What’s it like to learn with AWC?

Angela was great. Kept things real and gave honest feedback. Gave us all an extra one-on-one zoom chat which was really helpful. No complaints at all.

I enjoyed meeting like-minded people and developing relationships with them.

Thanks for everything AWC, you've awakened a beast in me.

I appreciated the clarity of the lecturer and the way in which she demonstrated everything more than once, along with good explanations. She knows her stuff. Good PowerPoints and worksheets.

It will help me use Scrivener more effectively which should have a good ongoing effect on my writing.

After a bit of research into writing courses that could be completed online, I was excited to find the AWC website and amazed by the variety of courses on offer. As a beginner, who has recently been bitten by the writing bug, it made practical sense to start with Creative Writing Stage 1.

Stephen provided insightful and valuable feedback which had a great impact on my writing. His easygoing, yet professional manner was spot on! I would be delighted to have him as a tutor in any future courses I take with the AWC.

The course as a whole was extremely enjoyable. Getting critical feedback on my writing and being able to learn through watching the feedback given to the other students in the course is probably what I found most enjoyable. The recorded lessons were great to listen to each week and the handouts are right beside me on my desk where I write. I'm finding them a useful tool!

It changed the way I approach writing scenes and characters entirely. I feel like when I sit down to write a scene from the story I am working on, I am able to begin more easily and be critical with myself. For example, what purpose does this scene serve?

I have also learnt about myself, and what my approach to writing is. I know now that I am somewhere between a plotter and a pantser (mostly pantser) and I like to write scenes, then fill in the gaps.

I would say that if you were struggling to find your feet creatively, or had a desire to improve your creative writing or unpack how a story is structured and what goes into creating a good story, then this is the course for you!

I though Suzanne was the perfect mix of encouragement whilst also finding something that needed improvement with each piece we submitted. It felt like her responses were thoughtful, like she cared about us getting the most we could out of the course.

I enjoyed getting feedback from such an amazing professional. I felt really lucky to have that guidance. Although I was scared about putting my work out there, I really enjoyed getting that feedback and seeing other people’s work and feedback too. Great learning experience.

After receiving Suzanne’s feedback there’s a fire lit in my belly. I believe with hard work that I can do this now. That I can write a book. It’s an incredible feeling.

I felt the course had lots of content and really expanded my understanding of the different types of writing. It amazed me to find myself interested in writing that I had never considered before.

It changed my beliefs about struggling authors. It was so inspiring to hear great stories from authors who had found confidence and success doing what they loved in such a supportive environment. I loved Valerie’s narration too.

Although I have only completed my first small course through the AWC I could feel the genuine support for the students in their writing journey. So much content and inspiration. I can’t wait to start my next course. I have found my tribe.

I enjoyed workshopping the manuscript of my fellow course members, and reading their feedback.

It's given me the belief that I'm on my way to becoming a capable, and hopefully engaging, writer.

I have always relied on instinct when it comes to grammar, and as I am about to start editing my novel, wanted the confidence of knowing the theory and grammar of punctuation.

This course was very thorough and highlighted the areas of grammar and punctuation I need to work on. It was broken down into easy-to-follow pieces and the information was easy to understand.

I now have greater confidence when it comes to grammar and punctuation. AWC has given me the tools that I can turn to whenever I am in doubt about any grammatical aspect of my writing.

The Grammar and Punctuation course with the Australian Writers' Centre will give you the tools you need to polish your work to a professional standard. The lessons are easy to follow and the exercises will help you to achieve a high standard of grammar and punctuation.

I had created a character that was not interesting and wanted to better understand, through expert guidance, the complexities and technique of memorable character development.

The content was well-structured and accessible.

Do it! The content will help you with technique and improve your craft. It's self-paced and effectively delivered, with lessons supported by downloadable handouts. And it's not expensive and is great value for money.

Bernadette is very easy to listen to - a great communicator and gives very good feedback.

I loved the creative aspect of developing copy for the assignments each week… And it wasn't too arduous or stressful!

I feel so much more confident in sitting in front of a 'blank page' now.

The lesson on SEO copywriting was fantastic - I feel so much more knowledgeable about this previously murky area.

Do it!!

The tutor was lovely, caring and very direct with critiquing on what can be improved, which was brilliant. That is exactly what I was looking for.

The video comments on the submitted work were brilliant. Thank you - so valuable

I will be placing more importance into character development and how they are seen by readers and how to use them to move the story forward.

