It is a rare privilege to be able to be taught by one of Melbourne’s finest writers. The class is dynamic and useful to me in many ways.I have had one poem published in Creatrix. I am working on an anthology of poems to be published next year. In addition to this I am currently writing a book on the Bipolar Spectrum and hope to have this published in 2024. This book and my book of poetry has been guided attentively by Claire Gaskin. I can only say that the class has actively facilitated these efforts at publication and self-improvement.
— Dr James Le Bas
I was mentored by Claire Gaskin from 2019 to 2020. Relatively new to poetry, my work went to new heights because of Claire’s dedication, her multitude of teaching styles and her strengths-based approach to mentoring. Claire has a gentle yet clear and incisive style of editing and advising. I went on to be short-listed and long-listed for poetry prizes, had poems published in literary journals and many other successes thanks to Claire’s generosity, insights and extensive knowledge of poetry and its many forms. She was a delight to work with. Her balance of professionalism and approachability makes her a truly special mentor.
— Alison J Barton
As a person who lost her voice and is returning to writing in her late middle age, this class is fantastic. Claire ensures that it is run as a supportive and constructive atmosphere. I have learnt so much in the three semesters I have attended the class. This includes: how to read a poem, how to understand the techniques the writer uses to impact the reader, how to make sense of poetry that I have no real understanding of, different poetry types and techniques. There is a workshop section where we read and analyse someone’s poem. I find it fascinating to experience so many different types of writing and to see the beauty in them all. Most importantly, I have learnt not to compare others’ work with my own and feel totally inadequate, but to find my own voice amongst the fray and honour that. Claire is an intelligent, skilled and knowledgeable teacher that makes the online class a highlight of the week!
— Paula Darvas
Claire Gaskin has been my writing teacher and mentor at Sandybeach community centre since February 2011. For over a decade now Claire’s in-depth literary knowledge has inspired me, and her insight to the writing and publishing industry has assisted me in getting several of my pieces published. After two years under Claire’s guidance at Sandybeach, in 2013, Claire helped me to gain the confidence to apply and successfully enter further studies majoring in creative writing at the University of Melbourne. Throughout my degree and postgraduation, I have continued classes at Sandybeach because of Claire Gaskin’s superior teaching style and mentoring abilities.
— Rebecca Sullivan
When I enrolled in the CAE Poetry short course at the beginning of 2019, Claire Gaskin was the teacher. I had just started writing poetry, and a poem I had worked on in this course went on to be published soon after (which is rare for a new poet). I found Claire’s teaching style open and inclusive, and followed her to her Sandybeach community classes, which I attended for two years before enrolling into the Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing at the University of Melbourne. I continue to work on my poetry with Claire through mentoring sessions. Working with Claire, I have developed as a poet consistently, producing works to a calibre that has seen publications in literary journals such as Cordite, Overland and Rabbit, to name a few. I’ve also had a poem published in the anthology Best of Australian Poems 2022, and have been shortlisted for the 2022 Judith Wright Poetry Prize. Claire’s teachings have been instrumental to these achievements.
Claire Gaskin’s Writing Skills course has helped me to develop my written and verbal communication. I have learned to think more critically and analytically, and to communicate thoughtfully. I have developed the confidence to speak well in front of a group and I have enhanced my teamwork, problem-solving, and self-management skills. By attending the class via Zoom I have also added to my IT competencies. Over time, these abilities have helped me to obtain a Life Stories coordinator position, a volunteer/tutor position in English as a Second Language, a Disability Support position, and other community worker roles. The writing skills I gained helped me to write clearly and succinctly within my work positions. Owing to Claire’s teaching and writing expertise, I have felt encouraged to submit work for publication, and have had poems and prose published in literary journals and anthologies. In 2021 my poem ‘Re-reading Sylvia’s ‘Tulips’’ won equal third place in the June Shenfield National Poetry Award.
