What’s it like to learn with AWC?

My tutor was Jo and I thought she was wonderful. She had a lovely, lovely style. Always very positive in her feedback as well as constructive criticism for each individual student as well as for the class as a whole. When I work my way back through the course, I intend to take notes on all the feedback that Jo provided for us all to make sure I have captured it. I also liked Jo's appreciation of different genres and her ability to connect genre conventions to tone and style. She also is extremely well read and made lots of suggestions of similar books to read depending on what each of us was aiming for. Jo made the writing assignment process very nonthreatening, welcoming and inclusive. I enjoyed it very much and looked forward each week to Jo's feedback.

I really enjoyed the accountability of the writing exercises and then receiving the feedback as well as listening to other people's feedback. I enjoyed seeing how other people interpreted the instructions and produced their own work. I really enjoyed the audios; they were easy to listen to and packed with a huge amount of useful information presented in an enjoyable way with lots of explicit examples. I loved how the course unpacked the technicalities of writing from the characters to their dialogue, then to scenes and structure. I had been floundering in some of these technical aspects (e.g., around POV, tense, structure) for some time and the course offered me excellent guideposts.

I have been working on a novel project for 12 months. I was deeply mired in many possible choices about the POV character and the structure. As a result, I hadn't been making much actual writing progress in the last couple of months. I was stalled. This course changed two things: first, the enjoyment of sitting and working on a scene each and every week (and often every day as I worked towards each deadline); second, the understanding that I should be focusing on the character who changes the most and whose actions bring about the resolution to the climax, especially related to the main theme of the book. Until now, I was focusing more on the character I felt I knew best and could most easily write. Although she was going to change, her change wasn't really about the theme I originally wanted to focus on (the experience of ambiguous loss and the question of whether we ever gain closure on heartbreak or grief). I feel like this course realigned my compass and gave me a map to follow. I feel reenergised as a result and keen to continue learning with AWC and to continue with my novel project!

The AWC gives you the technical tools to bring a writing dream to life. And, especially for those of us with dreams of writing a novel on the side of our working lives and full time desks, an AWC course can drip feed the inspiration as well as motivate the perspiration to ensure genuine progress towards a complete first draft!

I had already started writing a YA novel but felt I needed to check that I was on task. I also wanted to learn how to do texting in a novel and language and what is acceptable and what is not. I was a third of a way through, and now have a little bit more done basically because I have gone back and rejigged elements of it. Teaching teenagers for years, I felt I had first-hand knowledge of their behaviour but not sure about how to show it.

I thought I might find the course too much work each week, but I loved it - and what I like is that I now have months to go back and revisit sections when I want to.

The techniques on writing were what interested me as I had already fleshed out the whole plot. Pam's presentation was clear and encouraging; she is an excellent presenter.

I now feel motivated to complete the book. Before I felt uncertain of how to go; now I have far more of an idea.

Even though I'd read great reviews about how important the feedback aspect of the course was - I was still not prepared for how much I got out of it. I enjoyed reading other people's work and feedback, and Bernadette gave insightful and useful feedback to all the writing samples.

It has helped me form consistent writing habits and read more analytically.

Constructive feedback from other writers is priceless. I also loved the audios and look forward to listening to them again over the next 12 months.

The Australian Writers' Centre can give you the tools you need to start your writing journey. It can also travel part of the road with you.

Bernadette was fantastic. Easy to listen to - the tone and enthusiasm in her voice when presenting information was great. Her feedback on assignments was fantastic, always positive and with constructive relevant improvement or suggestions.

The learning was fun. The assignments were simple to grasp. The feedback was excellent. The ability to see other people's assignment content and hear their feedback was great. Plus the fact that I could immediately use the copywriting strategies in my work was mind blowing!

I have already recommended the AWC to two colleagues. Learning is great, modules, platform and feedback was great. The copywriting skills and strategies learnt have been immediately incorporated into my work.

I enjoyed the mix of information and practical exercises. I could make real progress on my novel as I completed your course, ending further ahead in my own work than when I started.

I feel much more confident in creating characters and I found that my plot events just fell out of the process of creating characters!

The AWC courses offer expert advice and practical ways for you to write your own novel.

Having only fairly recently made the life-changing decision to take my desire to write seriously, this short course seemed like the ideal jumping-off point.

The success stories were fabulous and motivating.

The course solidified a lot of my own findings, having listened to your podcast etc - brought it all together in one place. It's reassured me that I'm on the right path.

Definitely just jump in! There's literally 'something for everyone'. I look forward to doing my next course soon.

I enjoyed the different writers' thoughts; gave me a different perspective about finding time to write. It's made me aware that I've made a commitment to myself to continue to write. Even just thinking about what you're writing takes time and is just as important as the act of writing.

Don't stuff around; if you're thinking about writing, then just do it!

When I started the course, I only had a notebook full of ideas and half written stories. The course motivated me to choose an idea and run with it and I feel more ready than ever to share my story with the world. The ticking clock on the course expiry catapulted me out of the procrastination zone and into the zone of commitment, consistency and confidence.

There were some things I felt I could identify and amend quite easily - joyful! It's become a 'safe' building block for me to build on, and has encouraged me to keep going with my learning.

