What’s it like to learn with AWC?

Being a teacher librarian in a P-12 school, I spend a lot of my time choosing and reading picture books. I wanted to get a sense of how to write one to see what it was that made them so special. Once I started and realised how challenging it is to write a picture book, I discovered a new appreciation for the wonderful picture book authors we have in Australia.

Suzanne was very helpful with her feedback. I found it beneficial to listen to all of the feedback to help with my own writing.

The way that the course is delivered is excellent. Not too taxing on time which suits me at this time of my life. I also enjoyed the information about publishers and the complexities of how to submit work. I thought that the course was great for the price with very valuable information shared.

I think I will start to gather stories in a journal to see where they end up. I've had a lot of ideas over the past years but haven't committed to writing them down. It's given me permission to start!

Jennifer was able to see things in the group's submissions from a much more professional point of view. It was very interesting to compare her critiques and feedback with my own. Her feedback for my own work helped to clarify some important points and, most of all, encouraged me to keep going.

Well worthwhile. You will learn a great deal about the craft of writing.

I finished my first draft of a novel 2 years ago and wanted something to help me build my confidence and fall in love with writing again so I can attempt my second and subsequent drafts.

Petronella gave really great feedback and super helpful critique. She delivered in a really soft manner so as to build your skills and not to dissuade you from the craft. Big thanks, I learned so much!

I enjoyed being able to read everyone else's assignments and provide/receive comments. It was so cool to hear feedback from others on the course about what they liked about your writing.

I wish I'd known about the courses sooner! Even though I'd written a first draft of a novel, the Creative Writing course taught me so much. It's given me the confidence to get back to drafting my novel after two (long!) years.

Having purchased Scrivener, the manual was incomprehensible and then I googled ways to learn and came across this course. It looked attractive and affordable. The fact that it is accessed through a reputable organisation was a deal-breaker.

Natasha Lester made it all so simple. I do not say "seem simple". To have the basic components of Scrivener broken down this way really makes the programme into a real tool - not something that makes me sigh.

I liked that the modules were short and well designed. Mostly I liked Natasha's delivery. She is exceptionally clear.

I think I am a messy thinker and have notes everywhere. Moving from shorter formats to a novel draft began to appear unwieldy but Scrivener seems to have the answer to the plotting dilemmas with its various features.

There were many lightbulb moments for me. In terms of the tools available, perhaps the cork board function blew my mind the most. That and the 'label' function. In terms of general concept, the notion of writing in scenes was a HUGE revelation.

Hand on heart, you won't be disappointed. This is brilliant material and a writer's lifesaver.

I have completed other courses with AWC, so I knew that when I needed help creating content for my newly launched website that this this course would meet my needs

The case studies were a perfect way to learn. I feel much more confident that I can create great content that will attract an audience over time.

I would highly recommend AWC for all types of writing - and that you will finish the course confident that you can start your writing journey.

The checklists and advice regarding structural editing, line editing, and polishing were superb. In practice, showed me where my story needed work and how to re-draft and re-draft. I'm inclined to tweak and re-tweak bits and bobs in a story almost endlessly. The Masterclass helped me understand when the manuscript was the best it could be for submission - and how to craft all the details supporting that submission.

I enjoyed: (1) Its encouraging and positive approach. (2) The detailed handouts. (3) Valerie's excellent presentation style and pace. (4) Its professionalism. (5) How it offered me hope that perhaps, one day, I might share my writing with a young audience.

I feel more confident about writing picture books. I am reinventing myself as a dedicated writer thanks to the AWC. I have connected with emerging and established authors. Writing is a joy! Sharing my work through publication would be magic.

Want to learn more about writing? Want to connect with other writers - emerging and established? Looking for support and encouragement in what can be a lonely and solitary endeavour? You need the AWC! Their tutors, courses, and members are invaluable. Beyond A-B-C is the AWC!

Valerie is so inspirational and sounds so approachable. She was easy to listen to and be encouraged by.

I need to get out there and just do it! I need to make my own way and make my own dreams come true. There is a network of supportive likeminded people out there, I just need to find them and have confidence in myself.

I have recommended the Australian Writers' Centre to several people I've met. I find the information so useful and inspiring.

