My Work for Teenagers

For many years I have run writing workshops for teenagers, which I love. Because I’m not bound by a curriculum or targets like teachers are, I am able to get pretty adventurous in my workshops. I use a lot of improvisation and role plays to make it as fun and interactive as possible and have found that this approach can get even the most reluctant participants writing.

As well as running ad hoc workshops for schools, libraries and local authorities, I am Writer in Residence for a group of 13 London schools.

My proudest moment to date was following a workshop at a particularly rough, inner city school when a student came up to me and said, “When they told me we was getting a writer to teach us I thought it was gonna be well boring. But it was wicked!”

Way back in the day, when I was a teenager, I remember believing that because of my background (I grew up on a North London council estate) I wouldn’t ever make it as a writer. This lack of self belief also led to me dropping out of university, despite the fact that I passed my A levels with flying colours. Therefore I try to do all that I can to encourage teenagers to use writing to help them achieve their goals and increase their self belief.

If you are a teenager and would like any tips and advice regarding your own writing, please drop me a message via my mailbox. I promise I will reply.