What’s it like to learn with AWC?

I wanted a sound foundation for writing historical fiction and to compare with my background in writing academic research.

It made me focus on writing actual chapters instead of just the research (however much I enjoy that part of the process).

The course brought everything together in one place and allowed me to review as I needed. Module 5 especially provides a thorough, up-to-date overview of research methods and sources. The defamation modules gave me confidence in this area. The lists of reference material at the end of modules gave me useful books to follow up. Coming online with AWC also opened me up to the newsletters and podcasts which provide other dimensions for learning. I have now commenced Fiction Essentials: Dialogue.

I had questioned my ability to make the transition from academic writing (which I felt was probably not current enough) but found that my intensive approach to research and many of my skills are compatible with writing historical fiction. I also viewed Kate Forsyth's presentation on "Inside the Making of a Novel". I enjoyed her dissection of her own research process and found many similarities with my own. I realised that I wasn't being overly pedantic at all. Her analysis has helped me to further develop my own approach.

Find your area of interest and have a go. There is always something more to learn.

I am loving it. I've written four draft manuscripts. The three that have been part of the course have improved significantly over my many redrafts and I have no fear to look at them repeatedly to try and make them better.

Margaret was very helpful with her feedback. In my past life, I ran advertising agencies, and a great deal of client feedback on creative work was subjective and lacked strategic thought. Margaret's feedback was constructive and presented in a welcoming tone. It helped me a lot. Thanks Margaret.

One of my roles was as a strategic creative planner who was not particularly strong with grammar. Most of my presentations were in bullet point form. However, developing creative ideas was one of my strengths. This course allowed me to build on those strengths while addressing some of my weaknesses. And I had a lot of fun doing it.

I found the course very very good. It helped me get a clear direction for my writing and I have started to write what I hope to be a novel. This came out of the very first assignment in creating a character. I really want to run ahead and do the novel writing course but I think I will write my first draft first and also give myself more space to redo all of the exercises with every character I create.

I liked Amy and found her feedback really positive. I really enjoyed the material, the exercises, the assignments, the feedback and especially the feedback from other writers.

I already have a novel started from the course and already the characters and the scenario seem so real that I can't stop thinking about it. This is so different from the one I've been slogging away for the past couple of years.

This course is brilliant and I loved every minute of it. I would say if you want to get a good handle on the writing processes you can't go wrong with this course.

Aspects of this course that I found to be most enjoyable were the assignments and feedback. I think Margaret was great.

I now feel that I am able to continue along this path of writing picture books for children.

I would say that it's well worth the time and money if you are serious about producing good literature for young children.

I'd like to thank AWC for putting together this great program and I'm sad to see it finish! I felt like it was a brief stint back at college and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I enjoyed working through different genres with Kate's interpretations. I loved the addition of the artwork in each module and the literary techniques explanation and information in the last module.

I took this course whilst in between Novel Writing Essentials and Write Your Novel - it kept me writing and thinking about writing during the break in courses.

Bernadette was positive and honest. Had a great ability to see what's not right with your story.

I enjoyed workshopping. Giving and receiving feedback. I have a clearer idea of what is not working in my novel.

You will love it, meet wonderful people and your manuscript will vastly improve.

I really enjoyed studying the creative non-fiction books currently on the market and analysing them from different perspectives throughout the course.

If I had discovered the Australian Writers' Centre earlier, I wouldn't have spent so many years trying to figure out how to get my books published.

I had been writing on my own for a little while previously and wanted to get a better handle of writing technique.

Nat is very passionate and supportive, and gives the sort of detailed moment to moment feedback they'd I'd hoped to receive on my work.

I enjoyed having a group of other writers to share thoughts and ideas with, meet up regularly and give feedback. I enjoyed the giving feedback process more than I'd expected.

I've learned quite a lot and gotten a bunch of helpful feedback to rework my manuscript into something better. I also recently attended a writing conference with students I met through the course and have begun attending a monthly writers group with one of them.

