What’s it like to learn with AWC?

I felt a need to sharpen up the structure of my stories and I'm now re-writing!

Don't stuff around thinking about - just go and do it!

I wanted to learn more about structuring a novel at a more granular level. I thought that structure was just the beginning/middle/end, and this course taught me that there are more ingredients to baking this cake than I realised, and these ingredients weren't out of my reach.

The course taught me what I set out to learn and more.

The handouts were fantastic and complemented the theory. I found that how these were set out was easy to follow and helped me better understand some of the theory, especially how to break a narrative down and see how tension could build. Seeing the visualisation of the story structures made it easier to see how they built. (I'm thinking about the Hero's Journey — that's a doozy! Following that diagram while the audio went through the example story was really, really useful.)

I really enjoyed the bonus module on how to structure duologies/trilogies and multi-books. The industry knowledge shared was invaluable. What I found most useful was the theory on synopses and the examples given, as well as the pitfalls/techniques for writing multi-book stories. It opened my eyes to how best to think about stories that could span several books and how to communicate that to an agent/publisher without setting myself up for failure.

The theory and handouts complement each other really well. I think the handouts showcasing how to break out subplots, figure out plot events and where they take place in the story, and the dos/don'ts were really, really great.

I'm someone who leans towards pantsing more than plotting, and I feel like this course has given me the tools to go through my messy notes or written scenes and pull out where plot events happen, so I can see the structure/progression of tension in my story. It's helped me untangle analysing structure better.

I didn't think a story could be so flexible, but I found it amazing how the non-linear outline removed only one plot event from the lot to tell the same story as the linear structure.

AWC breaks down creative storytelling concepts in ways that I find easy to follow, especially when you pair the audio theory with the handouts. While the courses have overlap in content, the theory in one course doesn't skip over the theory that's prioritised in another and assume that you'll enrol in that course to gain the knowledge. AWC is all about sharing and keeping things clear/simple without overwhelming you. I like that it's professionals sharing knowledge with clear examples.

This course had an excellent balance of theory, practical exercises and insights that will help me improve the structure of my stories.

I particularly enjoyed learning about the common pitfalls and suggested techniques for the different structural elements. I also enjoyed learning more about the different structures and their history, noting that this wasn't the focus of the course.

This course has given me tips, tools and techniques on how to strengthen the structure of my stories.

AWC courses are insightful, comprehensive and well structured.

There is much more detail than I expected. It introduced so many ideas about structure.

I look forward to this course impacting my short story writing. I believe that structure will help me to proceed with a story which I am writing. I was aware that there were missing developments and inadequacies and did not know what to do about them.

The AWC have developed very useful, detailed, practical and stimulating modules in writing fiction and the text for children's picture books (the two courses which I have completed).

I had previously only completed the Creative Writing Stage 1 course and thought this may be too in depth, but it is just what I needed to help me understand my story better and begin bringing it together.

The content was detailed, thorough and easy to absorb, and the handouts helped me get stuck into the meat of my story.

It has made me re-examine my approach to my writing and story planning.

The section on narrative tension and using story questions continually throughout the book really helped me understand how stories progress and how I can keep readers engaged.

The course is very enjoyable to listen to, and the sections are only in 10-25 minutes lectures which made it easier to fit into my life. There is also so much information that really helped me. Thank you.

I needed to make significant changes to a novel I have written several drafts of.

I enjoyed the way the course moved through what I needed to know in a clear and lively way.

The idea of a fugue structure - this may be the solution to the main problem with my novel, which has two storylines and two protagonists.

AWC courses give you practical advice and tools, delivered by experienced writers, editors or publishers.

I'm approaching "retirement" age, and when I quit my day job I plan to write full time. So call this planning ahead, prepping, sharpening the saw, fitness training for the marathon...

The bonus module on multiple books was useful as I am planning a trilogy. So I won't forget you when I'm famous :)

I realised writing a story is more like building a house than writing a story.

When you learn to drive a car you need to take driving lessons with an expert. And even competent drivers take advanced driving courses. Continuous improvement until mastery is achieved.

I'm 70k+ words into my first fiction work and hit plot holes and wondered about my structure.

I loved the detail in each module, the examples given and the templates for applying what I'd learned to my own work.

It wasn't super prescriptive and hence, I could tailor it to my own work. It's making me feel that I'm on the right track with my book. A couple of things might need fixing (lots needs tightening up), but the more I learned, the more I could see how the structure had already been innately applied to much of what I'd already written.

I loved the idea of counting words between plot points to check your pacing. Brilliant.

If you're going to write a work of fiction, particularly as a first timer, Valerie and the AWC team will ensure you're treading the right path - either from the beginning or wherever you find yourself stuck in your writing.

Great value course. Make sure you buy a big notebook as you'll take lots of notes! :)

I had completed my first manuscript, believing that I could just write. How far from the truth that was! After researching online and listening to feedback, I was encouraged to undertake a writing course which has been invaluable. I was guided to your website and immediately connected to this course which has led to my complete re-draft of the original using the structures and tips. It has helped me to translate my story idea onto paper in a meaningful way that has received great feedback.

Through this course I have brought my original story to life in a way that makes sense but also engages the reader from their perspective rather than from my own intention. I have confidently submitted it to a number of publishers in the hope that it will be published. This course definitely helped me get there and impressed my beta readers with the dramatic changes I was able to make. I think I have surprised a few friends!

