School Visits
If you would like to book Kirsty for workshops or talks at your school, library, conference or festival please email:
bookings@kirstymurray.com
Feedback
Kirsty Murray's passionate interest in writing, language and creativity is communicated clearly to young people in her workshops and presentations. Kirsty actively engages young people in the creative process and gets the best out of them.
Mike Shuttleworth
Program Coordinator
Centre for Youth Literature
Kirsty is a vivacious and engaging speaker who is passionate about literature. Her writing workshops are filled with thought-provoking exercises which enrich that special sense of achievement felt by participants. Kirsty has the ability to moderate her presentations and workshops effectively so as to match the age and interest of her audience. Both students and educators come away from her sessions refreshed and re-engaged with the process of both reading and writing. At the end of her presentation though it is essential to be prepared: everyone wants to read her books!
Bev Novak
Head of Library
Ron Castan Resource Centre
The King David School
Kirsty Murray has that great combination – a talented author and also an inspiring and interesting speaker. Her enthusiasm immediately engages students as she talks about her writing and the historical research that she becomes so involved in as part of the background for many of her books – both fiction and non-fiction.
I was also very impressed with the varied and creative activities that Kirsty undertook with my students in writing workshops. Her manner encouraged and motivated them with ideas and steps to explore and experiment with, in order to develop their own writing styles. As a result of Kirsty’s examples and exercises, each student produced a short story of a high standard, of which they were justifiably proud.
Suzanne Thwaites
Junior School Teacher-Librarian.
Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School.
Victoria, Australia
Kirsty Murray is a very skilful presenter. She engages, entertains and educates students as she speaks about her novels, her historic research and the process of writing. She is quick-witted and personable, connecting rapidly with groups of students as well as individual students. She is highly knowledgeable in the area of youth literature and her willingness to share this passion has made her a firm favourite with the students of our Literature Club. I have no hesitancy in recommending Kirsty as a talented and enthusiastic presenter.
Julie Purcell
Senior Teacher Librarian
Ruyton Girls’ School
Kirsty's Creative Writing Workshops
I believe love of stories is innate in every human being. Not every child will become a professional writer but everyone - no matter what their age or level of literacy - can learn to develop their ability as writers and storytellers.
In conducting creative writing workshops, I focus on the art and craft of fiction. I encourage young writers to use the world around them as a primary inspiration. I love engaging students with interactive tasks that explore the core principles of good writing: originality, use of language, character development, and structure. Depending on the length of the workshop and the age of the students I may focus on one or more of these principles.
Originality is intrinsically linked to finding your own authentic voice. It’s difficult for younger writers to recognise what is unique about their personal experience so I use various activities to encourage them to think about ‘ways of seeing’. I challenge kids to reflect upon their visions and interpretations of their experiences in the hope they will incorporate this into their writing, regardless of their preferred genres. I also use a variety of word-play activities to help students enhance their use of language.
In longer workshops, I focus on character development. Creating vivid, believable characters is central to writing powerful fiction. Depending on the size of the group and the age of the students, I use methods that encourage empathy and help develop writing techniques that aid young writers to create believable characters.