What’s it like to learn with AWC?

I have a number of books I want to write in the creative non-fiction genre - memoir and biography. I am used to writing non-fiction as I am a scientist and science communicator, but wanted to understand the process of creative non-fiction. I am very analytical and need to understand the process and 'rules' of writing in a specific genre, which is what drove me to enrol in this particular course.

I loved the perfect balance between theory, practical examples, and exercises so students could put the theory into practice in the context of their own project(s).

It's given me the motivation to take action rather than keeping on saying, "when I write my book." The course has given me the tools I was looking for and the steps that have provided me with the structure I needed to begin and know where I was heading, and how to finish.

Creative non-fiction is a great vehicle to encourage people to learn and see that non-fiction is not the dull and boring genre that they remember from school or university. I love the opportunity creative non-fiction provides to get people excited about history and science in a way that no textbook ever could.

If you've been thinking about writing but not sure where to begin, the AWC will have a course to set you on the path to success. Success may be a published book, or just finishing a book for your own personal satisfaction. The course content is very professional, easy to understand, and with lots of practical examples and exercises that you can put into practice in your own writing project.

I am currently working on a new book and I wanted to do the course to enable me to understand how to write creative non fiction, so this has been a wonderful course that has really helped me along the journey that's for sure! I have learnt so much.

The information was amazing and the topics covered everything. I enjoyed listening to each course recording by Valerie; she is exceptional. The podcasts were interesting too and I love studying so basically enjoyed the challenge of each module and how it made me think outside the box (whilst I am writing my 4th book). It's been so insightful and given me so much more understanding of writing in general and what to include and the vastness of ideas have come alive along the way too.

Opened up my eyes and understanding to so many factors - where do I start? Firstly, about writing in general, the structures outlined, ideas in storytelling, thinking more about characters, using dramatic tension, key elements of my story, what are the action points, plot, climax, where is it all going? I think it's enabled me to really analyse as a writer, the structure and the creativity of the story telling. I can be a brain dumper but it's made me go back over and over and really read and rewrite and be more creative overall.

Learning about structure has helped a lot, and writing including characters, especially hearing about how to write even from a theme perspective, which is what I am focusing on currently with my new book. I think asking the question how do I want to help others, or see transformation in their lives has enabled me to really think about each chapter leading them on that transformation journey and being more specific and bringing other characters into the whole story. Also helped me evaluate myself as I am writing, to be authentic and learn to express myself more, through scenes and storytelling and not just facts.

This course has been exceptional in every way and the creativity explored will equip any writer desiring to be their best and to grow in their skills as a non-fiction creative writer. The modules brought so much more out of me than I expected, got me outside the box of my own thinking to expand in so many areas of creative writing. It's been truly enjoyable to and so engaging all the way through. 100% recommend this course.

I really enjoyed the Creative Non-fiction course as it was very motivating during the process of writing my memoir. The course outlines many layers that come with creative writing-e.g. techniques and skills which are taught throughout each module. The interviews with great authors, who shared their insights and helpful tips, were so encouraging.

I have gained more confidence in myself as a writer and hope to improve with skills I have learnt and put some great ideas on paper.

I realized that it's never too late to start writing and with hard work and passion I can achieve good results in writing my memoir.

AWC is such a professional and wonderful community, with a variety of amazing courses.

I'm writing a biography at the moment and drawn to non-fiction, not just memoirs. I wanted to better understand structure and how to make a story interesting that isn't about trauma or dramatic events

I thought the structure of the modules very helpful and logical. Offering videos and interviews of authors was terrific, especially as they all fit the genre

The audio modules were great for matching up with the handouts. The course offers flexibility, which I needed. It's a very good course and Valarie's voice is also easy to listen to.

The structure and narrative arcs were areas I need to pay more attention to. I will revise that module as well as the one about characterisation

It's very comprehensive and self-paced, makes for a perfect match for people who say they are time-poor.

I enjoyed the encouraging nature of the content e.g. interviews from writers about their journeys of writing their book, the fact that it was self paced.

When I was approaching the end of the content, I came to the realisation that my memoir is still an amazing story that needs to be told - however, in order to produce a book of the best quality, I have to be willing to accept that it needs major editing - and that is totally okay! It was definitely a big moment of epiphany for me.

The encouraging aspect of the course is what makes it differ to just googling advice online.

Interesting and useful information. The course made me think about different ways to approach and present my story, different ways to publish and ways to engage the reader.

I find the rich narrative approach of CNF and the research element of journalism very alluring. As a former journalist and aspiring novelist, this course felt like a great way to combine my skills and interests.

As with all AWC courses, I really enjoyed the combination of practical, focused information and the examples given of other people who have succeeded in the genre. This course in particular is packed with interviews from the centre's So You Want To Be A Writer podcast series.

Research, plan, then get on with it - and always, always write with sensitivity toward other people's lives. And fact check. A lot.

Do it. AWC courses are the best. If you use what you learn you'll more than likely recoup your investment, and have a great time doing it.

I really enjoyed the course which covered all the elements required and provided inspiration through interviews and also some excellent examples of other authors' books to illustrate points.

I enjoyed learning all the elements involved in creating a work of non-fiction and how the industry works/ what is marketable.

It provided a vast amount of valuable information in a format that was easy to use and is a valuable resource to refer back to. I believe you hit the mark on the key information required as well as inspiration and motivation to find out further information and develop further skills as required.

I have embarked on a goal I had set myself over fifteen years ago and now feel as though I have a process to follow that will ultimately lead me toward fulfilling that goal to write up my travels into a work of non-fiction.

The courses provide industry relevant information that will not only help you develop your writing style but also provide industry tips to assist you with producing an end result which could be marketable and saleable.

