STUDENTS' COMMENTS

I just had the pleasure of teaching 2 classes at UCLA Extension's wonderful Writers' Program and here are some of the lovely comments I received.  I couldn't be more thrilled with the novels that were produced in these two classes.   Congratulations to my fantastic students - I'm so proud!

'Tempany's strategy really broke down the whole process into doable parts. You know that feeling when you're in someones presence who really knows their stuff? That's how I felt about Tempany when it came to not only writing, but people in general. She seemed to so clearly comprehend what's going on in every story, and (maybe more importantly) where the story needed to go, because she understands how people work.'    Anna

'Writing my first novel in Tempany's class has been a life-changing, miraculous, fun experience.' Leah

'This has seriously been one of the best writing experiences I've EVER had, especially in a class.' Rachelle

'This was probably the best bit of education I have ever received, which, in the long career of education that I have had, is something that isn’t said very lightly.' Jacob

LEARN HOW TO WRITE A NOVEL IN 10 WEEKS!!!

I'm very happy to say that I'm teaching my infamous novel writing class again at UCLA Extension this Fall.  Only 15 spots available so so sign up fast!!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR TEMP'S NEXT CLASS

ATC's SUMMER READING SERIES

Everyone always asks why Australian actors are so good.  Come to the theatre and find out!  I'm very proud to have co-curated the Australian Theatre Company's Rehearsed Summer Reading Series.  Every WEDNESDAY in June you can see an incredible Australian play read by amazing Australian actors for FREE.  I'm directing the amazing PERMISSION TO SPIN on the 22nd of June.  Book your free ticket to any or all of the shows now.  It's going to be an amazing month of theatre not to be missed.

WRITE YOUR NOTES BY HAND

In my Write A Novel in 10 Weeks course, I always have my students write, not type, their notes.  I've always believed hand writing connects you more deeply than tapping away on the old laptop.  Now someone has figured out why.  Check out this fantastic article from NPR and hopefully from here on in you will have more confidence in your hand scribbled wonderful notes.

NPR ARTICLE - HAND WRITTEN NOTES WIN!

NEED HELP WITH YOUR BOOK?

So you've written a book and you want to get it out there in the world.  But you're not sure if it's ready.  I offer consulting sessions to assess your structure, story, tone, writing skill and voice.  Email for pricing and availability.  

WRITE AS IF NO ONE IS READING....

Several of my students are getting 'frozen' with their books.  Some call it writer's block, some say they don't know how to move forward or edit the next draft.  I say it's your EGO killing your book.  In a world obsessed with fame, everyone is very concerned with how well their books will do.  So when you are writing a book, you can't help but want it to be brilliant.  You can't help but want it to be a best seller and win the Pulitzer.  But those kind of thoughts are ruining you as a writer.  Writers write to tell a story.  A story that lives within you and can only be told by you.  You should never be writing a book to become rich or get interviewed by Oprah - you should be writing a book because you want to share your tale.  So on your next draft, just write the book the way it needs to be written and let go of its brilliance.  You may have several more drafts before it gets anywhere close to being brilliant and that's pretty normal.  Write as if only you are ever going to see it.  It will change the way you write.  It will stop you trying to be 'fancy' and 'literary' and just write the pure story - which is always more powerful.