What’s it like to learn with AWC?

Stephen gave very thoughtful and encouraging responses to all the participants. I learned a lot not just from his feedback to me, but also from what he said to other writers in the class.

I enjoyed exploring fiction writing for the first time in decades!

The difference point of view can make when you are writing characters is astonishing. While I knew that intellectually, I had a real aha! moment while exploring one of my own characters on this course.

Thank you for giving access to the online material after the course is over. This allows dipping back in when you have time, which I find valuable.

I liked the idea of having deadlines to work against and the feedback aspect from multiple people unfamiliar with the genre I was writing in. I had self-doubt about what I was doing and my writing, but with the encouragement of my tutor and classmates that was stripped away pretty quickly.

Angela had a great no-nonsense approach to giving feedback which I loved. It let me know clearly what needed work and how to go about fixing it. She gave me a great motivational boost when telling me what worked and why. She also gave real world examples to the group that were thoroughly helpful and made sense. I couldn't have asked for a better suited tutor.

The most enjoyable part was definitely the workshopping. As writing is a pretty solitary pursuit, it really helped to get second opinions on sections I was unsure of. It was also great to read genres I don't normally read and to see how others worked through plots and character.

It helped me to understand that even the most successful writers still have doubts about what they're doing. It also helped me to develop habits to continue writing, maybe not at the pace of this course, but definitely to continue with a second book. Nothing is perfect and to let mistakes happen. Just continue writing and get that first draft done. Everything can be fixed in the next draft.

I loved this course. Yes, it was stressful and I feared I wouldn't finish my first draft, but I did and had fun while doing it. This was the perfect course for me. It has made me a better writer, a better planner and most of all given me the motivation to keep going and write more.

If you're looking to develop habits to help you write, get used to feedback and not feel so alone, or to just finally get your first draft finished - do this course!

Cindy provided me with great feedback on my assignments. She was professional and insightful in her feedback.

I enjoyed interviewing a classmate. Even though I did not really know the interviewing process, I really enjoyed talking to another person doing the same course, learning about their lives and what they hoped to achieve.

It has given me some tools to start writing stories for magazine and online publications.

Value for money and helped focus me in Sydney lockdown. If you want practical information and knowledge that builds your writing practice, whether creatively or commercially, then try out the AWC courses.

I love the AWC. Your website is so informative, welcoming to new writers without being patronising, and honest about the writing process without being intimidating or gatekeeping. It's one of the best decisions I've made to enrol in Creative Writing Stage 1 last year, so I knew that the next step would be even more informative and engaging.

Pamela was wonderful. Very honest about feedback given, but never in a way that was impersonal, overly harsh or unhelpful. Very thorough, detailed comments that gave me a really good springboard for my further drafts.

I enjoyed the video feedback format from the tutor. I like how different learning styles were incorporated - some people respond better to detailed text instructions, whereas some digest them better in video or audio.

I now have a very confident path to forge ahead with my planned novel, and during these uncertain times of lockdowns, it's fantastic to have something you can confidently focus on.

I have written a novel (draft), but wanted to learn how to write better. I also hadn't written for over two years and wanted to get back in the habit of writing.

I was worried the course would be too basic, but I found it was great. There were some things I already knew like the three-act structure, but many that I did not. It was really valuable and Angela's feedback was great.

Angela was knowledgeable and encouraging. She also gave us link to articles relevant to each of us/our writing specifically, which was great.

I enjoyed writing! Having a Sunday night deadline was great as it forced me to do what I love (which sounds so stupid, but there you have it). Perhaps 'prioritise what I love' is a better description.

This course reminded me of how much I love writing and I have actually taken a semester off from my uni course to focus on it for the next six months. Perhaps I'm doing the wrong thing at uni...

In the final assessment, I chose to use a scene from my previously written draft and straight away I could see things that could be improved, which I did before submitting. Angela's feedback then allowed me to see in which areas, generally, that I need to work on and this can be applied to the whole novel (along with what I have learnt). I feel confident that I can read my manuscript now and improve it significantly thanks to this course.

Thank you!

I was hesitant at first, because I was a complete beginner and I had to get over those feelings that it wasn't meant for me, but only for people with experience or who were already 'writers'. That definitely wasn't the case! It was a really supportive environment and I felt comfortable being a complete beginner and learnt so much.

The course delivered everything it said it would. The information was extensive but easy to follow, there were so many helpful resources and the assignments were enjoyable. The feedback received from the tutor and other participants was really valuable.

Angela was responsive and provided really valuable and encouraging feedback. She also generously shared extra resources and hints with us, such as her blog posts and other articles.

It has improved my confidence immensely, and changed my mindset around writing. I feel like I have a much better understanding of the foundations, and that it has given me the 'permission' to take it more seriously.

I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in creative writing, for any purpose. I would tell them that if they're thinking about it, give it a go! It was a really encouraging environment, and there was so much to learn.

Thank you!!

I wanted to refine my scene writing skills. I am 35k through my first draft of my first novel and things were starting to get complicated!

I'm bogged down in a complicated Act 2 and this gave me the help and the motivation I needed to get on with it!

Carli was a great tutor! She quickly established rapport with each of us and effectively tailored information to our specific situations throughout her teachings. She answered all questions with ease, and was friendly and professional.

I loved the nitty gritty session on Thursday. It was great to get some clear guidelines for best web practice. I also appreciated Carli's insider tips around freelance rates.

I am able to confidently tackle my work project, understanding and practicing best practice when it comes to website management and accessibility. I also feel better equipped to continue my career in writing with a very important skillset added to my toolkit!

