What’s it like to learn with AWC?

I'm about to turn 50 and I'm actively working towards a pivot back to my childhood dream (and tertiary accomplishment) working in the industry of publishing - thrilling and disconcerting all at once!

I love writing. Always have and will. But I have a deep-seated dread that my licence to create a writing life has expired before it's begun.

This is not a tutorial of regurgitated fluff. Valerie's practical advice and strong encouragement was impossible not to be heartened by. I felt like she was talking directly to every thought, doubt and question I had! Thank you, Valerie.

This course, and others I have completed, always feel well put-together, warm and professionally delivered.

The course gave me many options to explore and how to explore them. It had real life people talking real life decisions and how they succeeded. Taught the importance of discipline.

Very practical truthful advice. No embellishments, no wool over the eyes.

Go for it. They offer value for money. They are true to their cause. What they teach sticks.

I really have always wanted to be a writer, but I felt that I didn't really know all the ins and outs. Doing this course was a way to propel me into action. I procrastinated for one year after buying the course and many personal issues, but I'm so glad I did it.

Valerie and the guest writers complemented the course with the handouts. It was done in a friendly but take action kind of way.

The length of the course was a great taster, like a box of chocolates - a bit of everything.

I wanted a place to start, after years of not writing. This course was motivational.

I realised that after all my false starts, I can actually do this.

I'd say that the Australian Writers' Centre has a course for almost anyone who wants to start writing, and I wouldn't look anywhere else.

As someone who works 9-5 during the week, I appreciated the self-paced learning style of the course. I found it accessible and easy to complete. Being able to do one module a day to complete the course over the space of a week helped me get it done without feeling overwhelmed. Valerie was also an excellent presenter. Very informative, supportive and I could tell she meant every word of what she was saying given her own reinvention as a writer!

I've been working as a lawyer for the past 10 years so contemplating a drastic career change is a bit daunting. However, doing this course made me realise that I don't have to blow up my life completely in order to take action towards becoming a writer. I can take small baby steps and run my own race, which is very reassuring.

I am motivated now to start writing and to look at engaging in other AWC writing courses to explore the types of writing that I might be interested in pursuing.

In order to be a writer, you need to write! Writing isn't just a matter of waiting for inspiration and creativity to hit. You learn to write by developing the necessary skills and tools in the same way you would for any other career. It sounds obvious, but very true!

I would tell anyone who is interested in writing to go for it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

The course gave me motivation. I realised I need to believe more in myself and have entered writing competitions.

The AWC has plenty of courses at reasonable prices, give it a go.

The confidence Valerie held in this session made me feel confident. She spoke from her own background and made it relatable. I work within my Aboriginal community - I love my work and have a passion for writing. Valerie has changed my thought process, and now I feel confident in writing while working my day job. I have confidence in my goal setting.

I didn't believe in myself. I have so many creative thoughts running through my head. Now I have confidence to do baby steps, have attainable goals, and believe that I can write my novels.

This is the first course I have enrolled in through AWC and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to growing through AWC courses.

If you are wanting to hear encouragement, relatable stories, and simplified strategies on how to step into the writers world, I highly recommend courses that the Australian Writers' Centre offer.

The course has shown me a plan/steps to becoming a writer, and how important this is.
It has also given me the confidence to take that first step, to give it a go, despite my fears. This may turn out to be a profound rather than a small impact after all.

Many novelists are not journalists or writers of another genre... but people with stories to tell. We will start at the beginning and I will have to face my fears in sharing writing pieces, but I will do it anyway.

I loved that it looked at a wide range of different writing careers, which I hadn't thought about or even knew about before hand, and made me realise that writing as a career might actually be a possibility.

It was great for a short taste of what the world of writing could offer for someone who is interested in pursuing writing professionally.

I'm more motivated to keep writing, and to probably enrol in some more writing courses.

The AWC has a great range of courses covering a diverse range of writing interests, which don't need to break the bank and can easily fit into your life, even if you work a full-time job.

I enjoyed the "take action" message coupled with advice on self-doubt, imposter syndrome, etc. in getting started. Dispelling the idea that being a writer is a magic-based activity.

I wanted the confidence to start my journey into writing and to hear everyday people's stories on how they started the same way and how it worked for them. I can only hope this journey may also work for me!

I liked how easy all the featured success stories made it seem. I know hard work goes into every success, however you also need talent and not just passion.