I've been interested in creative writing for a long time but just haven't pushed myself to get serious. I thought this would help me see if I was keen and learn a bit as well.

I enjoyed learning about the critical elements in a story, and the assignments, just getting that regular writing practice. I liked Jennifer's feedback and encouragement, makes me want to write! :)

It has been a great introduction and the course works easily into your life if you want it to!

I enjoyed learning about the different types of humor and how to use them in my writing. I'm now aware of the different types of comedy that I can use in my writing, and I can begin to be consciously funny.

I enjoyed the opportunity to learn at my own pace throughout the year-long duration of the course. Seeing the presenter in videos provides a nice balance with the handouts and exercises.

I came into the course with specific objectives and the course allowed me to meet them.

The tutor was helpful and encouraging, feedback and suggestions very useful.

If you don't know where to start, lack confidence or are completely terrified by the thought of writing a novel, this course will help you on your way. By the end of 10 weeks, I had a complete first draft - rough as guts, only 30,000 words, but the story was on the page, ready to be fleshed out and worked on (using the various tools provided during the course). I am now well and truly on my way, thanks to my tutor, the other writers I met through the course and the AWC.

Very impressed with the online learning platform - it's awesome.

I have an interest in history and would like to attempt a historical fiction story but had no idea where to start!

The information provided regarding writing about real people was very helpful for me. The chapter on world building was very informative and the handouts were useful.

It has helped me to start structuring and researching for my novel!

I have already recommended AWC to several friends/colleagues. The courses are clearly and logically presented, engaging, informative and well-priced. Being developed and presented by industry professionals provides credibility and relevance. Thank you!

I really enjoyed all aspects of the course. The discipline required each week really helped me progress my writing.

Jenny was awesome. She provided very constructive and fair feedback as well as plenty of support to our entire group. It really is a major benefit of the course to have an experienced and accomplished author to learn from. I greatly appreciate the work required from and inspiration that Jenny provided us. Thank you.

I loved providing and receiving feedback. I was a little hesitant to at first and had to develop my skills at providing supportive and constructive feedback, but I feel I developed this skill as the course progressed. I really enjoyed receiving feedback from both Jenny and my fellow students.

I also looked forward to each Monday when a new module became available and I don't say this lightly as I use to hate Mondays.

I now believe if I work hard, I have a very good chance of getting my novel finished and hopefully published. I've always wanted to be a writer but never had the discipline to follow through with it. This course has taught me the discipline required and dared me to dream!

Thanks to the entire AWC team for making this course an amazing and pleasurable learning experience. Abby with her cheerful, helpful and responsive email replies and presentation hosting, Nat with her support for following up our reviews. Valerie's audios and inspiring weekly emails and the rest of the team who work behind the scenes. I really appreciate everybody's efforts to make this course such a rewarding experience.

Jenny was absolutely fantastic. Her feedback was very insightful and she expertly pointed out areas for improvement and what was working well with my story. Her knowledge and passion for writing was evident and her enthusiasm to help her students was clear to all. I even learnt so much from her reviews of other students' work. Thanks Jenny!

I really loved reviewing the other students' work. We had such a diverse range of stories and I can honestly say that all were enjoyable to read.

I feel like I am finally finding my authorial voice in my story.

I would definitely recommend the Australian Writers' Centre. The course structure, the online learning platform, and the tutor were all easy to use and professional to deal with.

I loved all the clear and succinct explanations and how modules were broken down. All the information was very clear to follow and every minute of every module was of value.

Our tutor was always prompt with replies and always supportive. I felt part of the process, rather than being dictated to by someone. I really like the feeling of collaboration.

I enjoyed tackling a different aspect of feature writing in each assignment. I didn't know what was coming in the week ahead and that made it exciting for me.

I feel like I can do this. I've sidelined writing my whole life. Now I feel ready to just get in and do it. The course made the world of professional writing feel accessible, and that there's a place for anyone who's interested in it and ready to apply themselves.

Thank you for creating this course. It's so practical, full of valuable learning, and it's fun. Do it.

I wanted to be more organised in my writing, so I downloaded Scrivener. The program was difficult for me to use, so I needed assistance. This course provided that. It was easy to follow and presented by someone with actual knowledge of the program and writing novels in it.

