What’s it like to learn with AWC?

The most important take away for me is the course helped me to normalise the difficulties and insecurities I'm experiencing and thus turning the dream of writing into a possibility; a great deal of what is covered made me realise I have good ideas but I need to work on the craft and with persistence and commitment, I can develop the skills I need.

I think Pamela is a very encouraging tutor who gives specific, constructive feedback, and understands the obstacles that writers go through very well; her approach has helped me to focus on the joy of 'making up shit' like she said in the zoom Q&A session.

It will help you to trust you have what it takes to write instead of talking about writing.

Thank you very much for creating this opportunity.

I've had my eye on AWC for years. What I like about it is the variety of courses available and the connectivity via social media platforms. I particularly liked that AWC has a Creative Writing Stage 1 course. It doesn't feel so intimidating to join that way.

I loved being able to offer feedback and receive feedback. It was a highly valuable experience.

My group was mostly active and I found their support truly incredible. I enjoyed the community. It was great to be surrounded by other passionate writers. Especially the ones who were interactive and gave feedback/answered questions. I like that we had enough time to complete the lectures whilst still being able to manage day to day living.

I'm more tuned in to the importance of showing not telling and I finally understand the difference. Thank you, Valerie! It's to be that person hitchhiking in the mind of the character. I also feel I've become more adventurous with writing and also - at long last my characters truly have a voice of their own and don't all sound the same.

I will be recommending it to my sister. I will tell her that this is a great way to build a strong foundation to becoming the writer you've always wanted to be. It will give you the blueprint and all you have to do it build.

A thousand thank you's. I can envision a future where I finally finish a book. It was also highly valuable to get an idea of what it looks like after completing a book. I also loved the comment about focusing on one project at a time and not to be distracted by the shiny new idea- me in a nut shell.

An excellent course on the art and craft of writing at both the line level and the deeper level. Drew together threads I had intuited or was half-aware of in a more cohesive way.

So many lessons crammed in to just five weeks. My next step is to go over all of the material again. Putting it into practice and then to continue my learning with the next recommended course.

Pamela's feedback and advice on all of our assignments was where the real learning took place. Personally, Pamela's feedback on the direction of one of my planned projects was the tough love I needed and helped me re-evaluate my possibilities.

I enjoyed the courage of my cohort to provide constructive criticism to each of our assignments. The quality of the learning material, especially the optional module exercises. And Pamela's advice and feedback.

If you have even a small itch to learn more about creative writing and storytelling, start with the Creative Writing Stage 1 course.

I am currently writing a YA novel. After encountering my first 'writers block', I began searching for something to re-ignite the spark again. Completing this self-paced course has given me the encouragement and boost to get back on my laptop and finish my story.

But I found that by refreshing my previously learned skills and learning how to mould them into writing for young adults, I am so glad that I enrolled in this course.

It has re-ignited my spark to continue and finish my manuscript.

Just do it because you won't be disappointed.

I'm looking at beginning to pitch my first novel and was feeling intimidated by the process and the industry.

The course was helpful in a really practical way. It gave me a lot more confidence in approaching the pitching process.

I am writing a book and I needed to learn the techniques and devices.

Margaret is a joy to deal with always supportive.

I enjoyed the guts of it really. The tools explained and guidance given on who to read to get better at writing.

I managed to start with a small idea and now have 40K words written. If you want to write a novel then start here.

I love Kate's teaching style. It was well-structured and I always enjoy the inclusion of poetry.

I suppose it showed me I wasn't as lost as I imagined - that many of the things I already did and thought were part of the life of a writer. And it showed me how to deepen them.

I realised at one point that I was writing (and hesitating to write) a certain way because I was avoiding something in my life.

Gentle and encouraging, a self-paced course full of inspiration and illumination.

I completed Creative Writing Stage 1 and was keen to further develop my skills and have some group accountability while I aim to complete my novel.

Nat was great. I found her feedback very practical, I know what I need to focus on in my future drafts.

There is no perfect time, just leap in and make a start!

I have been blown away by all the finer details and matters that come into pitching and publishing. Pitching was covered a little in previous courses, but to have it explained in such depth was eye opening.

I really like Valerie as a presenter. It doesn't come across as scripted, rather it comes from experience and first-hand knowledge. I liked that it was self-paced, there were relevant links and also actual examples from successful authors. I really appreciated Valerie's little words of encouragement throughout as well.

I had no idea about the various pitching opportunities that occur. Because of that new knowledge and the publishers mentioned I stumbled upon a call for submissions from a publisher that suits my manuscript. I have since submitted my manuscript and cover letter. I feel confident knowing that even if this submission isn't successful, I have the skills and knowledge to seek out other opportunities.

I've recommended the AWC to a few people that have mentioned they have a passion for writing.

This course gave me the absolute formula I needed to start my team off with writing a huge series of books over many years to come. Due to this course I've written up a book proposal template, a "how to publish" guide and an "idea to book" timeline for collaboration with dozens of people in my industry in the future.

