About

I’m a writer and a teacher. Not surprisingly, I teach writing…

Even though these two activities are very closely intertwined, I’ve split myself in two and set up two blogs: this one is where I post poems, stories, observations, whatever. The other blog wordplay writing is where you can find out all about the writing courses, workshops and residential retreats I run in Italy and London.

So here’s about me, the writer:

When I was eight-and-three-quarters my mum and I sent my first novel ‘A Haunted House’ off to the publisher’s. We got a lovely rejection letter. I was not put off writing – but maybe I got a bit hung up on publishing. I’m one of those people who have shoe boxes full of letters I’ve never sent…

I’ve bypassed the publishing industry for now but… if you do happen to be an agent or a publisher (or you know one…or you have a friend who knows one..or you think you might have a friend…), and you’ve enjoyed reading my stuff , do get in touch!!!

I also like running, dancing and generally having a laugh with anyone who’s up for it!

As for my professional/ teaching side

You can read more about that from my cv , but briefly, I have a PhD in English Literature and a special interest in autobiography (or the line between fact and fiction – and how one can inform the other) and over twenty years’ experience teaching English language, literature and creative writing to mature students in universities and colleges. While I have a successful background tutoring and editing established authors, I really enjoy teaching students who are at the beginning of their writing journeys, and accompanying them along the way (whether to publication, to a private book of shared memories for grandchildren, or to the immense satisfaction and personal development a regular writing practise can bring.

Finally, if you like this blog and would like to be kept informed of updates and new entries there are three things you can do:

i) subscribe to the blog by clicking on the link in the right-hand column ‘e-mail subscriptions’. That means simply that whenever there’s an update on this site, you’ll get a note in your inbox.

and/ or

ii) follow me on twitter. To do this, click on ‘Tonya’s updates’ – also in the right hand column and you’ll have the option to click ‘follow’.

and/or

iii) comments. This is your space! Agree? Disagree? Have thought of something you’d like to share? Just go to the comment box at the end of any blog entry and type in your thoughts. You can choose to be public or private. But it’s a good way to dip your toes into the ready-made published world of words.

This page has the following sub pages.

• Tonya’s CV