Writing for the web, the page, the voice and theatre

Whatever you need to get across, I can show you how to use words to engage and persuade, to inform and educate.

Once there was a writer who worked in an office. Her job was to write things and give presentations - but she did not feel inspired. Her output was bland and boring – she couldn’t help using words like ‘evolving’, ‘going forward’, ‘facilitation’ and ‘transformation’ in everything she did. She dumped lots of statistics and information onto her readers and listeners, who quickly lost interest. Then one day she decided to tell a story. And everything changed.

My scripts have been produced by the BBC and ABC, while my short fiction has won prizes and been published world-wide. I have helped many organisations create engaging website content.

Workshops and courses in communication skills, creativity, and collaboration

These are the new essentials for success at work and in study. And I can help you transform and energise your work or study by applying a range of skills from the performing arts. Whether you want to do well at an interview, prepare a great talk, or create a slide presentation that stands out from the rest, these are the skills that you need.

Over the last thirty years I have led programs, courses and workshops at universities, and for business and government. I have a wide experience of using theatre and creative writing processes in education and training.

Collaborative devising and directing for the stage.

Whether it's community theatre, applied impro in professional training, or story-telling performance, I can work with you on your project.

I have managed over a dozen theatre productions from first idea to public performance. Shows I directed have toured the UK and Australia, been presented at festivals, and entertained audiences at art galleries, museums, schools, universities and community centres.

I am an experienced public speaker and a regular performer on the WA story-telling circuit.

My talks, seminars and presentations are all informed by my knowledge of performance skills: they are lively, interactive and engaging.

Creativity at Work:

One day workshop

Government and business are changing rapidly, and these changes require us all to adapt how we approach our work. It is no longer enough to rely on knowledge. We need creative thinking to solve new and unexpected problems and resolve emerging issues.

There is no simple formula for generating original ideas and applying them in the workplace. But there are tried and tested techniques to help create the conditions for innovation, both in individuals and groups.

In this one day course we’ll put into practice some of these techniques, look at the science that informs them, and discuss how to apply them to the work of large organisations. On the way we’ll demystify creativity and learn how anyone can become creative.

Finally, and by no means least importantly – people enjoy being creative. When we are being creative at work we are more engaged with what we are doing; that benefits everybody. This workshop will be lively, and enjoyable.

The Power of the Story in Workplace Communication:

One day workshop

This workshop is for anyone who wants to put new energy into their workplace communication. It is for those who want to learn how to harness the full power of the written and spoken word in order to inform, explain and persuade. Because good story-telling is at the heart of all effective communication.

So what makes a story? What are the commonalities of structure that link ‘The Hobbit’, ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘The Da Vinci Code’? They are all great pieces of writing; everyone can learn from them how to engage and communicate with a reader or listener.

In this workshop you will get an insight into how stories create meaning. Then you’ll learn how to apply this understanding to your own work. And in the process you may well find new energy and inspiration.

Collaboration and Leadership: ideas into practice

One day workshop

Content:

Lessons from the performing arts on collaboration

The pleasures of collaboration – how and why people can enjoy team-work.

Using Emergence as a model - how to allow process and structure to emerge.

What leaders need to do - create conditions for collaboration by providing structure and limits.

Assessing the pros and cons of collaboration - when it is and is not appropriate.

Commitment - the importance of getting people to commit to group process and aims.

The perfect brainstorm – and why traditional brainstorms don’t work.

Why it’s okay to fail - 3M Post-it notes, Google spectacles, and other great failures.

‘Let’s take the first step and get lost. Because if you never get lost you might never get found.’

The power of ignorance - question everything; accept all questions

Convergent and divergent thinking - knowing which to use.

Collaborative energy and innovation - why 2 + 2 = 5.

Activities - individual, pairs, small and large groups.

Writing Plain English

Half-day workshop

Whatever you are writing, you need to make sure you put your reader first. This workshop shows you how to write the kind of English that communicates effectively with a reader, that is clear and concise. You will learn how to streamline your written work by following some straightforward rules, and how to structure a piece of writing for maximum readability and impact. The workshop is lively, interactive, and stimulating.

Grammar and Punctuation Essentials

Half-day workshop

What are the principles that underlie clear and effective written English? This half-day interactive course shows you how to apply the basic rules of grammar and punctuation to improve your writing. It also teaches you how to avoid the most common errors. The notes for the course include summary sheets that you can use at work and simple approaches to editing your written work.