What’s it like to learn with AWC?

I had a few ideas for writing but wasn't sure and wanted my hand held for a bit longer : )

I wasn't sure if I was procrastinating but the course content and exercises were valuable and stretched my writing skills in different directions. I was also a bit nervous about the face-to-face feedback sessions but all my classmates were so lovely and supportive and gave wonderful constructive input on everyone's submissions.

Bernadette is a wonderful tutor - organised, knowledgeable, a clear communicator and builds a supportive culture within the group.

I loved seeing everyone each fortnight and the exercises were great at expanding my writing and imagination in different directions to open up new creative avenues for me.

I thought I was more of a comedy writer and had a great hesitancy to make anything bad happen to characters but realised I have the capability to write serious content with an ominous undercurrent, which surprised me.

Forget the preconceptions you have about yourself, or the expectations you assume others have for you; let your imagination run wild with your writing. You might land in an unexpected genre but one that perfectly suits you.

I have already recommended AWC to two friends, one of which has signed up to your UX Writing course : ). Apart from the tailored course recommendations, I told them the Australian Writers' Centre courses were the most professional, clear and comprehensive I had found, you are taught in a really supportive environment and they're lots of fun.

Writing Workout is perfect for reinforcing your writing skills and expanding your capabilities. It's fantastic for building your confidence and cementing the technical aspects of narrative. Seeing everyone's friendly faces each fortnight and sharing our writing feedback was a great way to remove the fear of feedback. You will feel so good when you complete this course!

Pamela is easy to listen to and in a relaxed and comfortable way present the information. I love the way that, as she talks, she comes out with little tips that are gems to remember.

It's given me the confidence to add a POV in the final chapters of my current work.

The AWC provides great learning experiences for every writer no matter whether you are a beginner or an old hand. There are courses for everyone and the content is excellent.

I enjoyed Pamela's presentation style and personality. She speaks with such experience but with clarity that makes it clear to novices.

It affirmed much of my thinking and made me feel that my writing choices & approach are moving in the right direction.

I have completed several live virtual and self-paced courses, and I am a big fan. My recommendation is - great core content and a variety of insightful advice and feedback from a diverse collective of practitioners. All delivered to build pragmatic approaches to writing and getting published. Every interaction with the AWC community leaves me thinking differently about writing and energised to write more.

Just keep doing it - it's great!

I enjoyed Pamela's open and inclusive approach - her non-judgemental answers to participant's questions.

This Focus On seminar, along with previous ones, I've found very motivating. I think there's been a substantial improvement in my writing.

I thought it was interesting to learn about how character arc and parallel plots work in a trilogy or series.

The courses are hugely beneficial to beginners, and wonderful refresher courses for those who already have knowledge.

Keep up the great work! We writers need you.

I'm interested in writing stories with multiple points of view and was keen to pick up some tips to avoid making things confusing for the reader.

Pamela was fantastic, and I liked having a mix of visual and auditory info. The comments from other writers in the chat were also great - and not too distracting. I liked seeing book recommendations from other writers.

I feel more confident about handling multiple points of view in my writing.

AWC courses are fantastic, practical and easy to access. There are so many options to choose from, regardless of what sort of writer you'd like to be. I love being able to develop my skills without having to enrol in a costly and time-consuming post graduate course.

I got so much out of this course. I am so glad that I chose to do it!

Bernadette was wonderful. She is so personable, informative and has a great way of acknowledging value in all contributions.

The feedback aspect of it - it's invaluable! Feedback was always so thoughtful and constructive.

It's given me confidence in my ideas and the encouragement to keep going.

Plot and structure have always been real stumbling blocks for me but receiving constructive and positive feedback on ideas that I had developed in a short time showed me that I can move past my perceived plot and structure hurdles.

I would say that the content offered was engaging and exactly what you don't even know you need if you are wanting to develop your writing skills. Also, that the tutor and course participants will made such a supportive group.

I've been getting the newsletter for ages and thought it was about time I did a course. I chose Cut, Shape, Polish because I have self-published books and want them perfect. I also have two manuscripts that I am submitting to traditional publishers. I wanted them polished before I went the submission rounds.

There was a lot packed into the course. Everything I needed to correct the parts of my story that weren't working, improve the overall plot and revise until I am happy with the results.

I'm now confident to submit when I do my final read-through and proofread. I had lost confidence and had let the MS sit for about a year.

I know a lot of writers who use critique groups and beta readers and think it's enough to fix a manuscript. I recommend this course to cut, shape and polish until your MS shines like a diamond. You'll still have to send it to beta readers but it will be a much cleaner copy and close to publication standards. Thanks, AWC, Angela Slatter and Pamela Freeman for creating this editing course, and Valerie Koo for the lovely audios.

My mum was doing some research on writing courses and told me about it. I read the stuff on the website about the course and decided it would be a very good thing for me to do, as there were a couple of modules that I thought would be extremely beneficial to me and pretty much all the others were definitely useful.

My only slight hesitation was whether or not there would be too much that I already knew that would be covered. In the end I decided it didn't matter anyway.

