What’s it like to learn with AWC?

I really enjoyed the weekly exercises and feedback from the teacher. Jo was lovely, positive and constructive.

I also really enjoyed learning more about creative writing, completing the exercises and receiving weekly feedback.

I intend on doing more AWC courses and now want to write a novel.

There was so much I learnt that was new to me. Each lesson taught me something I didn't know and had 'aha' moments. I didn't know how much theory went into writing a novel. I also really liked the message that you won't ever write a book if you never sit down and put pen to paper. You actually have to sit down and dedicate yourself to the task.

I have already recommended AWC to some friends. It's a fantastic way to start learning about creative writing and it definitely gives you incentive to start and/or keep going with your writing dream.

I really enjoyed the course and have already started Novel Writing Essentials.

I enjoyed the interactions. Great feedback from the tutor. Nice and specific.

Easy to achieve tasks. Well set out. Nice progression.

Feedback is not something I have had in the past so really nice to get writing out there and receive comments.

A positive experience.

I've been attempting to write novels for the last few years and keep finding myself getting stuck and feeling like what I was writing wasn't engaging enough. I wanted to take the course to learn more about the fundamentals, become a better writer and use what I learned to help me finish a book.

Nat is a fantastic tutor and I really appreciate the time she took to review our work and provide feedback. There were things I have been missing in my writing that she would identify and clearly explain, and then it would all make sense. She also pointed out strengths in my writing that I didn't even realise were there. Not only did I gain more knowledge and skills to improve my writing, but also an unexpected boost of confidence in my abilities. I would highly recommend Nat to anyone who wants to explore writing. Nat, thank you sincerely.

I really enjoyed and appreciated the handouts for use in developing our stories outside of the course.

I am reading books differently now - noticing stylistic features that I previously wouldn't have. I feel like I'm now getting more out of reading. This course has also really helped me with developing my awareness and confidence in my own writing.

If you are thinking about writing, this is where you should start. The course provides an excellent foundation and will teach you what you're good at and what you need to make your writing better in a supportive environment.

I was attracted to the course because it was for anyone and everyone. I was a complete beginner and hadn't written anything creative since I was a child, so I was pretty nervous about writing and sharing my work. I knew this course would give me the foundational blocks needed to not only enhance my writing, but to think creatively and find my voice. I also knew that I would improve by sharing my work. I needed that push to get started and stay motivated.

I definitely had hesitations about enrolling, but more to do with my own self confidence. Initially, the idea of sharing my work was really scary.

Jo is a fabulous tutor. I really enjoyed learning from her and appreciate all the time and effort she put into our feedback. Jo is constructive but also very kind and encouraging.

I enjoyed the feedback sessions. Not only getting feedback on my work but listening to everyone in the group. There were many times where the feedback was something I hadn't thought of, and sometimes they were glaringly obvious mistakes. Every feedback session was an opportunity to learn and improve my next piece.

I think Creative Writing Stage 1 is set out exactly how it needs to be. As an absolute beginner, the layout of content made sense and wasn't overwhelming.

Writing has become a daily part of my life, both through learning to write and actually writing. The coursework and the AWC podcast have helped me learn more about the craft of writing and what it takes to become a writer. I also spend time writing and coming up with ideas most days. The course has drastically improved my confidence and my writing.

AWC is a supportive and extremely informative place to learn how to be a writer. There are so many courses available and the tutors are wonderful. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to start or improve their writing skills.

Thank you for putting together such a wonderful course. I think many of us forget the creative and imaginative voices we have as children when we become adults. This course has given me back that creative spark and has encouraged me to keep thinking and writing.

The variety of topics was very interesting and completely different from any other writing course I have done before. I really loved Module 3 about the history of storytelling and how stories affect our brains - so fascinating! But Kate also gave very practical tips and processes which are things I can implement myself, and it was good to hear how she incorporates some of these suggestions in her own life.

I am going to take on board some of Kate's tips on facing fears and finding flow from Module 4. There were some practical suggestions which I want to implement in my own writing life.

I really wanted to develop some skills and knowledge of how to approach writing a children's novel, ahead of a project I'm working on.

I was very happy with Margaret as a tutor and the feedback she gave.

I enjoyed listening to everyone else's assignments and sharing in the feedback process.

The AWC has really great courses on all types of writing, run by people who are also working in the industry. I've learnt so much from my courses and they're suitable for all skill levels.

The allure of transitioning into a writing career has always been a dream of mine, but the path seemed shrouded in mystery and uncertainty. What drew me to the Reinvent Yourself program was its promise to demystify the process. The focus on overcoming mental barriers and laying out clear, actionable steps to start writing, whether fiction or non-fiction, spoke directly to my aspirations and challenges.

