Jenna O'Connell loves books, which may seem surprising for someone with dyslexia.
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People with the learning disability often find it difficult to process written words accurately and fluently, which can make reading a daunting challenge.
Yet Jenna describes herself as 'one of LitFest2444's biggest groupies'.
The Port Macquarie mother of one and English-drama teacher is again presenting a workshop entitled, The Storytelling Mystery Box at LitFest2444 in Port Macquarie this Thursday (June 5-6).
Coming from as far as Perth, 31 expert presenters will deliver 25 workshops to over 500 local and visiting high school students on such diverse topics as writing novels, poetry and fantasy fiction, through to performance art and podcasting.
There were times when Jenna's undiagnosed dyslexia made her early school years miserable.
"I began to learn the tricks of faking my way through reading lessons, hoping my difficulties would go unnoticed," she said, speaking publicly of her dyslexia for the first time.
"Lucky for me, they didn't. In my mid-primary years, my parents enlisted the help of an English tutor with a remarkable approach to helping kids like me who struggled to read and write.
"She'd read stories to me, and I would retell them in my own way - through art, performance, dance, and music. Books came to life: Not only did I begin to love books again, but she inspired me to learn to read and write properly, too."
She hopes her presentation will encourage students explore their creative potential and inspire them to see that there's more to storytelling than simply putting words on a page.
For more information on LitFest 2444, go to www.litfest2444.com.au.