Jhohadli Writing Project – Next Chapter

Code workshop on writing teen/YA fiction, 2014.

Images courtesy participant Kim M.

JHOHADLI WRITING PROJECT (JWP) – what it means – Jhohadli (pen name, alter ego), Writing (my passion, what I do, what I teach), Project (an activity undertaken, with purpose). JWP offers writing workshops to various age groups. This includes creative writing (fiction), media, and written communication. I (author and journalist Joanne C. Hillhouse) have designed and delivered creative writing and editing workshops for writers and aspiring writers, courses for non-writing professionals toward improving confidence and competence with written communication in the workplace, and media workshops involving analyzing and drafting media content. Workshops are independently designed but can also be custom-made for group, educational institution, company, or organization needs within my areas of training, and experience. I am also available for one-on-one coaching and tutoring, in addition to my various Jhohadli writing, critiquing, and editing services. To be put on the mailing list for JWP workshops, to sponsor a workshop activity, or to commission my services, contact me

JSYWP 2013 participant sharing her writing (Photo by Joanne C. Hillhouse)

JSYWP participant sharing her writing (Photo by participant Kurne)

About the lead facilitator: See my bio and online CV. But with specific reference to JWP,  after offering workshops in schools, with a youth arts camp, and for my commnity project the Wadadli Youth Pen Prize (2005 onwards); a stint as a youth media workshop facilitator on commission from the Department of Youth Affairs (2011); and Advanced Level and Undergrad (communication) teaching stints (CATHODALE, American University of Antigua, Antigua State College), I offered my first Jhohadli Summer Youth Writing Project, JSYWP (2013) – a summer writing camp for young people. Here are links to the blind written feedback provided by the participants in my first JSYWP: Part 1 (why did you apply), Part 2 (what did you gain), Part 3 (what was your favourite part), Part 4 (would you recommend it), Part 5 (a word to the sponsors).

Excerpts from Participant reviews – JSYWP 2013:

“I learned a lot from this camp. I can honestly say that my writing has improved from this experience and because of it I’m sure I will get better. Highlight of my summer.”

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JSYWP became the JWP through which, independently or on commission, I offer workshops, some of which are listed below:

Bocas Lit Fest – 2021 – Writing for Children, with Joanne C. Hillhuse – workshop on children’s book writing; concept to publishing, with feedback on works in progress

Antigua and Barbuda Film Academy – 2020, 2021 – hired by Dr. Noel Howell (I & I) to assist with script development (critique and editing scripts) including workshops – image is from the book they produced with personal notes crediting the workshops

Best of Books’ summer camp – 2016 – session on creative writing

BIM Lit Fest workshop – 2016 – workshop on memory in fiction, co-facilitated with Bernice McFadden (Hurston Wright nominated writer of Sugar), at the Barbados-based literary festival

Excerpt from Participant Reviews – BIM Lit Fest Workshop:

“I attended a writing workshop conducted by Joanne in Barbados a couple of years ago. I still remember the fresh and innovative way she taught and encouraged participants to approach storytelling. The exercises really caused our creative juices to flow. Joanne is an excellent teacher and facilitator and uses novel approaches.” – Sharma Taylor, shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers short story prize, 2018

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CODE (Canadian non-profit which sponsors the Burt Award for teen/young adult Caribbean Fiction) workshop in Antigua – 2014 – organized and facilitated intensive week-end long workshop involving tips and critiques of works in progress – I have also worked as a judge of the Caribbean CODE/Burt prize (2015) and a mentor with the Africa-leg of the programme (2018)

DYA youth media workshop – lively session.

DYA youth media workshop – last day presentations.

Department of Youth Affairs (Antigua and Barbuda) Media Training workshop – 2011, 2014 – two week programme imparting critical thinking and media communication tools to young/teenage participants

Independence Literary Arts post-competition youth workshop – 2010 – co-facilitated workshop for the young people who had excelled in the Independence literary arts competition with Brenda Lee Browne (founder of the Just Write Writers Retreat) and Althea Prince (award winning author of Ladies of the Night)

Eddie Nias’ Great Young Minds – 2008 – week long creative arts camp with writing among the activities

Jhohadli Summer Youth Writing Project – 2013, 2015, 2019, 2021 – the seed of the Jhohadli Writing Project. While 2019 participants paid a special rate to participate, the model for this workshop, which targetted teens, in the earlier years was to seek corporate and community sponsorship to offer scholarships so that participation is determined by interest not finances. Patrons in year one were Anonymous, Brenda Lee Browne (who also supported in 2015), Caribbean Water Treatment, Dr. Jillia Bird, Paperclips, Sanhall Trademarks Ltd., Shirley Heights Lookout, and Townhouse Mega Store.The following also provided patronage and/or assistance: The Best of Books, Koren Norton, Charmaine Thomas, Silston Library, St. John’s Cooperative Credit Union, Carol Mitchell, and Marie Elena John. Aisha Ralph was a 2015 patron and others like Barbara Arrindell have sponsored individual youth participants at weekend sessions. The 2021 session was a prize to finalists in the Wadadli Youth Pen Prize Challenge. If you’d like to sponsor, register, or find out more about future camps, contact me

Jhohadli Writing Project – 2015 forward – adult writing sessions which have been held at the National Youth Enlightenment Academy and since 2018 (a year in which a series of Creative Writing Workshops were offered on an ongoing basis running monthly throughout the year) at the Best of Books Bookstore, for local and international participants. In 2021, a Wadadli Youth Pen Prize patron sponsored delivery of a series of JWP workshops, one each for each of the age groups plus two mixed sessions (all but one via zoom), to Wadadli Pen long listed writers. If you’d like to be put on the mailing list for future offerings, contact me

