The Understory

“The lure of writing is the lure towards deep listening.” – Kate Prendergast

Sustained by the woodland ecology of Dja Dja Wurrung land, my business takes its purpose from the understorey – where what is hidden meets what is known, a place of diversity, colour, nourishment and surprise.

The Understory Collective is a place for writing with purpose and curiosity. Whether you are a mid-career author seeking mentorship, or someone with a story to share who is unsure where to begin, work with me to find or develop your voice.

For aspiring or established writers, I run an ongoing series of private workshops. My expertise includes art writing, nature writing, poetry and nonfiction. As well as my own methods as a writer, I bring extensive teaching and facilitation experience to a changing series of writing walks, retreats and groups. I’ve been privileged to lead non-profit creative writing workshops for kids, art museums and festivals, as well as 15 years as an awarded Creative Writing lecturer and internationally published researcher of Australian Literature. I hold a PhD (Arts - English) and Bachelor of Creative Arts (Hons - Creative Writing), and I’m an Honorary Fellow at RMIT University and member of its non/fictionLab research group. Have a look at what’s coming up, above, or contact me with a suggestion.

For folks who are yet to find their voice, I am interested to work with groups in the wider community to express and narrate problems and experiences they care about. I am fascinated by the ways that writing uncovers what feminist psychologist Carol Gilligan calls “the story under the story”. I am currently developing writing- and language-centred interventions and collaborations on social, historical and environmental issues and knowledge with which I have lived experience or personal connection: climate change and ecology, colonial history and Reconciliation, women’s lives and more. Informed by narrative therapy practice, phenomenological psychology and creative therapy, I believe writing and stories are about much more than literature. I am currently completing a Grad Dip (Psychology) and have undertaken training in Narrative Therapy at the Dulwich Centre. I’m a member of the Australian Psychological Society and Psychology for a Safe Climate. I’m also a youth volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters and MainFM community radio. See what projects I am currently exploring, above.

The Understory is a female-owned business and is largely run on renewable sources of energy and water. It is developing towards a social enterprise supporting youth mentorship, regional community arts and land restoration.

I’m always interested to discuss individual needs and custom enquiries, as well as collaborations, so get in touch.