Generative writing lessons in Brussels (English & Dutch), by a published novelist

From 41.09 £ /h

The purpose of this class is to get you (back to) writing. It doesn't matter if you're stuck or just getting started.

With simple generative writing prompts and exercises, I'll help you overcome your fear of the blank page and start writing. My goal is to help you "rest on the page" and get into a state of flow through techniques like freewriting, list-making, and word associations.

You can also receive individual feedback and support on your current or upcoming writing projects, along with helpful exercises that you can do at home, which we can then discuss.

The class can be taught in either English or Dutch.

Ilona (1992) lives and works in Brussels as a writer, poet, and photographer. Her work examines the fragile architecture of being human, paying particular attention to what hides at the edges of existence, in the shadow of shame. With a background in English literature, linguistics, and political science, she has worked as a writer and copywriter for a decade. Newspaper De Morgen praised her debut novel Donkerkiemer (Pelckmans Publishers, 2023) as ‘particularly cleverly composed' and 'psychologically and philosophically profound’. Themes such as ritual, memory, and loss, as well as a gentle rebellion against prevailing norms and systems, are central to her work. She is currently working on a second novel.

Extra information

Have a laptop, notebook or anything you like to use for writing
Occasionally you'll need other tools, like a camera (phone) - you'll always be informed ahead of time

Location

Use Ctrl + wheel to zoom!

At student's location :

Around Brussels, Belgium

Online from Belgium

About Me

Ilona (1992) lives and works in Brussels as a writer, poet, and photographer. Her work examines the fragile architecture of being human, paying particular attention to what hides at the edges of existence, in the shadow of shame. With a background in English literature, linguistics, and political science, she has worked as a writer and copywriter for a decade. Newspaper De Morgen praised her debut novel Donkerkiemer (Pelckmans Publishers, 2023) as ‘particularly cleverly composed' and 'psychologically and philosophically profound’. Themes such as ritual, memory, and loss, as well as a gentle rebellion against prevailing norms and systems, are central to her work. She is currently working on a second novel.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in English & Spanish Language, Literature & Linguistics (Ghent University)
Master of Science in International Politics (Ghent University)
Generative writing courses & workshops at Warman School

Experience / Qualifications

Non-fiction book "Fille Folle: alles wat we als meisjes vandaag moeten weten (of toch bijna)" (Publ. Van Halewyck, 2017)
Novel: "Donkerkiemer" (Publ. Pelckmans, 2023)
Other publications: Bog Bodies Mnemotope Magazine,

Age

Teenagers (13-17 years old)

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Duration

60 minutes

The class is taught in

English

Dutch

Skills

Writing

Creative writing

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -05:00)

New York

Online via webcam

At student's home

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

Sheyar

3.2

(5)

I am a native English speaker from USA and I specialize in teaching, exam preparation, instruction and text correction for several students and professionals residing in Belgium.

With experience in 4 different cities across Europe and Asia, I take a multidimensional approach to my classes, tutoring and assisting with both Academic and Business English, to ensure that all my students are at ease during the lessons which results in faster improvements and undeniable results. The lessons cover various topics, mainly focusing on comprehension, reading techniques, writing skills, grammar, vocabulary, and day to day conversation along with accent training and basic language skills.

My former clients include students from middle school, high school and college as well as professionals from various occupations. I have worked with them to improve their spoken and written English. I also tutor clients who want to improve their English at an academic level for exams such as the SAT, IELTs, EPSO and TOEFL. These include high school students, college students as well as professionals, ranging from engineers to young interns at the EU parliament. I assist with exam based preparation to achieve the desired results and my clients have not been disappointed so far.

I have further proofread, edited, written and improved a large amount of essays, college applications, theses, personal statements, and assignments for various clients at an academic level.

I like to make my lessons interesting, but at the same time, I make sure that they are as productive as possible. With a thorough understanding and experience of English grammar and literature, I further take care of ghost writing, proof reading and editing of academic and professional papers. Weekly and monthly rates are possible in this case.

