“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
Writing Classes
I am very privileged—I have the two best jobs in the world. I write and I coach others who aspire to improve their writing.I can honestly say that few things bring me more pleasure than expressing myself on paper. If you suspect you'd feel the same way if only you knew how sentences should be strung together to form a story, then maybe the time has come for you to join a supportive writers' group. Or perhaps you should consider signing up for a writing workshop!
Instilling confidence is the main aim of my 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 spent learning the laws of perspective? Or a keyboard player attempt to justify 10 years of piano lessons? Exactly.
What I teach
I offer one-off workshops in creative writing and journalism. For schools, I also offer longer courses of up to five workshops, where each workshop focuses on a different aspect of writing (see "Workshop Themes" page). To bring my workshops to life, I draw on published stories, my own writing and sometimes the work of workshop participants.
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 written passages 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 from my home in Singapore and others from companies, schools and institutions in the region. Short workshops come with tea, coffee and nibbles. Longer ones have lunch thrown in. All my workshops are restricted to small groups.