What’s it like to learn with AWC?

I really enjoy Bernadette's style of teaching and assessing. I found her to have similar wit and humour to myself so I thoroughly enjoyed her ramblings (insert winky face here).

I would absolutely recommend the AWC to a friend. There is no Australian platform like it. I personally like how 'niche' the courses are and at a great price. Honestly, the sound of engaging in a 3-6 month course is nightmarish to me after having already completed a 4 year degree. The courses are quick and extremely practical and relevant.

Just thank you to Bernadette and I look forward to completing more courses :)

I enjoyed Valerie's narration, making it easier to understand the concepts, within what felt like a safe space. Also the interplay between oral dialogue and nonverbal, paralanguage and intonation etc.

It has helped me launch into another short story, with some real guts to it, and which has the possibility of being suitable as a novel. If this happens, it will be my first... and that's scary as hell!

If you want to write, then join in an AWC course. Start small if you like to get a feel for the tone, pace and content of the courses available. Then just go for it!

I've always wanted to write. After doing the creative writing course, I was drawn to romance writing and I'm having a blast creating characters and storylines for this genre.

I enjoyed Valerie's beautiful voice, and the content was concise, informative and funny. It taught me how to create the characters in my mind, to be 3D, to make them whole and not cardboard cut-outs.

Loved it all. So much information to ponder.

I now have the courage to put my words into my computer. Not to have a fear of failure. Like everything, practice makes perfect. A story doesn't write itself.

Just go to the website. You won't be able to help enrolling yourself in something. Such great courses.

With several book ideas in my head, I still was unsure of the process of how to write a professional manuscript for a picture book. I wanted the practical ideas and tips for publishing etc.

I learnt a great deal from this course. It was practical and also very helpful being able to write pieces and have quick feedback given.

Cathie was highly professional and knowledgeable, with a wealth of experience to draw from. She gave feedback that was thought-provoking and constructive.

I really loved connecting with other writers, as well as being able to work through the course at my own time. The lectures were only short which was realistic and beneficial.

It gave me strategies and thoughts on how to market myself and plan a book that is more likely to be chosen for publication. The different practicalities of the course were most beneficial, as well as the ideas on how to get yourself out there.

This is a practical course, rich with resources and tips on how to get started. The course is easy to follow, incredibly well laid out, and with knowledge from those who know!

I would definitely recommend this course to others. It is worth every cent paid to do it!

I thought it might be a bit tough going and 'businessy'... but it wasn't either. It was a lot of common sense and confidence boosting with great content and practical assignments.

Bernadette is a natural teacher, excellent sharer of knowledge and experience and virtual coach!

I now have a domain name and am working on getting my logo and business card/website done (trading some of my copywriting services for those of a graphic/web design friend). I am now also a member of my local Chamber of Commerce and will be meeting to discuss a collaboration opportunity before the end of the month.

You won't be disappointed... you can balance the course learning and assessment with your other work/life commitments.

Thank you - another great course. I have my sights on the SEO course next!

I have always been interested in romance writing and wanted to learn more about it. My expectations were high, as I had already had experience with another excellent AWC course. This course met those high expectations.

I have learned a great deal about the construction of a story, scene by scene, character by character, as well as plots and pitfalls, and so much more! I also loved the inclusion of excerpts and/or comments from books by published authors.

Go for it! You'll get much more out of it than you imagine.

It's given me some new insights, and reinforced others, about the importance of voice and structure - not just for the beginning, but all the way through.

I'm currently working on a story that has about six beginnings - no middle - and the beginning of the end. Pamela's comment that you won't really know what the beginning should be until you've written your first draft was a real aha moment for me - I need to write the whole of the first draft to work out what the real beginning is. I can't wait ...

The courses I've done give some great insights in digestible portions - definitely give it a try.

There was so much to learn about short story writing! Valerie Khoo also has a very relaxing voice that was enjoyable to listen to.

I now know what has been missing in my writing and what techniques to use when it is going nowhere.

Even if you're not interested in short story writing, many of these techniques can be used to enhance teaching skills and writing submissions or job applications.

I am interested in writing a crime novel. I have finished a few other courses with AWC, so knew this was the best place to start.

I found Candice's approach very inspiring. I hung on her every word.

When Candice said, "Not all dead bodies look the same or decompose the same" (or something similar and along the same lines as that). I had never really thought about that and it was an 'aha' moment for me for sure!

I have and always will recommend the Australian Writers' Centre. I have invaluable knowledge and confidence because of AWC.

I had an idea running around in my head for a story but procrastinated so much that I never started writing. I had completed a course previously with AWC and receive emails because of this. I saw an email for Creative Writing Stage 1 and it was starting the following day. I had a feeling like I wanted to make a change in my life, so I enrolled and I am so glad I did.

I enrolled with no expectation of what I would learn during this course but I have learnt so many tips to get started writing my novel, such as exploring the scene using all the senses and really understanding all your characters inside and out so you know exactly how they would act and react within the scene.

