I am happy to speak to a variety of topics and themes and will adapt my presentations to cater for specific needs.
Some of my presentations include:
PRIMARY SCHOOLS PROGRAM
Truth made of lies
The truth in the lie [Years 5-6]
Let’s face it; stories are actually elaborate lies. Honest lies, because the reader is complicit, but lies nonetheless. And of course the best lies, and therefore the best stories, are those that are closest to the truth.
In my interactive and thought-provoking session for upper primary and lower secondary students, I challenge students to think about the slippery nature of the written word and their own experiences with truth and lies. Using Missing, The Book of Chance and Tilda as case studies, I demonstrate the techniques I used to put the “truth in the lie” and highlight the specific challenges each book presented, the importance of research, and the process of creating a suspenseful page-turning mystery.
Pearly and Pig and the Adventurologists Guild [Years 3-6]
In this session participants will be introduced to Adventurologist-in-training and expert worrier, Pearly Woe, and her partner in adventure, Pig. The session will include a spin or two of the Wheel of Adventure, exploration of the Adventurologists’ Guild and opportunities for students to channel their inner pig and learn how to speak Monkey! Along the way elements of the writing process will be revealed, including: inspiration and ideas, planning, research, characterisation, and creating conflict (trouble), but overall the session aims to create great enthusiasm about books and reading, stories and writing.
Pearly and Pig and the Great Hairy Beast and Pearly and Pig and the Lost City of Mu Savan will be referenced.
The Story Thingy [Years K-2]
What is the story thingy? And how does it help my writing? What happens when I disappear into the Story Thingy? This session for younger students focuses on dramatic, humorous and interactive storytelling – I’m partial to dress-ups! – and will encourage students to use their imaginations and actively participate. It will also touch on the process of writing, where ideas come from, and simple narrative structure. Featured books will include the CBCA Notable Picture Books Beware the Deep Dark Forest and Good Question – both illustrated by Annie White.
Writing workshops
We must never forget that writing is a craft and the only way to develop that craft is to practise it – to write and write and write.
I am happy to deliver workshops to any age group from Year One upwards. I draw on my teaching, writing and editing experiences to inspire young writers to use their imaginations and provide tips and exercises for writing development. Workshops focus on the importance of the writing journal and regular free writing practise, getting ideas, creating characters, plotting, using imagination, writing techniques, authentic dialogue, structure, plotting and planning and writing super starts.
The secrets to building a sensational story
This workshop will focus on how writers BUILD THEIR STORIES. Students will discover the power of the story triangle: character/setting/problem – the BUILDING BLOCKS of a sensational story.
Students will participate in activities that will explore how to build a setting and a character, how to create a problem, build a plot and put all the elements together to create a story.
To quest or not to quest (Years 2-4)
Using Beware the Deep Dark Forest as a mentor text, this workshop explores the essential elements of quest narratives and guides students through the process of planning and writing their own quest stories. The workshop will involve creating a story map and the development of intriguing characters, evocative settings, and strong story structures.
SECONDARY SCHOOLS PROGRAM
Truth made of lies
The truth in the lie [Years 7-8]
Let’s face it; stories are actually elaborate lies. Honest lies, because the reader is complicit, but lies nonetheless. And of course the best lies, and therefore the best stories, are those that are closest to the truth.
In my interactive and thought-provoking session for upper primary and lower secondary students, I challenge students to think about the slippery nature of the written word and their own experiences with truth and lies. Using Missing, The Book of Chance and Tilda as case studies, I demonstrate the techniques I used to put the “truth in the lie” and highlight the specific challenges each book presented, the importance of research, and the process of creating a suspenseful page-turning mystery.
The ghosts of the past
A discussion on the stories behind and the process of writing Portraits of Celina. This session will show how the initial idea grew and changed over time and how as characters revealed themselves to me, they led me to write a book that I never expected to write. Themes of family relationships, dealing with grief, first love, truth, secrets, courage, missing persons, life in the 1970s and what is real will be explored.
The writer’s journey
Using published books and current works in progress as examples, this session will explore the writer’s journey from initial idea to final book. It will demonstrate how authors use a combination of research, their own experiences and imagination to plot and plan, write and rewrite stories that are authentic and gripping.
Writing workshops
Can cater to individual school’s needs. Topics include – creating realistic characters, authentic dialogue, story structure, plotting and planning, writing techniques, editing, creating suspense etc.
The inside story
Having worked in children’s publishing for seventeen years, ten of which as a commissioning editor and publishing manager for Walker Books I am in the unique position of being able to speak about the publishing process from a variety of perspectives. The Inside Story provides insight into the world of publishing with tips about how to get a story noticed. (Best suited to ages 12+)
Thematically
I am able to use my books to speak to a variety of themes including, the importance of place, identity, peer pressure, self esteem, courage, betrayal, difference, acceptance, journeys, belonging and growing up.
ADULT PROGRAMS
In a nutshell: writing for children and young adults workshop
Writing picture books master class
Finding your inner child workshop
How to develop enthusiastic readers and writers in the classroom
Write Away – How to create enthusiastic and confident writers