— Sabrina Blom
As a long-standing student of Claire Gaskin, I can vouch for the excellent and indispensable nature of her Writing Skills classes. Many of Claire’s students have been published, a phenomenon attributable to her guidance and expertise, in conjunction with the intrinsic merit their work evinces. Much of my own published work would still be languishing in my house were it not for Claire and my fellow writers. The diverse voices of the participants are given a good hearing, and take off to a new home from there. All in all, our weekly gatherings are sustaining and generative, testament to the efficacy of a group dynamic that synchronistically propels our work into the realm of autonomous being, wherein it may flourish more broadly. From fledglings to mature entities our work is coaxed, in a setting that is always respectful and encouraging.
— Lucy Wilks
I have attended Sandybeach writing skills for nearly thirteen years with a year or two out due to illness. I keep returning to this safe friendly, stimulating environment because Claire makes me feel valued as a person and a writer. I am comfortable bringing my work to Claire’s class, to be critiqued by Claire and the writing group in a non-judgmental respectful manner. It is about the writing not the writer. Since joining Claire’s class, I have learned to read more widely and feel confident to read my work out loud in the class. Claire has given me the motivation to believe in myself as a writer. I have been encouraged to enter competitions, and in the last few years I have published three stories in Positive Words Magazine. This year, Pure Slush published a story in the Home Anthology. I have great respect for Claire Gaskin as a person, author and educator. Under Claire’s guidance I feel my best work is yet to come.
— Margaret Young
Claire Gaskin was my supervisor all year in 2022. Claire was the best supervisor I have ever had in my entire academic career. Without Claire I would not have got first class Honours for my Minor Thesis in my Masters in Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing at The University of Melbourne. Claire was extremely knowledgeable and intuitive to what I should write about, the novels and theorists I should use for my Minor Thesis. She had excellent suggestions and attention to details when marking my work which helped me improve my work. I felt very little stress when writing my Minor Thesis with Claire. It was an extremely pleasurable experience and a labour of complete love. Thank you, Claire Gaskin.
— Dr Gabrielle A Everall
Claire has helped me find my voice, to make the ordinary extraordinary, as well as giving me the confidence to stay focused. Claire’s teaching style is simple, yet detailed and I love the exposure she gives the class to many and varied writers as well as her ability to challenge, and to help me in developing my own knowledge and skills. I believe Claire has excellent professional knowledge and teaching skills and is generous enthusiastic and helpful imparting her knowledge onto her students. Claire fosters a productive informative educational group environment, her guidance and workshops are invaluable.
— Thomas Landgraf
Claire provides astute tutelage, creative inspiration, depth of writing assessment and references contemporary and historical writers across genres. I have 25 years’ social work experience, and Claire’s ability to cater for diversity and intersectionality in a writing context is profound. I have observed students of all ages, abilities and interests respond to her focused and intuitive coaching, all making improvements in their writing and aspirations. She is able to attend to writing about trauma and other complexities, professionally and non-intrusively, always focusing back to the writing. Claire has a significant impact on her students and their formation of formal and informal communities.
— M. M.
I attended Claire’s in-person writing classes for three years, during which I had my first pieces of writing, ones workshopped in the class, published by the ABC. I am now currently completing a double degree in psychology and creative writing at Macquarie University, and a piece I wrote was awarded the highest University honours in 2022. I credit Claire and her classes which provided a wonderful sense of support, excellent feedback, and a dedicated writing community. Claire is not only an excellent writer herself, but also possesses a gift for teaching. Whether you’re wanting to sharpen your skills, try something new or engage with like-minded people, you will love and benefit from these classes.
— Allannah Law
Claire creates a thoughtful, writerly space for her students to dream, to draft, to read and write and receive feedback at a pace that suits each of us. I’ve learnt so much from her sensitive, yet robust feedback.
— Es Foong
Sandybeach Writing Skills classes have helped me to continue improving my skills. Working with Dr. Claire Gaskin as fascillitator has broadened my perspective and has encouraged me to try new things. Listening to the work of an eclectic group of writers has also enabled me to develop my own style. This writing group has changed my life and holds an important place which helps me maintain my mental health. In the seven years that I’ve been coming to Sandybeach, I have had two children’s books published, plus a collection of poetry. I’m continuing to gain confidence and have two more collections of sestinas almost ready to submit to a publisher. I have also had a short story win a prize that has been included in an anthology in the UK.
— Barbara Pyett
Claire Gaskin Poetry 