I got so much more out of the course than I ever thought I would/could. I feel much more confident about one day achieving my dream of becoming a published author based on the tips that were given on what publishers look for when excepting manuscripts.

I liked the tutor and her feedback was very supportive.

I probably enjoyed the audio lessons the most, because I took A LOT of notes every time, no matter how much I told myself, 'OK, this time I'll just write down the absolute essentials. The bare bones of what is being said.' It never worked. But I got a lot out of it, so I'm not complaining that's for sure!

I have a lot more knowledge, especially about publishing and re-drafting and creating characters and creating a world. I've always been a bit nervous about writing fantasy because I've never really known how to create a good fantasy world and not info dump. I think I've also been a little bit, sort of scared, because I read a lot of good fantasy books and I've always thought, 'gosh, I hope I can write like that one day too.'

This course is amazing. I will do more of your courses in the future, definitely. And hopefully when I'm a published author one day, I'll be able to mention AWC in my acknowledgements page as helping me get the skills I need to become a published author!

Whether you want to become a published author or just want to improve your writing skills a bit, you should definitely do this course. You'll get so much out of it.

I needed to regain my writing mojo - and some discipline - after my dad passed away earlier this year. I figured a structured bootcamp would be just what I needed to help me get back on track.

Though I've successfully participated in NaNoWriMo a few times before, where the goal is 30K in 30 days, I wasn't sure I'd be able to reach the 10K target for this bootcamp. I thought I'd sabotage myself somehow, some way! I decided to post my daily word counts on Instagram stories - not to brag but to keep myself accountable.

Writing almost every day really helped me gain traction on a manuscript I'd been struggling with for some time. For the most part, no two bootcamp days were the same. The daily targets were achievable. I appreciated a day off here and there, and I'm happy that those days off didn't break my momentum in the long run.

The course showed me it *is* possible squeeze writing into my daily schedule. I had been stuck on my current MS for so long. The more I wrote during bootcamp, the clearer my plot became. Now I have an extra 13,000 words and, once I edit them, a viable story to show my agent and editor! Oh, and I'm now a convert to writing outdoors at my local park without getting distracted.

One of my best days was when I completed a 250-word goal within 15 minutes. And it wasn't stream-of-conscious stuff! If I can repeat that twice a day most days from now on, I'll be very happy.

It's a great investment. Well worth the time and money, and you'll achieve things you never thought possible!

I highly enjoyed the course and learned a lot. It went into detail on topics I had never considered before.

I enjoyed the step-by-step guides on how everything worked. There were a lot of little "aha!" moments – things I hadn't considered but which clicked into place during each module.

I've done two AWC courses now on completely different topics, and have enjoyed the content and delivery during each.

I was happy to find an online writing course created by practicing and published writers in Australia. The lesson plan looked like it would give a comprehensive introduction to the elements of good storytelling. I also liked that I would be starting with a group and that we would receive individual feedback.

While the course is reasonably priced, I was worried that I would be wasting my time and money if I couldn't start writing. I am so happy that this wasn't the case!

Pamela is a professional with years of experience and a lot of knowledge that she's happy to share with everyone. She provided insightful personalised feedback to everyone in the class. The constructive criticism she gave me for lesson 2 really improved my writing for the next three lessons. She's a delightful teacher and I'd be happy to learn more from her in the future.

Mondays excited me. Not only would there be a new lesson, there would also be feedback on my assignment. I worked hard on my assignments and knowing that someone (Pamela) was there to read it and help me improve was a great motivator.

The course has unlocked my story for me, so that I'm more able to write it. I now know that it's an idea with legs and I have the tools to develop it further. I feel empowered to write my stories.

If you want a comprehensive introduction to writing a story, take Creative Writing Stage 1 from the Australian Writers' Centre. Created by published authors; the course provides practical exercises to help you develop your characters, settings, and scenes. Your instructor will give you feedback that will really improve your writing and boost your confidence!

See you in a future course!

For a long time it felt like I was just going through the motions of life - no goals, nothing to look forward to. I looked up writing courses just as an idea of something I might like, mainly to kill my boredom. After finding your website and looking through the list of courses you offer, the pathways you set out, my inspiration sparked. The feedback from previous students - and the promotion of their published work - really made AWC seem more like a supportive community than a rigid monotone classroom. And I was correct in that assumption.

No hesitations at all enrolling in this course. It is the quickest I signed up to anything in a long time. It really got the creative juices flowing and I can't wait to be able to enrol in another.

Pamela was freaking amazing! And Valerie's recorded lessons were also freaking amazing! They were so easy to listen to and easy to follow. She speaks clearly and in a way anyone could understand her. The terminology she uses and even the jokes helped me learn more, I think because I was able to relate to what she was saying. Instead of having to focus on every single word to understand.

Pamela's feedback was so much more than I expected. I have so much respect for her for how she is able to provide constructive criticism but never once coming across too harsh. The suggestions she also provides on improvements if something isn't working or recommending an alternate way to portray something has inspired so many more ideas.

