Between now and the summer of 2009, I'll be running three day-long writing workshops in Singapore. These are:
Writing features for magazines: April 21
Writing for children: April 28
Creative writing (an introduction): May 5
Each workshop will run from 9.30am-4pm, with lunch included. These promise to be exciting, hands-on sessions brought to life with discussion, insightful examples and practical exercises.
See my Workshops Schedule page for details
I am a British/Italian journalist and a published writer. I'm also a media agony aunt, answering readers' personal questions in a magazine Q&A column. In my most recent appointment I've been made Writer in Residence at Singapore's United World College, one of Southeast Asia's largest and most well respected international schools.
Most of my reporting has focused on human rights and health issues, though I've also written my share of fun and lightweight articles for newspapers and women's glossy magazines. I've written a book on common allergies, examining their link with toxic household chemicals (The Allergy-Free Home) and I've picked up an Amnesty International Press Award, for a feature on Tibetan women living in exile, written for British Marie Claire.
With every passing day, creative writing claims a stronger hold over my life... a kind of madness seems to infect me if I don't set aside time to write! As well as penning my own works of fiction, I run writing workshops for secondary schools and for small groups of adults. I also offer a one-to-one mentoring service for less experienced writers.
On a personal note, I am married to another journalist and we currently live in Singapore with our two young children.
Mark Beverley, Head of English, United World College, Singapore: "There has been so much positive feedback from students, staff and parents and we are delighted you were able to come and share your expertise with us. Your infectious enthusiasm and genuine interest in the students, as well as the intelligence and sensitivity you brought to the teaching of the writing process, were nothing short of tremendous and I can't thank you enough. We would LOVE to have you back."
David Custard: “You will never know how much this course has encouraged me and ignited my passion to write. Thank you very much! You provided the structure I needed to deepen my understanding of writing. Each ‘theme’ allowed me to focus and improve in a discrete area.”
Fernando Arroyo Fassio: “I’d never really done any creative writing before. This course has awakened my interest in writing, and has motivated me to start a journal. Perhaps the first step towards having a book published some day?!”
Cristina Dolendo: “This writing course has unlocked and revived all the creativity that had been lost in this made corporate world! I have learnt to be a lot more descriptive in my writing. Thanks Vittoria.”
Jacinta Noonan: “I enjoyed everything about these writing workshops. They are well organised, well taught and well structured – 10 out of 10! You are a powerful trainer and create a safe and accepting environment which encourages budding writers to dare. Everything you said was of value.”
Darrel Forrest: "Thanks for the class I really enjoyed it, I think you have a great manner of teaching and your patience is endless."
Katherine Wildman: “I just wanted to say how much I’ve enjoyed the course. You have given me a grasp of structure and narrative that I never had before. I have always had the words to write it but never the right point of view and never the right 'voice', and you’ve taught me how to put it all together and for that I give you enormous thanks.”
Carolyn Good: "Vittoria has excellent presentation skills. Her experience and knowledge of writing were shared most effectively in her workshops. Her passion for, and love of, writing is contagious and I now have plenty of ideas and techniques to incorporate into my writing."
Kate Woodford: “The structure of the course is excellent. The themes worked well for me, as it helped me think through the writing process and consider how I might take my scribbles to the next level.”
Julia Bell: “My writing has definitely benefitted from this course. It has given focus and structure to my work, and has motivated me to write more.”
Angie Clark: “I learnt how to advance my creative writing from a very beginner/cliché style to something more advanced. By focusing on themes – character, setting, plot, ‘show and tell’, etc – you have made my writing more concrete. This has been a valuable experience.”
Shani Meedeniya: “My writing has grown in every way – from the way I build a character to the way I put everything together. You have taught me how to look at things like a writer and how to describe them well.”
Sharon van de Veerdonk: “I wanted tools to help me get on with a story, I got tools!”