I would highly recommend this short training for a crash course in web practice and accessibility. Learning from the vast experience of both my tutor, Carli, and the other students, was a really great experience. The online format of the training fit perfectly with my work schedule and I have left with great knowledge and confidence in how to execute best web practice!

Thanks to Carli and the AWC team!

The whole course was set out very well and seemed to cover every aspect that I could imagine would need to be covered for historical fiction.

It has spurred me on to actually start researching and putting pen to paper.

All the courses that I have attended in person or completed online have been very informative and enjoyable. I thoroughly recommend the Australian Writers' Centre.

Bernadette was an excellent tutor, and her feedback was targeted and useful. Well-chosen activities that honed the skills we were learning.

Excellent and practical course that is also great fun to take! It's given me the confidence to proceed with a career in writing.

I had an idea for a picture book based on something my five-year-old boy did.

The tutor was exceptional. I enjoyed the assignments and the feedback. It has given me the confidence to pursue this specialised area knowing I have valid ideas and I can write.

If you want to go down the path of being a writer, go with the AWC.

The tutor was very knowledgeable and made the course engaging with stories and examples in practice. Not too much "cognitive overload!".

Made me realise I know more than I thought I did, the work I've done to date is on track (and pointed out things I can go back and improve) and that I should own the fact that I can call myself a UX copywriter.

The work I've done to date with copy for websites and the app I've developed put me at an experience advantage that I should promote with more confidence.

I love writing. I watched the Creative Coaching event with Bernadette and Valerie and was so inspired! A slight hesitation on the cost - but, quite frankly, it was worth every cent!

I loved every minute of the course and learnt so much. The feedback gave me a great confidence boost. I loved the homework(!)

I've recently cut back my work to 4 days a week because I wanted to write. This course has given me clear direction and confidence.

Just do it - great quality content and it will change your life. Big thanks to Bernadette and AWC!

Carli is a generous presenter. I like that she encouraged and utilised the expertise of others in our group to help each of us with our individual projects. I appreciated Carli taking the time to talk about fee structure, add ons and time management. For someone like me who is new to the industry it really helped.

The course covered a lot of ground and had a practical focus. We were equipped with knowledge right from the get go that was useful, best practice and relatable.

I see the pathway forward for me. Writing and design come together in one space. I love the technical, but my strength is fine tuning what it says, how it looks and how it's used. Before I did this course, I couldn't work out how to go forward in the digital space and where to find the information. Now I feel empowered to motor on ahead. Step one: give my author platform and socials an overdue tune up.

Go in with an open mind. Be willing to try a few courses until you find your path. There are takeaway nuggets of gold in every course and presentation.

I found Carli to be engaging and enjoyed both sessions, which went by very quickly.

It was a great introductory overview to UX writing, touching on many points that are a bit of a blur at the moment (cognitive overload - what an important principle to be aware of). However, the resources we have been left with will be invaluable in enabling me to utilise what I have learned to greatly improve my online writing.

Cost effective courses from people working in the field who genuinely understand the realities that you may be experiencing.

Bernadette was very encouraging. She framed all the feedback in a positive way and gave plenty of suggestions about how we could improve our writing.

I enjoyed putting what I had learnt in the modules into practice and having a go at writing my own copy.

Bernadette has given me the confidence and belief that my stuff is actually good and that people would pay for this. I learnt this through the assignment feedback she provided. I am hoping to start up my own copywriting business in the near future.

Go for it. If you love writing there's so many different directions you can take it in.

Carli was wonderful. Engaging, informative, regularly referenced the wonderful expertise in the group, gave us great examples throughout. I enjoyed her wonderfully generous sharing of information!

Professional, valuable, highly recommended.

The presenter was very methodical, which I liked. My main take out from the course is, focus on the audience.

Worth doing whether you are a novice or a seasoned writer.

I can easily recognise different forms of humour now. For example, that's word play or that's surreal humour. And I discovered through doing the assignment at the end that I could write a humorous scene!

It's entertaining, easy to listen to and you get out of it as much as you put in.

I'd done other AWC courses (including another led by Angela Slatter) so I knew signing on for this one would improve my writing and ensure I made solid progress with my novel. The six month timeframe was short enough for me to visualise the end and 'scary' enough to propel me into action.

I was a little concerned I might not be able to keep up with the demands (regular assignments, feedbacking and delivery of my entire manuscript by June) but I enjoyed the course so much, I prioritised it and kept up to speed.

Angela is super knowledgeable across many facets of writing and publishing. She was 'above and beyond' generous with her time and feedback. I liked how she was clear and direct about ways I could enhance my writing, while also providing lots of positive support and encouragement. I signed on to IMPROVE so I wanted real feedback, not just sugar-coating and this is what I got. I learned so much from Angela and my story and writing are stronger for it.

Like all the AWC courses I've done, I enjoyed 'meeting' my classmates and getting to know their stories too. I learned a lot from reading and reviewing their writing and I've been able to apply new techniques to my own writing as a result.

When I signed up, I was six months away from turning 60. I'd been messing about with my story for about a year prior to that, and was determined to finish my manuscript by the time I reached this milestone birthday - and I did! That was really satisfying. I hope I can keep up the momentum and make it shine in the upcoming drafts.

If you have any aspirations to write, a course with the AWC is a fantastic step to take. It gives you energy and motivation to write, equips you with insights and skills, and helps you get your 'head in the game' as a writer.

Thanks AWC and Angela for a very satisfying and thrilling ride!