I have no issues meeting anywhere in Brussels, or at a location or town close to the city.

Adele

3.2

(5)

Hi there!
I am Italian and I obtained a Master's degree in Languages for International Relations. This class is for teaching or training your language in order to succeed in exams and/or in daily life with Italian in an stimulating way. The goal is use the language without making it boring or too didactic.

Anne

3.2

(5)

Coming from Germany, I specialize in tutoring German for school, adults and preparing for different exams.
My goal is to keep students challenged, but not overwhelmed. I assign homework after every lesson.
Every lesson will be tailored to the specific needs of each student.
I have a degree in languages and have 14 years experience in teaching languages (individual classes and as a substitute teacher at school).
I like to see the progress that students make.

Rachel

3.2

(5)

In my classes you learn Spanish at your own pace and with flexible hours. At school you learn Spanish and when you speak to the people themselves it is completely different.
Spanish is my mother language so I can teach you correct Spanish and also prepare you to communicate with Spanish speaking people.

My goal is that you feel comfortable and speak the language confidently.

I also offer classes for children in Spanish. Sometimes it can be difficult to keep up with a second language and I definitely want to help them with that.

I also speak perfect Dutch and English so if you wish to speak 1 of these languages I can teach you that to.

Nina

3.2

(5)

English Language Arts tutoring:
(K-12, University, Adult Learners)

Using project-based teaching, online learning tailored to a child or adult’s individual needs produces results. Students become passionate, confident readers and writers with focused support in a, stress-free environment. (All Ages & Abilities)

(ESL writing improvement for students at all levels)

Clients include students from 5-85, including college professors, professionals, high-school and college students, ADHD, dyslexic adults, and post-stroke language recovery.

I offer superb conversation and accent coaching in French, Italian, and English through practical immersion dialogue. Begin speaking during the first lesson for pleasure, an upcoming vacation, or business. Tailored to every student's needs.

Homework help, accent precision, verbal skills, reading in French and Italian language using current events, children's books, and literary masterpieces from Hemingway to Camus.

Experience:

Author of Someday You Will Understand: My Father's Private WWII (Simon & Shuster 2014)
Fluent: French, Italian, Spanish
United Nations: Public Speaking

** Strict 24- Hour Cancellation Policy**
Via Zoom, FaceTime, in person etc ...

Tijana

3.2

(5)

Have you ever wondered how to create artwork? What are the inspiration sources and processes that lead to thinking, sketching, and developing ideas for a visual work? How to understand your own thoughts and express them in a creative way, through writing and/or drawing?
This course will provide you with this knowledge and practice!
With this course, under the guidance of an experienced academic artist and researcher, you will develop theoretical, but, most of all, practical skills and tools for creating your own artwork: from a thought to a visual result.
The focus of this course is on creative writing exercises and artistic methods such as drawing, aquarelle, collage, photography, video art, and other multimedia. This will allow you to better understand practices of contemporary art and to participate from your own home.
We will create beautiful texts and poems, expressive sketches and creative maps, illustrative paintings, and photos.
The classes are tailored based on the student's needs and wishes, which means different creative exercises.
After creative writing, when we reach the visual process, the introduction and guidance for the practical skill of the desired medium will be offered.
This class is offered to anyone, no matter the level they have. As an artist with traditional art education, and contemporary art research degree, I believe I can help you regardless if it's for your own practice and interests, or if it's for an academic guidance.

Cami

3.2

(5)

Improve your skills to better manage your written communication: your objectives in terms of written communication may be diverse and the objective of these sessions is precisely to support you in better achieving them. So, how can we send a clear message, be impactful, create a difference and make an impact?

➤ Whether your objective is personal or professional, written communication is an activity based on techniques, tools, a method and know-how, reflecting the author's involvement in his writing.

➤ Relevant and successful written communication must always be effective and efficient, with clear, simple and impactful messages, creating a match between the message received and the message sent. Coherence between form and content.

