ABOUT THIS BLOG AND ITS CREATORS

Who am I?

When I was seven-years-old I decided to be an author. I have written books ever since, but didn’t know how or where to submit my work until I completed a Diploma in Professional Writing & Editing at Victoria University. I also have a Diploma in Journalism and am a qualified trainer.

You can also visit me at my website www.deescribe.com.au

I also have a writing tips blog at DeeScribewriting

My Books

My first young adult novel, Letters to Leonardo took more than ten years to research and write. My other books include Hope for HannaA Duel of Words and Harry’s Goldfield Adventure. In 2010, I was given a May Gibbs Fellowship to work on my new YA series, The Chat Room and I spent a whole month in Brisbane, writing.

I currently have 16 books published for kids and young adults.

Pearson Book covers - pic for blog 2014

Why I started writing classes for kids

I started teaching writing for children and teens after my creative 10 year old was turned off writing by the restrictions of  the school curriculum. A year later, he finished the first draft of his first novel.

I have taught writing workshops and classes in schools around Australia and I run regular school holiday workshops for all ages.  I am an advocate of young writers and have been a mentor with the PLIESE program.

Why I am offering writing classes online

I wanted to offer affordable courses that kids can do anywhere in the world. I also wanted them to be flexible to fit around homework and other commitments kids have in their busy lives.

What people have said about my classes and workshops

I enjoyed planning stories and inventing interesting plots – Elizabeth

I found the non-fiction story pyramid really useful – Ginnie

A lot of great information – Eric

I really enjoyed the scenario building – Jess

It was great using the pictures to create characters – Ashlee

I enjoyed asking my character questions and finding out more about them – Bill

I liked learning how to plot stories and characters – Phoebe


Enquiries: Email Dee – Dee*at*deescribe*dot*com*dot*au
landscape Dee's book

ABOUT TUTI

- facing rightHello,

My name is Tuti ( Tuti is an Indonesian name meaning a little girl), I am a Malayan Tapir. I come from the rainforests of Malaysia and Indonesia.

I love water and I can swim well. I am also a great hiker, easily climbing up and down slippery, muddy slopes as I search for food.

I LOVE food, my favourite thing is young, juicy, green shoots but I also like fruit, grass, twigs and water plants. I am a female tapir so I am quite big, I weigh 300kg! Female tapirs are often larger than males.

I am grown up now but when I was a baby I was brown with white spots and stripes- I was so cute.

Speaking of food, AGAIN, I mainly search for it at night. I have a really clever nose and my hearing is excellent. Finding food is getting harder for my family and me.

Ruth at workOur rainforest home is being burnt and cut down so that one day our home will be gone.

Tapirs are considered an endangered species which means we could become extinct soon if our home is not protected.

I wanted to join the fun of Writing Classes for Kids, but my friend, Ruth Palamountain thought it might also be a chance for you to learn more about Tapirs and the way we live.

Feel free to write to me: Tutiatwritingclassesforkids*at*deescribe*dot*com*dot*au

MY CREATOR

Illustrator, Ruth Palamountain lets me do all sorts of fun things and then she draws me while I’m doing then. Ruth met Dee (who started this blog) when they were both at school and they  have been best friends ever since.

Ruth trained as a vet and she loves animals so I guess that’s why she’s so good at drawing them. Ruth and Dee both love books, creating, animals and chocolate.

WEBSITES YOU MIGHT LIKE TO CHECK OUT

Official World Tapir Day Website

Help Save Tapirs! Tapir Specialist Group Conservation Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

  1. Hi Dee,

    Love what you do! What a wonderful idea. My son, Lewi, who is 12 going on 13, would like to do one of your writing classes. he is homeschooled and it would be the first proper ‘class’ he’s actually ever done:) I was just wondering if he is too old for your courses? he likes the idea of the heroes and villains character one.
    Thanks so much
    Kim

    • Hi Kim,

      Thanks for your enquiry. Lewi is definitely not too old for my online writing classes. They are actually well suited to kids his age because the writers need self-motivation and a certain level of writing skill.

      I’m happy to answer any questions you may have about any of the courses.

      Kind regards,

      Dee

  2. Natalie Barragan says

    Hi Dee,
    As a teacher I have students that are interested in story and poem writing. What information or contest can you give me and to parents, how to help keep the student/child involved.

  3. Hello Dee!
    My nephew is 11 and was diagnosed with ADHD and borderline Asperger’s. He has difficulty in social situations, and has been suspended from school 7 times so far this year. But he is an AMAZING writer! He writes short stories and chapter books with very well developed characters and plots, and middle to high school-aged vocabulary. I want to encourage him to keep doing something he’s really good at and I am wondering if you have any advice on ways for him to feel more broadly recognized (more than just by his immediate family) for this great work that he does. Any thoughts you have would be greatly appreciated!
    Linnea

    • Hi Linnea,

      Thanks for your message.

      So great to hear about your nephew’s writing. It definitely sounds like it would be good for him to have his talents recognised.

      Is your nephew good with computers? One way for him to get recognition for his work would be to self-publish his books through Amazon or Smashwords. That way he would have something to show for it. Another way would be for him to set up a blog where people could give feedback on his work. Perhaps his school has a newsletter and they might be willing to publish some of his writing.

      He could also enter his work in writing competitions. Your local library might be able to give him some information about competitions.

      CYA runs a writing competition every year for kids from around the world. Unfortunately, it’s closed for this year, but your nephew could work on something for next year. Here’s their website: http://www.cyaconference.com

      I would also look for any Associations or groups for gifted and talented children in his local area and they might have some ideas.

      Wishing your nephew all the very best with his writing.

      Kind regards,

      Dee

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