What’s it like to learn with AWC?

I thought the course was sooooo good! I really liked the structure and delivery. As I have some experience with writing and getting published, I still felt the course was relevant and practical for me.

I loved Carli Ratcliff's delivery and her expertise and experience were so relevant and interesting - and helpful. I thought she was really generous and looked forward to the sessions.

I've pitched the idea we've been working on during the course already! And have some more 'foodie' ideas forming. I feel a lot more confident about writing on food and have some resources to help.

I've done a few AWC courses now and they've always been really practical and helpful. I keep using what I've learnt in previous courses and referring to resources.

Thank you for putting out these courses and supporting writers!

I'm thrilled to have ended up with a starting chapter. It's made me more confident in my ability to actually produce words!

Nat was fantastic, lovely sense of humour, very honest and helpful feedback and lots of tips and links for things like tenses and grammar.

The course has given me confidence in my imagination and ability.

I was impressed with the rigour and thorough delivery of each module. The amount of resources offered was extensive and the writing tasks covered the depth and breadth of the genre.

I really appreciated the practical nature of the course, including samples from reports/forms/ statements which were used as springboards for the great writing tasks.

The course was delivered in an engaging way and was very practical and hands-on. The self-pacing approach is a real winner as you can revisit topics of discussion and revise sections after periods of time between sessions.

I really enjoyed the practical advice on tenses, signposting, and making sure that the focus of the flashback/memory is always on what the reader needs to know at that moment in the story.

I have greater clarity on how to write flashbacks and memories, as well as when they should and perhaps shouldn't be used. Also useful to have further information on some of the pitfalls of prologues (if not used well).

In addition to the helpful information on flashbacks, memories and dual timelines, I found Pamela's definition of entertainment in storytelling useful: the evocation of emotion and intellect.

Go ahead. The courses are well structured and practical.

Thank you. This was a very useful course.

So much information, resources and easy to follow. The whole process from crime to jail.

Great value, easy learning. Just do it.

I really enjoyed the course, in particular, I found the videoed feedback of all the written submissions from Nat Newman really worthwhile. I'd like to have a glass of wine with her one day - maybe when I'm published!

The AWC courses on Historical Fiction and Memoir Writing are really worthwhile doing if you want to have a go writing in these genres.

I felt my dialogue was too clunky and I need to learn techniques to improve it.

I now have the understanding and language to explain the choices I made when I wrote my manuscript. The course confirmed things that I got right and also confirmed my suspicions of things I got wrong. Then the course gave me techniques to address weaknesses in my manuscript.

It was fun, motivating and very useful.

Nat was generous with her feedback to the group each week. She had a lot of relevant experience to share which she did freely. Much appreciated.

I loved the structured process we were taken through. It was an interesting journey.

I have committed to writing - something I have wanted to do forever.

As someone who works 9-5 during the week, I appreciated the self-paced learning style of the course. I found it accessible and easy to complete. Being able to do one module a day to complete the course over the space of a week helped me get it done without feeling overwhelmed. Valerie was also an excellent presenter. Very informative, supportive and I could tell she meant every word of what she was saying given her own reinvention as a writer!

I've been working as a lawyer for the past 10 years so contemplating a drastic career change is a bit daunting. However, doing this course made me realise that I don't have to blow up my life completely in order to take action towards becoming a writer. I can take small baby steps and run my own race, which is very reassuring.

I am motivated now to start writing and to look at engaging in other AWC writing courses to explore the types of writing that I might be interested in pursuing.

In order to be a writer, you need to write! Writing isn't just a matter of waiting for inspiration and creativity to hit. You learn to write by developing the necessary skills and tools in the same way you would for any other career. It sounds obvious, but very true!

I would tell anyone who is interested in writing to go for it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

The content was very good and will propel my writing further. Pamela was an excellent teacher.

It's made me see how I can really make my writing much better and richer and what I was not doing until now.

Amy was extremely friendly and knowledgeable in the field.

I most enjoyed the tasks that allowed me to explore my own characters and stories in new and creative ways. I also enjoyed analysing books I had previously read, as it helped me look at them from a different perspective and understand the writing techniques and choices.