Initially, I was sceptical about the efficacy of an online program in addressing such a personal and profound career shift. The fear of investing time and resources into something without guaranteeing a tangible outcome. However, the program's emphasis on practical guidance reassured me that this wasn't just another generic writing course but a tailored guide to navigating the writing world successfully.

The seven-part video program created an engaging learning experience. Each module was thoughtfully crafted, making the journey from doubt to confidence not just educational but truly enjoyable.

The most enjoyable aspect of the course was the diversity and depth of the videos. It felt as if I had a community of mentors guiding me through the process.

The major 'aha!' moment for me was realising that the biggest obstacle to becoming a writer wasn't a lack of talent or opportunity but my own mindset. And with the right mindset, the path to becoming a writer is accessible to anyone, regardless of their starting point. The program's focus on fostering a positive mindset shifted my perspective from seeing obstacles to seeing possibilities.

The Australian Writers' Centre is more than just an educational institution: it's a gateway to realising your writing aspirations.

I loved it: Lesley is SO comprehensive, professional and clear in her content and delivery. Her feedback was similarly helpful, structured and clear.

I realised that I am heading towards writing chapter books and junior fiction/middle grade. Also that there are clear and necessary requirements for vocab, structure and length that need to be adhered to for any chance of success or publication.

Great value for money - you really do get what you pay for... I LOVE that all the tutors are highly successful and professional in their own right. We are learning from the best. I love the podcast too.

Nat Newman was great. Her feedback was honest, thoughtful and delivered in a gentle manner

I enjoyed sitting down and putting in to practice the tips that were outlined in the modules. Bringing to life characters that have been brewing in my subconscious.

I now am a little less afraid and I have a more thorough grasp on the reality of the drafting process.

I would say it is a great crash course in getting your work critiqued.

The course was well paced, exercises very useful but not onerous.

Pamela provided very useful and thoughtful feedback on the assignments.

I enjoyed the opportunity to learn new things - and put them into practice each week in the assignments, including valuable feedback.

I didn't know the basics before, so now I can write more confidently using the right POV, and use more colourful descriptions of settings.

Very useful and enjoyable introduction, especially from a starting point of no formal creative writing study.

Even as a child, I have always loved to be creative and have loved writing, but I've never pursued it. So, when I found the Australian Writer's Centre and looked through the courses, I couldn't help but enrol into the course.

I didn't really know what to expect, but it was more than I could've hoped for coming in with no experience in writing.

I thought Pamela was awesome. She gave great, clear feedback which I could easily understand and that allowed me to see my writing and the writings of other published authors differently.

This course has really helped me understand the basics on how a book is written. Learning to trust your readers will help me to go over my own work, rephrase sentences and think about how to describe things in future.

The major learning I had with this course was about the different points of view and the advantages and disadvantages they have with readers.

The Australian Writers' Centre is a great place to start, if anyone wants to learn how to write. The centre has numerous courses from the very basics to more advanced forms of writing and teachers that will help answer any questions and provide feedback on assignments.

I'm looking forward to doing more courses in future.

I enjoyed Valerie's openness and big heartedness to share her hard-won experiences. The day-to-day practical advice.

I know if I am dedicated, and keep in mind I am running a small business, I will succeed.

The AWC knows the industry inside out.

I have been thinking about changing careers to writing for a while. I joined mailing lists for writing courses and this year I decided to actually take the plunge.

This is a very positive and motivating course. Thank you for making it enjoyable.

I liked hearing the interviews from real writers. The information throughout the course is also well worth listening to.

I know that with commitment and hard work, I can reinvent myself as the writer I have always wanted to be.

I just engaged in a motivational, engaging and inspiring short course, that showed me I can change my career and be the creative that I want to be. I would highly recommend to anyone wanting to try writing as a career to do this course and be inspired to strive to be your best self as a writer.

This is a very well put together course, highly efficient and effective because of its focus on core skills. And it lived up to the promise of the promo.

Alex's feedback was thorough, constructive and on point. I found it very helpful.

I enjoyed the way it broke down the steps and elements of freelance article writing. I left with a clear sense of what I need to do, and a framework for ongoing development, from start to finish.

I'm an experienced writer, but in institutional settings (government, law, academia), so this has given me the tools to quickly adapt and transition to feature writing and the confidence to make a start on a new career.

Do it if you want to quickly learn the skills to embark on feature writing as a part- or full-time pursuit.

After completing many AWC courses, I felt ready to begin diving into the structural features of a novel. Romances are my favourite (I'm now no longer afraid to admit!) and the course outline looked like a great place to start planning my own romance novel.

The 'work at your own pace' structure appeals to me, as do the practical, industry-based tips and techniques. The additional audio interviews are super helpful.

