Creative Writing Stage 1

Our popular course in storytelling and creativity.

This course is ideal for: Writers of all levels who want to learn the secrets to writing compelling fiction

You will:
Indulge your creativity
Learn the key skills needed to write engaging stories
Receive direct feedback on your own writing
Enjoy access to experts who are active in the industry
Unlock your storytelling potential!

“I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect but I found myself addicted! I am inspired. Get into it. It’s great fun and great for the mind.”
– Suzie Lindsay, Creative Writing Stage 1 graduate

Watch this video to find out why you should enrol in this course now.

Where	Starts	Duration	Presenter	Price
Online with tutor Learn from anywhere at your convenience.	Monday 20 July 2020 Any time during the week	5 weeks (Allow 3-4 hours per week)	Pamela Freeman	$450

BONUS
Enrol now and get access to your FREE Creativity Kickstarter today!

We know you’re keen to start your creative journey, and that’s why we’ve assembled an online collection of inspirational tips, articles and creative success stories to whet your appetite right away! We call it your BONUS: Creativity Kickstarter and you get it FREE when you enrol in Creative Writing Stage 1. Think of it as your perfect coffee-sipping bundle of inspiration while you wait for your course to begin. Get started NOW!

Enjoy the benefits of your online classroom

This course gives you access to your own online classroom, where you’ll be able to connect with other classmates and share your stories with each other in a supportive environment – with people who share your passion!
Your class also has its own online tutor – on hand and online for any questions you may have and to provide personal feedback on your work. Our tutors are experienced experts with years of knowledge to draw on. They’re your secret weapon!
Each Monday we’ll release a new learning module in the form of audio lessons, along with handouts and other resources. You can choose to save the audio and listen to it later – perhaps during your favourite walk or in the commute in the car. It’s up to you!
A fan of 9am starts? Easy. 2pm before the kids get home? Sure. 10pm? 5am? You choose the time and place that best suits your schedule. A practical weekly assignment (assessed by your tutor) will help you stay on track and gauge your progress along the way.

How does the online course work?

When you enrol:

You’ll receive login details to access your online course
Your course contains five weekly modules, each with audio lessons and handouts
Each week, you can submit a small assignment and receive feedback from your tutor
There are no set class times – complete each module when it suits you during the week
We suggest allowing 3-4 hours per week to complete each module and assignment
You can post questions and comments in the classroom and get to know your classmates
You’ll be able to enjoy access to the course for a full year – plenty of time to revisit your lessons and refresh your knowledge whenever you need.

Watch our video tour of the online classroom.

Creative Writing Stage 1 – an overview

This online course teaches you the foundation techniques needed to create compelling stories. By understanding and using these building blocks, you will become a better writer.

Lessons include:

Creating compelling characters
Discover how to master memorable characters, filling in their backstories and body language, appearance and other quirks to keep readers captivated. You’ll receive feedback on your characterisation and dialogue.
Finding your narrative voice
First person? Third person limited? Omniscient narrator? Explore the various types of points of view with which you can tell a story – they all have their advantages and disadvantages! You'll complete exercises and receive feedback on your narrative voice.
How to create gripping scenes
Scenes are the building blocks of stories, so learn the secrets of scene construction and editing – how to write descriptions that allow your readers to feel like they’re there. In this lesson you’ll create and receive feedback on an authentic scene that captures this.
Building stories with form, structure and plot
Learn how to apply simple techniques to stop your stories from unravelling and, instead, hold a structure that keeps reader interest high from start to finish. You'll explore the vital points of a narrative and receive feedback on writing in different points of view.
Putting it all together
Reveal a map through the wilderness of creative writing, with clear instructions for where to go to succeed in the next part of your writing journey. You'll receive feedback on a scene that incorporates all of the techniques you've mastered.

Joanna completed Creative Writing Stage 1

“The course was the absolute nuts and bolts approach I was looking for. I loved the logical step-by-step approach to the craft of writing. It sounds strange but although I’d been a voracious reader all my life, I’d never stopped to consider how a book was actually written, or even that it was divided into a series of scenes with a defined structure. It’s obvious now, but at the time I thought I’d discovered radium!” – Joanna Nell, now a published author, whose lead character for her debut novel ‘The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village‘ was developed in week 1 of her course… Joanna's second novel, The Last Voyage of Mrs Henry Parker, just launched!

Sarah Bailey
Graduate of Australian Writers' Centre, author of The Dark Lake

Penelope Janu
Graduate of Australian Writers' Centre, now a full-time author

Shankari Chandran
Graduate of Australian Writers' Centre, author of “The Barrier”

“Is this course for me?”

Creative Writing Stage 1 suits a wide range of people at various stages of life. These include:

Want to write a novel? It all starts here

If your goal is to write a novel, AWC offers three stages of creative support and guidance to help you get there. Creative Writing Stage 1 kicks things off – giving you a solid understanding of how to build your story. In Novel Writing Essentials and Write Your Novel, you will workshop your actual manuscript and take it from its beginnings to completion.

By the end of this course, you will have:

KNOWLEDGE:	of all the important elements that all work together to create engaging fiction.
CONFIDENCE:	in your writing abilities and as a creative human being. Knowledge is powerful stuff!
INSPIRATION:	from your online tutor, other classmates and the fabulous creative community. You’ll be buzzing with new ideas, techniques and insight into creating compelling fiction – that you can immediately apply to your own writing.
MOTIVATION:	to pursue further writing goals such as short stories or to write the next great novel. You’ll also have the momentum to succeed, thanks to plenty of online resources and 12 months' access to all online course materials.

Reviews of Creative Writing Stage 1

“I’ve been writing my whole life, but these tricks and tips really opened my eyes on how to write more effectively. I think it’s an extremely valuable course for anyone who enjoys both reading and writing, whether you want to get a book published or just enjoy writing for yourself.”

– Donna Marriot

“What impressed me was the sheer amount of information packed into each week’s tuition. What we learnt one week was built on the following week… every aspect of creating a readable story. Thank-you.”

– Kathleen Mueller

“I enjoyed listening to the course content by audio. I could listen in the car, while working in the garden, even hanging out the washing. And I enjoy supplementing this with the podcasts.”

– Julie Skerman

“I really enjoyed that there was a lot of interesting and really useful content about structuring a fiction novel. A lot of tips that I am excited to put into practice. I also really liked reading other students’ work and the feel of a community. The online option makes life easier if travel and life commitments make a five-week course at a set time and place hard to commit to.”

– Katie Hoskins

BONUS
Enrol now and get access to your FREE Creativity Kickstarter today!

Where	Starts	Duration	Presenter	Price
Online with tutor Learn from anywhere at your convenience.	Monday 20 July 2020 Any time during the week	5 weeks (Allow 3-4 hours per week)	Pamela Freeman	$450

Creative Writing Stage 1

Our popular course in storytelling and creativity.

BONUS
Enrol now and get access to your FREE Creativity Kickstarter today!

Enjoy the benefits of your online classroom