I first met Caroline in 2020, when I attended her creative writing course. I enjoyed it so much I attended a second one! The courses were aimed at those interested in writing personal memoir, fiction and autofiction. All students’ work was valued and encouraged plus I found Caroline’s collaborative style of teaching very motivating.

In 2023, I started to work with Caroline and another student in a tutorial group. We met monthly, submitting our work in advance to be reviewed and edited. Caroline gave thorough feedback on content, style, grammar and punctuation while still managing to reassure me I was a writer in training. I also received valuable feedback from my fellow student, under Caroline’s supervision.

Caroline’s guidance over the last four years has been invaluable in encouraging me to move forwards with my autofiction project. Her gentle ‘nudges’ to get on with the project have been appreciated. I’ve been lucky to benefit from her extensive career experience, her rigorous knowledge of all aspects of writing and her enjoyment of her topic. She shows a genuine interest in my family stories and is a valued writing coach. Thank you for your ongoing support, Caroline.

Jackie Havercroft BA (Hons) Primary Education with History, Oxford Brookes University, UK.

Caroline is the reason I write. Her deadlines, enthusiasm, critical eye and overall support is what keeps me going on my book, a long form autofiction novel.  I am thrilled to have Caroline by my side, keeping me to my writing deadlines. I look forward to her monthly supervision and appreciate her attention to detail, patience and extremely well-considered reports. I am pleased that my writing is getting better each month! If it were not for Caroline, my book would not be progressing, instead it would still be languishing in my head, unwritten. I highly recommend Caroline to anyone who needs a teacher, editor or mentor, to inspire them on their writing journey.  

Katherine Mason B.Com., B.A., University of Auckland M.B.A., Manchester Business School

Caroline is a wonderful teacher. She is supportive, tactful and encouraging. I enjoy my sessions with Caroline, her depth of knowledge about the craft of writing, sense of humour and attention to detail. I have been writing fiction, several short stories and I am working on a novel. I have learnt a lot about sentence and story structure, punctuation, how to present a story in ways that others can enjoy, along with characterisation, style and editing. I can highly recommend Caroline.

Michelle Rose, FFSL NZ

Without Caroline's wonderful encouragement and guidance, the completion of my project, Resort People, would still be a distant dream. Caroline pointed out where my work required further plot and character development. She provided thoughtful ideas, inspirational reading material and thorough feedback on edits, including pulling me up on repeated grammar offences. I have learnt so much under her supervision and look forward to working with her on future projects. Highly recommend! 

Penelope Scott B.A. English Literature & Film & Media Studies, Otago University, NZ. 

I am always inspired by what I learn from Caroline’s supervision sessions and editing reports on my short story collection. Why? Because they show me how revealing a careful and deeply thoughtful reading of a script by a very knowledgeable, skilful and dedicated teacher can be. Her supervision is indeed ‘Super Vision’ and inspirational.

Ray Prowse

Thank you so much for all of your encouragement and mentoring. My work is still very raw and unpolished, and I value the experience and knowledge that you impart. I have greatly enjoyed my time at your courses and appreciate your type-up of the workshop pieces.

Rita Ansin Waiheke Island 17 December 2019

(WORDSMITH Fiction/Memoir course & WORDSMITH Radio Writing Course, both 2019)

I have now taken two WORDSMITH courses with Caroline Lark.  I initially enrolled in the course, Fiction and Memoir, in August of 2019, and on completion enrolled in her next course, Writing for Radio, in Oct/Nov 2019. On each course Caroline encouraged her students to write in a supportive environment. With each class, I gained insights into the writing process and specifics of what I needed to do to improve my writing. Each class was a mixture of techniques, writing time and feedback which was at all times generous and supportive. I look forward to taking the next course she offers in 2020.

Ursula Hoult, Waiheke 2019

 I’d highly recommend Caroline to any writer – beginning or advanced – who would like some personal supervision, or a course designed for a specific group.

Carolyn Gillum

I highly recommend Caroline as a playwright coach – her skills range from efficient elucidation of the wider principles to the role of detailed script doctor. (Janine had a 10 minute play accepted for the Short & Sweet Festival Sydney 2016.)

Janine Edge

The process of individual supervision with Caroline involves close editing of my manuscripts, comprehensive written reports, and meetings for discussion. My writing skills and confidence have developed significantly, as have my enjoyment of and commitment to writing.

In 2015, I was fortunate to be awarded a complete manuscript assessment under the NZSA programme, success due in no small part to Caroline’s professional and dedicated supervision.

Anne Moir

Caroline has a friendly, engaging teaching style - she strikes a great balance between reaffirming her students' achievements and encouraging them to improve. She also has a comprehensive understanding of the professional writing scene in NZ and overseas. She has a wealth of ideas for presenting work more professionally and getting it published.

Jonathan Cweorth

Caroline Lark’s course is not only useful but essential for anyone who is interested in creative writing and poetry.  The material and exercises provided were interesting, relevant and challenging. Caroline is very approachable and her teaching style is engaging.

Ma’an Abdul-Hafeedh

Caroline is a skilled and professional tutor. Underpinning the depth and breadth of her scholarship is her own successful experience and understanding of the writing process. With it she combines a natural grace and dignity that enables her to engage with a broad spectrum of students, their needs and their unique writing projects, whether poets, playwrights, novelists or short story writers.

Elizabeth Brooke-Carr

Caroline’s skills as an editor are also very finely honed. Her years of experience and depth of knowledge are apparent on each edited page of my writing. She brings an innate understanding to the work in front of her and offers clear and insightful suggestions if the work is wavering.  She also displays an absolute command of the English language in the corrections she makes. I have found her skills absolutely invaluable as an editor.

Lorraine Marson