These are the workshops I run. If any of them interest you, please sign up for my newsletter and you'll receive notice of upcoming sessions, or if you'd like me to run a workshop at your place, please contact me.

---

 Introduction to Journaling

---

Journaling is a tool for personal growth
Your journal is the story of your life. It is about you, what is going on for you each day, what has brought you to this point, and 'where to' from here. Your journal is just for you (unless you want to publish it like I did!). It is companion that does not judge you, nor does it place restrictions on what you confide. Your journal belongs to you.

Keeping a journal can be life-changing and is now recommended as a way to:

• lower stress levels
• improve health
• lessen emotional pain
• enhance creativity
• encourage self discovery

In this workshop you will learn:

•  how to get started
•  how to be creative in your journaling
•  how journaling can support emotional health and well being
•  what to write about in your journal
•  how to keep up the practice of journaling in daily life

​This workshop runs approximately 9.30am - 2pm​.

​An individual 'mini-workshop' version is available online: 45 minutes for $30. 

The Building Blocks of Story

---

Have an idea for a story but don't know how to get started?
What is all this talk about structure, plot, character, and theme?
Do we need to know all of this before we start writing?
How - and why - do we use these traditional elements as the foundations for great stories?
In this workshop we'll look at these storytelling building blocks - plot, character, structure, setting, conflict and theme - and use them to construct stories that are meaningful for you.
​This workshop runs approx. 10am - 4pm

Feel the fear ... ​ and write it anyway!

---

This half-day workshop (10.30am - 1.30pm) will provide writers of all skill levels and experience with strategies, tips and tools for overcoming those emotional and practical roadblocks that can stop us from getting started with our writing. 
Through discussion, writing exercises, and group sharing we'll tackle some of these common barriers and fears that can hinder, or even prevent, self expression. for example:
-          Fear 1: You feel overwhelmed in front of a blank page/screen.
-          Fear 2: You lack confidence, think you're not good enough and doubt yourself.
-          Fear 3: Everyone will laugh at you. You want to write a sex scene when you usually write about cats.
Whether you're into creative writing, memoir, poetry, fiction or non-fiction, the tips, tools and inspirational ideas in the workshop are designed to help overcome barriers, boost self confidence, and help you explore your creative ideas and skills.​

'Writing Your Life'

---

An introduction to daily journaling and life writing

This workshop introduces participants to the writing crafts of daily journal keeping and life writing (telling our stories) through a mix of active discussions and writing exercises within a creative, fun and supportive environment.
We discuss how keeping a daily journal can enhance overall well-being and creativity, and provide the raw materials to form the building blocks of life story.
We examine life story as a genre, and discuss the personal, family, and community value of this writing form as a way of recording our stories. We look at tips for getting started, and review the elements that make up a ‘good story.’
This workshop runs from approx. 10am - 4pm.

'Your Life, Your Words' 

---

A life writing workshop

No one can tell the story of your life like you can. Your voice, experiences, and memories are unique to you - so let's make a start with getting those stories down. In this workshop we'll look at how you can turn your life experiences into stories and personal history, and enhance your writing with creativity, colour, and character.
We also look at the structural tools and editing needed to craft a great story.
There are many areas of life we can mine for stories. This workshop focuses on three: birth and early childhood, home, and love and friendship.
There will be several writing exercises and attendees will have opportunities to share their work with the class.
It is preferred - but not required - that participants have completed Jane's 'Writing Your Life' introductory course as 'Your Life, Your Words' builds upon skills and learnings from this basic course. Writers will leave with work that can be progressed at own pace. 
​This workshop runs from approx. 10am-4pm.

'Getting to Grips
​with Grief'

---

An expressive writing workshop

Grief is a natural response to loss, it's the emotional suffering we feel when  someone or something we love is taken away.
The grief we feel over the passing of a loved one is familiar to most of us but we also grieve over a variety of losses - loss of employment, loss of health, the end of a relationship, loss of a beloved pet. Grief can manifest itself in many emotional and physical ways.
Writing about our grief can help. 
In this workshop, we define grief and what it means to us. We listen to and discuss readings from other writers, and participate in writing exercises designed to help us work through feelings of grief and trauma and feel better.
The workshop runs from approx. 930am - 1pm.
Please note this workshop is not designed to provide therapy or counseling and is not conducted by a registered counselor or other health professional.