Photo: Amanda Billing
Kathryn is an award-winning writer with numerous stage and screen credits including “Under The Vines”, “Fresh Eggs” and “My Life is Murder” and telefeature “The Tender Trap.” (See full writing bio)
Her one-woman play “Nicola Cheeseman is Back” was shortlisted for the 2023 Adams NZ Play Award. After the premiere in 2024, it enjoyed an encore production at Q Theatre (2025), inclusion in several art festivals and Radio NZ’s Drama Series.
Kathryn is also a writing coach and tutor who loves designing and facilitating nifty writing & creativity workshops. She runs popular subscriber- based group writing sessions via The Writing Room.
She’s an engaging public speaker who has facilitated panels for the Auckland Writers Festival, SPADA Conference, NZ Society of Authors, NZ Writers Guild and Fourth World Conference of Screenwriters in Berlin among others.
To licence Kathryn’s plays or make other theatre-related queries.
To ask about coaching, writing, workshops or speaking availability:
Image: Clive Copeman
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Hello Writer - this sound kinda familiar?
You really want to write but somehow you never get round to properly starting...
Or maybe you start just fine then lose motivation and struggle to finish.
I hear you, Writer, because I've been you.
Somehow another year rolls by and you're still not where you want to be.
I wrote this book to help you figure out where you want to be, the steps you need to take to get there - and what's getting in your way.
"Finding a way to get unstuck had been at the forefront of my mind and I'd purchased a few other books on the subject. The Productive Writer Guidebook was the only one that resonated and got me over the hump." - Amber Mathias
The Productive Writer Guidebook is an insightful, interactive book that helps you work through your priorities, quit procrastinating and build better writing habits - AND most importantly, figure out how to get out of your own way.
This book is right for you if...
You're craving a more productive and enjoyable writing journey.
You want to understand why you're procrastinating and how to kick the habit to the curb.
You're yearning to write but somehow can't properly commit to starting.
You struggle to stay motivated and get your projects finished and into the world.
You want to push through writer's block without the stress.
You want to use your precious writing time more productively.
You want insight into why you find it hard sticking to your writing goals.
You want to improve how you deal with rejection and criticism.
You want to be a happier, more relaxed writer!
"I recently signed up for Kathryn's Productive Writer Intensive, wanting to turn my long-held dreams of writing into reality. This course was incredibly helpful. I soul-searched to understand what stopped me sitting down to write. It was great to delve into this - I personally gained a lot of insights." Leanne Erceg
Stuck in a writing rut?
Whether you call it procrastination, inertia or being creatively blocked - Writer's Block sux!
And it makes no sense when you wanna write.
The good news is that it has little to do with will-power or self-discipline. It's more likely that something else is going on...
So let’s work out what that is...
Jump into this simple, interactive challenge to get to the bottom of your particular block
Hello Writer - this sound kinda familiar?
You really want to write but somehow you never get round to properly starting...
Or maybe you start just fine then lose motivation and struggle to finish.
I hear you, Writer, because I've been you.
Somehow another year rolls by and you're still not where you want to be.
I wrote this book to help you figure out where you want to be, the steps you need to take to get there - and what's getting in your way.
"Finding a way to get unstuck had been at the forefront of my mind and I'd purchased a few other books on the subject. The Productive Writer Guidebook was the only one that resonated and got me over the hump." - Amber Mathias
The Productive Writer Guidebook is an insightful, interactive book that helps you work through your priorities, quit procrastinating and build better writing habits - AND most importantly, figure out how to get out of your own way.
This book is right for you if...
You're craving a more productive and enjoyable writing journey.
You want to understand why you're procrastinating and how to kick the habit to the curb.
You're yearning to write but somehow can't properly commit to starting.
You struggle to stay motivated and get your projects finished and into the world.
You want to push through writer's block without the stress.
You want to use your precious writing time more productively.
You want insight into why you find it hard sticking to your writing goals.
You want to improve how you deal with rejection and criticism.
You want to be a happier, more relaxed writer!
"I recently signed up for Kathryn's Productive Writer Intensive, wanting to turn my long-held dreams of writing into reality. This course was incredibly helpful. I soul-searched to understand what stopped me sitting down to write. It was great to delve into this - I personally gained a lot of insights." Leanne Erceg
Hello! This Screenplay Starter Kit was developed to help you, new screenwriter, turn your idea into a story BEFORE you start writing your script. Establishing the basic story elements is a crucial first step in any screenplay.
It's so tempting to leap straight into the script but if that's you - be prepared for months of rewriting as you fix "the bones" of the story that could have been put in place at the outset.
My name is Kathryn Burnett and I'm an award-winning screenwriter, teacher and script consultant. I've read 100s of screenplays by newer screenwriters - and I've noticed the same flaws emerging over and over again. These flaws are often to do with the story basics not being clearly established from the get go.
So let's avoid making those newbie mistakes.
The Screenwriter Starter Kit is like a mini-workshop full of thought-provoking exercises that will help you expand your film idea into a story frame.
As you make your way through the exercises you will:
Ensure your film idea is well suited to film as opposed to prose or TV.
Create the necessary basic story elements of your idea.
Learn why screenplays are about a character with a big problem that requires them to take action that we can see.
Learn the importance of core conflict in your story
Establish genre and tone
Learn tips to further develop your characters
Here's what people have to say about my LIVE screenwriting workshops:
“As someone new to screenwriting this was the perfect introduction to the foundations of writing a script, as well as a fantastic discussion on industry insights.” – Emily McKenzie, Actor
“In two days I’ve gone from being too intimidated to write a scene, to feeling equipped to take on a feature! Thanks so much!” – Angus Dreaver
“Congrats on a great workshop. I’ve done a few and think yours is by far one of the most comprehensive. Really enjoyed it - you really know your stuff." - Scott Butler - Novelist, Copywriter
“This workshop was fantastic! It was an amazing breakdown of the art of screenwriting, I left feeling inspired” – Julie Prebble, Director
“Loved it! Kathryn gets straight to the point and gives clear, practical advice about screenwriting. She demystifies the process.” – Rebecca Barry Hill, Journalist/Screenwriter