What’s it like to learn with AWC?
Each year, thousands of students just like you achieve their writing goals through our courses and world-class presenters. Here they share how their new-found skills and confidence enriched their life.
The information given was easy to understand and, with the examples given, was relatable to the novel I am currently writing.
It clarified a few of the doubts I had about my writing.
Don't hesitate - the FOCUS ON series of workshops is affordable and essential to any writer's toolbox of knowledge.
Writing press releases and articles during my working life, I like the short story form with its similar structure of concise sentences and paragraphs.
I enjoyed finally writing and submitting the 2,500 word short story and, hopefully, having implemented all the lessons I'd learnt.
The course has got me back into writing. I used our caravan to be away from the house and not be tempted to put the washing on or make a cuppa. Hours sped by once I embarked on the actual short story.
The course was excellent but give yourself plenty of time to complete.
Grant was great; he explained the concepts clearly with good examples.
Reframing the concept of editing as an important part of communication was very helpful. Previously, I viewed editing as either proofreading or just an exercise for pedantic anal people to hyper-fixate on rules. This course reframed that to think about it as an important component of communication.
The editing course explains many of the components of editing. You will take something away from it, whether it enhances your understanding of words and grammar, or it helps you think about editing as an essential component of communication.
This course far exceeded my expectations with content and presentation. It's given me the tools I need to help guide me through my book.
I love the workbook! This is exactly what I need to help me organise my thoughts and plan my novel. It made me realise that I wasn't on the wrong track and I just needed a map to help guide me.
If you want to be a writer, the Australian Writers' Centre has something for EVERYONE!
I've written for years but, with chronic migraine and raising kids, it became more 'thoughts' than words on the page. After joining the Romance Writers of Australia my desire to write, have my manuscript in a state to submit and enter competitions was burning. I just wasn't able to be as productive as I wanted to be. I knew I needed to carve out time in my busy life - others could - why couldn't I? And so this course...
As well as the course, it really was the 30-day bootcamp that propelled me into the space I'm in now. I'm making time to write and it's paying off. I was travelling through Tasmania with my family during this bootcamp and it forced me to 'find' the time to write/plan to write, despite our busy schedule. I learnt that I CAN write with the family in the same room as me. I could also escape to a quiet spot to write and while in the passenger seat of the car I could plan by scribbling in my notebook.
Writing 'is' the priority in my life now. I even have an author website!
I recommend this course ALL THE TIME to writers who say they can't find the time to write / wish they could write more and more often. It was these two courses that made me prioritise my writing. They changed my writing life.
It was so practical and the detail in the information extremely useful. I did the course in a hurry as I am going to Cambodia this week and wanted ideas for future articles. I will definitely go back over some of the modules to help me produce a publishable article. I hope, insert happy face here!
The two presenters are amazing and generous with their knowledge and information, both in the course and at Zoom meetings.
I am a retiree with only the aged pension as an income and a bit of a buffer set aside. I am going to take this seriously as I love writing and would also love to see articles published with an added benefit of a buffer from just the pension as my income. I turned 70 this year and want to keep my body and mind active; I'm not ready for the scrap heap yet.
I would read articles on travel during a flight and think, what rubbish, I'd never be able to afford to go to this top end luxury place/ hotel/ restaurant. This course has opened my eyes as to the possibilities of so many different publications and the different style of writing for the diverse readers and publications.
If you are serious about Travel Writing this course sets the foundation for your future career, then it is up to you to get published and enjoy the journey along the way.
I really enjoyed the entire content. Pamela Freeman presented things very well, it's simple to follow, easy to hear and subtitles were available (I'm hearing impaired), and easy to go back and rewatch. Pamela's voice is also very nice to listen too, and I love her smile (not that that will help me write, but it's a bonus). Every time I watch a video, I feel like a friend is welcoming me into their home.
I feel like I really know where my story needs to go now. I understand way more about writing for young adults than I did before taking the course, and that's helping me map out my story. I'm not great at outlining and such, so that's a bit difficult but I'm learning.
I've only tried one course for now, but intend to try other courses after I finish the second draft of my WIP. I only recommend something I'm pleased with, and I can comfortably recommend AWC to other writers. And I can tell them there are so many courses, and different ways to work through them as well.
Interesting and useful information. The course made me think about different ways to approach and present my story, different ways to publish and ways to engage the reader.
I am starting a new book and wanted a little more information before beginning the first draft, as this is my first time attempting dual POV.
I now feel more confident going into this first draft/attempting multiple POVs.
I always recommend AWC! The range of courses to suit any time/skill level/budget is what I mostly talk about - being able to decide if you have hours or weeks to spend on your study is a huge draw in my opinion. Also having long courses that cover many topics at once, or shorter but more specific courses means you can always pick what you need, and leave out anything you don't - no wasting money or time!
Thank you! I'm always confident I'll come away from an AWC course with valuable information.
Vivienne was great and her feedback was very helpful.
