TEACHER | Practice | Experience

 

I developed as a writer serving my apprenticeship in writing and publishing within a feminist, experimental tradition. Some of the writing I'm interested in is work from small or local/national (as opposed to globalised) press publications; so I have an interest in the margins. I have usually been a member of a women writers' group; I have strong connections with other writers and I have always identified with a writing community.

My ideas have come from my own practice in writing and teaching, from my reading, and from the writing and teaching practice of my colleagues.

I write and edit and publish and perform. So I have a predisposition to work on writing as a public art form, although I by no means deny or undervalue the role of writing in our private and personal lives.

I cannot be all things to all emerging writers: I read, write and teach from particular positions which are contextualised by my gender, sexuality, class, ethnicity, culture etc. I can present a 'slice of the cake'. For another slice (of another cake?), you need to go to other writers.

I try to maintain a balance between support and challenge, which is particularly hard with emerging writers. My teaching forms a learning network with other people and resources. I aim to be inspirational to those new to writing. I may also confirm the practice of developing writers who may also find new ideas and resources, and new energy. I hope my teaching is both practical and inspirational, useful and thought-provoking—and fun.

I have completed a PhD in Creative Writing at The University of Adelaide,
and a Master of Arts (Literary Studies) at Deakin University. I have papers published about teaching writing—for example, see the April 2005 issue of Text.