Schools

I would LOVE to come into your school or community group and work with you to help improve, encourage and support creative writing. As a visiting author, my role is to encourage both adults and children to explore their creative potential, and to inspire creative writing and storytelling.

In schools, I use the ingredients of story to have fun, promote literacy and build self-esteem. Examples of workshops – which can be adapted to suit key stages 2-5 – include

What’s your story? – A whirlwind tour of the basic elements of story
Creating great characters – Making your characters three dimensional and believable
From plan to prose – Basic story structure, and how to create a gripping plot
Open Sesame! – How to write a magical opening!
Where in the world? – Finding a setting for your story and making it work
He said, she said – How to write authentic sounding dialogue
Writing to feel better – Some therapeutic writing techniques for personal development

In community groups, the aim is also to have fun, be creative and be proud of what we achieve.

In both schools and community groups we might also explore script writing, be it for film, stage, TV or radio.

But whatever your requirements, I would love to talk to you and create bespoke projects to fit your needs and develop your writing.

Contact me to discuss your requirements.

I have experience in primary, secondary and adult education, as well as working in special education with children who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. I have also taught adults and worked with people from many different backgrounds.

Testimonials

“From the start, Wendy was full of enthusiasm and ideas for the sessions, which were aimed at different age ranges. She understood the nature of working with young people with such issues and complexities and her ideas also built in contingency plans should young people not engage.
Though a few young people were initially cautious and a little resistant at the thought of ‘creative writing’, Wendy’s previous experience in teaching, coupled with her warm and engaging approach made the workshops fun, interesting and definitely memorable. The sessions delivered had, without doubt, ‘sparked’ some young people who are known to be the more ‘hard to reach’. The feedback was all positive and most of the young people who took part left with thoughts and ideas of their own, as to what they would like to do next.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Wendy for delivering writing workshops with young people. She is as professional as she is creative and engaging.
Jacqui Wallace | New Beginnings Project Manager, Brathay Trust Ambleside

“Wendy’s combination of warmth, encouragement and inspiration is exactly the right mix. Her weekly writing club helped the students to develop their literary voices in a hugely positive way. It was a pleasure to see some of our quietest students gradually finding the confidence to express themselves through writing under her influence.”
The Queen Katherine Academy, Kendal