It's a substantial commitment, but the learning and community you'll get from the course is well worthwhile.

The course was easy to follow and I enjoyed it very much. The templates and structure for each writing style will make it much easier for me remain focused on writing more quickly and succinctly.

I have already recommended AWC to several friends. I have been coming along to courses since about 2018 and I always learn something new in every course I do!

I have learned a great deal from this course. And enjoyed it!

It has motivated me to do more writing, including writing some short stories for my young grandson. It's a pleasant contrast, while being also complementary, to the adult creative writing courses I've done/am doing. Definitely improving my grasp of humour techniques which has enabled me to apply them across the age spectrum.

I enjoyed learning how to better use the all senses. I have a much better understanding of how I can add depth to my writing.

I really enjoyed this course, and learnt so much!

The presentation was enjoyable with very thorough content. Michelle was very knowledgeable and has filled me with enthusiasm and confidence to get a website created.

Generally speaking, it was a big mystery how a website was created and now I have a much better idea :)

I like the materials provided as a good reference and working guide.

In some ways it confirmed that I was on the right track and in others it confirmed I have a lot to learn! I find I read a lot more now and am continuing the learning process.

It has encouraged me to develop my skills, to read more and to hone character development and arc.

If you're serious about writing, don't do it alone - AWC is a great starting point, has excellent resources and can connect you into the world of writing.

I have been stuck with my novel for years, and realised that although I've read many, many novels, I had no insights into the structure of a novel or how to execute it. I had been writing plays with minor successes, but got an idea that was too big for a play, so there was no choice, I needed to write a novel.

Kate's enthusiasm, honesty, and use of metaphors made this course easy to follow and as enjoyable as reading one of her books. She really deserves to be treated like a national treasure.

I enjoyed Kate's honesty about writing and her mind-blowing enthusiasm. Every minute was clear, precise, and useful. I should also mention that her humour adds to the warmth of each session.

Please don't be annoyed with this cliche: I saw the light! I now know how I can succeed in writing this novel.

Do it. The investment of money and time here is so much more than you could expect.

It has given me the confidence to write great copy. Bernadette was fantastic and super encouraging throughout the course. The feedback was always clear and actionable, so I knew exactly what to fix.

This course gives you all the confidence, essential skills and tools you need to succeed as a copywriter.

There was so much information and each module was very thorough. I enjoyed learning about the different structures for travel writing and all the great examples from Katrina Lobley.

It has given me options on how to structure my articles and what I need to include to make them a must read.

If you want to learn how to be a travel writer then this course will give you all the information you could possibly need and more. It covers everything in such great detail and Valerie Khoo is a wonderful presenter.

I loved the course reading provided and the stories, info and anecdotes provided by Carli. She was very warm, knowledgeable and approachable.

I wanted the course to continue for longer because it was so valuable and enjoyable, however at the same time I was left feeling ready to do the next part on my own, with clear direction on how to get out there.

The teacher was on point on everything. Theory, examples, real case-scenarios, feedback was amazing because it was centred on the assignment and the comments were constructive, forward and simple. Critiques were given in a constructive way, too.

For me, since English is my second language, it gave me a real taste of what's expected of me if I want to start copywriting in English, so that was a nice challenge. The handouts were a fantastic way to start the modules!

I really enjoyed the course. By the end of it, you come away with templates and examples of all different types of content writing, and Valerie explains them all clearly and concisely. I love the detail and the full-length articles for each type of content. I knew of some, but now I have more variety in my own business content writing.

Try AWC and become more confident with your writing. You won't regret it! I've done seven courses and have loved them all.

I found the course content to be comprehensive and satisfying.

I really enjoyed L.A. Larkin's comments, delivery and sense of humour. I also enjoyed gaining more confidence that I could complete my crime writing project.

Don't postpone your writing project. Do a course now, and you will find answers to anything that is holding you back.