Leeanne Vernon
Author
Writing Coach
Speaker
Creative Writing Classes resume on
Wednesday January 29th & Thursday January 30th
Primary Class: 4.15 - 5.15 Wednesday or Thursday. $20
Secondary Class: 5.30 -6.45 Wednesday or Thursday $22
Adults: 7.30-9.00 Thursday evening. $25
Secondary Class: 5.30 -6.45 Wednesday or Thursday $22
Adults: 7.30-9.00 Thursday evening. $25
How to Write a Book
First day intensive is on Saturday February 15th from 10am to 5.00. Followed by seven 6-weekly classes from March 'til December, 3 - 4 hours each.
Cost: $250 for first day. $66 per class thereafter (GST inclusive)
Book now to avoid disappointment.
Devastation
(Every week I write with each group. I'd had a couple of chats to people a few years older than me, followed by a talk to my older students about climate change. This is the story I wrote in my 25mins).
There was a day, a long, long time ago when the world was full of life – when animals roamed freely, when humans walked outside and enjoyed air in their lungs, the warm sun on their faces. It was a long, long time ago, yet so very recently.
There was a turning point when things changed, back in the year 2020 and one and all witnessed it, yet the people, the people who were older than the new minds that were setting out and hoping for a place to live forever came into conflict.
The older people who lived their lives in a land of freedom, refused to accept, or even acknowledge the problem. So blind, so complacent. So ignorant. Their egos rose and joined together to scoff at the two words the new minds screamed – climate change.
And below this almighty protest of the older people – the baby boomers who were born into post war years, said over and over, we’ve seen it all before. And although it’s easy to criticize, to point the finger, to shake with rage at their denial – we all knew that one day the post war party would end. And yet those people, the doers, the champions of industry, the builders of modern society, the inventors of products that would destroy us, the extractors of black gold on which we became dependent, would still hear nothing of our impending doom.
Back then, when people lived above the ground, when there was running water and clean fresh air that didn’t burn a person’s lungs, the new minds, the young people – the trouble makers, the protestors, the stirrers, the misinformed, over-educated, entitled millennials stomped their feet and implored the governments, the decision makers to listen. But no one would because they’d seen it all before and the bottom line was more important.
During the year, 2019 when we all slept peacefully in our denial, the Amazon rainforest was almost obliterated. Californian fires burnt out of control, and we shook our heads because it was so far away, someone else’s problem.
But by the end of the year, Australia caught on fire causing more devastation than the nuclear war we older people all lived in dread of ever happening. The trees burnt, the animals perished, and still they said nay. Homeless became the new norm for people and animals.
The Governments told the people – the gullible older folks and the irate new minds that they’d rebuild, regenerate, repair – yet they were not God, and God was angry with us all for destroying what he gave us.
Antarctica was melting. Polar bears were sweltering. Everyone knew, it made the news feed on our phones so there were no excuses. We all knew, shook our heads and carried on, and when the Governments of the world finally agreed there was a problem, it was too late.
Countries began to disappear, swallowed up by rising tides. Older people fell to their knees and begged for action whilst the new minds planned and plotted, and were quickly dismissed for their hysteria.
Then God washed his hands of us, like the new minds, he could do no more for us. He had sent enough warning, so the Devil took over. He rampaged through our lands carried on a cloud of locusts, rats as his guards, and cockroaches began their rise to power, because the world was so hot they flourished. They all roamed freely thumbing their noses at the poor sad older people who sent memos back and forth – perhaps the new minds were right.
And on it went.
On and on until there was no vegetation – very little rain that touched the earth.
And in the outback of Australia, and on the plains of America, and in the small remains of a once mighty jungle – the indigenous people, the custodians of our land who had cared for our earth for thousands of years before civilization stole it from them, slowly went about the business of regenerating the world.
(Every week I write with each group. I'd had a couple of chats to people a few years older than me, followed by a talk to my older students about climate change. This is the story I wrote in my 25mins).
There was a day, a long, long time ago when the world was full of life – when animals roamed freely, when humans walked outside and enjoyed air in their lungs, the warm sun on their faces. It was a long, long time ago, yet so very recently.
There was a turning point when things changed, back in the year 2020 and one and all witnessed it, yet the people, the people who were older than the new minds that were setting out and hoping for a place to live forever came into conflict.
The older people who lived their lives in a land of freedom, refused to accept, or even acknowledge the problem. So blind, so complacent. So ignorant. Their egos rose and joined together to scoff at the two words the new minds screamed – climate change.
And below this almighty protest of the older people – the baby boomers who were born into post war years, said over and over, we’ve seen it all before. And although it’s easy to criticize, to point the finger, to shake with rage at their denial – we all knew that one day the post war party would end. And yet those people, the doers, the champions of industry, the builders of modern society, the inventors of products that would destroy us, the extractors of black gold on which we became dependent, would still hear nothing of our impending doom.