I learnt a lot about the magazine/publications industry. Who knew so much went on behind the scenes and what was involved in getting your articles published?
I learnt something new in every module. It made me realise that it is possible for me to write an article that people may want to read and, not only that, get paid for it.
Professionally run, great set up and really interesting.
Vivienne always provided great constructive feedback each week.
I enjoyed the learning material, the assignments and feeling like I was a part of a little community.
I feel like I have gained confidence and believe that I will be able to write for a publication, instead of it being an unachievable goal.
Bernadette seemed very approachable and knowledgeable and was an incredible tutor to learn from!
I enjoyed the way in which the course was broken up into smaller segments.
It's a great way to improve your writing capabilities. It has already positively impacted the way that I approach writing!
I enjoyed the audio lessons of each module, the other writers, reading their submissions and their feedback for my submissions, the deadlines.
I needed the commitment to the community and the deadlines to discipline my writing. I think about my story on a daily basis and the feedback was essential to know where I am going with it. The writing community was brilliant, such good people and I like that we had guidelines for feedback.
Thank you! You helped me in the right direction on my writing journey, and gave me a valuable writing community. Excellent work! I have listened to your podcast since 2018 and I love it, I really hope to publish my memoir next year.
I really felt that my writing improved greatly after doing this course.
The tutor was very focussed and able to quickly drill into the key issues and then help you to improve your writing.
I enjoyed sharing our writing, reading different genres, providing and receiving considered feedback and support.
I now understand POV much better and am able to show rather than tell - this has opened up my story and freed up my writing.
AWC courses are excellent, led by experienced writer/tutors, and providing the tools you need to improve your writing.
The content is fabulous. The fact that I can now go back and do some of the exercises at my own pace and have access for a year, is great! Love the handouts too, very helpful.
I enjoyed Valerie's beautiful voice! Modules are very well constructed. Pamela's weekly practical and honest feedback. And, the encouragement to keep going!! THANK YOU!
Feel so encouraged to carry on and put in the work now needed to complete my novel. Thank you, Pamela and Valerie.
If you want to write for fun or to get published, just give it a go. Start small if you need to with one of the seminars or jump into a course that interests you. You feel part of a community that cares and understands.
Just a big thank you for your encouragement.
I'm writing a crime novel, and I wanted points and ideas to make it more gripping.
I enjoy the way in which Pamela presents the material. She makes things easy to understand.
It's given me greater insight about controlling pace throughout the story.
Do it! You won't be disappointed.
I didn't waste a second with this course. Everything and everyone was really helpful. Big thanks to Vivienne, and Nicole who helped me through so much!
Vivienne was always thorough and timely in her feedback. Kind, knowledgeable and responsive to any questions or comments from the class. She generously shared her knowledge through feedback and encouragement.
I enjoyed interviewing classmates. I thought this would be the worst part but I really enjoyed myself and it was good to get to know the other students through profiles.
I think I developed a bit of language confusion after living in France and only speaking French for 5 years. The course has helped me to rediscover English writing, and sharpen my communication skills. Getting clear on being clear, showing transitions, using descriptive language to enrich the text, all of these lessons have been helpful. I'm excited to put it into practice for my podcast.
By the time you finish a course with AWC you will know exactly what you need to start your career as a writer. The workload is manageable and won't burn you out. Support from teachers and staff is both generous and timely, and the assignment feedback is really helpful. The only question you will be left with at the end of the course, is why you waited so long to get started?!
I've always wanted to write and have been on platforms like Instagram and, recently, my blog. I'd never learnt the specific techniques though and wanted to gift this course to myself to learn more about the craft of writing.
The deadline for submissions is an excellent strategy to get some work done for feedback. I learnt so much more from that along with the modules of course.
Pamela was really good as our tutor and her feedback has been very helpful.
I enjoyed the opportunity to write within a certain construct especially the word count because I've always felt restricted with those things. I learnt how to work with them rather than hold myself back.
I've already noticed a shift in my writing. I have taken out 'feeling words' and use shorter and succinct sentences or phrases. A lot of things like names, scene building, point of views and character-specific issues have been very helpful tools.
Using our own interests and passion to give momentum to our writing was a great learning experience because somewhere along the line, I'd started to believe we need to write certain stories to be published. Thankfully that's changed for the better. I found the point of view lessons really interesting too.
If you love writing and want to give it a shot, definitely enrol in this course.
I just want to thank you again for creating this platform. I'm so glad I came across it and was able to give myself the opportunity to learn and enjoy the experience.
I thought it would be a basic outline and broader coverage of editing, but there was so much more on offer, including examples, questions and step-by-step instructions.
This course emphasised the importance of getting into the depths of your story, which is something I knew but now I have a really structured approach that I can use with all my manuscripts. This has also helped develop my abilities as an editor, an understanding I can use when giving feedback to others.
I can now apply what I know to make my manuscript a quicker read, getting rid of lengthy summary and shortening my sentences in action scenes.
Absolutely worth doing - you don't know how crucial pace is.