Diana Jean Reyes: “I’ve really enjoyed my mornings at your house – such a lovely, relaxed setting. Oh, and the writing workshops have been handy too! I’ve found this course interesting, inspiring and confidence-boosting. I love your enthusiasm, openness and honesty. Your passion for writing is inspiring.”
Hilary Boyd: “Here are the things I particularly liked about the course were: The venue – I prefer having courses at informal places where I can feel comfortable; your teaching technique – I like it when someone can answer all my questions, as sometimes I get stuck on a small thing which stops me listening to anything else; the pace of the course; the variety in the course discussions, handouts and ‘extras’; the dynamics of our group and the friendly atmosphere.”
Jaya Machet: “You have helped me understand what writing is all about. Thanks for the structure!”
Kaveeta: “I found your writing workshops wonderfully stretching. You opened me to my hidden potential and stopped me feeling incapable. You bring out the best from all your participants. Your quick analytical input in response to our questions was very helpful and informative.”
Claire: “I found this course extremely helpful and enjoyable. I have more awareness of structure and technique, and I approach my writing with more confidence and excitement. I look forward to attending more workshops!”
Lot de Jongh: “You have made me more aware of how to balance a story and what elements need to be considered in order to create a good, believable narrative.”
Sukaina Taqi: “My expectations have definitely been exceeded by your workshops! Thank you for opening my eyes to the wonders of fast writing and journaling.”
Shazliana Heron: “Vittoria is most encouraging. She motivates you to write, write, write. My confidence has grown. Words are starting to flow.”
Heidi Barnes: “Thank you for not just the opportunity and venue to do what I know I’m meant to do, but also for your encouragement and unwavering enthusiasm. Though not complete, I know my short story will benefit from the words of wisdom you have bestowed.”
Carol Darling: "Your workshops have been confidence building, informative and very encouraging - thank you!"
Grace: "The information you've given me on technique has been extremely interesting."
Maggie: "I thought the workshops were great. I had no idea how to start writing a story before but now I sit at the keyboard and it all just flows. I enjoy writing fiction much more than I anticipated - thanks."
Fiona: "I have really benefited from your workshops. First of all because I actually had to write (instead of putting it off indefinitely) and secondly, because I found the workshops very inspiring and motivating. I feel I now have the tools to forge a story alone, as well as an understanding of the editing process. All of the writing themes were explained and illustrated well. And any questions were answered clearly and with concrete examples."
Tracy Betteridge: "I found your workshops really enjoyable - thank you so much for the encouragement. I learnt to write quickly and without too much thought, which allowed me to capture ideas that maybe I wouldn't have before. My expectations from the workshops were exceeded - I grew in confidence with each one. I'm now really looking forward to practising."
Nithia: "I have benefitted from your workshops very much. It was very useful to learn about the structure of stories and just to have more awareness about how to write."
Kate: "I found it very helpful to have writing broken down into separate elements - ie. character, point of view, setting, etc. Learning 'fast writing' was the best tip ever!"
Caroline Martin: “It was very useful to have such a diverse group with such varied writing styles, and I have really appreciated the positive and supportive feedback from yourself and from the group.”
Suzanne Bocking: “I really enjoyed the work shop – thank you for helping me find my voice. And thanks for making a difference and helping to empower others.”
What people have said about storymaking2
(5-week advanced creative writing course)...
Margaret Thurber: “Your course has given me the confidence to write creatively. Teaching me to ‘show’ rather than ‘tell’ has been most beneficial. Before taking your course, I felt very insecure about my ideas and letting my imagination ‘go wild’. Writing is very personal; I feel exposed having people read my stories. Nonetheless, I have started sending them to friends and family for feedback.”
Nichola Walker: “I have learned that writing is like painting – so right-brained. In the workshops, I have really learned to relax and not to worry about the outcome, and the results have been outstanding. I may even be a bit good, when I let myself go! I have also realised that you are more 'facilitator' than 'tutor', and initially that was quite challenging as I have not been to Uni, so I have never been exposed to this way of learning. But you have been very clever, getting us to pull out any talent we have.”