“Writing is editing for me. I do a rubbishy, sketchy version first to get to work on, which is scaffolding. And then the writing is honing and refining, strengthening, trimming and leafing out—so like a tree it grows out and out.”
David Mitchell
Teaching
I'm so lucky with my career. My job is to write and few things bring me more pleasure than expressing myself on paper.Do you suspect you'd feel the same way if only you knew how sentences should be strung together to form a story?
Well then, you're in good company! For every fulfilled writer there are dozens of almost-writers who simply lack the confidence to let their pen or keyboard run away with them.
Instilling this confidence is the main aim of my creative writing workshops. Through a mixture of tutor-led discussions and practical exercises, I introduce participants to the fundamentals of writing elegant and illuminating prose. After that, it's just a matter of practice.
But can creative writing be taught?
Sigh... How many times have I been asked this question? And here's the answer: you bet! It's strange how writers are constantly called upon to defend their right to learn the rules and conventions that govern their art. Have you ever heard an artist make excuses for the time they've spent learning the laws of perspective or composition? Or a keyboard player having to justify 10 years of piano lessons? Exactly.
What I teach
I offer both one-off workshops and longer courses of up to 10 workshops, where each workshop focuses on a different aspect of writing (see "workshop themes" page). To bring these aspects to life, I draw on published stories, my own writing and sometimes participants' own work.
All workshops have a strong practical component. Every fresh technical point is backed up with a written exercise. And where participants are happy with the results, they are encouraged to read their prose back to the group. Feedback and constructive criticism are led by me and actively encouraged from all group members.
I teach strategies for conquering writer's block and others for overcoming the dread of the blank page. I also aim to teach participants the skill of "critical detachment"—that is, the ability to stand back from their own work and see what needs fixing. Most importantly, my workshops give emerging writers the space to experiment with their writing in a supportive environment.
Where I teach it
I run some workshops for small groups from my home in Singapore and others from schools and institutions in the region. Home-based workshops come with tea, coffee and plenty to nibble on!