Jhohadli Writing Project children’s workshop  – 2016 – held at the Best of Books – this has only been a one-off session to date

Just Write Writers Retreat – 2012, 2014, 2016 – co-facilitated interactive writing and editing sessions at the weekend writing retreat held at Mount Tabor in the Antiguan countryside

Ministry of Education (Antigua and Barbuda), Summer Institute – 2016, 2019 – commissioned to design and provide weeklong (one day in the second instance) teacher training re bringing creativity/creative writing in to the classroom

Wadadli Pen writing workshops – 2005 – targeted at prospective participants in the annual Wadadli Pen Writing Challenge (which I first launched as a not for profit development activity in 2004) – in 2021 – series of sponsored Jhohadli Writing Project sessions for longlisted writers

Excerpts from participant reviews:

(Jhohadli Writing Project for Wadadli Pen, 2021)
“The session was a bit short but I was happy with the ground we covered…It was a very well structured lesson; sort of like a mini-lecture. Ms Hillhouse really knows what she’s doing and it was fun.”

(Jhohadli Writing Project, 2018)
“I achieved the goal of refining just a little bit more the skill of writing compelling characters…I would recommend the workshop for amateur writers because we many times think we can just write. But the workshop presented different ways to think about writing.”

(Jhohadli Writing Project, pre-2018)
“Informative, interactive, educational and funny.”

(Ministry of Education’s Teachers Summer Institute, 2016)
“I wanted to learn new tips in assisting my students. I did.”

(Writing is Your Business with Barbara Arrindell & Associates, 2016)
“The overall training was good and I’ve learned how to structure my ideas.”

(Jhohadli Summer Youth Writing Project, 2015)
“I gained insight into different techniques and styles of writing, and an appreciation for the technical ability required, as well as guidance in replicating these styles. I was also able to gain constructive criticism on several original pieces and works in progress.”

(Department of Youth Affairs’ Youth Media Workshop, 2014)
“After being reluctant to come, I actually learned a lot. My writing skills have improved.”

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Writing is Your Business w/Barbara Arrindell & Associates – 2016 forward – a course on written communication for professionals that looked primarily at:
Understanding factors contributing to and inhibiting communication
Common Grammatical and Punctuation Errors
Elements of effective business writing (including audience, tone, and more)
Formulating topic/main idea and linking to subsidiary ideas + writing outlines
Sequencing and transitioning
Evaluating and editing (peer-evaluation and self-evaluation)

Through this association with B A & A, in addition to offering evening classes, I have also offered in-company training (i.e. where the facilitator is brought in to the company to provide training over a set period of time) and am available to do so for any company seeking to build human resource capacity in the area of written communication. Contact me so that I can design a programme to fit your company’s needs.

Leading session on writing during a BA&A in-house workshop with a regional company.

Excerpts from participant reviews:

“I’m now more confident to write than I was before starting classes.”

“My general motivation for taking this class was to improve my writing skills on a personal and professional level. My specific goal was to be able to communicate more effectively through writing. My goal was accomplished; I am a more confident writer. ..I think another half an hour would help, since time seems to fly by quickly. I would definitely recommend this course to anyone who wants to work on their writing skills. I would like to say thanks to the facilitator. I have been pushed from my comfort zone and it feels great!”

“Very knowledgeable on the subject matter, willing to stop and explain if you did not understand. Firm but fair.”

“Ms. Hillhouse is an excellent tone person; she went through the details to explain the easy way to write letters, look out for jargon etc.”

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WHO AM I TARGETING – You don’t have to have your sights set on being a professional writer to benefit from my individual coaching/tutoring, workshops, and/or courses. I target various age groups, and have found success with participants who have different skill levels. The workshops/courses have different purposes. Sometimes I partner with others and sometimes I fly solo; sometimes I work one-on-one, sometimes in group. As a coach, I have worked with people trying to ease in to writing to people trying to finish a writing project or two.

I am based in Antigua and Barbuda, but, via my virtual courses, have entertained participants from elsewhere in the Caribbean and US, and have coached writers as far away as Africa. I am also available to come in to institutions – including educational institutions (creative writing, communication) and businesses (written communication) – and to partner with public, private, and non-profit agencies to bring media, business, and/or creative writing training to target groups in Antigua and Barbuda and beyond.

TO ACCESS MY SERVICES –  A fee is attached. Fees  vary according to the programme being offered. Fees are negotiable, within reason, but once agreed are non-refundable and non-transferable.

If you’re reading this and you’re interested in providing scholarships for an individual, group, project, or even so I can bring writing workshops in to schools, contact me.

Group sizes are managed (to optimally benefit individual participants) which is why you need to register early to secure your spot when a workshop or course is advertised.

My ideas and, by extension, my programmes are evolving. If you’re seeking a course or workshop that’s not mentioned here, ask. If interested in any of the sessions, email me your questions or expression of interest. You can also be added to my mailing list for when I’m advertising future programmes.

If you’re not resident in Antigua and Barbuda, still email me ; you can participate in some workshop activities or access my coaching services, and my manuscript evaluation and/or editing services.

I want to say, finally, that I, too, am a student of writing. We’re all learning from each other. I’m doing this as a professional pursuit but also because I love writing, I love the literary arts, I have experience in creative/non-creative writing and media that can be of value to others, and I find fulfillment in seeing others blossom.

I look forward to hearing from you. — Joanne C. Hillhouse