What’s it like to learn with AWC?

I enjoyed the video lessons. I thought them well explained and the short story examples were very useful.

It spurred me on to write and enter a competition that I would otherwise I would not have done. That gave a nice sense of achievement.

A well-structured course with interesting content, that provided a framework for me to focus and achieve a goal.

The recordings are always engaging and interesting. I also like the way the modules are positive and take the approach that with time and energy it is possible to have a successful outcome.

The story I submitted didn't come as naturally as some other things I'd written. Initially I found this frustrating, but it was a good learning experience to press on and eventually achieve something I was satisfied with. It was different from other things I'd written and as a result got lots of feedback about ways that I could improve. This was great and I really appreciated the time Nat put in and the detailed feedback.

This is the first time I've received feedback on an entire story, as opposed to the feedback on exercises in the past 2 courses I did. I'm really looking forward to implementing the suggestions and tightening up my writing.

AWC has courses to help you no matter which stage of your writing journey you are on. There are also a variety of ways to learn, so you can choose a way that's most comfortable for you.

I found the multiple examples and references to other works very useful.

I was struggling with major imposter syndrome and this course encouraged me to start writing again, by offering a manageable goal.

Practicing the short story form is an excellent way of refining your writing skills.

Thank you again, AWC, for another great course.

The Short Story Essentials course has really helped me to better craft my short stories. It included a lot of information I hadn't considered. Great value.

I found the exercises challenging. I think I'm a pantser. Putting it all together into my story though was really satisfying.

I now have confidence in myself as a writer. Better still, confidence to call myself a writer.

The AWC has great courses and a lot of really great resources. The courses are really comprehensive and they have had a lot of successes too.

Super practical, lots of great examples and the module tasks where fun. The scaffold for plotting the story was a great tool that I will be able to use over and over. I also really appreciated the clear and logical presentation of the modules.

It has given me confidence. It has also made me realise that I need to show, don't tell, as I am continually falling into that trap.

AWC courses are practical, fun, current and flexible.

I've been writing short stories since I was a child. With (many) periods in my life when I didn't write a single word. I wrote for the escape or pleasure of doing so, without any clear idea of how to do so. I wanted to do this course to learn proper techniques.

I enjoyed learning about genres, POV, plots, the editing process, how to write dialogue. Also, "kill your darlings". A concept that although not being totally new, it made me realise how to edit heavily, no mercy, just eliminate the noise.

Run, don't walk! AWC offers a huge number of anything that you could possibly imagine for writers. Go for it! And don't forget Furious Fiction on the first Friday of every month.

I enjoyed the reinforcement of learnings from module to module, the depth that was covered, the ability to complete a short story during the course and have a finished product to show for it.

You will learn a lot and be able to put it into practice.

I found the parts about writing from the character's point of view and the "show don't tell" techniques to be extremely beneficial.

It was a well-structured and informative course.

This was my second course and it was excellent. A great place to learn writing techniques.

It was great having the exercises at the end of each module. I really liked the resources list too - read some short stories I'd never heard of!

It helped me with the pieces of writing I was already submitting to my writing group and to competitions.

Thank you for a very clear presentation of the essentials, with good examples provided throughout, and guideposts to confidently continue my writing journey.

I enjoyed exploring new writers, gaining confidence in my own voice and understanding how short story writing changes throughout history. It was interesting to learn how technology and different art forms impact on writing and reader expectations.

I have gained the confidence to write and work on different stories. I am reading now as a writer who can appreciate the skill required to create an engaging short story.

The Australian Writers' Centre provides a disciplined learning space, and encourages students to develop a daily writing routine. It supports students with opportunities to write and receive feedback. Excellent resources and readings are provided during the course. It's good value.

I completed my first short story! I can now say I write short stories!

I liked the practical component of setting out numbers of words per section of the story. Step by step building of the story was a great way to structure the course.

The course was well structured and being able to get independent feedback is a great feature.

I enjoyed the challenge of being able to follow the guidelines as given in the course.

It gave me ideas about writing, confirming some of what I was already doing. Also, it helped to confirm that short stories is definitely the way I want to go.

I have found the course very useful. I especially like courses where you get constructive feedback of your work.

Writing press releases and articles during my working life, I like the short story form with its similar structure of concise sentences and paragraphs.

I enjoyed finally writing and submitting the 2,500 word short story and, hopefully, having implemented all the lessons I'd learnt.

The course has got me back into writing. I used our caravan to be away from the house and not be tempted to put the washing on or make a cuppa. Hours sped by once I embarked on the actual short story.

The course was excellent but give yourself plenty of time to complete.

All modules were helpful, and the handouts listing short stories to read were excellent.

I enjoyed the module on Point of View. I think that can be tricky to master.

I have referred a lot of fellow writers to AWC's courses. They are well constructed with tutors who have a wealth of experience in their fields.

I liked the structure of the course. I have always liked writing but having a formula to work with was great. I enjoyed the realistic approach. It felt like being in a classroom.

This was a really great course.

I needed to get out of a rut with my writing. I enjoyed knowing that I was working towards the completion of a written short story, towards feedback.

If I had not been enrolled, I would not have completed this story. I was already battling with issues of confidence but I got my story done. That's a big thing for me.

The Short Stories Essentials course really provided me with the structure and tools to improve my writing. I feel that the quality of my writing output has noticeably stepped up since completing the course.

I enjoyed the wide range of relevant quotes from authors that illustrated the teaching points being made, and the ability to go back and revisit the modules and materials.

It really provided me with structure and tools that I previously did not have. I am also thinking far more about my reader, and how they will respond, when I am writing.

It provides practical guidance and clear instruction, which is easy to follow, and that you can immediately start using in your writing.

I enjoyed the voice and friendly manner of the presenter, the self-paced structure, and the regular pauses to write the next part of my story. So many learnings backed up by examples.

I know now how to structure the hooks, the planting of clues, driving the story with action, dialogue and the senses. I now read in a totally different way as well, and can see how the writer is 'manipulating' the reader (in a good way).

Go for it. Totally professional info that will change your writing.

My experience lies mainly in writing novels and when I started writing a short story for a local comp, I realised that I had no idea how to write a short story. This course came into my in-box, so I thought, "Why not?"

I enjoyed the way it was structured with a mix of easy (and personable) audio lessons and hand-outs.

I now feel confident to write more short stories off my own bat.

I have now learnt how to properly structure a short story and look forward to using these skills to enter into competitions in the near future.

Go for it!