What’s it like to learn with AWC?

Doing this course was the best decision. It was hectic. At times I felt overwhelmed and wondered if I was out of my depth. I feel, though, I have learnt so much. More than in any other course.

Bernadette was fantastic. She was my tutor for WYN, and it was fabulous having her for this course as well.

I enjoyed working in the group environment on each other's manuscript. The weekly zooms really kept me focused.

I have realised that writing the novel is the easy part. I feel getting published will be a challenge. It is a world I know very little about. Though I want to add, as a scientist I never understood the concept of a degree in any creative art. It was a foreign world for me. Now I truly understand how knowledge about creative writing technique etc really strengthens writing skills (unless of course you are simply born brilliant!)

Fun and fabulous. If you want to write the AWC is a great place to help with the journey.

I really enjoyed connecting with other writers during the course. It was reassuring to know that others shared the same fears, hopes, and dreams as I did.

Nat was a fantastic tutor. Her feedback on my novel was insightful and educational, helping me grow as a writer. While I didn't get the chance to listen to the feedback she provided to the other students during the course, I plan to go back and review it now that I have the time, as I'm sure it will be incredibly valuable. I highly recommend Nat as a tutor.

Completing the course reignited my passion for writing. I had reached a point where my enthusiasm had waned, and I even started doubting whether I was a decent writer, considering giving up altogether. Nat was refreshingly direct in reminding us that every writer feels that way at times. The feedback from my fellow students was not only encouraging but, at moments, it made my heart sing. I'm still unsure if I'll pursue publishing my work, but I know I will continue to write. Best of all, I'm enjoying the process again.

My 'aha!' moment came when I realised I had developed a bad habit of word dumping in my stories. Addressing this issue has greatly improved my writing, and I now understand how much more you can convey through dialogue while keeping readers engaged. I also have to thank Nat for pointing out that I never used the word 'said'. Years ago, an editor advised me to avoid it, and I took that advice to heart. It was like being hit with a four-by-two when I discovered it's perfectly fine to use 'said' - something I should have been doing all along. Thanks, Nat!

I would absolutely recommend AWC, and in fact, I've already done so at a recent work conference. I shared how completing a course with like-minded people feels like finding your online community. Even if you never go on to write a full novel, you can still learn, grow, and gain so much from the experience.

I got so much out of the Write Your Novel course - this seemed like the next step.

Bernadette is fantastic - she is so knowledgeable and provides valuable feedback combined with wonderful encouragement.

I feel like the Write Your Novel and Edit Your Novel courses have been like doing a masters degree in creative writing. I have learnt so much, and have achieved a solid draft of my first novel. I never would have achieved this without these courses. Thank you so much.

I have learnt the craft of storytelling and writing - now I just have to keep refining it.

I have been working on a historical novel but have never tackled something like this before. When I read the course outline I was sure it would be useful for me.

The course affirmed that my methodology was on the right track. It also gave me new insights and ideas about the research and how to approach it. Defamation hadn't been on my mind and I found that section fascinating.

I enjoyed doing it at my own pace, as my health issues make some days harder than others to focus. Having an abundance of real-life examples was also terrific.

I thought I knew how to use Google search until I watched the video. I learnt more than I realised it was capable of doing.

Easy paced, lots of case studies and examples. All great information. I am already pitching stories.

So many real to life insights of the industry helps to take a little of the fear out of putting yourself out there. The unknown is way scarier!

I enjoyed all of it, really. Good examples across multiple countries and in-depth workings of the publishing industry.

Just go for it, you will love it!

I found the level of detail to be incredibly helpful.

I enjoyed the writing! I loved pushing myself towards the weekly submission deadline.

I'm highly motivated to carry on now. What started as curiosity is now a growing passion.

There was a point where I clicked into a sort of 'sparkling simplicity'. The instruction encouraged me to drop my tendency to overwrite and it was a game changer.

Just do it! It will give you the push that you need.

I love reading travel articles and travel a bit for my job as a sales rep. I've always wanted to write. I have completed Bernadette's copywriting course, and the real estate writing course. This has added another string to my bow.

Loved the easy to watch format, and the step-by-step instructions are simple to follow. Both Valerie and Katrina offer insights and tips that make you forget that you're learning something!

