STORY COACHING

I have acted as a story coach, or mentor, to a range of other storytellers, typically in the areas of prose fiction and writing for film. The sorts of work I have assisted includes developing a pitch for a creative project, structuring a story to achieve a particular effect, and diagnosing story problems. Some of my clients have gone on to have their work published or optioned for film, while others have won major awards, including an Australian Film Industry (AFI) award.

A couple of years ago, I was approached by Peter Norris, who is now a successful CEO but was once on the run with his father, Clarry Pugh, one of Australia’s Most Wanted. Peter wanted to tell his story, but - not being a writer - he didn’st know where to start. We began by meeting, via Zoom, for a few sessions, so that I could hear his story, from his perespective, in his words. Then I worked with him to establish the type of story he wanted to tell, why he wanted to tell it, and what he hoped that he and his readers would get out of it. With the story mapped out, Peter began sending me a chapter a week, which I would annotate, offering suggestions for refinement. The result is the best-selling memoir The Bank Robber’s Boy.

This powerful memoir explores the powerful bond between father and son. It's about tough choices when family loyalty clashes with our own identity. As such, it is s a Modern-Day rags-to-riches tale – a transformation story where hardship becomes the catalyst for growth and hope. Even before its release in March 2025, interest in The Bank Robber’s Boy was high. With early sales to outlets including Big W, Lagardere/Newslink, and WH Smith, where it was listed as ‘book of the month’, the book had to go into a second printing (of 8000 copies) before it even hit shelves. A month later, it was reprinted again. Once the public got their hands on it, The Bank Robber’s Boy jumped into the Top 10 for memoir and criminology reads on Amazon, consolidating its success. Now, with more than 24,000 copies sold, it is poised for a worldwide audio book release through Bolinda, which will only add to its popularity.

Now, Peter and I are working together once more, as we rewrite his story for the screen.

To learn more about the writing/mentoring process, check out the podcast below:

CONSULTANCY

Due to my broad writing experience, I am often contacted about consulting for individuals or companies, who wish to develop, or tap into, their story. This is particularly imortant in a time of such rapid technological change, when the story we tell about ourselves can have a direct impact upon the type of work we are offered and the people we get to partner with. Having a compelling story can also help us to engage with customers and clients. In some cases, this has resulted in the creation of extended works, including books.

Sometimes, I am called upon to present a half-day or day-long session in which I present on a particular topic and help the person, or team, to decide on their future direction. I am often brought back in to consult throughout this process of change. In some cases, I have worked with organisations on a longer-term basis to write communications, such as newsletters or social media posts on their behalf, ensuring that their social media messaging is consistent with their brand. Some of the organisations I have worked with, and continue to consult for, are listed below.

TESTIMONIALS