Petronella is lovely. She is so kind and giving in her feedback. Even when she is giving a critique it is done so kindly. She also took the time to answer questions in the course chat.

I enjoyed that each week I was pushed a little further to think more about the character, the scene, how to write in a way that the reader can feel like they are part of the story but incorporating all the senses.

I now have the confidence to keep writing, even when it gets hard.

Definitely have a go. It is worth the money and you will learn a lot of little tricks and tips, and have fun along the way.

I was attracted to this course as it was such a specialised area within the broad children's book writing world. Many writing courses focus on picture books or young adult books and skip over this age and it was for this reason that I wanted to learn more about it.

It has made me see how important it is to engage readers at this age and nurture their love of reading. I am now writing stories for my 6- and 7-year-old and the lessons I have learned from this course are influencing the stories I create.

The Australian Writers' Centre has a wealth of knowledge about the world of writing and the Centre is generous about sharing this knowledge with others.

Angela was a terrific tutor: she was honest with her feedback but also encouraging. She gave me some excellent ideas for problems in my story.

I enjoyed chatting with everyone about their books, helping them by giving good feedback, receiving the feedback from others.

Without it, I don't know if I would have finished my novel!

Write Your Novel really is what it says it is - if you do this course and complete the weekly tasks you'll end up writing your novel! It may just be a first draft but that's still an incredible achievement! The feedback given from the tutor and from classmates is absolute gold and although it is a lot of work reading other people's writing it adds immensely to your understanding of what makes for good writing.

Thanks. I really enjoyed it.

I knew I needed to complete this course to get a better understanding of SEO Copywriting and how it all fits into the line of work I'm currently doing.

Bernadette, you are amazing! The way you present your course is a huge credit to you. Your attention to detail made it so easy to understand and take on your feedback.

I enjoyed everything! From the audio, outline and feedback. Especially bonus module 6 with the quoting guides to potential customers.

You need to do this course! It's so beneficial if you'd like to understand how to write SEO Copy.

Amazing getting feedback from an author who is successful and understands where we are all at.

I enjoyed the interaction with other students, communicating with the tutor any questions, and the content was easy to follow and understand.

Makes me realise I can achieve getting my novel published and to ignore the doubters now.

Thank you for a great course.

This course has helped me with my historical research and being mindful of the legal aspect.

Just start with one course, as it will lead you to another and then more courses; all are enjoyable.

The outcomes for the course attracted me. You need to submit a draft at the end of the course. It makes you accountable. You know what you're signing up for.

I was concerned I wouldn't finish. I wasn't sure I would be able to meet the deadlines for submissions and feedback but I did it! I didn't let either myself or others down.

The tutor provided very good feedback - highlighting both areas that needed to be worked on, and areas that were working well. She had a good understanding of each of our novels - impressive!

I enjoyed the workshopping aspects - giving and receiving feedback. It's easier to pick up issues/errors in others' work and then notice you are having the same issues or making the same mistakes.

It has given me a lot more confidence and self-belief. A lot of positive reinforcement and encouragement. But also feedback on what's working and what's not.

If you're serious about your writing, then don't hesitate. Do a course. You learn to step up your game. There's no hiding. It's a supportive and encouraging learning environment. But you do learn what works and what doesn't. You will soon be able to see how you measure up, and areas you need to improve in. And you meet other great likeminded people.

I've always been a keen reader and had stories floating around in my head for years but the confidence to write them down? No way. This is the step I've taken to make something happen.

The only concern I had was the cost but after taking the course I can 100% say it was worth twice what I paid.

Petronella McGovern is an amazing tutor. She actively engaged in the class chat and provided really useful feedback from assignments.

I wrote my last assignment on 25 October and it was 500 words. By 9pm on the 26th it was over 3000. It's now the 29th and we are quickly approaching 5000.

If you had ever considered writing but didn't know where to start, this is where you start. AWC is the perfect place to start your journey.

I started this course months ago and only managed to get back to it when my time was almost up. Pressure-prompted me. So glad I did. Blew my mind!

The course is crammed with insights, recommendations and supporting material. Hard to single one thing out that I most enjoyed but I'll say it was the level of detail about what's required to write in this genre. I honestly had no clue of the complexity - until now.

I was able to improve my understanding and application of POV, character development and storytelling techniques. The workshopping was invaluable.

The tutor was very professional, encouraging while still picking up on areas to focus on. I enjoyed reading and workshopping the submissions by fellow students.

I feel so much more confident in my ability to achieve my lifelong ambition of completing a novel. I understand where and why I have given up before and felt it was beyond my ability. It is one thing to be able to write well, it is quite another to be able to tell a story well.

I've loved the interviews (and Facebook posts) with the various authors--hearing about their techniques, how they achieved their goals, and making me realise some of the things I feel are completely normal (for a writer!) I hope one day I am among them.

Thank you for keeping my dream alive!

Regardless of how well you think you can write or tell a story, the AWC will help you do both better.