She has taught numerous residential courses such as
the week-long Arvon Foundation's and the Write Away weekend courses. She teaches Creative
Writing at other levels, working with young people in schools, colleges and universities,
as well as adults. Each session begins with a writing exercise around the five senses to
aid concentration then giving individual help if necessary, the students are encouraged to
work to several drafts, recognising the nuances in language as each subsequent draft takes
them closer to saying what they mean as opposed to what they almost mean. Their drafts
will show them how they progress from the germ of an idea to the finished poem or short
story. She also works with senior members of the community helping them to express
themselves through language on the page. The confidence gained is, invariably, extended to
how they express themselves verbally. On a more practical level, the Creative Writing
sessions are liberating. Language empowers you. When you are able to express yourself
clearly and succinctly, you are listened to. Taken seriously. Most institutions now have
access to some form of desk top publishing (failing that xeroxed copies) so whenever
possible, she encourages the group to print an anthology of their work.
A much travelled writer and poet, residencies and readings have taken her to Belgium,
Germany, Sweden, U.S.A as well as throughout the U.K. In 1998, she made three visits to
Spain as a result of multiple invitations from Universities in Barcelona, Seville, Cordoba
and Huelva to read and discuss her work with an audience. As a result of one of these
visits, a PH.D student at The University of Seville is setting some of her work to music.
This will culminate in a stage performance in Seville in 1999.
