What’s it like to learn with AWC?

I found the course very engaging, and the personal feedback very helpful. Pamela Freeman was a good teacher, covering a lot of helpful information in a very understandable way, using examples when needed. I loved getting personal feedback on my creative process every week.

I'm motivated to keep working on my current story, and have realized that a novel I wrote previously needs a lot more work, possibly a complete rethinking, before it would be ready for sharing.

I would recommend it for anyone interested in writing fantasy within western structures, and needing help with worldbuilding or planning the story.

I was stuck on the story I was writing and felt a little out of my depth. I need guidance.

Pamela is a fountain of knowledge on many facets of writing. She really seems to be an encyclopedia on all things writing.

The course has given me the guidance on my story and turns out I really didn't know as much about the topic as I thought.

Pamela is an amazing tutor; this is the 3rd consecutive course I've attended run by her and I'm consistently impressed by her extensive knowledge of writing as a whole. I love receiving her detailed and insightful feedback on my assignments or ideas and she's helped me gain a deeper understanding of my characters and story, and offered some fantastic suggestions for how to improve my novel overall.

I think the assignments actually were the best part as they were a fantastic opportunity to delve deeper into specific elements of my story such as worldbuilding, magic systems and character, and then to discuss in more detail with Pamela and the other students in the following week was great.

I came away from this course with some tangible pieces of writing based on the assignments which explored for instance my magic system in far more detail and clarity than I'd previously been able to achieve, and this actually led to (with a niche suggestion from Pamela) something of an epiphany in connecting some of the dots of my story to make it feel more real and complete than it ever has.

I would say it's the best thing I've ever done, not just in terms of my own writing, but I took these courses after leaving the ADF and struggling with some depression and other issues related to transition out of the service. Engaging with AWC, Pamela and the other students (particularly on this course, Fantasy, Sci-Fi & More) has done wonders for my mental health and has allowed me to reinvigorate my passion for writing, to the point I'm considering pursuing it as a career more seriously than ever.

Thanks to Pamela and Filia for their great communication throughout the course when there were changes to the schedule or technical issues. It's been fun and I look forward to my next steps in AWC to get my novel finished.

Pamela was a bit of a genius. She could look at anyone's story (and there were a lot of different stories), and give individual advice on what was needed to improve it. She also had a truckload of knowledge and experience.

Overall, the exercises and advice helped me firm up my story and world. It gave me a lot more to think about to make my world and story stronger.

The AWC teaches you the craft of writing, so you're not wondering where to start or how to go about the whole process. This is my third course. Loved them all. Will be doing two more probably.

I really enjoyed the class and it actually helped me in my writing process so much. Now I'm a lot more confident about what my next steps should be.

I adore Pamela! She was a great teacher. She was generous in sharing all her knowledge and tricks and tips. Her feedback always pointed out issues I didn't think about and also gave me a lot of confidence with what I have done so far. Her knowledge and experience in writing fantasy elevated the course so much!

I enjoyed doing the homework. All tasks were really creative and enjoyable and it was so good to get feedback from Pamela and the rest of the class.

It confirmed that I am on the right track with my novel idea and set me on a journey where the next step is just to write, write write. The hardest but most fun part!

Thank you so much Pamela, it was so much fun. I will definitely miss having this class on Mondays.

I think Pamela is exceptional. Her ability to understand and recall each individual's story and provide meaningful and personalised tips, strategies and feedback is very impressive.

The world-building went to a level I hadn't considered or realised was necessary prior to the course. I have some new perspectives and additional things to consider when plotting and structuring my stories.

I certainly learned things about the fantasy, sci fi and spec fiction etc genre, but the homework exercises and discussions during class also illuminated some fiction writing information that I was not aware of and was very helpful. The homework exercises were exceptionally helpful to support my learning.

Pamela is a lovely person, very generous with her knowledge and she is obviously extremely experienced in fiction writing and publishing. I also found doing it on zoom was VERY convenient.

The course has enhanced my confidence. I seem to be moving along the right path with all this, and elements of the course confirmed that for me. It was very encouraging.

AWC courses are very professional, very challenging (in a good way), very edifying, and the classes are always very friendly and welcoming. I am looking forward to my next AWC course. Thank you.

I love to write and read spec fic and wanted to develop my understanding and focus, so this course promised to be a good fit.

Pamela's experience and deep knowledge of the craft of writing was evident, as was her willingness and ability to discuss varied aspects on the fly. She was always thoughtful, respectful of everyone, and able to steer the conversation in appropriate directions with ease. All feedback Pamela provided was, in my opinion, spot on.

I enjoyed interacting with the other writers while Pamela illustrated concrete teaching points using our own writing as a springboard.

I'd say the AWC has a great deal of cred, with tutors who have well and truly been there and done that, so your money won't be wasted.

Pamela was terrific - very engaging, interested in her students and provided valuable feedback.

I enjoyed the homework exercises & feedback - encouraged us to really think more about our stories and worlds, and make them more real. It really made me think about the world, to make it more real for readers, and really consider the “unique thing” about my story (and ways to expand on this).

Pamela is a terrific tutor, and the course really encourages you to think deeply about your world and how you might bring it to life for your readers. Would absolutely recommend!

Pamela was fun, knowledgeable, and forthcoming with great ideas to help us with our stories.

