WORKSHOPS

Words & Music

Good writing is catchy! Just like a pop song. This workshop explores the intimate connections between words and music. Using examples from my books and actual pieces of music, the workshop explores the narratives hidden in music and the musicality of language.
The workshop explores rhythm and writing (eg sentence length, the importance of reading work aloud), as well as how the sound of words can help to convey meaning. (For example words that sound funny. Roald Dahl’s Gobblefunk.)
This workshop is hugely popular with both younger and older kids and can be tailored to suit any age groups.

Flip it:

Creating unexpected characters, settings, and original story ideas by playing around with our reader’s expectations.

How Grand Can We Go?

A fun-filled ride through the story behind Vincent and The Grandest Hotel on Earth. From exploring the world’s most unusual and incredible hotels to collaborating with my nine-year old godson, this talk revisits the origins of the story and how I met the daunting task of creating a hotel that would befit the title of ‘Grandest Hotel on Earth’. Encompasses how writers kick-start and fire up their imaginations as well as the usefulness of creative collaborations.

Everything Starts out Small

Using the character of Doctor Boogaloo to explore how stories begin with a flash of imagination and are then built up piece by piece. This talk encompasses the story behind the hugely popular Dr Boogaloo and The Girl Who Lost Her Laughter.

What On Earth!

The What On Earth Institute of Wonder features two rare and endangered animals – the New Zealand Kakapo and the African Forest Elephant. This talk tells the story behind the book whilst weaving in fascinating facts and stories about these and other magnificent creatures and the world around us. Full of humour, hope, and wonder.

So You Want to Be an Author?

-One writer’s guide to Magical Thinking

A personal retelling of my journey of becoming an author. As a kid, I never thought of myself as creative and never in a million years would I have imagined I would end up writing fiction. So how did I get here? A mash-up of tips for want-to-be-writers, as well as a way to stimulate creative thinking and original ideas.

“Meeting up with kids and talking books and writing is simply the best part of being a children’s author. As a kid who grew up believing I wasn’t creative, I have a personal interest in fostering creativity and wonder. My presentations involve laugh-out-loud readings, music, stories (personal and fantastical), audience participation and occasionally a stuffed kakapo.” Lisa Nicol

Sessions can be tailored to suit any age group.