It has given me more direction in my writing which has inspired me to continue.

My biggest 'aha!' moment was learning that the first draft doesn't have to be perfect. Taking the time to edit, restructure and refine my work can make a significant difference to the final result

It is good for foundation building and learning structure and writing technique.

I was seeking a beginner level course. The course outline sounded like it was exactly what I was looking for, the website looked easy to navigate and professional. I also liked that there were plenty of other course options available to progress to if desired.

Margaret was very knowledgeable. All feedback and suggestions were easy to understand and constructive.

The weekly assignments were the perfect opportunity to put each week's module into practice. As someone who had not done any creative writing previously, I thoroughly enjoyed having smaller contained tasks which built on each other.

I love reading and had always thought I'd like to write my own book one day. I wasn't really sure if it was something I was actually capable of. After completing this course (while I recognise I still have a lot to learn) - I do also now think it is entirely possible.

I enjoyed the opportunity for feedback, seeing others work, and seeing myself as a writer.

A well run and organised course that is run by professionals. Will help develop your writing by laying down foundations. The ability to get feedback is a fantastic opportunity.

Margaret was very friendly, and her feedback was very constructive.

I enjoyed reading assignments from other writers, as well as watching the feedback videos.

It's helped me to focus on my writing, and given some structure and direction to pursue a writing career.

It is very helpful, and fun!

I enjoyed listening to the recorded lectures. The feedback was specific and clearly detailed making it easy to understand and purposefully apply to editing my work.

It has continued to fuel my enthusiasm and commitment to completing a publish-worthy picture book manuscript.

Do it! The quality of instruction and the learning you will glean from the content is invaluable. You can't lose!

Margaret's commentary each week was incredibly insightful, and I learned a great deal not only from her feedback on my work, but the work of my peers as well. I've used your feedback to improve some of my current work and can already feel the difference when I read it out loud. Thanks, Margaret!

I enjoyed logging in to watch/hear the feedback each week. I feel like each and every writer grew as the course progressed, both from the content and Margaret's feedback.

I learned so much from Valerie's audio clips, and the course notes were very helpful too. I applied many of Valerie and Margaret's teachings to my current work in progress, and felt the words on the page pop even more. I even managed to cut 1k words from what was an 89k manuscript, and the manuscript is better for it!

If you've ever dreamed of writing, whether that be professionally or for pleasure, I can't recommend the Australian Writers' Centre enough! Their Creative Writing Stage 1 course in particular is an absolute game-changer. Not only is it an engaging and enjoyable course, but the feedback from the tutor alone makes it completely worthwhile. Highly recommend!

I have attended many courses presented by Pamela. She always opens my writing mind. She is so knowledgeable and experienced and presents well. I also appreciated Bernadette's feedback re my assignment.

I've been attempting to write for a few years now. I have a lot of stories that I want to share and have started to write. I have attended many AWC courses. This course has opened my mind yet again! I have decided to write the book (my initial plan) that my friends and family have been and are still encouraging me to do.

AWC courses are supportive, encouraging, knowledgeable and presented in a friendly communicative style. Plus they get results. Plus the presenters all have real experience to share and guide you with.

Bernadette's detailed feedback was very encouraging and insightful. I found the detailed feedback on everyone's stories extremely helpful.

AWC courses are very helpful, practical and well structured.

Thanks Bernadette and Pamela, a great course.

I enjoyed the assignments and constructive feedback. I liked the community of other aspiring writers.

Nat was energetic, smart and knowledgeable.

I now have much-needed foundational skills, and am thinking about character development and motivations etc.

The course is flexible, well-structured and, most importantly, you receive constructive feedback on your own writing.

Bernadette's feedback was detailed and specific. Her suggestions are invaluable.

The modules were useful, great handouts with practical information. Learning from feedback for myself and others.

The AWC is amazing. My writing has improved so much. There are so many different courses to choose from. The tutors have a wealth of knowledge and provide extremely worthwhile feedback.