It guided (forced!) me to completely rethink my first manuscript and has brought it to life. I have loved the addition of structure, pacing and narrative tension, as I understood its purpose and meaning. This has translated my relationship with books that I have loved reading and helped me to understand why I loved them.

It is practical, applicable, informative and meaningful to translate into your writing practice.

I learnt practical techniques in structuring a story, but the prompts have already helped clarify long-standing areas of uncertainty in my work in progress. Module 3 on theme and subplots was a revelation.

There were so many solid and tangible lessons along the way about such things as subplots and story questions (e.g. handouts 2.7, 3.9, 4.2). I really loved this practical advice on how to weave a story.

I wish I'd done this course decades ago. It was brilliantly practical and gave solid tools to BUILD A STORY in an engaging way. There was nothing wishy-washy about your advice, but a beautifully methodical, scientific process that removed the mystery from what to do, so I can just GET ON WITH IT and allow my story to shine through.

Very easy to follow and helped with clear explanations. Made me think more clearly about the way stories are put together properly.

Great courses, some long ones, some short ones, giving great advice in easy lessons. I highly recommend them and will possibly do more as well.

This course far exceeded my expectations. I understood what it was going to be about from a practical point of view, but the content and in-depth analyses about the different parts of structure were so much more. I feel more confident moving forward with my own writing, with a completely holistic overview of the way structure functions and the rules surrounding it.

This course just reiterated for me what I knew, but in a way that was fresh, easy to understand and allowed me to think in new ways.

The Australian Writers' Centre is absolutely worth the time of anyone looking to resell, refresh and reevaluate their own work through a comprehensive and well-articulated series of courses.

My writing was stuck, I was in major story writing doldrums, and I had some sense it had to do with not having a good understanding of foundational elements of structure, such as 3-act structure.

Voila! my writing is no longer stuck, and I'm out of the writing doldrums. I've made so many new discoveries in my story over the past week (as I went through this course) that are not only exciting to me, but which I know will excite my eventual readers.

I've had the plot for a long time, the characters, etc. And I'm a damn good writer. But even my long history of reading, writing, and even an MFA in Creative Writing (in poetry, however) did not teach me the fundamentals of story structure. Now, all of a sudden, things are falling into place. Now I know what to write next, and where it goes in the overall story.

Every course I've taken from AWC has exceeded expectations. And believe me, I have recommended your courses, and will continue to do so. A German friend of mine is taking your Romance writing course right now. Let me add that I'm an American, and was put on to AWC by a Brisbane friend a couple of years ago. Maybe there's something as good as AWC in the U.S., but I haven't seen it yet.

This is EXACTLY what I was looking for in a course about structure! So very thorough, well-organised, clear & concise, and with lots of worksheets to guide the student along the way. I definitely feel my understanding of structure has improved, and I'm eager to apply this knowledge to my work-in-progress and future works. Thank you so much!!!

I enjoyed EVERYTHING!!! The content, organisation, audio recordings, handouts... All EXCELLENT and very thorough! Fantastic value for money! I also really liked that this course covered multi-book storylines & structure!

I'd hit a roadblock with my work-in-progress, primarily because I felt the structure and pacing were off. I've done several courses in the past that dealt briefly with structure in theory, but never came away feeling satisfied on the practical application of the subject to my own work; I knew what The Hero's Journey, 3-Act Structure, etc. were, but still found it difficult to shoehorn my story into those structures. I really love how THIS course takes the student STEP-BY-STEP through the process of discovering their theme, building their structure & increasing the narrative tension -- all with supporting worksheets & exercises to further understanding & practical application.

Hard to limit it to just one 'aha'! But if I had to choose, then it would probably be understanding the differences of dual storylines and subplots, and how these interweave within a story's structure, as well as how to apply these concepts to a multi-book storyline.

Australian Writers' Centre offers affordable, detailed, and high-quality educational courses that help both the budding novelist and the seasoned pro to greater understand the fundamentals of writing, and how to practically apply these fundamentals to their own writing. A++! Highly recommended!!

I had heard wonderful things about AWC courses and was wondering if my writing needed more structure (turns out it did!) so I invested in the course.

It's made me see how my own writing lacked proper structure and allowed me to be able to build it in.

I've studied plenty of structure things before, so I was concerned I would be treading on the same ground. But I found it really helpful, breaking things down in a much more practical way than other resources.

It's absolutely worth doing, and it helps break down a sometimes mystifying process into something that feels like it can actually be achieved.

I received feedback from a publisher that I needed to work on my structure. Having done many AWC courses before, this was the first place I looked.

The handouts and practical exercises really help with applying what I learned from the course to my own work.

I finally 'get' structure! Everything was explained so clearly with real practical information that I can use to build a solid structure for my new novel.

I always write my plot first but my aha! moment came in discovering that the major plot events can naturally come from well-developed characters. That character should come first!

AWC has courses to support writers at all stages of their writing journey. There is always something to learn.

As a freelance editor working with many beginner writers, I thought this course might help to explain what story structure is in a more succinct way.

I enjoyed being able to work at my own pace and the down-to-earth tone of the narrator.

An AHA moment was understanding how to explain the difference between structure and plot in a way that clients will understand.

This course is comprehensive and easy to follow. A worthwhile investment.