Back then, when people lived above the ground, when there was running water and clean fresh air that didn’t burn a person’s lungs, the new minds, the young people – the trouble makers, the protestors, the stirrers, the misinformed, over-educated, entitled millennials stomped their feet and implored the governments, the decision makers to listen. But no one would because they’d seen it all before and the bottom line was more important.
During the year, 2019 when we all slept peacefully in our denial, the Amazon rainforest was almost obliterated. Californian fires burnt out of control, and we shook our heads because it was so far away, someone else’s problem.
But by the end of the year, Australia caught on fire causing more devastation than the nuclear war we older people all lived in dread of ever happening. The trees burnt, the animals perished, and still they said nay. Homeless became the new norm for people and animals.
The Governments told the people – the gullible older folks and the irate new minds that they’d rebuild, regenerate, repair – yet they were not God, and God was angry with us all for destroying what he gave us.
Antarctica was melting. Polar bears were sweltering. Everyone knew, it made the news feed on our phones so there were no excuses. We all knew, shook our heads and carried on, and when the Governments of the world finally agreed there was a problem, it was too late.
Countries began to disappear, swallowed up by rising tides. Older people fell to their knees and begged for action whilst the new minds planned and plotted, and were quickly dismissed for their hysteria.
Then God washed his hands of us, like the new minds, he could do no more for us. He had sent enough warning, so the Devil took over. He rampaged through our lands carried on a cloud of locusts, rats as his guards, and cockroaches began their rise to power, because the world was so hot they flourished. They all roamed freely thumbing their noses at the poor sad older people who sent memos back and forth – perhaps the new minds were right.
And on it went.
On and on until there was no vegetation – very little rain that touched the earth.
And in the outback of Australia, and on the plains of America, and in the small remains of a once mighty jungle – the indigenous people, the custodians of our land who had cared for our earth for thousands of years before civilization stole it from them, slowly went about the business of regenerating the world.
Creative Writing Hall of Fame
Since commencing this business five years ago, (thanks Facebook memories)! a lot of people have passed through, and some, I am very pleased to say/boast have gone on to achieve some awesome results.
How to Write a Book - year long course:
1: Tim Foote - author of his self published book - Its Just a Ride. When I first met Tim, he didn't really have too much of a clue, but I soon discovered he had a big, big story to tell. He had first penned his ideas while being held in Guantanamo Bay after over-staying his welcome in USA. Tim worked tirelessly, getting up at four or five each day to get his words down on paper, and the more he learnt, the more he wrote and the better his sentences developed. But it was Tim's hard work and drive that saw his manuscript published and launched in various countries of his travels.
2: Desmond O'Neill - author of Timid Drop - published through Jabiru Publishing. Des worked on another manuscript during his How to Write a Book classes, but he took that knowledge when he moved to Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands where another passion ignited - photography. Des' book is inspirational as well as a clever use of two medium married together.
3: Kim Foale- did an amazing job on her manuscript during the year of our classes. But like Des, Kim moved to Queensland where she joined other classes and continued her quest to see her manuscript published, in one form or another, and I get the feeling that won't be too far off. Whilst waiting for this dream to come true, Kim continues to write and even won the Association of Authors recent Flash Fiction taking out first place! That is very impressive because only writers enter this competition. Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! This year Kim has a series of children's books, so I think 2020 will be big year for Kim.
That's three out of six who went on to realise their dream!
Other Notables:
Flora Sciarra was always a very keen writer, but at first she lacked the skills and experience to let herself go, but like others, she persevered. It did not surprise me when she was accepted into her Certificate 4 in Professional Writing and Editing at Victoria University. Likewise, I am delighted to congratulate her on receiving her certificate last month. Woohoo. That's amazing Flora!
Eve Nankervis, is a Year 9 past pupil who attended classes and holiday programs for many years. This year, Eve was commended in the 2019 My Brother Jack awards in the Junior Secondary School Poetry Category with her poem, Caitlyn and her Dream. Well done Eve!! That's amazing.
Natasha Grant, who has been attending classes for the past few years and has now become my first pupil to graduate from Secondary classes into the Adult Class. Tash is also my helper when I dash away for a week or so. But mostly, Tash has grown from a shy, reserved Year 9 into a composed, wonderful young woman who got an awesome ATAR and is off to do a double degree, Science and Creative Writing.
All your Creative Writing Class family are extremely proud of you!
Since commencing this business five years ago, (thanks Facebook memories)! a lot of people have passed through, and some, I am very pleased to say/boast have gone on to achieve some awesome results.
