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.
As well as being a writer, I am the Kids’ Book Blogger for Boomerang Books where I created Kids’ Book Capers. http://content.boomerangbooks.com.au/kids-book-capers-blog/ This is a great job because I get to read lots of great books and meet fabulous authors and illustrators.
You can also visit me at my website www.deescribe.com.au
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 Hanna, A 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.
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 them 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
