What’s it like to learn with AWC?

Bernadette is a delight who provides fabulous and thorough feedback. She ran the zoom sessions fairly and encouraged all of us to create bonds that I'm sure will be lasting. I would be eager to enrol in any course where Bernadette is the tutor.

The weekly zooms kept us accountable, kept us in touch and created strong friendships.

It has encouraged me to keep going.

This centre provides outstanding opportunities for learning and connection with fellow writers.

The tutor was so helpful. Always very constructive, and helped me pick up on a lot of big picture issues that I had missed completely. e.g. My story didn't have a protagonist!

For me having deadlines and accountability is the most helpful part.

I only had about 500 words beforehand. I'm now nearing the 20,000 goal because I actually believe it is possible.

Do it, do it now.

I love writing and I was searching and this course was highly recommended. My mum was the first to show this specific course to me.

I enjoyed the writing assignments. I write better and I now am writing a book.

This course is amazing and I think it would help you too.

It's an easy-to-follow video tutorial, and Natasha provided a clear step-by-step instruction on how to use the basic features necessary to help me write effectively.

I believe the training material is packaged correctly to get someone start writing with the use of Scrivener. The course gave me an idea on how to manage or organize my ideas/thoughts - which will directly benefit prospective readers.

Learn from those with practical experience in the field. Best to go AWC!

Excellent! Nat's passion is infectious and her feedback is concrete and specific. I also really appreciate Words@Dawn!!

Feedback is not as scary as I thought. It made me more confident in giving feedback and helped me meet more writers at a similar stage.

Great course, the materials were also very useful! A great way to build on writing craft, meet good people and learn how to give feedback.

I wanted to do this course because in the Year 7-8 Victorian Curriculum there is no creative writing, as my English teacher told me. I did lots of creative writing in primary school and I really enjoyed it so, when I got to high school and didn't do it for a year, I realised how important it was and how much I missed it.

Mum was a little concerned that because I am only 13 it would be too hard and too much work and would struggle to find the time to complete the course. However I really enjoyed this course and felt like I got a lot out of it. The work challenged me in a really positive way.

If anything I feel overwhelmed with the quality of the information and I am really excited to start using it!

I really respected the feedback I was given by Jo Riccioni, the feedback she gave was helpful and made me think about my writing more and consider it from different views.

I found each week's exercises really enjoyable, I loved opening the exercises each week and looking at the different ways to improve, character development as an example. I also really loved how each week had a focus point.

I think it has boosted my confidence to persist with a story idea and finish a book! It has inspired me to continue writing and make time for it! And it has excited me to try all these techniques!

I think that I would tell them how much helpful inspiring tips and techniques you learn about. I would also warn them that they you should be willing to put in some time and effort, because to get the most out of it you should do everything, all the audio lessons, all the exercises and all the assignments. It was a lot of work but well worth the effort.

Thank you for making this course. I really enjoyed it!

Bernadette's obvious, great enthusiasm for the fields of copywriting and marketing came through from the first week. I found her delivery of the material very effective and her feedback was always helpful.

I now have much more confidence in applying the knowledge and skills I have learnt here to create more compelling campaigns.

I found that the hours of video content, handouts, and interviews combined well in strongly reinforcing the theories, strategies and implementation of each of the course's components. I was immediately able to apply these ideas to my current role, while also having light bulbs go off as to future possibilities.

I was amazed how helpful the course was. Writing is so much easier when you have the right guardrails!

I thought Margaret was fantastic, her ability to provide on the spot feedback when she read our work out was amazing, and so helpful and insightful.

The audio courses were super interesting and engaging and helpful. I also loved doing the assignments and receiving Margaret's always positive yet constructive feedback.

Fantastic course to give you the tools, structure and guardrails to succeed in writing.

Pamela provided a very supportive, safe environment. She always found ways to provide active, constructive feedback and also compliments.

I feel better equipped to break down the elements required. Plot, character development, scene construction etc.

The handouts were extensive and covered the full range of what I needed to know. The audio lessons were well put together and Valerie's voice was a pleasure to listen to.

Pamela knows her stuff! She was clear and consistent in her appraisals and made helpful suggestions.

I sometimes baulk at the lack of interaction in lecture-based online courses, but in this case it worked really well. Mainly because of the high standard of the material and the audio lessons, but also because the feedback on assignments was constructive.