How to Write a Book - year long course:
1: Tim Foote - author of his self published book - Its Just a Ride. When I first met Tim, he didn't really have too much of a clue, but I soon discovered he had a big, big story to tell. He had first penned his ideas while being held in Guantanamo Bay after over-staying his welcome in USA. Tim worked tirelessly, getting up at four or five each day to get his words down on paper, and the more he learnt, the more he wrote and the better his sentences developed. But it was Tim's hard work and drive that saw his manuscript published and launched in various countries of his travels.
2: Desmond O'Neill - author of Timid Drop - published through Jabiru Publishing. Des worked on another manuscript during his How to Write a Book classes, but he took that knowledge when he moved to Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands where another passion ignited - photography. Des' book is inspirational as well as a clever use of two medium married together.
3: Kim Foale- did an amazing job on her manuscript during the year of our classes. But like Des, Kim moved to Queensland where she joined other classes and continued her quest to see her manuscript published, in one form or another, and I get the feeling that won't be too far off. Whilst waiting for this dream to come true, Kim continues to write and even won the Association of Authors recent Flash Fiction taking out first place! That is very impressive because only writers enter this competition. Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! This year Kim has a series of children's books, so I think 2020 will be big year for Kim.
That's three out of six who went on to realise their dream!
Other Notables:
Flora Sciarra was always a very keen writer, but at first she lacked the skills and experience to let herself go, but like others, she persevered. It did not surprise me when she was accepted into her Certificate 4 in Professional Writing and Editing at Victoria University. Likewise, I am delighted to congratulate her on receiving her certificate last month. Woohoo. That's amazing Flora!
Eve Nankervis, is a Year 9 past pupil who attended classes and holiday programs for many years. This year, Eve was commended in the 2019 My Brother Jack awards in the Junior Secondary School Poetry Category with her poem, Caitlyn and her Dream. Well done Eve!! That's amazing.
Natasha Grant, who has been attending classes for the past few years and has now become my first pupil to graduate from Secondary classes into the Adult Class. Tash is also my helper when I dash away for a week or so. But mostly, Tash has grown from a shy, reserved Year 9 into a composed, wonderful young woman who got an awesome ATAR and is off to do a double degree, Science and Creative Writing.
All your Creative Writing Class family are extremely proud of you!
With an increased emphasis on well-being, the advantages of handwritten creative writing can’t be overlooked.
- Encourages concentration and attention.
- Strengthens the imagination.
- Is a stress release.
- Improves the memory.
- Increases neural activity in certain sections of the brain, similar to meditation.
- Sharpens the brain and helps us learn.
- Forces us to slow down.
I write because I LOVE IT; and I share this passion with FUN classes in a very supportive environment.
Leeanne Vernon is the author of the top-selling Netball Dreamz series.
THE SCHEDULE
Primary school:
Wednesday 4.15 - 5.15 or Thursday 4.15 - 5.15. Cost $20
Secondary classes:
Wednesday 5.30 - 6.45 Cost $22
Thursday 5.30 - 6.45 Cost $22
Adults: Thursday evening 7.30 - 9pm Cost $25
School Visits
Brighton Grammar Visit:
"Leeanne ran a very focused and customised workshop for our classes of Year 9 boys. She covered character and setting in ways that were very accessible and the boys produced some excellent work.
I really liked the way she included all the students and didn’t let anyone hide in the corners."
David Nixon
English & Literature Teacher
Brighton Grammar School
I am happy to visit your school and conduct creative writing classes; they're fun and really motivate the students, primary or secondary, to enjoy
and embrace the creative process.
Please don’t hesitate to call Leeanne Vernon
0419 357 871
I wrote my first play in Grade 5, which was performed in front of the entire school.
I started writing my first novel in Year 8.
Getting published was my dream.
Now my name is on the front cover of seven different books.
Do you want to write? Don't put it off any longer.
Do something about it now.
You'll be so glad you did!
"Leeanne ran a very focused and customised workshop for our classes of Year 9 boys. She covered character and setting in ways that were very accessible and the boys produced some excellent work.
I really liked the way she included all the students and didn’t let anyone hide in the corners."
David Nixon
English & Literature Teacher
Brighton Grammar School
I am happy to visit your school and conduct creative writing classes; they're fun and really motivate the students, primary or secondary, to enjoy
and embrace the creative process.
Please don’t hesitate to call Leeanne Vernon
0419 357 871
I wrote my first play in Grade 5, which was performed in front of the entire school.
I started writing my first novel in Year 8.
Getting published was my dream.
Now my name is on the front cover of seven different books.
Do you want to write? Don't put it off any longer.
Do something about it now.
You'll be so glad you did!