Personal Storytelling for Veterans and First Responders
You will:
Tap into the stories you want to tell
Follow a clear framework to write with confidence
Develop new writing and communication skills for work or personal situations
Apply practical frameworks for writing and storytelling
Gain encouragement, motivation, and feedback on your writing
Use writing as an outlet for expression, healing, and creativity
“This is one of the best things I have done in my life. This has been an amazing experience. I am grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to do this course. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
– Linda Bone
Course participant and former serving military
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The aim of the course is to:
- Empower you to tap into the stories you want to tell
- Give you a framework to follow so you can do so with confidence
- Equip you with new writing/communication skills that can be used in any work or personal situations
- Equip you with practical frameworks for writing and storytelling
- Give you encouragement, motivation and feedback on your writing
- Provide an outlet for expression, healing and creativity
“This course exceeded my expectations. There are many pathways available to support veterans and first responders, particularly around recovery and diagnosis, and many of these are deeply centred on the veteran experience. What I valued about this course is that it offered something slightly different – it created space to step outside that framework and build personal tools through writing. It wasn’t about labels or limitations; it was about learning how to process thoughts and experiences in your own way.”
Kylie Michelle, Former serving military
This course is ideal if you:
- Are a veteran or first responder who wants to explore the world of writing
- Are an immediate family member of a veteran or first responder who wants to discover new writing skills.
- Would like to explore the benefits of writing about your own experiences
- Aim to develop your writing skills for personal and professional reasons
- Want to gain confidence in your writing or sharing your story with a broader audience.
- Would like guidance from experienced instructors familiar with the challenges faced by veterans and first responders.
- Want to preserve your personal history for your family or future generations.
- Are interested in publishing your story or using it as a foundation for public speaking engagements.
- Are ready for a potentially life-changing – and enjoyable – experience
- Hope to transform your experiences into a memoir or other longer work.
- Or simply want to have fun!
More about the course
Each module focuses on a different aspect of telling stories from your own life experiences. The modules in the course build on the ones that come before, giving you a strong foundation where you ultimately feel confident in telling your own stories and writing about your experiences.
The course aims to not only equip you with foundational skills in writing about your truth, but also the confidence to do so. Ultimately, the aim of the course is to empower you with self belief, and also an understanding of the power and benefits of self-expression.
“Do it now, not tomorrow! This course exceeded my expectations.”
Tony Jacques, Former serving military
How does the online course work?
When you enrol:
- You’ll receive login details to access your online course.
- Your course contains six modules, each with video lessons and handouts.
- For each module you can submit an option writing task and receive feedback from your tutor.
- We recommend you complete one module a week over six weeks.
- If you can’t follow a weekly schedule, that’s ok. You can complete the modules and assignments anytime during your access period.
- There are no set class times – complete each module when it suits you during the week (you’ll need around 3-4 hours per module to work through the materials and writing task).
- You’ll be able to enjoy access to the course for a full year – plenty of time to revisit your lessons and refresh your knowledge whenever you need.
Participants receive:
- Instructional videos
- Practical templates and handouts
- Interviews from veterans and first responders who have harnessed the power of writing
- Encouragement, motivation and feedback on their writing
- Engaging exercises
- And more
“This has changed my life and given me back my voice! The course has shown me that I do have stories and I matter. I can’t thank you enough.”
Kylie Edwards, former paramedic
Personalised feedback from your tutor
There are 6 writing tasks in the course. If you choose to submit these writing tasks, you’ll received feedback from a professional creative writing tutor on each of them. You also have the opportunity to ask follow up questions to your tutor if you need further guidance.
You’ll discover
- the power of your voice on the page
- how to write a compelling scene
- techniques to use your senses in your writing
- the structure of a good story
- how to keep readers turning the page
- the key to writing about other people (characters)
- how much to bare on the page and how much to keep to yourself
- what to write about
- the healing power of words
- how to be a good storyteller
- And much more.
“A heartfelt thank you. If you love writing but don’t know where to start or you are struggling to find the right place to start – you need to do this course. It changes everything.”
Eleanor Chappell, CEO of Buddy Up Australia
Engaging course videos, including interviews with several veterans and first responders
Supporting veterans and first responders?
Enrol individual participant(s)
- Receive all the material in the course, including exercises and bonus material.
- Are likely to be self-motivated and self-directed to complete the lessons.
- Receive feedback on your writing from a dedicated creative writing tutor.
- Be able to complete the course online, no matter where you live – and you don’t have to join a class.
- Transform the way you write and gain skills that will last forever
Enrol a group of veterans and first responders
- Work with veterans and first responders
- Are responsible for helping veterans transition to civilian life
- Organise training or upskilling veterans
- Are a careers counsellor or coach helping veterans
- Are involved in peer support, outreach or veterans’ services
“I am going to get right onto starting a memoir… if it helps others great, but at the very least it will help me.”
Cath Hopgood, Course participant and family member of current serving military
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: When does the course start?
A: All modules are available as soon as you enrol, however we recommend you complete one week per module to absorb the material and get the most out of the writing experience. You can start this course anytime.
Q: When do I get feedback on my writing?
A: You can post one assignment per week, and your tutor will provide feedback on your writing within 3 business days of your assignment being posted.
Q: I do want to write a book. Will I have a book by the end of this course?
A: While we recommend that you complete the course in six weeks, you have access to the course for 12 months. Because we know that life can get in the way! So you may need extra time up your sleeve. Chances are that you won’t have written a book by the end of the course but you will certainly gain essentials skills that will help you in writing a full length memoir. If you decide that is what you’d like to do, you might like to follow up with Creative Non-fiction or Novel Writing Essentials, depending on your specific goals.
Q: Are there other people in the class?
A: The online classroom is a private class for only you and your tutor.
Q: Do I need to share my writing with my tutor?
A: There are two types of writing that we encourage you to undertake during this course. One type is writing that is for your eyes only. You do not have to share it with anyone. The second type is your assignment, which you will share with your tutor. However, please note that you are in full control of what you choose to share.
Q: I’m a busy parent and work full-time. Can I fit this in?
A: Please know that your assignments are optional! Plus: most of our students are busy people just like you. This course is flexible so that all you need to find is a few extra hours in the week, not necessarily all at once. You’ve totally got this!
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Duration 1
Online self-paced course with tutor feedback
Duration:
Your 12 months' access begins straight away
Feedback:
Yes
Course Creators: Valerie Khoo $895 | |||||
