COURSES: WRITE WITH helen
FINDING YOUR STORY
Part hands-on workshop, part sanctuary for your inner writer, this online session explores how to kick-start your writing process. The aim of this masterclass is to generate fresh material while learning about key aspects of the craft - such as character, structure, dialogue, and the editing process. The course is suitable for individuals as well as organisations (recent clients include LEGO). Book a bespoke course, join the next available workshop (now booking for 2025) or purchase the video tutorial now via mail@helenrussell.co.uk - recent testimonials below.
FREELANCE JOURNALISM MASTERCLASS
In this masterclass, journalist and editor Helen Russell shares her knowledge of the crucial ingredients for a career in journalism and her top tips from 20 years in the industry. You will learn more about pathways into journalism, how to come up with ideas, what editors are looking for, pitching, coping with rejection, developing a specialism and writing to deadline. This course us currently fully booked for 2024 but the video tutorial is available to purchase now via mail@helenrussell.co.uk - see recent testimonials below.
Writers at any level are welcome to join these stimulating writing sessions led by a bestselling author and journalist who can guide you in your writing journey - whether you’re at the ideas stage or working on a project. The content is based on the needs of participants, but topics include:
• Research & Creativity
• Plotting, Structure & Setting
• Creating Characters & Dialogue
• Fiction, Creative Nonfiction & Journalism
• Interviewing & Writing to Deadline
• Research, Research, Research...
• Pitching for Publication
• Right Brain, Left Brain & Shifting Between the Two
TESTIMONIALS
‘I was left with a clear idea of what publishers would be looking for and what to think about when tackling the editing stage of the book. I felt more inspired’ JE
‘Helen had a really lovely and encouraging way to help me with my writing. She asked good and clear questions that helped me understand how my text could be improved’ MT
'Fantastic journalism workshop. I loved it and would highly recommend for anyone who loves writing' EO
‘Really given me food for thought, thank you’ LC
‘So helpful and inspiring. The exercises gave me ideas and filled me with hope for a writing career!’ AM
‘Thanks so much for the session it was really helpful, specific and answered a number of questions I had’ LP
Helen is available for bespoke workshops and can take on a limited number of individual students for mentoring.
Keynote
Helen offers bespoke keynote talks on resilience, perseverance and reasons to remain hopeful in challenging times, based on ten years of research and personal experiences. Tackling important questions for our current landscape with warmth and wisdom gleaned from cultures around the world.
The Year of Living Danishly – Uncovering the secrets of the world’s happiest country
This talk is based on Helen’s bestseller The Year of Living Danishly and touches upon the key areas that psychologists and experts agree are important in order to live a more content life. Covering trust, security, a sense of belonging, equality, addressing the aesthetics (& ‘getting hygge with it’), Helen offers an insightful and useful guide to becoming happier – wherever we are. This keynote is suitable for group events, human resources professionals as well as CSR agendas.
The expat experience (and how to survive it)
In this engaging keynote, speaker Helen gives an overview of the challenges internationals face when moving to Denmark. Combining almost a decade of research with personal experiences and anecdotes, Helen shares practical and useful tips and tricks to make Denmark feel like a home. She covers important areas like culture shock, making friends, and keeping your identity. She also shares her top things not to do when moving to Denmark – cultural faux pas that Helen learned the hard way! This keynote presentation is ideal for international organisations as well as companies looking to hire internationals.
The cultural differences between Denmark and the UK
As someone who has worked across Europe, America and Asia, Helen keeps discovering more about what it means to be British. In this eye-opening keynote, Helen shares the most notable differences between Denmark and the UK – including how Danes have no word for ‘please’, don’t hold doors for each other and talk salaries like it’s everyone’s business. An amusing look at why Brits behave as they do - perfect for international companies with employees working in Denmark or Danish organisations employing Brits.