It is helpful how the course draws attention to the common mistakes. 1) you can go, ah ha, I do that and 2) you don't feel it's just you!

AWC courses are easy to follow, have great resources, tips and exercises. You have nothing to lose, only something to gain!

I received feedback from a publisher that I needed to work on my structure. Having done many AWC courses before, this was the first place I looked.

The handouts and practical exercises really help with applying what I learned from the course to my own work.

I finally 'get' structure! Everything was explained so clearly with real practical information that I can use to build a solid structure for my new novel.

I always write my plot first but my aha! moment came in discovering that the major plot events can naturally come from well-developed characters. That character should come first!

AWC has courses to support writers at all stages of their writing journey. There is always something to learn.

I wasn't sure it would teach me much (ha!) but of course it did as it went to the nitty gritty of feature writing and getting a story published.

I really enjoyed the course and it was manageable even with a full time job. The course taught me a lot of seemingly incidental information that wouldn't have occurred to me and covered all the easily missable details that will make all the difference as to whether you get commissioned as a writer or not.

Vivienne was lovely and approachable. Her feedback was very professional, constructive, supportive and HELPFUL!

How to write a pitch was fantastic. Also, structuring an article - just like having to structure an essay. The fact there are rules to follow, learn the rules, follow the rules, work hard and you will succeed.

Accessible, value for money, run by professionals. Short, manageable and to the point.

I enjoyed the clarity and detail, which has confirmed previous lessons on how to develop characters.

I found it gave me more clarity on character development, and helped embellish the existing characters in my story.

My characters have 'grown' and taken their own path, which was different to what I had planned.

Fabulous courses. Well worth the investment for the understanding and motivation it creates.

Victoria was fantastic, really amazing. I would like to do more courses with her.

I enjoyed the chance to creatively stretch my mind, and reading what everyone else wrote. Helped me think more about my writing.

Lots of great content to revisit, mull over and practice practice practice.

The tutor was very succinct, clear, knowledgeable. I enjoyed learning the content and hearing positive and constructive feedback from the tutor. Reading submissions from other students.

It has opened my eyes to what is involved in creating a picture book. I have learnt to persevere with something that I am not automatically good at. Good for the brain and new neural connections. I feel motivated to keep working on creating a successful picture book.

My AHA moment was during assessment 4 when I kept working on successive drafts and practicing implementing different elements of what we were learning. That 'polishing' is a practical process and a mystical (inner) process too.

As a freelance editor working with many beginner writers, I thought this course might help to explain what story structure is in a more succinct way.

I enjoyed being able to work at my own pace and the down-to-earth tone of the narrator.

An AHA moment was understanding how to explain the difference between structure and plot in a way that clients will understand.

This course is comprehensive and easy to follow. A worthwhile investment.

The course has helped me strategise my writing before jumping in to ensure it meets my goal - e.g., speaking to the reader with the right tone, language, and content to connect easily and drive action. Once the strategy is in place, the writing flows!

The course made me realise why I get sucked into websites or social media pages - because the copy is great, and the linking words keep dragging you in!

The Copywriting Essentials course provided a good foundation for understanding how to write copy, with frameworks and strategies for assured results.

Out of all the results on Google, this course stood out the most because of the Bonus Content, the price (best bang for my buck compared to other courses!) and had testimonials so I knew others had done this course and trusted AWC, so I could, too. The testimonials really drove it home for me. Overall, AWC seemed like a reputable site. I was right!

I have hesitations around anything I purchase online, but the receipts and login information coming in shortly after my purchase was reassuring. Once I had logged in and started the content, I was excited and had a feeling this course was going to teach me what I needed to know.

Bernadette is always smiling in her videos. In her presentations, she has such a happy voice and spoke casually as if we were all her friends. It made me very enthusiastic about copywriting and excited for the next class to unlock.

Bernadette gave us weekly assignments with feedback to make sure we all understood how to put what we were learning into practice.

Completely exceeded my expectations! :) I now understand the craft of writing in a whole new way. Not only is copywriting a new skill, but what I've learned has already started feeding into other areas of my writing.

Based on my experience with this course, I'd say: "Whatever course you're thinking of, do it. Do it now."

Just a huge THANKYOU! to Bernadette for providing me with a thorough understanding of the basics and an excellent quality of education in copywriting. I'm so happy I took this course and learning with you has been nothing less than a pleasure.

I liked the breakdown of crime using true crime and fictional crime examples. The tips of writing crime fiction are really useful.

I am now confident to begin writing crime fiction and how to access the resources needed to make it believable, whereas before I was not sure where to start.

AWC's online courses are very easy to navigate. They are easy to work through around any other commitments you have.

Really helpful to have practical and hands on insights from Katrina and Valerie - a great way to learn.

There was a lot of information, but broken down into manageable bites made it less daunting and practical when working full time.

I believe I can be a travel writer and look forward to an upcoming trip to Scotland to practice my new skills.

Just do it! They are great courses, really informative and delivered in a practical real world style.

I've never really understood the function of scenes before. I tried the 2 Hours to Scrivener Power course and could not get my head around actually moving scenes around. I get it now.

The course has changed the way I approach writing a story and gave me tools to edit.