What’s it like to learn with AWC?

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'm walking away from this course with more knowledge than I could've dreamed of. There is so much information about fantasy as a genre, from both a writer's and a reader's perspective, packed into the modules. I appreciated that it didn't focus solely on epic fantasy but also acknowledged and explored other fantasy subgenres.

A lot of the information shared was information I took from the books I was reading and was able to apply/see for myself. This course (along with other AWC courses) emphasises the need to stay on top of trends/what's currently being published because the industry/reader expectations change, and I like that the course feels fresh and not dated at all. I thought the practical examples were excellent in showcasing the different ways authors have threaded worldbuilding and character development, and I found the breakdowns in the presentations easy to follow and apply.

I think the exercises at the end of each module are really great, and I like that I can apply them to my reading as well.

AWC's courses go deep. They aren't surface-level. And I find them so valuable when they talk about the publishing industry and what agents/editors/readers want, how they're similar, and how they're different. I appreciate the fact that Pamela didn't keep the industry module as surface level but actually spoke about personal experiences.

Pamela has great knowledge of writing, and that was shown through her helpful feedback on the assignments. She wants all of us to succeed in our writing endeavours.

I enjoyed the ability to do the modules at home, or at anytime. The feedback on the assignments was very helpful.

The course added to what I had learnt in previous courses. It also pushed my understanding of some of the concepts I have trouble with such as POV.

A great place to learn the frameworks to writing a good story, from the comfort of your own home.

The feedback was very constructive and useful. It gave sound information about what was and wasn't working. Getting that feedback notification every Monday or Tuesday has been exciting.

I am now certain I need to continue this journey and am now putting time aside (even a small amount) every single day to help me achieve my goal.

Give it a go. It's a lot of fun.

The recordings were excellent. Very good knowledge and strategies. The feedback was great. The hints and comments were easy to understand and very helpful.

The feedback allowed me to see that I need to really work on the picture that I have in my head and 'translate' it into words on paper.

AWC has the best courses. Clear, well sequenced and there is always great support. Well worth the time and money.

It has been great fun, thank you, and very useful. It is well organised and draws on a range of resources in classic and contemporary fiction.

I enjoyed Margaret's feedback, and gained a lot from hearing her feedback to all students.

I have given more concentrated attention to structure than I used to do.

I do often recommend AWC. I usually say it is great fun to do the courses, and good value.

Mainly, thank you, and many thanks to Margaret.

I had very high expectations for this course, and they were met. I was given the information I was after, and more.

I enjoyed the discussions on magic and how it is central to a fantasy plot.

It has prompted me to refine my magic system, as there were aspects I hadn't considered, such as cost of the magic. I realised including those aspects would lift the story.

AWC courses are excellent and they WILL make you a better writer.

Succinct content and practical instruction, which also helped affirm what I understood about dialogue. I'm keen to stretch into screenwriting so this course had double value / reason for doing.

If you're looking to get into creative writing, AWC is a no-brainer. Although I've only completed two courses so far, it's full of practical advice and instruction and I've loved creating and developing characters and dialogue to bring them and the stories to life. Now to progress my first novel idea...

The course definitely launched and steered me in a good direction which was stimulating. Applying what was I learning to my writing was enjoyable. Commenting on others' work and then seeing how my comments compared to what Nat would say in her videos was the most interesting for me.

I really enjoyed Nat's feedback - her humour, encouragement, very useful practical observations and suggestions.

I feel like I have a plan to write a novel and it is achievable.

If you have an idea that you'd like to write a novel but have barely started the journey, this course will show you the path and what you need to pack.

I love reading romance, so I wanted to learn more about it and what goes into creating a romance story.

I enjoyed working through the handouts. I was able to get more into the minds of my characters, and it helped me differentiate their needs and pick the correct POV for specific chapters/scenes.

I now recognise what makes a romance story a romance - especially with the existence of all the different subgenres of romance and acknowledging that it requires a happy ending.

I would say that there is a course for everything, and not to worry about your skill level! We are here to learn and grow within a community of like-minded creatives.

Pamela is easy to follow and highlights the most important aspects of what is required for great openings.

I like being able to refer back to the content when I need to. Life is so busy, I value being able to revisit some of the content to reinforce the knowledge.

Finding time to write can be an issue for me. I am using these micro workshops to prompt my attention to writing. It has helped me to break down the larger courses which are yet to be completed. I feel I can map out time easier so that I create a writing discipline for myself.

Easy to follow learning and development modules that shape your discipline in writing, challenging the status quo, and encouraging you to keep writing no matter what.