This was my first writing course so I had no idea what to expect. The course was easy to follow. The platform the course is delivered on is super easy to navigate. If I had to pick one thing (and I'm not entirely sure if you'd constitute this as part of the course or not, but) it would be the inspiration it sparked. From both the recorded lessons and Pamela's feedback. The way they explain things and give examples really had the right side of my brain in overdrive.

I feel like I have a purpose now. Provided everything goes well, I will be able to leave something behind. And hopefully leave a mark on my readers. Maybe help them in a way other authors have done for me.

Just enrol. The courses speak for themselves. You won't regret it.

Thank you so much to everyone involved with AWC. My life has changed because of you. I can't express the gratitude I have to AWC for transforming my outlook on what I am capable of.

It was better than I expected because I finished with an enthusiasm to continue. About the middle of the course, I found myself becoming a little anxious that I couldn't get my writing tasks done and that it would all get away from me. Then I remembered - how do you eat an elephant?

I managed to write 13,500 words of the novel that has been simmering in my head for a decade or so. It has halted my procrastination and I can't wait to get the first draft finished.

It's not necessary to spend all day everyday writing to produce some good stuff. 80% of the time working on your novel is spent in your head (thinking about what comes next) and 20% is putting it down on paper.

Don't think about it - just go ahead and do it. You won't be sorry.

Michelle presented a wealth of information and examples in an encouraging and digestible way.

I would definitely recommend 'Your Author Website' course by Michelle Barraclough. She is incredibly knowledgeable. Her presentations are meticulous and provide thorough insights into the whole process.

Pamela has been a fantastic tutor. I found myself really looking forward to the assignment feedback each Monday and she was always happy to answer my questions. Her feedback itself has been thorough and detailed, and I always felt like my work was getting her full attention.

I most enjoyed the assignments as they provided opportunities to explore different aspects of my writing by focusing on dialogue, setting or the scene as a whole. I valued being able to use material from my own novel idea, and took the chance to re-write certain scenes or passages for the sole purpose of submission as assignments, which gave me some detailed feedback on my unique characters and world. I also enjoyed networking with some of the other students and reading their work and sharing feedback in the optional workshopping for Module 5; it's great to get several different viewpoints on your writing and gauge how it might come across to different readers, not just the tutor!

Doing this course has reinvigorated my love of writing and I've made more progress in two months than in the 5+ years prior on my novel. I feel confident in my writing ability and style after getting thoughtful feedback on my work, and for the first time really see writing as a career opportunity with a clear pathway to publication in the future.

I thought I knew a thing or two about writing - and I did - but getting the constructive feedback, the detailed knowledge and subject material from the tutor and audio lessons and the helpful handouts have given me a new perspective on writing and the idea I hold for my own novel. It makes writing a bestseller seem realistic (not easy!) and gives you the foundation skill set to get that first draft over the line.

I found the course engaging and enjoyed receiving the feedback from Pamela. She was fantastic and I felt that she explained her feedback well. She is obviously very knowledgeable but never made you feel silly!

I most enjoyed receiving the feedback. I do think that sometimes you can't get out of your own way and you think that you are doing something but in reality you are not. So to have that outside eye pointing things out to you is great for your development.

I now have more of an idea of where to start, instead of just having these ideas floating around and not knowing what to do with them.

Pamela gave constructive feedback and shared her wealth of experience and knowledge freely. I really enjoyed having her as a tutor.

I feel more empowered to stick with writing. The repeated message of just getting words on a page as your starting point makes it feel like a more achievable goal.

The content is practical and useful, and the facilitators are very knowledgeable and helpful in sharing that knowledge. Recommend.

It was a great course full of information and resources that are invaluable. It was self-paced, easy to follow and detailed.

I have more confidence writing real estate copy and the sheets to take whilst walking through a home are priceless.

I have done a couple of courses through AWC and highly recommend them.

I was attracted to this course because I've been wanting to take my writing seriously, and I finally decided that now was the time to take the plunge. Creative Writing Stage 1 seemed like the perfect course to start with at the AWC.

I was worried that the course might be too impersonal, as it's an online course. But I was pleasantly surprised by the personalised video feedback, which brought the feedback to life and offered some human connection.

My tutor was clearly an expert in their field, so I valued every piece of feedback they provided. It took a little bit of practise to get into the mindset of receiving feedback, but once I was there I was able to take it on board and it has strengthened my writing considerably.

I enjoyed interacting with other students in the course and reading their assignments each week.

This course has both humbled and inspired me. I can now see how daunting of a process it will be to write a novel, but I am also more inspired than ever to get it done.

My eyes were opened to the significant impact of your choice in narrative perspective and tense - I never realised how much magic could be weaved with these powerful tools!

The AWC offers high-quality writing courses to suit the learning needs of all writers.

I really like the structured nature of the learning experience, and how each module is broken down into achievable chunks which fit into my day.

I have a much better understanding of what freelance writing actually involves, and how accessible it actually is.

I would say AWC courses are practical, detailed and collegiate, and are absolutely worth taking.

Thank you for putting on these courses - they really are fantastic.