Ever since I was a boy growing up in rural Australia, I have always loved stories in all their shapes and forms. During my adult life as a writer, traveller, and educator, I have discovered stories in many far-flung places, and I’ve never stopped being inspired by what I’ve learnt from the people I’ve met and the places I’ve gone to.
Among many other experiences, I have lived and worked in India, a country I first visited as a TV reporter covering the 1996 Cricket World Cup and I have since visited many times.
Also, I have worked as a volunteer at community centres in Ecuador and Ethiopia, and because of my love for running I’ve competed in several international marathons including New York 2001 less than two months after the 9-11 tragedy.
From trekking in Patagonia to being lost in Lahore, I’ve had experiences that continually inspire me to help young people across the world find their voices. And these voices, from all walks of life, can be heard through stories. Stories bring us together and pull us apart; either way, they help us make us who we are, and they also help us make sense (and not make sense!) of our world.
Crack-A-Story is a lifetime in the making. I hope I can help engage young people everywhere and encourage them to explore and experiment with storytelling. Importantly, my workshops and associated content may help students get better marks in assessments, however that is not my aim. My aim is to generate fun, interest, and engagement. I want to see imaginations being used, minds thinking critically, and the growth of such essential qualities as empathy, compassion, and the understanding and embracing of different cultures. Also, as I continue this journey of learning, I’m learning more about how storytelling can help a young person—any person, actually—develop a greater understanding of who they are and the valuable roles they can play in and beyond their communities. It is uplifting to see a young person develop to a degree that they truly believe their voice matters. Storytelling can help do that. Storytelling truly has extraordinary powers. Onwards we go!
Smiles,
James Knight (Knighty)
Presenter, Author, Journalist, TV producer, Dad, Husband, Dog Owner, Long Distance Runner (Plodder!).
M. Ed (Contemporary Literacies)
Our interpretation of ‘literacy’ is evolving. We live in a multimodal age in which narratives are much more diverse than the traditional method of writing words on a page. Think of the creativity of animations, online games, podcasts, and so on. Today’s young people read and make meaning in ways different to the ones practised by previous generations, and it’s the responsibility of educators to embrace these ways. Crucially, when a young person gains confidence in storytelling they can gain confidence in ‘having a voice’, and believing their voice will be heard and respected in an unpredictable world. Storytelling can play an important role in improving self-esteem and wellbeing. There is much to explore in this space. Furthermore, storytelling skills are transferable and should not be constrained by formal learning. For example, the ability to ask questions and interpret information are basic tools of the storytelling trade that also have immeasurable value in everyday situations. All of us can benefit from packing these tools in our toolbox.
Above all else, Crack-A-Story is about fun, positivity, and respect. This is why we have the Golden Understandings.
Books Written
- Great Running Events (Rockpool)
- Spirit of the Warriors (Crack-A-Story)
- The Amazing Sam Kerr (Welbeck)
- The Amazing Ash Barty (Welbeck)
- Back On Track (Hachette)
- Henry and Banjo (Hachette)
- Kangaroo Dundee (H & S)
- All For My Children (Hachette)
- Under The Same Sky (Hachette)
- Spirit High (Xoum)
- The Man From Coolibah (Hachette)
- Just Doing My Job (Hachette)
- A Theory Of Moments (Hachette)
- The Dragon’s Journey (Harper Collins)
- Mark Waugh (Harper Collins)
- Lee 2 (Harper Colins)
- The Balmoral Beach Club: 100 Years (Contributing writer: Lester Publishing)
- Grew up in Gunnedah, country NSW, Australia.
- Dreamt of playing cricket for Australia.
- Lack of talent prevented me from playing cricket for Australia.
- Wrote first book, The Three Detectives, when 12 years-old. Typed it out on Mum’s old Olivetti typewriter.
- After the ‘talent’ stumbling block, dreamt of becoming a sports journalist.
- Have worked as a journalist, commentator, producer, voice-over narrator for all three mainstream free-to-air commercial TV networks in Australia and numerous international production companies, including IMG and Beyond.
- Founding member of Channel Ten’s revolutionary ‘Sports Tonight’ program in the 1990’s. Covered several international tours with the Australian cricket team.
- Worked in metropolitan and commercial radio as a presenter/reporter (2DU, 2SM, 2GB, 2KA, 2BS)
- Written for numerous press and online sites, including the Sydney Morning Herald and CNN online.
- Travelled widely, including as a volunteer community worker in Africa and South America.
- That’s enough!