2022 was a year of disrupted schooling, and many high school students were really anxious about their NCEA exams, says writing coach Jo Morris.
After years as an English teacher, Jo began posting videos with writing advice on TikTok – the most popular ones offering exam tips.
Jo Morris, aka The Write Coach Photo: The Write Coach / Facebook
As a writing coach, Jo mostly helps postgraduate students and businesses with their written content.
For her, TikTok satisfies a “hankering” for teaching teenagers, too.
“I strongly believe that nothing will replace a good teacher in front of a kid and I think that’s what was missing last year… I think that’s why people were feeling fragile at the end [of the year].
“I’m a happy little addition [to in-person teachers] rather than a replacement of any kind,” Jo tells Perlina Lau.
One of the most common challenges people face with writing, Jo says, is getting started – and reminding yourself that your writing doesn’t always have to be good.
“I tell kids to turn their crap-o-meter off. Don’t listen to that part of you that says your writing is rubbish. Just get on with it … write and then you’ve got something to edit.”
Another obstacle with writing that Jo sees is people knowing when to stop – “the full stop is your friend” is one of her mantras.
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