What’s it like to learn with AWC?

Jo was awesome!! It was so cool knowing a real author was reading my work, and all her feedback was amazing and super helpful.

I loved that there were very few hard rules and deadlines, it really helped me not feel stressed. I also loved getting feedback and enjoyed the exercises - it was all great!

I finally have something to refer to when I get stuck writing, as well as feedback that I know is objective.

It really helped me hearing that there is no right way to write, because in school there definitely is and I think that was affecting my writing.

The course is a great opportunity to increase skill in writing and learn more about yourself as a writer.

Really enjoyed the course. The feedback from the tutor and the other students was so helpful.

I liked writing the synopsis and getting feedback

I now have a regular writing routine, a clear story structure and a plan of how to write my whole book. For the first time ever I think I can really do this!

Vivienne is an excellent teacher. She delivers content in a clear and accessible manner. But her super skill is being able to provide feedback on assignments in a way that's direct, constructive, and encouraging without bruising anyone's ego.

The AWC's Opinion Writing Course offered practical insights and actionable feedback that has set me on the path to communicating my professional insights to a wider audience.

Thank you Vivienne!

I got some great feedback from the tutor and other students on my writing - particularly on my synopsis. This was helpful as all I had when I started the course was a random collection of ideas and scenes.

Great place to learn the craft of writing.

The course gave valuable and practical advice, and tools and strategies to write a picture book.

I thought Cathie was an excellent tutor. She was positive, honest and supportive. It is not easy putting your work on display for all to read, but it is important if you want to improve.

I found all of the modules helpful. It was broken up into parts that were easy to work through. By having handouts as a guide, and a video that could be paused, I found it very easy for my learning style.

I decided to do some research and applied to participate in a pitch event. I was then invited to submit to a publisher. I am not sure if this will lead to anything, however, it has given me the confidence that I can write a book that is worthy of being considered by a publisher. In January, I had no idea where to start!

I have already recommended the AWC to several people. I told them I had no idea how to structure a picture book, and the important factors to keep in mind. It gave me the tools I needed to get started. Now I can revisit and pick up on the bits I missed, or weren't relevant as I hadn't written many drafts.

Pamela is excellent - good communication and feedback.

It helped me get on and develop my synopsis - I found this invaluable. It also reinforced the same things I learned in the first course and bedded them down a bit more. I definitely feel better equipped to move forward now.

Everyone doing the course is on a similar journey to you.

It's a great way of saving some time that you'll otherwise waste trying to work out a process on your own.

The tutor was fantastic. Pamela provided encouragement, support and constructive feedback. I really appreciated all of the time she put into this course. It was so motivating to continue my story.

The peer group were very welcoming and friendly. It was nice to have a group of like-minded people to chat about writing with.

I feel like someone else might actually want to read my story! This has been incredibly motivating.

I'd say it's very professional, lots of great information and knowledgeable tutors. Give it a go if you need some motivation or structure for your writing goals.

Vivienne is a good tutor providing constructive criticism.

I enjoyed learning about areas I did not know about.

It got me off my butt to write a few letters to the editor and write about experiences.

It is well presented in coherent modules and topics or subsections. There was a breadth in the writing examples, and a good academic foundation in the approaches to structure.

It has given me new insights into world building and the complexity of that aspect of fantasy.

I often recommend AWC courses. Usually I say they are of exceptional quality, and I haven't had any regrets about courses I have completed so far.

What really stood out to me about this course was how well it's structured and how clear it is. I've worked in marketing for a while, but copywriting hasn't been my focus. This is a really valuable way for me to start sharpening that skill and improving how we optimise content at work!

My overall impression of my online tutor was really positive. I loved how clearly the tutor explained everything, which made the course easy to follow. She was very professional, and I could really tell she had a lot of experience. I felt comfortable, supported, and engaged throughout the course.

I'll start the optimisation project for the current articles published by the company I work for.

A great place to learn new skills in your own time, at your own pace.

Amy had great energy and I love that she gave video feedback which was useful hearing the stories spoken aloud.

Some of the bonus activities that had me thinking about characters favourite music etc and why. I feel like I know my characters on a much deeper level and understand why they act the way they do now!

I have embedded a daily writing practice and feel excited about moving forward.

This is a great place to start to understand everything from the beginning. Your writing will come to life.

A thoroughly enjoyable, informative, and engaging course.

Mark was positive and gentle with feedback.

I enjoyed the informative content and a chance to have a go at copywriting with manageable assignments.

It has inspired me to have a go at writing on Medium instead of just fantasising about writing somewhere.

It's stress-free, totally manageable, and gives you confidence to move forward with your writing. Very knowledgeable tutors and engaging content.

Awesome course. Thank you!

One of the biggest takeaways for me was getting back into journaling, particularly the three pages each day that were suggested. That simple practice brought a surprising amount of clarity to my day and was a really powerful reminder of how effective writing can be.

I genuinely feel this course could have a place in supporting veterans as they transition out of defence. It offers a practical and accessible way to process experiences, rebuild routine, and reconnect with their voice. For me, it was a really meaningful experience.

My feedback from the online tutor was incredibly positive. The level of detail in the feedback-even the small one percent changes-made a real difference to my writing and helped me improve in a meaningful way.

I especially loved the video feedback. Being able to watch my work being read and responded to in real time made it feel so much more personal than written comments alone. It created a real sense of connection, and I felt supported by the tutor throughout the entire course.

What I enjoyed most was going back to the basics of writing and really focusing on the skill itself, without the pressure of large or overwhelming assignments. It felt like a space to refine and rebuild my writing in a manageable way, which made it easier to stay consistent.

