What’s it like to learn with AWC?

I really enjoyed studying the creative non-fiction books currently on the market and analysing them from different perspectives throughout the course.

If I had discovered the Australian Writers' Centre earlier, I wouldn't have spent so many years trying to figure out how to get my books published.

I like the materials provided as a good reference and working guide.

In some ways it confirmed that I was on the right track and in others it confirmed I have a lot to learn! I find I read a lot more now and am continuing the learning process.

It has encouraged me to develop my skills, to read more and to hone character development and arc.

If you're serious about writing, don't do it alone - AWC is a great starting point, has excellent resources and can connect you into the world of writing.

I am developing a family story and needed ideas on how to approach it. The course helped me understand and think about structure.

Rather than one 'aha' moment, I found by methodically going through the course it provided confidence in my process - validating and improving my approach to writing.

It is a stepping stone and valuable reference for my future writing. A great way to kickstart your writing journey!

The course exceeded my expectations. I enjoyed the step-by-step approach and exercises.

It has given me confidence and to have options about the way I present my story.

I am discovering more details about what I am writing about because of the techniques that I have learned. Things that I had forgotten about.

I noticed that a lot of things I have been doing naturally. I realised that I CAN do this!

The workbook was great for keeping me focused. The course is really accessible and self-paced, no pressure. The detail in the information reminds you of skills that you may have forgotten you had. Everyone has a story, and the courses offered can help you tell it.

It confirmed what I thought I knew and showed that different writing styles are all valid. The different structures within the writing were also helpful.

It has assured me that writing for others (other than the corporate world) is valuable. I feel I have gained a better insight into why I am writing, not just the writing process. It has also removed my excuses I made for myself for not writing. I now feel I can gather together all the chapters, stories and scrapes of events and compile them into one definitive book (or 2 or 3).

I found it very informative and instructional. It's very easy listening to Valerie's voice. I enjoyed the interviews with the authors and hearing first-hand experiences.

It's reinforced what I had learnt along the way with other courses and put into a nonfiction context.

You won't get more information, affordable and instructional courses anywhere else. The variety is sensational.

Thank you so much! I appreciated the breadth of the course, the range of topics, and the time allowed to complete the modules.

It reinvigorated my excitement!

I would say the AWC has a wonderful range of topics, passionate instructors, and the courses are a fabulous present to your creativity!

The course has given me the blueprint and way forward to continue with my memoir, particularly will use the writing and editing tips.

Excellent courses with loads of useful, practical advice, written and delivered by writers - i.e. people who know what they're talking about.

I enjoyed understanding how to construct a creative non-fiction narrative. Constructing the arc of the story. Making it more interesting and less like 'history'.

Worth the fee... absolutely!

I enjoyed that it was self-paced. Experimenting with different ways of writing my family history and lots of resources from the handout and workbook.

Writing creative non-fiction is very similar in the process to writing fiction.

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.

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.