When I failed high school for the second time, I thought my life was over. And when the only job I could get, was hosing out dog shit in the kennels at the local dog’s refuge home, everything I feared was confirmed. Bad grades = I’m a failure.No education = I’ll only ever have meaningless … Continue reading Why self acceptance is more important than success
When I was a kid, daydreaming was almost a punishable offence. “STOP WASTING TIME, PAY ATTENTION, SIT UP STRAIGHT! LEARN TO SPELL, LEARN TO COUNT – YOU’LL NEVER GET ANYWHERE IN LIFE IF YOU’RE OFF WITH THE FAIRIES!!” But now we realise how important daydreaming and imagination are in helping to problem solve and think … Continue reading Why it’s more important than ever to let kids daydream
Last year I shared with you a moment when a young boy stood up to his bullies. Little did I know at the time, that moment would go on to inspire the name of one of the world's most unique and important online courses for kids. UPDATE: THE COURSE IS NOW UP AND RUNNING. https://joshlangley.thinkific.com/courses/here-i-am … Continue reading The story behind my online course to help kids with self acceptance
It was 1979, I was in grade 2 and the school curriculum was infused with everything Way ’79, the 150th celebration of the founding of Western Australia by Britain. Most of it is a fuzzy memory, but I do remember we learned about Captain James Stirling rowing up the Swan River and being aghast at … Continue reading Why it’s important we all learn about Aboriginal history
Sure, you may have taken up macramé or taxidermy while in lockdown, but I’m guessing your enthusiasm has waned due to the sheer emotional toll that 2020 has taken. Now that 2021 is here, it’s time to get your creative mojo rocking again. Let’s get started! Don’t overthink stuff. “Thinking is the enemy of creativity. … Continue reading 7 Ways to get your creative mojo back in 2021
I started 2020 watching a friend broadcast live as he and his family fled one of the hundreds of bushfires that were burning around the time of New Years Day. He returned to find is house completely destroyed. With the rolling news coverage and the escalating disaster and lack of empathy from the Prime Minister … Continue reading The way 2020 panned out for me …… (in pictures)
(Estimated reading time, 2 glasses of wine) So you've written a book or want to write a book and have no frigging idea of what to do next. Well hopefully over the next couple of glasses of wine I'll help fill in some gaps and give you the motivation and knowledge to share your work … Continue reading How to get published – the basics (updated 2020)
He was big for an 11 year old. He sat at the front of class, just off to the side, by himself. It was the second day of my school workshops for Children’s Book week and the last school I was visiting for the day. We were up to the activity part of the session … Continue reading The Courage to Stand Up
I love going to writers festivals and doing school visits. I get to meet so many amazing people and there are always moments that rest gently in my heart, reminding me why I'm lucky to be doing what I'm doing. Last weekend was no exception. I was doing a Magnificent Mistakes workshop for primary school … Continue reading The little girl who wouldn’t speak.
I've been wanting to share this awesome news for a while and now I can! In a fantastic acknowledgement of the growing importance of children's emotional and mental health, The ABIA awarding winning It's OK to Feel the Way You Do is now part of popular children's educational website Story Box Library. "Story Box Library … Continue reading Big News! My books are on Story Box Library!