The AWC course was the best summer break investment I have made for years! I was able to sit in my lovely, aircon'd apartment during the heat of the day and learn about the most important pathway opportunity for my future. Valerie and Linda were full to the brim of knowledge and they generously gave it away freely. By working through the modules, one or two at a time, each day, I finished the whole course within a month.

I had already done Creative Writing 1 and Novel Writing Essentials and so Write Your Novel was a natural progression. On top of that, I had a draft manuscript that I knew needed a lot of work and this course sounded like the ideal way to make those improvements.

Pamela was excellent. Her feedback was incisive and super helpful. I am very grateful for and appreciative of her comments on my writing.

I enjoyed the workshopping! Not just receiving my own feedback but having the chance to read a rich variety of genres and writing styles. I enjoyed being able to help other writers.

I discovered that what I have written is worth reading by a professional tutor and writer, and by other writers on the course whose opinions I have come to value.

If you haven't done any writing courses before, start with Creative Writing 1 and progress from there.

THANK YOU!

The weekly individualised feedback on each assignment attracted me as I would like to be a published author and I didn't know where to start.

I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to keep up with the assignment deadlines and I was worried that everyone else would be a higher standard than me. I didn't need to worry as I managed to keep up and everyone was very supportive and welcoming.

Advice on language and story structure was the most valuable to me. The encouragement and constructive feedback was wonderful. Felt like I was guided through the process of writing a picture book from start to finish. It was also encouraging to feel like I was on the right lines with my writing and my goal of becoming a published author could actually become a reality.

It has encouraged me and given me the confidence to take the next steps in my writing career.

I sometimes struggle with worldbuilding. Either too much detail or not enough. I was hoping this seminar would help sort out how I could find that balance.

I enjoyed how relatable it was. It wasn't just an abstract concept with vague answers. It really answered my questions.

I feel like I can now write about the world I'm creating in my story. The way it was explained was very helpful.

In a weird way I needed permission. Permission to believe that writing is something meaningful to me and a possibility in my life.

It confirmed a lot that I already knew from other pursuits, but tied it into writing. For example, of course you need to practice it every day - just as if you would like to master a musical instrument.

At the moment, I'm reading a massive tome by Iain McGilchrist regarding the relationship between the left and right brains. The insights into creativity and how the brain works are fascinating. The art and pictures accompanying the lessons are very thought provoking. It is great just to see insights into various people's lives that you can use to reflect on your own and how to piece the puzzle together.

If you can't attend an in-person workshop or are searching for permission, then this course has opened my eyes to what it will take for me to change my life for the better.

I had a story idea that was just sitting in my head and knew I needed someone to keep me accountable to actually write it, as well as learning things along the way.

I really liked Nat - she was honest and upfront without being too abrupt. She and I have a similar sense of humour, so I think that helped too. I liked her feedback which could be blunt, but it was actually quite refreshing to have someone that doesn't sugarcoat their ideas! It helped to pull me away from my work and really look at it properly.

I enjoyed the feedback - I learnt so much from looking for things in other people's writing that I've learnt to look for them in my own. it's also nice to read so many fresh, new storylines coming through. I read very widely, not sticking to any particular genre, and average well over 100 books a year, and I'm so excited to see some names I know coming through with debut novels when they get published!

We've set up a writer's group via Whatsapp - and that dedicated time really helps me focus, knowing there are people there also writing (and that they'll know if I procrastinate.). It's sometimes the only writing time I get in a week, and if I can push out 1200 words in the hour, then three times a week will keep me on track. Everyone is so constructive with their feedback and can deliver it in a way that is helpful and useful.

I learned that I am actually capable of doing this. It's like when someone tells you something you should have known your whole life, but it comes as a revelation anyway. It's very validating to have fifteen other writers say "Yes, this story deserves to be told, and you're the person to tell it."

It's the best way to start your book. It'll go from an idea to an actual book if you work at it and have some fun along the way.

I wanted to learn what the category of romance entails. I wanted to know if it's as easy as it looks from the outside - (nope :) ). I have completed other AWC courses and really enjoy the presenters, the way it's structured and I always feel like I have learnt a lot when I've finished.

I enjoyed finding out the depth of romance and just how much it entails. It gave me so much more information than I was expecting. And the modules were not long or onerous.

I'm more certain of what it is I want to write and how to go about that. I feel like I have more of a plan to follow.

AWC course information is presented in a clear, concise way. There is no overload of information, and courses are formatted in such a way that you can do them little by little or all at once if that's what you want. The presenters are highly experienced, knowledgeable and very friendly. Feedback is presented very well; it's encouragement all the way. I love their courses!

Mark provided clear and consistent feedback to all participants.

A great, quick win for anyone in business either looking to improve their own copy for marketing materials or those wishing to branch out into a freelance copywriting space.

I enjoyed the clear and simple way Linda presented the course.

I thought it was great. It has motivated me to continue writing with a view to self-publishing.

The Australian Writers' Centre offers great easy to understand courses that help you succeed in your writing projects.

Petronella was great. I enjoyed the almost instant feedback.

I fell like I've got some basic tools now. The AWC is exactly what a beginner needs to get some direction.