It gave me the confidence to leap into my fiction writing after years of umming and aahing.

I learned about the structure of creative writing in a way that made sense. Now that I understand how the building blocks come together in a coherent and readable way, I'm more confident I can pull it off.

Jam-packed with the skills and knowledge you need to begin crafting high-quality fiction. Good value!

I wanted to learn how to write about some of the research I've been doing, and get it published. Also, well I am opinionated so thought maybe I could put that to good work!

Being dyslexic, I'm always concerned with sharing my writing publicly, as I know there will be spelling/grammar errors. Also I just didn't know what sort of quality the content would be, if it would be worth the cost, as it's such a hit and miss with online courses if they are worth the money or not, but I've loved it, learnt so much, the individual feedback was so valuable.

Vivienne's feedback has been fantastic and her handouts and slides were brilliant, really good for this visual learner. The interviews were great too, definitely inspiring me that I could actually make money out of writing.

The assignments were great, step by step. A good challenge but also not too big of a leap.

I understand the format, structure and flow of an opinion piece now, I had no idea about any of that before. Oh and I got a letter to the editor of The Age published on my second attempt. And more so, I now understand why I would even want to write a letter to the editor.

Do it! if you want to write, have dreamt of writing, secretly write... this course will give you the skills and confidence to share your opinions and writing. It is a great course and the homework feedback is very helpful.

I've completed copywriting courses with Bernadette Schwerdt before and was looking to extend my skills in email marketing.

I had no hesitation because I knew Bernadette always gives good value for money.

My overall impression of my online tutor, Bernadette, was very positive. Based on her previous courses, I knew her to be an excellent tutor, and she met my expectations again. The course was comprehensive, and her feedback was constructive and valuable.

I enjoyed the sessions on newsletters the most, as that's my primary focus at this point in time.

The course has had a significant impact by providing answers to the challenges that were stopping me from creating a newsletter and promoting it through email marketing. I now feel more confident in moving forward with both.

My biggest 'aha' moment came during the Bonus module on ChatGPT, when I discovered how easily text can be AI-checked.

I would highly recommend the Australian Writers' Centre to anyone looking to enhance their writing skills. The courses are well-structured, practical, and taught by experienced tutors. Whether you're a beginner or looking to sharpen specific skills, you'll find valuable insights and support to help you achieve your writing goals.

I wanted a good foundation course to get me started, and I heard from my friend this was a good course to take!

I was hesitant because it had been a long time since I had written anything, and I was self-conscious about having to show people my work to begin with, but being able to get feedback from Pamela and feedback from others in the course has been invaluable. I also really enjoy the worksheets and going through each subject.

I really like Pamela and I like having her give her impressions of my work and seeing her feedback of others.

It has made me more determined to keep up with my writing and to take some of the other courses (I have already started).

I found the discussion about POV really interesting, and it's something I know I am going to be a lot more cognisant about going forward.

I would say that it is an excellent way to get your feet wet not only learning about writing but also undertaking a writing course, and it will definitely either stoke the fire or provide you with a sense of whether or not you're ready, either for writing or more courses.

Thank you so much, I'm really enjoying the courses I am doing and I look forward to more courses in the future!

The course was very in depth and gave me so many new skills and is going to help my writing go even further.

I really enjoyed the tutor's feedback and how she gave constructive criticism.

The audio lessons were my favourite because of how interesting they were.

Even with everything about how hard the publishing process can be I still know I want to be a writer and write novels. This course helped me realise I have an opportunity in this field.

It's an easy but very in depth course. I feel like I wasn't pressured at all and everything was at my own pace but still taught me so many new things.

I absolutely loved this course and I'll definitely be doing more in the future.

I was looking for structure and accountability to finally make progress on my first draft, and this course seemed like the perfect fit!

At first, I was worried about how this would fit with full-time work (but you honestly just make time, so it was worth it!) and I had a few concerns about the online format and how the feedback would work, but those worries quickly disappeared once I got started. The setup was fantastic, and the feedback I received was incredibly helpful.

Nat was absolutely brilliant! She has such an eye for detail and spots things I would never have noticed. Her feedback was invaluable, and I felt like I was learning something new every week. She was encouraging, insightful, and brought out the best in everyone.