Thank you for being part of my life since 2017. I have enjoyed my AWC experience to date, and will continue to be encouraged by your constant presence and encouragement. I have not been disappointed with any of the courses so far, and working towards completion, slow and confidently.

I'd already delved into world building from other sources but the difference with this one was the guided exercises. Talk about show don't tell! The act of writing 3000 words then looking at Pamela's take on it was an eye opener. Even though mine was quite different, I could see where I could add more and embed the POV character into the scene.

The exercises were just what I needed to embed my learning. I'm slowly completing all 4 of them even to improve my learning. I will later go back to my novel and work through the scenes to examine how I could add more world building.

It has given me the tools to look critically at my own writing for more world building opportunities.

Even if you think you don't need any more courses, this one shakes you out of complacency.

I very much appreciated that Pamela went at a reasonable pace. I didn't have to work hard to follow her. And her delivery is very likeable.

I would say that the AWC is a very professional organisation. It seems that a lot of hard work has gone into the presentations and they're extremely well done. There is a wealth of knowledge there, and a wide range of courses that would satisfy anyone looking to do some writing.

Pamela speaks in a friendly and engaging way so it's very easy to grasp the lessons.

From now on I'll keep in mind the relevance of the first page and chapter.

I have never been a part of workshopping others writing before, so that was an unexpected joy. There was so much comfort in knowing we are all at the same stage of writing and feeling the same way about receiving and providing feedback to each other. The space did not feel in anyway competitive, just very nurturing and enjoyable!

Nat was a very engaging tutor, her feedback was always very generous and supportive. Even when she made suggestions that she knew the writer might not agree with, she followed it with "it's just a suggestion," or "it's your novel". Nat's experience and knowledge was evident, but not in an arrogant way. She always made the writer she was critiquing the hero and always found nuggets in every piece she read. Shout Nat a beer - I can't believe that she fits all she does into her life! Thanks Nat for being so supportive of our group.

Reading genres I would not normally read was a coup. I also developed a newfound respect for writing and writers no matter what they have written. My idea of 'reviewing' the novels I read privately on social media has also changed now that I realise how much time and energy writers put into their work.

I never knew how much writing craft was involved in writing a novel. I am in awe of writers finishing a book and then getting it published. I realise the work that needs to be done is far greater than I ever imagined but feel like the course had laid some great foundations to work towards that.

I struggled (and continue to struggle) with POV. Almost nailing my last submission was very rewarding after grappling with it for the bulk of the course.

AWC courses are accessible and the community of tutors and writers are very supportive and experienced.

Exceptional content. Valerie clearly knows the topic incredibly well. She is interesting to listen to.

I now have a clear understanding of the process and steps, and what to look out for.

I enjoyed the top tips and summaries. Also the use of creating a story through using the senses such as sight, smell, hearing or noises, etc. These are all things I had never considered to include in the past in my stories.

Take a course and just start writing. Even 100 words a day will move you towards a story that you may want to tell.

Bernadette was great - feedback was really helpful and thoughtful. I thought the video format for the feedback was a great way of sharing insights from everyone's pieces in an engaging way.

Great variety of courses with wonderful, talented writers to learn from.

I think it has given me a perspective on structure and analysis about characters that I previously hadn't quite appreciated. How adding depth to their story and circumstances makes your writing richer.

It was great to hear the feedback for the whole class. It was a bonus to hear everyone's - more bang for buck!

I enjoyed starting and giving myself permission to put time into it.

Worth the money, well resourced, great to get individual feedback every week. Lots that you can refer back to each week.

I loved reading my classmates' work - so many diverse stories - and having the opportunity to meet other people in a similar stage of writing to me.

Nat was excellent. Thorough with her feedback, honest, supportive and very amusing. Her feedback videos were a highlight each week.

The workshopping, handouts, and Nat's feedback were the highlights of the course and they felt worth the cost of the course on their own.

Through the practice of reading and commenting on my peers' work, and watching all of Nat's videos (across this course and Creative Writing 1), I've learnt how to give useful feedback on other's work and also how to better critique my own. When I review my work now, I look for things that might be unclear or where I've let too much of myself come through instead of my character.

I also feel much more confident in my ability to finish my draft. The workshopping sessions and the push to meet the wordcount gave me momentum, which is what I was hoping for. If...I mean...WHEN I finish my draft, I'll definitely be crediting the two AWC courses I've taken as being an instrumental push in the right direction.

It's a great opportunity to workshop your writing, get feedback from an experienced tutor, and potentially become part of a writing community.