Having all my research in one place is amazing and saves so much time!

If you really have that ache to write but do not know where or how to start, start with the AWC. These are courses with purpose, not just vanity pieces or a quick money grab.

I liked the way information was given - there was no 'dumbing down' and it was realistic and usable information. It treated us as intelligent people capable of learning to write.

Cathie clearly has a lot of knowledge and was very encouraging. She tried hard to tailor her feedback to each individual which was beneficial for us all. She gently hinted us in the right direction.

I have greater understanding of the recipe for a picture book, and I feel I have a more realistic understanding of what to expect when writing a good picture book. It has helped me find a framework I can fit my creativity into, and encourages me to refine my practice.

The course was easy to access, with valuable content and practical skills you can apply.

Thank you to Cathie for her insights. I have really enjoyed engaging in this course and will continue to refer to the content as a new author!

Jenni was very knowledgeable and provided constructive feedback to all students that I found very helpful.

I enjoyed the exercises and receiving feedback on them. All modules were great but the structure one was particularly interesting.

I hadn't written much creatively over the past 20 years and this has given me the confidence and inspiration to get back into a regular creative practice.

Excellent course filled with real practical nuts and bolts creative writing information.

I was attracted to the practical business side of getting articles ready and how to pitch to editors etc. that the course offered.

Val's audio recordings are easy to listen to and all information is presented clearly and concisely. I enjoy her no-nonsense approach coupled with her belief that her students will succeed if they put the teaching into practice.

Cindy gave useful, targeted feedback on the work we submitted. It was helpful to hear her feedback on other participants' work as well as my own and to learn from that also. I appreciate knowing that tutor and presenters are working writers who have 'walked' the path they are teaching about.

Interviewing a participant and writing a mini profile was great fun and really helpful homework. Overall, I enjoyed the module content and have come away with a clear idea of how to proceed. I also enjoyed the connection with other participants provided via the chat. The handouts were useful and I particularly valued having Valerie highlight excellent writing and also poorly executed writing from various examples of published articles. This made the learning very tangible and confirmed my own ability to assess what I am reading.

The course provided the information I need to get on with the work of researching, writing and pitching. I am confident that the course has set me up for success.

I was really nervous because I had no idea what standard of writing I was at, or what I was good at or not good at. I really had so many doubts, but the need to write was greater and I hit the submit button. Straight away I felt really supported and understood, and my confidence began to grow. I would highly recommend Petronella McGovern as a teacher - she was so great! It was the most wonderful course I have ever done!! I loved everything about it. Thank you AWC.

I felt really excited to be able to receive feedback from Petronella because she has so much experience. She is such an inspiration! She is so kind, and friendly. I loved all her feedback; it was really encouraging and also practical. I loved that it was recorded as well so that I could take time to absorb what went well and what I could improve on.

Every single part of the course was so great. It was great because I could fit it all around my family life. I liked that I could listen to the audio anywhere anytime, and pause it and go back over certain points. I loved having a deadline, as I find this is the only way I would have completed something. I loved the recorded feedback. I also really enjoyed gaining experience for the first time on giving others feedback; it's such a wonderful way to learn more about what works and doesn't work in writing. I loved receiving feedback as well. Which I had no idea I would love all of these things at the beginning.

I feel like it's allowing me to find my voice. I am able to get so many ideas out of my head. I have gained confidence. Sometimes I can be shy in new environments, but I started feeling like I could chat more when I was out in the real world. I felt happy to be a part of and connect with others who also love writing. I feel like I have found my tribe.

If you enjoy writing and want to explore it further, or just want to develop confidence with self-expression, then this the course for you!

Thank you, Cindy and AWC. I really enjoyed the course. The collaborative nature was so much fun and I feel like I learned so much.

Cindy was knowledgeable. Her feedback was specific and she always had positive and constructive feedback. I liked that she would mention how to improve upon the work but also point out the positives.

I feel excited to keep gaining confidence and pitch some ideas to publications. It feels like a possibility to continue. I would like to revise some of the material but, once I have, then it feels like something that was a "pipe dream" could be a reality.