I absolutely loved the sense of community that developed among my coursemates. It wasn't just a writing course—we're still in touch with our WhatsApp group now and still go on Zoom writing sessions once a week. The diversity of stories was so rich, and the feedback from both Nat and my peers was always thoughtful and encouraging. I felt supported at every step, which kept me motivated and excited to write each week. Honestly, I would do it again in a heartbeat!

This course had a profound impact on both my life and my writing. I've not only become more disciplined, but I've also learned to trust my instincts as a writer and gained so much confidence in my voice. The community support made such a difference; it's helped me feel more connected and inspired to keep pushing forward with my work.

Every week felt like I was unlocking something new about my writing process, whether it was learning how to deepen character arcs, refine plot points, or simply approach feedback in a more constructive way.

150% YES DO IT NOW! You won't regret it! This course is hands down one of the best investments you can make in your writing journey.

Overall, I can't say enough good things about this experience. I wish the course had been longer, but I'm grateful for everything I learned and the community that came with it. Thank you!

Doing this course was the best decision. It was hectic. At times I felt overwhelmed and wondered if I was out of my depth. I feel, though, I have learnt so much. More than in any other course.

Bernadette was fantastic. She was my tutor for WYN, and it was fabulous having her for this course as well.

I enjoyed working in the group environment on each other's manuscript. The weekly zooms really kept me focused.

I have realised that writing the novel is the easy part. I feel getting published will be a challenge. It is a world I know very little about. Though I want to add, as a scientist I never understood the concept of a degree in any creative art. It was a foreign world for me. Now I truly understand how knowledge about creative writing technique etc really strengthens writing skills (unless of course you are simply born brilliant!)

Fun and fabulous. If you want to write the AWC is a great place to help with the journey.

I really enjoyed connecting with other writers during the course. It was reassuring to know that others shared the same fears, hopes, and dreams as I did.

Nat was a fantastic tutor. Her feedback on my novel was insightful and educational, helping me grow as a writer. While I didn't get the chance to listen to the feedback she provided to the other students during the course, I plan to go back and review it now that I have the time, as I'm sure it will be incredibly valuable. I highly recommend Nat as a tutor.

Completing the course reignited my passion for writing. I had reached a point where my enthusiasm had waned, and I even started doubting whether I was a decent writer, considering giving up altogether. Nat was refreshingly direct in reminding us that every writer feels that way at times. The feedback from my fellow students was not only encouraging but, at moments, it made my heart sing. I'm still unsure if I'll pursue publishing my work, but I know I will continue to write. Best of all, I'm enjoying the process again.

My 'aha!' moment came when I realised I had developed a bad habit of word dumping in my stories. Addressing this issue has greatly improved my writing, and I now understand how much more you can convey through dialogue while keeping readers engaged. I also have to thank Nat for pointing out that I never used the word 'said'. Years ago, an editor advised me to avoid it, and I took that advice to heart. It was like being hit with a four-by-two when I discovered it's perfectly fine to use 'said' - something I should have been doing all along. Thanks, Nat!

I would absolutely recommend AWC, and in fact, I've already done so at a recent work conference. I shared how completing a course with like-minded people feels like finding your online community. Even if you never go on to write a full novel, you can still learn, grow, and gain so much from the experience.

I got so much out of the Write Your Novel course - this seemed like the next step.

Bernadette is fantastic - she is so knowledgeable and provides valuable feedback combined with wonderful encouragement.

I feel like the Write Your Novel and Edit Your Novel courses have been like doing a masters degree in creative writing. I have learnt so much, and have achieved a solid draft of my first novel. I never would have achieved this without these courses. Thank you so much.

I have learnt the craft of storytelling and writing - now I just have to keep refining it.

I have been working on a historical novel but have never tackled something like this before. When I read the course outline I was sure it would be useful for me.

The course affirmed that my methodology was on the right track. It also gave me new insights and ideas about the research and how to approach it. Defamation hadn't been on my mind and I found that section fascinating.

I enjoyed doing it at my own pace, as my health issues make some days harder than others to focus. Having an abundance of real-life examples was also terrific.

I thought I knew how to use Google search until I watched the video. I learnt more than I realised it was capable of doing.

Easy paced, lots of case studies and examples. All great information. I am already pitching stories.