A really practical and well-rounded course. It helped give me tools and clear direction to move from someone just passionately playing around with creative writing into someone who feels excited to pursue the challenge of pulling my writing into the form of an actual book.

Really enjoyed learning all the tips about structure and importance of creating a cohesive narrative that builds upon itself and weaves together with resonance.

Very practical and interesting course. Well worth the time and investment!

Creative Non-Fiction is a writing style I wanted to explore for a while and which I believed would broaden my knowledge and flair.

The course was planned meticulously and this showed distinctly in every aspect - from the design of each module with each being broken down into digestible chunks, to the course materials and the ease of navigation on the website. Plus, it's always a pleasure listening to the soothing voice of Valerie Khoo - and the author interviews were a fantastic bonus!

The course has opened my eyes to the depths and dimensions of Creative Non-Fiction, how important all the elements are even if seemingly tiny, and expanded my knowledge, which in turn has inspired some confidence in my capacity to be able to write well in this genre.

Every now and then, I mention to friends that I like to take a course with the Australian Writers' Centre to replenish my knowledge and skills - and my comments are always the same: that the AWC is fantastic, thorough, trustworthy, and with a genuine interest in both the content it teaches and its students. I always then go on to note that many of Australia's best writers have come out of the AWC. All wonderful things! Thank you, AWC!

The course was very well taught. Gave me an insight to this form of publishing that I didn't previously have.

I realised that my character's life story fits very neatly into one of the narrative structures. I had a kind of structure in mind before I started the course, but the course material helped to give it more force.

I would say that the AWC course I completed was very helpful and it gave a confidence boost to this aspirational author.

I was attracted to this course by the desperate need to turn my PhD thesis into a book. I had high expectations and you matched them.

It made an overwhelming process seem doable. I loved being taken through a clear structure.

This book is not only an ethnography of a spiritual community, it also includes auto-ethnography of my own life. I learned the reason why 14 years passed and seven attempts to find my "voice" ended up in the bin. There was a level of honesty I needed to find and it was the practical structure of the course that made it possible. Finding those inciting incidents and following the steps which are designed to give readers reasons to want to know more. I had always thought, 'why would anyone want to read a book about a woman they don't know?' And although I do know about universal narratives (I'm an anthropologist after all!) the security of that notion felt freakishly flimsy when I tried applying it to myself and my own story. Anyway, I did it. The muse visited me for some. The rest was hard work. But I was so happy with the first draft! Now I am on the second draft (this is the one where I want to throw it in the bin). But I have a publisher and I have a reader! So... onwards!

I want to write a travel memoir. I had no idea where to start and felt overwhelmed at the idea! I found this course through a google search and loved that it was online, in my own time, and affordable.

I loved having access to the whole course right from the start and being able to go at my own pace. It was easy to follow and quite informative.

I've never studied writing before so it was great to learn the fundamentals from step one all the way to editing and publishing.

It is a clear, thorough, easy-to-follow course that's fun and is very affordable.

I was attracted to this course because I wanted to share a story I felt passionate about which I thought could have broad appeal. I liked that it was so comprehensive and able to be completed flexibly.

The course has given me the skills to take my manuscript to the next level, nearing completion. It has helped to give me the confidence to continue writing my book and see it through to the finish.

Go for it!

The course was pitched at my level of ability but was still challenging. I just loved every bit of it. Of course, it will take time to practise the skills and then put them to good use.

It was all enjoyable but probably I enjoyed particularly the aspects of writing demonstrated that deepened my learning e.g. the literary techniques, how to plan the narrative arc, structure and particularly the fact-checking section. Also I was very interested how other writers employed these writing skills.

I now have more enthusiasm, energy to move forward, more knowledge and confidence and thirst for more writing knowledge and of course more aptitude to do my own writing whatever that may be.

The whole course just lit my fire for more.

I've been considering writing about a non-fictional subject for a few years. Although I have written for work over an extensive period I did feel the need to underpin that with the rigour of a structured course.

I enjoyed the ease of picking up a lesson when I wanted and not being forced to follow a strict timetable. The overall structure of the course was great. I feel I gained most value in the later stages with the discussion about editing and publishing. This was very useful.

Valerie's delivery of the material was very enjoyable and easy to listen to.

I feel like I now know what to expect when it comes to writing my book because I know how to create a structure and what the different stages of editing are. Realising that structure drives forward the narrative; structure is the mechanism for momentum.

Because I struggle with writer's block and narrative structure, this course helped me understand how much skill building I need in writing. This inspired me to keep going with my writing journey.

I enjoyed understanding the story template of the hero's journey, the characters, and telling versus showing examples which helped me to continue on the path to be a professional writer.

I learnt important tools from the modules, such as structure and rising tension, which helped me understand what I need to do to write my book in a creative way, and also the confidence to continue with my book.

The writing course was important to do, giving you skills and knowledge relating to creative writing, that I believe is needed before writing a book.

I have wanted to write for a long time, but not ready to write creative fiction yet. I have a great deal of business experience, so creative non-fiction suits me at this stage.

The structure is very helpful. I now have the vision for my next book and the direction I want to go in.

The courses are world-class, focused on exactly what you need to know, without any fluff. Extremely practical for the real world.

I enjoyed the self-paced nature of the course, the examples and the insights from authors. It's made me even more determined to write and given me the confidence to just do it.

I think writing non-fiction is far more formulaic than I realised. The course breaks the 'formula' into bite-sized categories or elements that somehow make the whole seem more achievable.

AWC courses are a worthwhile investment in you and your passion for writing; they are comprehensive, practical, and affordable.