My Story
Most of the things I do today are a product of my plans being derailed. I accidentally started my business, Storywell shortly after I moved back from New York to Melbourne. I had planned to find some legal work in the not-for-profit space that would be flexible enough to accommodate my family commitments (not very realistic, I know). I attended a conference, Launchpad, in the hope that I would meet people who would introduce me to other people who could give me said job. While I was at the conference, I offered to run a storytelling workshop, based on my training in theatre and writing in New York City. The workshop was a success, and I walked away with three new clients and a whole new business idea. Today people actually pay me to do what I love most: teaching and creating stories.
I’m also an accidental writer. I write when something bothers me. I write when I have a new insight. And I write whenever life hands me some form of unpleasantness. While I am generally very lucky and happy, life has thrown me a few nasty curveballs. Most recently, I delivered a stillborn baby, whom I later named Mira. A few years before that I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. What do I do when I need to make sense of these nasties? I write.
My biggest project right now is a novel titled Broken Eggs. The writing happens in starts and stops.
I am telling the stories of two women who both try – in very different ways – to be the Perfect Feminist. We meet a woman who wants to create but can’t fall pregnant. Another who wants to save the world and accidentally stumbles into motherhood.
It’s fun. It’s hard. It’s what I feel called to do. At the same time, I am petrified.
Still, I find that seeing life through a storytelling lens has helped me make the mundane meaningful, and to feel connected to everything and everyone.
“Everything is copy” – Nora Ephron