I enjoyed hearing what the other people were writing and finding like-minded people to workshop ideas with. And believe it or not, the homework. Having to think about my story to find the answers to the homework question - things that I had not thought to ask of my story.

If you want to write, you can't go past the Australian Writers' Centre. There is a course for any aspect of your writing.

I knew I wanted to write genre fiction and thought this would help to give me the lay of the land (and it very much did!)

I enjoyed all of it! But the standout is the connection - with the tutor, with the other writers, with my own ideas. I loved the presumption of being a writer that applied to us all - there was no sense of needing to earn my stripes or make disclaimers about being a tentative beginner. It was wonderful! Pamela is a goddess.

People liked my story idea. They bothered remembering things about it and being curious about it. I'd never told anyone anything tangible about a story idea before this class, never even committed vocally to wanting to be a writer. Now I know that I can write a book and however it turns out I'll have had an awesome time.

Pamela was great. Generous with her time, allowing us to ask questions that weren't necessarily on the current topic but that all budding writers are desperate to hear and learn about.

I enjoyed hearing so many great ideas from the other students. Everyone talking Fantasy and Sci Fi was great, really 'got you in the zone' for that specific genre and got your brain thinking. Helped me break through a couple of blockages I had with my own story, just by having my head firmly planted in the genre.

I was in a bit of a rut for my third book. I think I have an idea now to get me out of that rut ... which is essentially why I signed up for the course, to see if it could knock me back on track.

I think this is probably my 6th or 7th course with AWC. If I didn't like them then I wouldn't keep coming back. Go for it. Helps to get the inspiration firing and put your bum back in the chair.

I feel that I know my story at a much deeper level now, and have applied some of the lessons learned to a couple of other writing projects I'm working on.

I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere that Pamela created. I felt able to contribute easily, and I appreciated Pamela's skilful handling of group dynamics.

I really like Zoom online learning! So efficient of time, yet still able to offer productive interaction and inspiration. I really like the flexible use of shared screen to see key examples.

I read through the outline and loved just about everything in it, especially world building and structuring trilogies/multiple books set in the same world with multiple protagonists.

I had so much fun and learnt so much in every class. It's really changed the approach I will take to my writing moving forward.

Pamela was a wonderful tutor. I found the way she taught really engaging. I learnt so much about writing in the last few weeks. She answered all questions really precisely and she was the first tutor to explain techniques someone with aphantasia can use when doing scenes.

I liked that all the assignments forced me to really think about the world and story I was working on in a safe learning environment. My favourite was map-making as it forced me to think about things like water sources.

It forced me to really think about every element of the world from the people, to the history to the soil. The advice, tips and resources given will help my writing for years to come.

I highly recommend it! It is a wonderful way to learn about writing and your relationship with it.

I loved the whole course and I'm very glad I took it.

Pamela was personable. She has great advice for the novice writer. Her feedback was honest and aimed at helping the students.

I enjoyed being in a Zoom class. I liked the chance to interact with fellow class mates. I like the informal nature of the course. Pamela let the conversation take a natural course. You were learning and enjoying it.

It provided me with a validation of the genre I want to write in. In other courses I keep getting the 'I don't read this genre' comments. These participants don't only read it, they write it too.

Just do it! If you think you want to write fantasy, science fiction then this is the course for you. This is where you will find your tribe!

Absolutely excellent! I learnt so much. The editing examples as well as being able to ask questions was truly enlightening.

The industry knowledge was awesome. Learning about different techniques for writing was also great.

Helped with my writing hugely! I now have a lot more framework for what to consider when writing a piece and what to make sure to include.

You’re gonna learn so much! Don't let the price tag scare you!

I thought Pamela was incredibly knowledgeable, and you could tell right from the start she knew what she was talking about. Her experience came through in the succinct and clear way she could describe concepts from character tropes to plot and series structure. She was also very generous with answering class questions, and encouraging us to keep in contact with each other and her beyond the end of the course.

I liked the chance to work on projects that we're actually writing and intending (in my case at least) to submit to publishing houses when ready. Getting quick feedback on our homework tasks worked well.

It clarified/reinforced a lot of points I already knew about plotting and world-building, but also expanded on that knowledge to a depth I hadn't considered. Also, I am keeping in touch with others in the course to start a writing group.

I found a lot of benefits in completing the course with AWC. Learning from someone who has been in the industry for years is invaluable, and the community feels incredibly supportive of aspiring writers.

I was attracted to the course because I'm writing a historical fantasy novel. Pamela was a wealth of knowledge and very helpful. I enjoyed sharing my writing.

I've learned a lot more about the fantasy genre. I realised that my novel is a historical fantasy genre, not a sci-fi book!

The teacher is helpful and informative and you'll learn heaps. The course is an opportunity to discuss with other writers and to workshop your writing.

I wanted to learn more about how to write Fantasy and Science Fiction. I was nervous about doing a course via Zoom as I hadn't done this before, but it was good; I felt comfortable.

Pamela put me at ease. I enjoyed having her as a tutor. She has a wealth of knowledge about the genre and I enjoyed her jokes.

I enjoyed listening to everyone's ideas for their novels. I enjoyed learning about world building, non-human characters, and how to build a magical system.

I feel like I understand better what is involved in writing a spec-fiction novel and I have some tools to help me improve my writing.

I love the courses offered at the Australian Writers' Centre. I keep coming back for more. They are unique and I learn new things each time.