Mitch Jennings had ambitions to be a novelist, but like so many others, didn’t know how to turn his dreams into reality. In his day job as a sports journalist, he was no stranger to writing, but crafting a crime novel would require a whole new set of skills.
The Australian Writers’ Centre provided the solution – with a course that allowed him to not only get his story on the page, but have the confidence to forge ahead and see the finished product, A Town Called Treachery published by HarperCollins.
“I'd done a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters in Creative Writing through Swinburne University in my early twenties. But I hadn't really set my mind to writing a novel for quite some time. I was working full time as a journalist in daily news, which is obviously very time-consuming.
“Everyone has these ambitions to be a writer. That's how the Australian Writers’ Centre comes on our radar. You really have to do things that make it real – not a dream, but make it an ambition. I think you're never overqualified or underqualified to do a writing course through the Australian Writer's Centre. And I would recommend anyone thinking of doing one, to do it because you're making it real.
“Novel Writing Essentials got me started. It was like doing a module for my masters. It was that level of tutoring and peer review. I think that was one of the really big things I took out of it was just being a writer, yes, but being a reader and casting a critical eye over the work of other people and being in that supportive community and giving that feedback.
“I'd always had this dream of wanting to bring this manuscript to fruition, but I'd put it down. I hadn't picked it up for a number of years. And the 10,000 words Novel Writing Essentials [gave me] put me on the path to writing – just having that accountability and that immediate goal to meet really did get me started in what became A Town Called Treachery.
“The tutors are fantastic – so knowledgeable and so willing to share that knowledge. It's the impact of being able to have the ear of someone who is down that path. Just their passion for what they do and wanting to bring as many people along that journey with them always comes through.
“When I found out I was going to be published, it was just a mix of elation and disbelief and affirmation. It's the realisation of a lifelong dream that you probably never really think is going to happen for you.
“If I was to recommend the Australian Writers’ Centre to a friend, I would say do things to make it real. The course came to me at the perfect time. It gave me that first 10,000 words and the belief that I could pull this off. So without the Australian Writers’ Centre, A Town Called Treachery doesn't happen.
“I'm one of so many Australian Writers’ Centre alumni with a published novel or a published book on the shelf or someone out there who's established a copywriting career or a freelance writing career. All aspects of writing are there.
“Do it. Make it real. Make it an ambition, not a dream. You'll find something there for everyone.”
Mitch completed our Novel Writing Essentials workshopping course – ideal for those who are starting or rebooting a manuscript and looking for solid foundations and direction. To learn more about this course, click the link today!
