Information About Gary - Norwich teacher -

(14 reviews)

Personal Description:

Hi! I'm Gary. I teach creative writing online. I am friendly! I've published four novels with mainstream publishers, as well as many other books, and I have drawn a cartoon strip for the Spectator magazine. Please see my First Tutors video here - https://www.firsttutors.com/uk/tutor/gary.english.english-foreign-language.japanese/ I have an MPhil degree. My published books include:

102 Ways to Write a Novel (Old St, 2012) A guide to novel writing. 'Dexter's gift is … actually to shed light on the mysteries of literary creation' (The Guardian)

Why Not Catch-21? (Frances Lincoln, 2007; paperback 2008). Translated into French, Mandarin, Korean. A best-selling exploration of the derivation of book titles. Nicholas Lezard's 'Paperback Choice of the Week' in the Guardian.

The Oxford Despoiler (Old St, 2009; paperback 2009). Translated into French and German. A Victorian detective mystery. 'Grossly entertaining' - Observer.

Poisoned Pens (Frances Lincoln, 2009; paperback 2010). An anthology of splenetic writers. 'Always compelling' - Sunday Tribune.

102 Free Things to Do (Frances Lincoln, 2009). A self-help book listing free activities anyone can take part in. Many other works in this series, including 102 English Things to Do, 102 Ways to Improve your Partner, Things to Do at Night, 102 Things to Do in Spring/Summer/Autumn/Winter, etc.

All the Materials for a Midnight Feast (Old St, July 2011). A novel about the peace movement of the 1980s. 'A beautifully crafted work of fiction' - Sunday Telegraph.

Natural Desire in Healthy Women (Old St, 2014). A novel about the contraceptive rights movement of the 1920s. 'Deft and very funny' - Daily Mail.

Selected work as a national columnist:

Title Stories - Weekly cartoon strip in the Spectator.

Title Deed - Weekly column in the Sunday Telegraph, running to over 300 issues: an exploration of the derivation of book titles.

Alternative Reading - Fortnightly column in the Spectator magazine, exploring the unknown writing careers of famous authors.

Writers on Writers - Weekly column in the Guardian: a compilation of backbiting quotes about writers, by fellow writers.

Famous but Nameless - Weekly column in The Times, exploring the lives of unknown well-known people.

Editing and publishing highlights

Chief editor of the 2003 edition of the Chambers Concise Biographical Dictionary

Major contributor to the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary (1999)

Many other works of EFL reference as editor and contributor, including The Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms, The Oxford Elementary Learners' Dictionary, The Oxford Guide to British and American Culture, and others

Teaching Experience:

I have worked teaching in a classroom setting, in small groups, one-to-one and online, and have many hundreds of hours of teaching experience. I have been involved in English language and literature throughout my career, and have written as a national columnist for the Guardian, The Times, the Sunday Telegraph and the Spectator. I have taught creative writing for Norfolk Adult Education for four years.

Some more reviews:

'I am now approximately halfway through writing my novel, and I am certain I would not have come this far without Gary's patient, friendly guidance. He has consistently given honest, thorough criticism of my work in a considerate and supportive way. ' - Donna

'Gary knows his stuff! He takes a lot of care looking through your work and offers thoughtful and very useful suggestions.' - Yasmin.

'Gary’s help has been invaluable to my writing process. He has a hawk eye for the technical stuff - punctuation, slips in POV, the rhythm of sentences, etc. and his suggestions and insights have challenged and inspired me. With his guidance I’ve become a better writer; more confident and able to do what I want to do with words and much clearer about what it is I want to write.' - Gina.

'Gary has been an invaluable resource to me, combining a forensic attention to detail - on everything from themes, plot and timelines to character, POV and authenticity - with a patient and nurturing approach. He has not only been extremely knowledgeable on the craft of writing, but has also always asked the right questions, getting me to examine my project more closely, and thanks to Gary's guidance, I now know what it is I really want to write.' - Becky

Teaching Approach:

I can teach online or in person. I enjoy teaching, and I know that everyone learns in a different way. I hope that I am always patient and encouraging. Personal rapport is of the greatest importance, and learning can't take place if the learner feels forced or doesn't feel able to ask questions. In the best case, learning should always be enjoyable and fun. Learners must feel that they have something to contribute to the subject and that their insights are valuable.
I feel that students are more likely to engage when:
They are presented with open-ended questions rather than 'putting you on the spot' ones
The teacher shows them respect and support, especially when they make mistakes
Learning is recognised as an often challenging process, which students deserve commendation for undertaking
Feedback is frequent