I was born in the UK, but have lived in Jerusalem, Israel for the last 32 years, with my husband, children and grandchildren ( well, fortunately we don’t actually all live together – I don’t believe any one home should hold more than 45 people!)
THE WRITER
I have been writing since I was a teenager. In fact, ever since my English literature teacher told me that my short concise writing ( read – you finish your tests too quickly and don’t write enough, but I can’t fail you because the answers are correct) was better suited to journalism than academia. Not that I ever said I wanted to be an academic.
In order to hone my writing skills I have taken many writing courses, read countless books on writing and made sure to write, write, write.
When I first started out, I set myself a goal to test if I was destined to be a published writer. I resolved to write an article/ essay / query letter a week for 6 months (i.e. 24 ) and if by the end of that time none had been accepted I would give up the idea and go and study something ‘worthwhile’.
Fortunately, by the tenth week ( this was pre-email and snail mail took a long time) the acceptances started to arrive ( as well as the rejections).
I was hooked and have never looked back.
THE ISRAEL TRAVEL WRITER
When I came to live in Israel, after completing school, my love of writing coupled with my love of the country, led me to a course for travel agents and incoming tour operators. The course entailed trips all over the country ( which is one of the main reasons I took it). After that I spent two years planning and writing tour itineraries for visiting tourists, which in turn, led me to writing Israel travel articles for Jewish and non-Jewish publications and travel websites.
THE ESSAY WRITER
As the years have gone by and my life’s experiences and number of children and grandchildren have multiplied, I’ve taken to writing more and more essays about life, Israel, parenting, grandparenting and everything else that has happened to me. Many of these have been published on websites and in a wide variety of publications all over the world.
THE WRITING COACH, EDITOR AND CRITIQUE.
For years I have given advice free of charge to beginning writers on various writer’s forums. But as I realised that I was spending a tremendous amount of my time saying more or less the same thing over and over again, I decided to formalize my advice and tips and make a writing course which I give as a series of workshops in Jerusalem and also by email to students from several continents.
But don’t worry – I still give a lot of advice free.
It was interesting to read your blog. I am actually looking for a writing course as I am a translator and would like to spread my wings a little. Do you have any suggestions? I live in Bnei Berak, and would be interested in a course in the area, (anywhere in the Dan area.)
Sorry but I don’t know of any courses in your area.
If you don’t find one maybe you would like to do my course by email.
Hatzlocho
Ann