overcoming Divorce, or Learning to Write, Smiles are Guaranteed
Social
Biography
I'm an assistant professor in the Institute for Writing Studies at St. John's University in New York. My 80s music and movies themed novel, Love on the Big Screen, came out of my own misguided obsessions when it comes to the films of John Hughes and characters played by John Cusack such as Lloyd Dobler in Say Anything.
My adaptation of Love on the Big Screen won the Grand Prize of the Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival Screenplay Competition. Given my time in front of classrooms, presenting at all sorts of professional conferences, and events such as the one "Girlfriend Weekend" I did last January, I'm a flexible speaker who feels comfortable in front of a variety of audiences. I specialize in interactive presentations that generate a storm of laughs and conversation.
Industry Expertise
Areas of Expertise
Accomplishments
Learning to Surf the Sea of Conversation: A Way Into Meaningful Research
The Journal of Teaching Writing published this article in their Fall 2011 publication.
Honorable Mention Los Angeles Script and Film Festival
A Viking on the Subway tells the story of Maija Finehair, a viking warrior killed at the battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066 and whisked away to contemporary New York City. This script was awarded an Honorable Mention distinction at the 2011 Los Angeles Script and Film Festival.
Carolina News Channel 14 Teacher of the Week
Love on the Big Screen
Love on the Big Screen is a novel and script that tells the story of a college freshman whose understanding of love has been shaped by late-eighties romantic comedies. The script was awarded the Grand Prize in the Rhode Island International Film Festival Screenplay Competition.
Education
University of North Carolina Charlotte
Masters
English Education
2004
Olivet Nazarene University
B.A.
English Education
1995
Georgia College
M.F.A.
Creative Writing
2007
Affiliations
- National Writing Project
- College Composition
- Association of Writers and Writing Programs
- St. John's University, New York
- National Council of Teachers of English
Links
Event Appearances
Title
BlogWorld New Media Expo Los Angeles
2011-11-04
Title
National Council For Teachers of English Philadelphia
2009-11-20
Title
Association of Writers and Writing Programs Atlanta, Georgia
2007-03-05
Title
Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival Providence, Rhode Island
2011-08-21
Title
Girlfriend Weekend: The Greatest Book Show on Earth Jefferson, Texas
Sample Talks
You Can Finally Do It! Write the ________ You've Been Wanting to Write
Whether it's a story, novel, script, or blog, in this interactive session you'll finally get started on that text that you've always wanted to write.
Stop Lecturing and Start Engaging: Hands on Activities for the Reading and Writing Classroom
Participants in this lively session will create writing territories and learn how to use those territories to stimulate lively conversation that leads to the writing of meaningful essays, stories, scripts, research projects, and maybe even documentary films.
Love on the Big Screen Comedy Warm Up
"Torg" was so obsessed by 80s music and movies and the impact they had on his love life, that he wrote a book and script about it. Drawing on expertise gained through the writing of his novel Love on the Big Screen, have a good laugh remembering the 80s and thinking harder about how the music and movies of your youth may have influenced you more than you think.
A Writer on the Craft of Writing
From blogs, to websites, to company newsletters, many people find themselves writing much more than they ever imagined. Whether or not you are looking for ideas to write about or honing your craft, this interactive session will get you started toward writing more effectively.
Style
Availability
- Keynote
- Moderator
- Panelist
- Workshop Leader
- Host/MC
- Author Appearance