➤ So, how can you convince and be impactful, challenge and leave an impression, enhance your content, address your interlocutors relevantly and optimize the quality & clarity of your message? It is precisely a question of going through, applying and deploying practical and effective techniques, taking care of both substance and form, all in a professional or personal context. For this, there are very specific techniques.

➤ Thus, mastered, the practical method allows, through a set of modules supporting pragmatic & concrete techniques, to improve one's written communication.

➤ To achieve your objective and overcome the blockages encountered through concrete techniques & a targeted methodology, it is a question of:
✓decode and use practical communication tools from great authors
✓highlight your text and enhance it to arouse interest
✓create consistency between the message sent and the message received
✓adopt effective, simple, fair and engaging language
✓use sentences, phrases and expressions to be precise, simple, effective & engaging
✓write proactively and express/transmit your ideas/message clearly
✓propose a constructive solution to problems, while drawing on your own relational skills
✓enhance your potential for expression and creativity
✓connect your communication objectives (project, institution, values, ideas, demands, etc.) with the form of your expression
✓practical techniques to encourage reader engagement
✓Strengthen the structure of your communication and develop a convincing argument in order to sell your ideas and projects
✓better prepare your message and arguments; anticipating objections and delicate situations; by preparing and structuring an attractive and convincing presentation framework; by adequately managing difficult situations
(...)

➤ In short, each session combines adapted techniques & practical exercises, so that you can put them into practice immediately, and from the first session.

THE TRAINER
➤ With training from Grande Ecole post-preparatory classes & Ivy League university in the United States, our teacher trainer has specialized and has worked for more than 18 years in the field, in Europe and North America, in renowned international public and private establishments, regularly speaking in forums and conferences, and also offering personalized INDIVIDUAL support, with pedagogy and careful methodology as the watchwords.

➤ PLACE, TIMETABLE, PRICES
✓ Locations: Geneva-Lausanne-Fribourg-Zurich-Neuchâtel-Lugano-Basel-Neuchâtel-Berne-Lucerne-Brussels-Luxembourg-Paris-Lyon. But currently, these sessions continue to be offered by videoconference in the current context and in accordance with general demand which is almost unanimous on this subject.

✓ Indeed, apart from the classic advantages of videoconferencing (time saving related to travel & their unforeseen events, eco-responsibility, increased schedule flexibility, etc.), the quality of the session & the interaction remain identical. In addition, the entire exchange, notes and recommendations are immediately transcribed on the dedicated chat.

✓ To support us among ourselves & to be pleasant to you in this sustainable / particular period and in a spirit of solidarity, the fees are temporarily reduced and will not increase after the start of our sessions.

✓ Languages: French/English.

✓ The progress following these private sessions is perceptible from 2 sessions (*2024 study).

✓ As other people do regularly, you can also please your loved ones by offering gift vouchers available all year round.

Florentin

3.2

(5)

Rereading yourself is often a complicated exercise. It's a complicated exercise because you have to keep in mind the common rules of French. I suggest the use of a simple and effective tool to reread quickly. It is then possible to reread any type of work or writing.

David

3.2

(5)

This course is designed for European students and professionals who are non-native English speakers seeking to enhance their academic writing skills in English. Participants will learn how to structure essays, research papers, and reports with clarity and precision, focusing on the conventions of academic writing. The course will cover essential topics such as thesis development, argumentation, citation styles, and critical analysis, while also addressing common language challenges faced by non-native speakers. Through practical exercises and personalized feedback, students will gain the confidence and proficiency needed to produce high-quality academic work in English.

Toon

3.2

(5)

Are you struggling with the dt-rule? Do you have no idea about sentence analysis? Are you having trouble writing a good sentence for your essay? Or would you like to learn to speak Dutch more fluently with friends, in the store or at work?

Together we will look at what your needs and requirements are. Then I will work out a program, tailored to you. That way we can get started efficiently, to achieve your goals!

Specific questions? Feel free to send me a message.