It has given me a little more courage to take this step in learning and try to follow my dreams!

It is a great place to start and work at your own pace. Plenty of options for various courses and skill levels.

The course makes you feel that it is possible to write in any genre of writing. The steps to take are very practical and simple to follow.

I connected my business knowledge to be potentially something I would be expert in, and this could be the starting point to obtaining work as a writer.

Easy online module in snippets and choice to submit on time to get feedback so no pressure.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I got out of it. I enjoyed the professional videos, interviews and helpful content.

I am motivated to get back to writing feature articles, dedicate one day a week to writing my novel/s and believe I can do it!

I'm not too old to reinvent myself and there is plenty of writing opportunities out there for me.

I am looking for a career change and wanted to (finally) explore my passion for writing that has been with me since childhood. Similar to Valerie, I didn't listen to that voice and pursued accounting which my heart also wasn't in either. I want to know what it's like to enjoy and find my working life meaningful.

I enjoyed the warm tone that the course was delivered in and how casual yet effective it was. The case studies were intriguing and diverse, getting me to think about my situation outside the box.

I have a plan now to start making a career change and it's helped me decide that it's what I want to explore. The brief introduction into the different types of writing also helped me decide where I wanted to explore first.

You don't know what you don't know, so if you've been thinking about pursuing a writing career of sorts, then start with the Reinvent Yourself course like I did - it's a small time and financial commitment to work out whether writing is for you or not. You don't really have anything to lose - just more knowledge to gain.

I now have an action plan and the motivation to start writing.

You don't need to have a lot of time each day to write. Being committed and disciplined enough to write for short blocks of time regularly will all add up. Just write, it doesn't have to be perfect in the first draft.

Incredibly convenient courses which are filled with practical information that will help you understand the best way to begin doing the writing you are interested in.

I listened to Valerie talk about the course and thought it's just what I needed. I've been wanting to write for years, but life gets in the way, and I have a tendency to put my own needs/desires behind everything else. So this was a great first step for me.

I look back over my life and realise that I've done a lot of different types of writing before.
I've written articles for a newsletter, which I also produced, for a group I was involved with. I've written a blog, and created my own website for it. I've written other content for websites, crowdfunding campaign and social media. I've written some poetry and I'm really enjoying the Furious Fiction each month. So I'm quite amazed to think I've done so much. It gives me confidence to follow this path.

The course gave me the knowledge that I'm already a writer. The possibilities for different types of writing that I could do, most of which I've done on a less formal basis.

The Australian Writers' Centre is full of so much information and opportunity. This course, Reinvent Yourself, has opened my eyes to all the different writing options available to me. It has given me confidence to take that leap of faith in myself, and follow on this writing pathway that I've wanted to do for many years.

I enjoyed the way it was presented and the broad range of information with ideas of where to go for more on the parts that resonate the most.

I can do this. It's not too late. I am already starting my website and adding my writing and I have so many ideas forming. I'm just choosing which course to do first now.

I realised I can start now - stop waiting to be perfect. Just be brave and start.

AWC offers really professional yet practical courses online that cover almost all areas of writing. The courses are affordable and not too long. It's great to be able to do self-paced courses too so I can work in around my other commitments.

The course was very practical and made sense. This is a good program as a pathway to defining the area of writing you're interested in, developing a plan and not letting negative thoughts get in the way of moving forward.

Stay focused, dedicate a small amount of time daily to write, and practice, practice, and practice.

I've done several of the AWC courses now, and they are excellent. Thorough, well thought through, and practical. Well worth doing.

Thank you to Australian Writers' Centre for the courses that you have available. There is always helpful information and action steps. I know with clarity now that my interests in writing are: Research/history of topics of interest, Poetry, Children's Picture Books/readers. I would like to pursue freelance writing in the near future, and I would like to explore short story competitions.

It helps you fine tune what areas of writing are of interest. You get to create an action list for the areas you want to progress in. Take one step a day towards your goal.

I enjoyed all the great tips and steps that Valerie mentioned. Especially the baby steps - it doesn't seem so daunting.

It has given me the confidence to start the other courses I have purchased. Knowing that everyone has their own timeline and values. Everyone has different expectations and we don't all need to change our careers to become writers.

Do this course if you need a reminder that the work you put into something will take you to the places you want to be with your writing and to be confident in your work. To keep going, this is the place to get all the support you need.