I work with secondary students in Woodend and the Macedon Ranges who want to write more clearly, more confidently and more like themselves.

Sessions are one-on-one, held in my home studio in Woodend, and tailored to what each student is working on at home or in the classroom. It might be a creative writing project they care about, a school essay that isn't coming together, or simply learning to trust their own ideas on the page. I work with students across all year levels, and I keep my numbers small so that every session is genuinely individual.

What we work on

Writing is thinking, and most difficulties with writing are really difficulties with thinking – with finding an argument, digging into an interpretation, following an idea, or knowing what you want to say. I work with students on both the craft of writing and the habits of mind that make good writing possible.

Depending on what a student needs, sessions might cover creative writing – short fiction, personal essay, finding a voice – or the more structured demands of school essays and analytical writing. For VCE students, I can work closely with the requirements of specific subject curriculum for subjects such as Literature, Modern History and Sociology. For younger students, I'm more interested in building a genuine enthusiasm for language and ideas.

I also believe that reading and writing are inseparable. If a student is stuck, sometimes the most useful thing is to read something together and talk about how it works.

About me

I'm a fiction writer and journalist based in the Macedon Ranges. I have a First Class Honours degree in Anthropology and spent years working in bookshops and with a specialist art and design book importer. I write short fiction, essays and criticism, and my journalism follows technology, authenticity, and internet culture. I've been a professional writer long enough to understand that craft is a teachable skill, and that the right kind of attention at the right moment can change a student's relationship with writing entirely.

Practicalities

Sessions are held in my home studio in Woodend and run for 60 or 90 minutes. My rate is $70 per hour. A limited number of places are available – I keep my student numbers small by design.

I have a current Working with Children check.

If you'd like to have a conversation about whether I’m a good fit for your child, please get in touch via the contact page below. Or book a time to have a quick chat via Zoom on my Calendly page here.