Augustin

3.2

(5)

Looking to practice your French? Having trouble with homework/coursework? Want to learn, but not sure where to start? I can help! I have a decade of experience teaching French to students of all levels. I take a tailored approach to each student, focusing on defining clear learning goals and setting a method to achieve them together. I put a lot of emphasis on real-life practice, using conversation, news articles, and music/TV to get you immersed in the language.

Whether you are an adult learner or in school, I always work towards your own specific needs. Contact me for a free chat to get to know each other.

Cédric

3.2

(5)

Hello !

I have been teaching French as a private tutor for a good ten years to students from all backgrounds, of all ages and with extremely varied objectives.

I am a passionate, motivated, cheerful, and attentive private tutor. Languages are a passion of mine, and teaching them is a vocation.

I suggest that we progress together, quickly and efficiently in a good mood, using varied, interesting and fun materials!

Learning a language opens the door to a significant cultural journey and a new world to explore, but it's also a real challenge. Giving you the means to learn, progress, achieve goals, and feel your growing motivation is a source of immense satisfaction for me in my profession as a teacher, trainer, and coach.

Smiles, good humor and kindness are on the agenda!

See you soon ;)

______________________________

➤ This module is intended for students in primary education, secondary education, higher education and university education.

➤ It consists - depending on the specifics of the cases - of assistance with writing, scrupulous proofreading of both the content and the form of written work. (Ex: Internship reports, end-of-study dissertations, essays, etc.).

➤ Grammar, syntax, spelling, argumentation, choice of expressions, choice of structure are part of this module.

________________________________________________________

Hello !

I've been teaching FLE French as a private tutor for over ten years to students from all backgrounds, of all ages and with extremely varied objectives.

I'm a passionate private teacher, motivated, smiling and good listener. Languages are my passion and teaching them my vocation.

My aim is to help you make rapid and effective progress together, in a friendly atmosphere, using a variety of interesting and playful materials!

Learning a language opens the door to a huge cultural journey and a new world to explore, but it's also a real challenge. Giving you the means to learn, make progress, achieve goals together and feel your growing motivation is an immense source of satisfaction for me in my job as a teacher, trainer and coach.

Smile, good mood and benevolence are all part of the program!

See you soon;)

______________________________

➤ This module is designed for students in primary, secondary, higher and university education.

➤ It consists - depending on the specific case - of assistance with the drafting and scrupulous proofreading of both the form and the content of written work (eg work placement reports, final year dissertations, essays, etc.).

➤ Grammar, syntax, spelling, argumentation, choice of expressions, choice of structure are all part of this module.

Morgane

3.2

(5)

I offer personalized support in oral and written expression, intended for adolescents and adults, whether in an artistic, academic or professional context.

This course is aimed at anyone who wishes to:

Prepare for an entrance exam (art school, theater, competition, etc.)

Improve your oral skills (presentations, interviews, public speaking)

Improve or build a CV, cover letter, application file

Be supported in a writing project (creative writing, screenplay, artistic thesis, etc.)

The content is fully tailored to each individual's profile and goals. I offer targeted exercises, a professional perspective, clear feedback, and a caring, unpretentious approach.

Accessible to all levels, whether you are in training, retraining, pursuing an artistic approach or looking for concrete tools to better express yourself.

Sabriyah

3.2

(5)

Are you looking to improve your English skills, boost your confidence, and achieve better results in school? My classes are tailored to meet your needs, whether it’s mastering essay writing, analyzing literature, preparing for exams, or simply strengthening grammar and vocabulary.

I specialize in supporting high school and IB students, offering guidance with Paper 1, Paper 2, the Individual Oral (IO), and the HL Essay. Lessons are interactive, personalized, and designed to make complex ideas easy to understand.

Whether you’re aiming to improve grades, prepare for exams, or build stronger communication skills, I’ll help you reach your goals step by step in a supportive and encouraging environment.

Maximilien

3.2

(5)

An introduction to comics, exploring its various processes and reflecting on the medium in a creative way. Students will create both classic and more experimental comics, depending on their interests and skill levels.
Currently available in the mornings during the week.