It's given me the inspiration and nudge to make the leap to start writing and putting myself out there. I need to stop procrastinating and get cracking!

I'm writing a book and wanted to ensure my characters were as rich and engaging as possible!

I enjoyed Pamela's delivery! She was so clear and direct but also funny and warm :)

Helped me ask questions about my characters that have developed their backstories and made them better.

The course was amazing and Pamela's delivery and structure was so helpful. I couldn't recommend it more for anyone that wants tools and tricks to help improve their characters and writing.

I enjoyed so many things! I loved the introduction to authors who I was not familiar with, I loved Kate's insights and examples, her passion for writers to push boundaries as well as respect the craft as it has developed over centuries. I loved the visual images accompanying the slides. I especially loved the inclusion of magic realism as the last module.

It has clarified the direction I want to go in my writing.

The AWC has many opportunities to learn, be inspired and be swept into the flow of writing.

I love Pamela's smile. She is knowledgeable, easy to understand and always very encouraging.

I have renewed enthusiasm to continue on my next draft.

AWC is a great place to start for knowledge, guidance and reassurance when writing a novel.

Picture books are my favourite and always have been. I have been 'jotting' for years and I decided to take the plunge and start writing more seriously.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this course. I will be doing lots more writing and polishing my stories.

Learning so much about the writing process has been inspiring. I have loved having an excuse to read so many picture books.

I have always wanted to write and I now have so many tools and resources to help me with reaching my goal.

I can't believe it, but I'm going to miss doing the assignments. I'll have to get organised and set future goals for myself.

I really loved the course and the detail that went in to it. I wish it was longer.

I found the feedback extremely useful as I feel like Cathie was very direct on what we needed to do to improve.

Thank you for offering such a great course, I look forward to doing more of them in the future.

Margaret's feedback was great. It was fantastic to see how someone in the industry would view our work.

I like to have a time frame to complete work in, so I liked the weekly assignments. The audio lessons were broken down in a really easy way to digest.

Well worth it. I'll be doing another course.

Thank you Margaret for being so encouraging. The feedback was always helpful.

The manuscript I am hoping to publish is set in a real city with references to real places and events so I wanted to be aware of avoiding any legal issues

I enjoy Pamela's presentations having done a number of courses with her.

I will now check that the names of my characters aren't existing people and I will change the names of some cafes and bars I have based on existing businesses.

I always recommend AWC as your courses are professional and worthwhile.

Pamela's knowledge concerning infringement pitfalls was extremely informative. It alerted me to issues with secondary and tertiary characters regarding defamation.

I had anticipated some issues with my 'inspired by true events' screenplay, but I now know there are much larger legalities to consider.

Insightful, informative and worthwhile.

Very useful and hands-on advice about planning a novel. I am inspired to follow the plan and create my own novel.

I found both the theoretical component enjoyable as well as the excellent, practical advice on how to put it into practice.

I finally understand the process of planning.

The Australian Writers' Centre provides excellent courses with amazing authors such as Kate Forsyth, giving some excellent straight forward and accessible advice and the proper tools for getting on with your writing.

It is an important topic/issue to think about when writing. It is not something I had given much thought to as I only write for my own pleasure at this stage, however, the information provided was helpful.

I have listened to several seminars by Pamela Freeman and am grateful that with her many years of experience she is happy to share her knowledge.

The seminar was a good reminder/refresher of copyright laws, intellectual property, etc.,

The Australian Writers' Centre has a good variety of courses available so there is something to suit everyone and it is a great starting point for someone who is new to writing.

The course was very thorough and included lots of detailed information as well as easy to action strategies.

Bernadette delivers beautifully! I appreciated her knowledge and her presentation style.

I recommend AWC all the time! I'd say 'try a AWC course. They will equip you with actionable skills after the first module.'

I have attended many Focus On seminars with AWC and they have all been excellent, so I know this would not disappoint. Also, this is a topic that is rarely covered in any courses (at least it hasn't appeared in any that I have taken), so I was very interested in the course topic.

Pamela provides very specific and detailed information without going so broad that I would lose interest or get lost in the information. I think this information should be provided as a part of any creative writing course as it is essential knowledge.

Just do it. Their courses are excellent, their presenters are amazing and it is money well spent.