I really wanted to learn a new skill and this course seemed like a good opportunity to do so. I'm thankful I did it, though. It's been awesome. I was worried initially that it would just be some bland and superficial course where I would just be inundated with jargon. It was great. Every week we did something new and interesting.

Bernadette was a great teacher. It was a pleasant surprise that she was able to explain everything in layman's terms, rather than try and incorporate as many adjectives or nouns as she could. She seemed to have a real handle on everything she was talking about.

I really enjoyed learning the seven steps to selling and also about search engine optimisation. It was all a really great insight. I honestly don't think that there is anything more that Bernadette could do to improve this course. It's perfect.

I guess this course just showed in very simple terms how copywriting is done. It really helped me conceptualise everything I had learnt previously about marketing and apply it in a meaningful way.

It is a great insight and entry point into digital marketing. I'll be certain to refer this to my friends if they are interested.

Thanks a lot Bernadette. It was an awesome experience from start to finish.

I was so honoured to have Amanda Hampson as our tutor. I didn’t expect to have a successful writer as our tutor. And she was lovely. Gentle feedback - didn’t scare me away and made us seem like a group even though it was remote. She was excellent. Warm and friendly. Lots of useful suggestions. Anything she said had gravitas due to her experience.

I had a moment of clarity where after I had submitted a couple of the writing tasks - I realised how much I enjoyed writing. I always liked it at school and I even like business writing but creative writing felt fulfilling. I am now interested in doing more. I enrolled in the writing group where you meet every two weeks and share writing.

I was surprised how much I enjoyed the remote learning. I can’t think of a thing that would make it better for me.

I felt good about actually writing and not just thinking about it. Just getting a start after decades is a very big thing. The small tasks that were set were perfect to help put the toe in. Then getting some gentle feedback and listening to others’ stories. It was a very fulfilling feeling revisiting one of my first loves. And with a successful writer as a guide.

You have to do it. It’s a polished course and perfect to get you started actually writing again. It’s a feeling of a new start.

Just thank you. All my interactions with AWC have been very positive.

I have a creative non-fiction story idea but needed confidence to tackle a book-length project.

I enjoyed looking at my favourite books in a new way. I have a much deeper appreciation for the ways in which non-fiction is put together. Techniques usually associated with fiction are just as essential in non-fiction.

This is a great add-on course after doing Creative Writing Stage 1 and it can be done at your own pace so definitely suits busy people.

I enjoyed learning the questions I need to ask myself when building a character. Also the checklists in the handouts.

Life is a juggling act. I thought this might help with my issue of only doing one thing which is I either edit or write.

I enjoyed the interviews with different writers and how they do it. The information on different writing tools was fabulous too.

It has taught me I can juggle multiple writing tasks as well as being a mum and running a business.

I don’t have to write 1000- 2000 words a day. The important thing is I keep the momentum going and write something every day.

This course is the total package in terms of delivering professional insights & materials covering a vast range of topics while providing helpful, positive feedback on written exercises based on careful reading & publishing experience.

Zanni Louise was an astute & thoughtful critic of our works in progress. I enjoyed the feedback, especially the video version where Zanni read all the stories.

It taught me to hone my craft so I revealed the essence of the story and narrative drive.

Zanni was wonderful!

I enjoyed having the materials in audio so it can be listened to again.

I have a solid foundation in knowing how to structure a story and present it to a publisher.

Thank you greatly! It has been a pleasure participating in the course and the next steps are a great guide in how to continue on our own :)

You should absolutely do it, there is so much to learn.

Comprehensive and fascinating course for anyone interested in writing a modern-day murder. Not for the faint-hearted.

I was attracted by the flexibility of learning as well as the reasonable price. It suits for a person like me who works full-time and I can just do it on my days off.

Pamela Freeman is an encouraging tutor, giving me confidence every week although I'm a newbie to writing. She was objective when she presented the feedback.

I enjoyed reading amazing stories submitted by other participants.

Even if you do not have any plan to become a writer, just give it a go. It will improve your imagination and you will never read novels the same way again because you will see them in a different light.

Thank you AWC for making this course accessible and reasonably priced.

The course was a good insight into freelance article writing. I thought Cindy was very knowledgeable and her feedback was useful.

I like the assignments. Actually doing some writing is the best part.

I can now see how to pitch ideas and know how to analyse a publication and then have the best chance of being published.

The courses are flexible and informative. The site is easy to navigate. You'll always learn something you never thought you needed to know.