I enjoyed learning the structural elements of plotting a romance novel, and specific features of the MCs. The work sheets and handout are clear and offer invaluable insight into writing romance, and I plan to use them over and over. I've started going back over the course as a jumping off point for developing my characters.

This course has given me the confidence to start writing my first novel!

It validated my love of romance writing as a legitimate genre, and has given me the confidence to pursue this writing form.

The AWC's practical, accessible and self-paced courses are ideal for those people who are thinking of honing their writing skills, or perhaps (like me) considering a career change.

I have been listening to the Australian Writers' Centre podcasts for years and have often dreamed about doing one of their courses. I completed Reinvent Yourself in 2020 and finally felt ready to commit to this course. I'm so glad I did.

My main concern was not having the time to do the course justice but I found I got better at prioritising the course over everything else. It was a great feeling. I was also fearful that I would find it too hard as I have not studied since school - and that was a very long time ago!

Alex is very knowledgeable and was able to critique our assignments and offer suggestions on the fly.

I enjoyed the way the modules and handouts were released each week so that the course didn't become overwhelming, especially for someone like me who hasn't really studied before. I also thought that the assignments were varied, interesting and relevant.

I have mentioned the AWC to a lot of people and I always mention your podcast, especially the author talks. I love them as Valerie's questions unearth so much detail about each author, their journey and their process.

I am a complete beginner. I love reading and I wanted to write but just didn't know where to start or how to go about it. This course broke it down to individual parts and made the process more clear.

Pamela is very knowledgeable and sounds like she knows what she is talking about! I learned a lot from her constructive feedback, and when she says you've done something well it's a good feeling :-) I found myself refreshing my emails every 10 minutes on a Monday morning to see if the feedback was up yet.

I liked the structure. I felt I learned a huge amount in such a short space of time. I quite liked the Write Direction Zoom call where you could see your classmates' faces. I enjoyed seeing everyone else's work and see where they went with the prompts.

The AWC made my dream of being an author more accessible. It's shown me I have a lot more to learn - but luckily they have plenty of courses!

I did my undergrads in English Studies with a wide range of courses which included Narratology. So I was concerned that it might be repetitive and I wouldn't get much out of it. Based on my experience doing Masters in Australia, I was also concerned that it would be too slow and full of fluff. But I'm so glad it was anything but that. It was packed with great info and was at a good pace.

Nat Newman was great with her feedback. It was extremely helpful, constructive, and encouraging, while not being patronising.

I most enjoyed the assignments. They've helped me get into the headspace to be writing my novel and over the course I've actually managed to start and write about 4000 words.

It's put me in the right headspace. It's helped me get started. And it's checked my expectations of writing a novel.

Creative Writing Stage 1 is a great course to get you started and thinking in the right direction.

I often have stories in my head stemming from different situations and observations and really didn't know where or how to start putting the ideas on paper. I found this course on-line. The five-week course looked attractive and fit into my work/lifestyle. I also thought Pamela Freeman would be an approachable and knowledgeable tutor.

I was impressed by the feedback on my own work as well as to the other students. Pamela was always positive and encouraging but still gave solid practical advice. She always managed to target the very areas in my work that I also was concerned about so Pamela gave me the advice I needed.

I thoroughly enjoyed the course. There was plenty of content to take in so I know I'll go back to visit over the next twelve months. I loved that I found I had more imagination than I thought and enjoyed delving deeper into the characters I developed for the assignments. I felt I was getting to know the other students too. I was picking up on their writing styles and found I was looking forward to reading their work. I enjoyed the feedback too even though I would get a little nervous, but as I said, Pamela gave great feedback and I looked forward to that.

I feel I have a starting point now from which to write. I have tools I didn't have before and feel confident enough to continue developing those skills. I had loads of fun too!

Definitely, if you want to kick start writing in a supportive, creative environment, go ahead. The comprehensive lessons are by knowledgeable tutors with vast experience in the industry. I would thoroughly recommend this course. Enjoy yourself, have some fun!

I felt Pamela was very knowledgeable in all genres that were presented to her. Her feedback with examples were a great source of learning for me, on my work and others work.

I loved the way each module built on the previous and came together in the end. I started with no knowledge (and very little experience reading novels as I read mostly non-fiction). I learned so much each week and I think I will benefit tremendously from going back over the course content.

I am starting to enter the world of a fiction writer and I hope it's the start of an incredibly rewarding journey. I'm 55 and semi-retired and I have this opportunity to do something that has always interested me. I plan to do more courses with you to continue to improve my skills.

If you've ever imagined writing a novel or short story, do this course. It's a great foundation to get you started in the right way.