Workshops
THE STORYBOX
I created ‘The Storybox’ when I was awarded North Vancouver Recreation and Culture’s first Artist in Residence 2019. For 9 weeks, adults were invited to free writing and open mic workshops for writers, storytellers, and story fans. It was a safe space to get comfortable reading existing work out loud, talk about the craft of writing, and meet like minds in the community.
But then Covid hit us and the workshops were cancelled in 2020. Intead, I set up an online consultancy called Storybox in Session offering 10, 30, or 60 minute one-on-one slot with me. We reviewed work and talked about how to make it better, or chatted about the industry.
PREVIOUS TEACHING, TALKS, AND WORKSHOPS
NORTH VANCOUVER WRITERS FESTIVAL 2021
Writing for Young Adults with Eileen Cook and Jackie Bateman
“In this workshop, two award winning multi-published authors will discuss what makes a novel YA (young adult). They will break down authentic characters, storytelling, and world-building for everything from contemporary stories to dystopian. Bring your questions, be ready to hear about this exciting market, and take home prompts and new ideas to get you writing.”
CHILLS AND BELLYACHES: WRITING THRILLERS, MYSTERIES AND CRIME
In 2016 I kicked off the ‘Writing with Writers’ series held at North Vancouver City Library, in conjunction with the North Shore Writers Association. Entitled ‘Chills & Bellyaches: Writing Thrillers, Mysteries and Crime’, the workshop was a fun and interactive session for beginners and intermediate writers interested in honing their craft. If you are interested in hosting a talk or event, please contact me with the details.
THE WRITERS EXCHANGE
In 2015, I began to volunteer with the Writers’ Exchange, mentoring in Vancouver-based schools. The program gets inner city kids excited about reading and writing, promoting literacy, and creating cool projects.
PECHA KUCHA TALK
More recently, I have delivered a talk called ‘The Story of the Storyteller’, first seen at Pecha Kucha in West Vancouver 2019. 20 slides x 20 second each. Stressful! But happy to do it again.