I also appreciated that the modules weren't long or heavy-it was something you could engage with, enjoy, and complete without it feeling like a big task. The videos and guest contributors were a highlight as well. Hearing different perspectives and insights added a lot of value and kept it interesting throughout.

The biggest 'aha' moment for me was realising I don't have to write the story I think I should tell-I can write the story I actually want to tell, in my own voice. That permission shifted everything. It took away pressure and made my writing feel more natural, honest, and sustainable.

There are many pathways available to support veterans and first responders, particularly around recovery and diagnosis, and many of these are deeply centred on the veteran experience. What I valued about this course is that it offered something slightly different-it created space to step outside that framework and build personal tools through writing. It wasn't about labels or limitations; it was about learning how to process thoughts and experiences in your own way.

Overall, the course struck a really good balance between structure and flexibility. It gave me enough guidance to keep moving forward, while also allowing space to explore my own style. For me, it wasn't just about writing-it was about reconnecting with it in a way that felt achievable again.

I was continually starting novels or short stories but never completing them and it was getting increasingly frustrating that I had all these ideas but no finished product, so I enrolled in Creative Writing Stage 1 in hope that I would work out where I was going wrong.

Having the modules released week by week was actually really beneficial as I didn't overload myself with too much information at once. Consistent weekly assignment deadlines of midnight Sunday each week was beneficial as I didn't worry I was going to forget I had an assignment due on sporadic days of the week. Also, the feedback provided by video was extremely beneficial and hearing the feedback not only about my works but others also was extremely beneficial as it allowed me to take note on what else I should be careful of when writing.

I loved my online tutor, she was really engaging and down to earth. She spoke clearly and provided excellent feedback.

The course material was also really beneficial especially Character and World Building, as it gave me so much more to consider when building my characters and how by knowing your characters deeply even secondary characters it assists with writing your story.

It has made me realise there is no one way to write. Every writer writes in their own way.

The materials provided are brilliant. The course is highly engaging and informative. The tutors are fantastic and easy to understand and provide honest and reputable feedback.

I would recommend this course to anyone who is wanting to write! It keeps you engaged and provides valuable information on what things to consider when writing your story.

As I have said to anyone who will listen, this is such a great course. It's so important we all look inward and reflect on the lives we've led, and doing it slowly and deliberately through writing allows us to more fully process events. Honing in on specific aspects of our story (aspects we have chosen), can be so warming. The perfect way to congratulate ourselves on all we have seen and done, and the mundane events and wild adventures we have scraped our way through. It also made me realise that the best way to write someone else's story is to start with my own.

Nat was the ideal combination of firm/fair/encouraging. She managed to fit in the perfect amount of personalised feedback each week, and even for those pieces (mine and others) where there was a bigger list of "things to think about", Nat wasn't all doom and gloom and discouraging. She was particularly diplomatic with my final submission (one I ran out of time for, and only submitted half of), and absolutely spot on with her feedback. Appreciate her recommended "next steps" for us all also. If I took on another AWC course, I would be very happy to have Nat as tutor again :)

So much learning packed in to very manageable bites each week. The beauty of it too is that no matter how much time you have available, the course caters for you. Less time (ie me) = time for module + assessment task. More time = opportunities to practice the techniques more, or put more into personal pages, or review the module again. As I have said to friends, the course has made me look at my life differently, and look at books differently - particularly the techniques and formulas used by authors when creating scenes.

I went into the course planning to write other people's life stories, and while this is still something I'm hoping to do, it's made me think I could/should put together some anecdotes about my own life too. Not necessarily for broader release, but at least for my family.

Thank you for coming into my life at the right time AWC, and for giving me such a "treat" each week. I loved this course!

I have been trying to finish my memoir for several years, and now that my story is being told at the War Memorial, it is the perfect time for me to finish it.

I enjoyed the writing exercises. I wish it was longer! I don't want to stop now - I need to find another course.

Nat was fantastic. Her comments were very constructive and she has set me on the right path.

It was therapeutic to get my story on paper. I now feel like it is worth telling and it could help others.

I thought the course content was gratifyingly comprehensive. Concepts were clearly explained and the feedback invaluable.

Nat has lots of positive energy and practical advice. She gives feedback that is clear, respectful, insightful and filled with good tips.

I enjoyed the balance between theory and practice, as well as the feedback that was given. Also, the chance to share and learn from fellow classmates. Also enjoyed the zoom session with Freeman in April.

It will change the way you write - for the better.

Nat was very friendly and encouraging. And she explained things in a way that was easy to understand and put into practice.

I enjoyed having other people read my writing.

I am more confident in my abilities and it's solidified my belief that writing stories is my purpose in life, even if I never get paid for it.

I really enjoyed the audio lessons and having the corresponding hand-outs and exercises to complete. They were clear and the perfect amount of time.

The tutor was direct and experienced.

It's been so inspiring and has really got me out of my comfort zone. I've had a few ideas floating around for years but have not made the time or had the skills to develop them. I feel so much more equipped to really give things a go now.

Bernadette's comments were extremely helpful, and I really appreciated her detailed and supportive feedback to all students.

I enjoyed looking at what I'd written with fresh eyes and seeing where it could be improved.

I have already been able to apply what I've learned and re-write a manuscript to make it more engaging (I hope!) for a reader.

AWC courses are good for encouraging and motivating you to keep writing. The tutors take time to give in-depth, individual feedback which helps improve your writing skills.