About Me

Hi there

Welcome to my portal of wisdom and resources about that most fascinating subject, literature in English.

I have been a keen reader all my life. I remember writing my first ‘book’ at the age of 8 – a homemade folded paper booklet describing the adventures of ‘Me’ and ‘I’. This was a collaboration with my older brother, who also contributed to the stick figure drawings. Fortunately no photos exist of this masterpiece.

At the age of 14 I fell in love with poetry, thanks to a small brown book with selections of Keats and Shelley. Suddenly I looked at the world in a completely different way. Language became even more of a precious resource, a mystical, symbolic, profound, and still rock-bottom realistic entity.

I am also committed to learning as a way to grow as a person and become ever more empowered and capable. Study skills, books and creativity have formed the passions of my life.

I completed a Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy at the University of Auckland (New Zealand). Later I also completed a Masters in Library Studies through Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand), and a Masters of Creative Writing at the University of Auckland (New Zealand). I then completed a Diploma in Professional Counselling (Level 6) at the New Zealand Institute of Professional Counselling.

After spending so much time at school and university, teaching and tutoring came naturally to me. I have spent the last few years tutoring students in English and ESL, first part-time, now full-time. My students come from a range of backgrounds, ages and abilities. What unites them is their need to increase their competence and confidence in both English as a language and English as a subject.

I continue to tutor in Auckland, New Zealand, and am available for ongoing tutoring or consultations on academic essays and theses.

Thanks for coming! Browse all my resources and links and ramblings. Contact me if you have any questions.