What’s it like to learn with AWC?

I’ve had a long-held desire to write for some of my favourite publications and see my name in print! (And of course, earn some money writing professionally). I was hesitant about the cost of the course - it was hard to muster the courage to spend that much on myself but it was TOTALLY worth it.

Cat was incredible! She provided us with quality feedback quickly that was constructive and encouraging. It was like having a personal cheerleader, cheering us on! She was very supportive and knowledgeable, and I feel very grateful to have had her as my tutor.

I enjoyed the support from the AWC team - I wasn't expecting to feel so supported as an individual (rather than an inconsequential course participant).

The weekly content was SO informative, the assignments weren't too scary, and the ability to read everyone's assignments was extremely useful as a learning tool.

I now have the courage and confidence to give it a shot - I'm still crippled with self-doubt and fear of sending my work out there (god forbid I start to call myself a "writer") - but this course has shown me that becoming a freelance writer is achievable, and that has had the biggest impact.

The AWC takes you step-by-step through the process of how to do what it is you want to do as a writer, with real-world experience that is not only applicable to you, but also achievable - so you finish the course with a feeling of empowerment.

Thanks for all the invaluable information. Valerie was so honest and open with insights from the world of freelance writing and I learnt more than I thought I would.

I enjoyed the practical how-to type information and having the times listed where key points are in each video is very helpful! After writing my draft for the assignment I went back and dipped into the various tips that I wanted to check against my writing, so having the assignment helped me apply the information while it was still fresh in my mind.

I am working towards my goal of writing a chapter book novel. Just working through the course helped me learn about this genre and keep motivation. Because of the course I've borrowed a bunch of chapter books from the library. I also have started thinking about ideas for a series. I think Lesley is a very encouraging presenter as well. I think I might go back and listen to most of the videos again over the next few weeks to keep momentum.

I recommend the Australian Writers' Centre to people all the time! It is the only place I have found where the course quality is consistently fantastic and the tutors are successful in and passionate about their industry.

I enjoyed the whole course. The challenge of completing the assignments and getting the feedback was the best. Constructive feedback is great. The support of others in providing feedback was also encouraging.

Pamela’s feedback was honest and very helpful. I was amazed at a couple of her comments as she doesn’t know me, yet she was spot on with particular comments. All very helpful.

I now think about my writing. Before words would just flow and I would write. I now have a small insight into thinking and writing like an author. The course has encouraged me to study writing more and to pursue my dream of finishing books I have started.

I have recommended this to a couple of friends as they’re writing stories with the hope of publishing. I believe this course clarifies the many subtle differences between being able to write a story and being able to become an author.

I am so pleased I decided to take this course and look forward to the Novel Writing Essentials (already enrolled) and other courses I intend to do.

I have wanted to write picture books for a long time and it seemed like a perfect taster - short (as in five weeks long) but quality content, a respected organisation and full online learning (important as I live in a rural area). I also liked the weekly deadlines and opportunity to have classmates via the course chat.

It was a fabulous course. The audio lessons were packed full of detailed information. I love that we can download them and listen again and again. I liked the mix of literary and industry learning and I learnt a lot of things I didn’t even know I would need to know!

Zanni was very prompt with her feedback and she presented it in a detailed and compassionate way, always providing positives as well as constructive ideas for change. These ideas were clear and concise and enabled many participants to change their stories, sometimes considerably, for the better. She considered so many aspects of each story and it was really amazing that she could do all that on the spot without prior reading of the stories. I liked the way we could listen to classmates’ feedback as well as that also helped my learning.

I enjoyed the audio lessons, reading other participants’ stories, the humour in the course content, the personalised feedback.

I now feel confident to pursue writing picture books as a career choice. I had a lot of ideas before but now all the tips have enabled that to be shaped and structured in a more cohesive and powerful way. I find it thrilling to put it all together now whereas before I was often consumed with self-doubt about my abilities.

It’s a really accessible course for anyone interested in writing, whether or not you have experience. Above all it was a welcoming, fun, professional learning environment with so many opportunities to improve your craft and connect with other passionate learners.

Pamela was very good. Feedback was excellent and invaluable.

I enjoyed finding that there are so many others of a like-mind, each with different writing skills and aspirations, and that that's ok.

I realise there is nothing wrong with writing for the joy of it and nothing odd in wanting to "learn" to write. There is much to learn, much to discover. At the very least, learning to write helps me appreciate reading in a different and better way. It's just great.

Having to learn to write does not mean a lack of writing talent, much like the naturally talented athlete that needs to train.

Try it. I can't see how anything else could be better.

Zanni is helpful and the feedback honest but presented in a very positive way.

I enjoyed the challenges, the new understanding I have and the way it moved forward in an encouraging manner. It was great to read other people’s stories and learn from each other’s feedback.

The course was of great benefit as it starts from basics so everyone is at the same level and carries the participants forward to being able to write a picture book text. The feedback is given in a professional and helpful manner and, as it involves others, a wider feedback is gained from things that we may not otherwise have thought of.

I wasn’t sure what to expect but I liked that it starts with the premise that we can already write and then explores avenues with those skills.

Zanni Louise was amazing - her feedback was always positive and affirming and gently guided us towards doing better and better work. As a teacher it made me re-evaluate my own feedback to students - immediate and targeted is most definitely the most effective and making time for that is so important.

I enjoyed seeing the work of others and feeling as though I belonged in the world of writers who were all amazing and had strengths to be admired.

I think it truly does exactly what it offers and was pitched at exactly the right level for my needs.

The videos were very clear. The technical terms were explained in a simple and easy-to-understand way. I really liked the quizzes as they allowed me to quickly check my knowledge.

There were lots of 'aha!' moments. Comma splicing was a particularly big one. I think the course allowed me to gain a greater understanding of the underlying structure of English. It made me realise just how much I didn't learn at school or at university. I studied journalism.

It's the first course I've done with AWC so far; however, I'd recommend this course to anyone wanting to brush up on their foundations.

I was surprised that I was able to (mostly) stick to the program.

I know I can sit down and do the work, whether it is good or not, and that if I want to do it I can. It is possible to get the words down, particularly if you are on a roll.

It was easy to follow and jam-packed with great information that can be put into action straight away.

I am yet to write a story, but this insight has opened new ways of thinking about how I can be successful in writing and generating an income on my terms.

As someone wanting to explore my interest in writing, I chose the course as a way to learn more about how writing a story works and whether I could take it a step further.

The tutor was lovely. She gave lots of informative feedback and helpful constructive criticism. I learnt a lot.

I enjoyed being able to learn whilst also having freedom with what I was writing about.

Learning about character driven and plot driven aspects really helped me understand how to structure a story! My knowledge and experience have both grown.

I liked the real-life examples provided and Valerie's detailed explanations of the structure. I'll be confident when approaching media outlets and how to go in with a strong media release.

I enjoyed the clear set out and resources.

I am now thinking about how to approach and execute my concept.

The AWC is a community of proven, successful, writers and people in the industry sharing their expertise.

I think the course was quite well done. It was chock full of information - very helpful for a newbie like myself. I like that there was a focus on many different aspects of writing, from how to get started all the way up to thinking about the possibility of publishing in the future.

The online tutor was great - she seemed respectful, yet honest in her critiques. I found that receiving feedback was one of the most useful aspects of the course. Every time I write something new now I have those critiques/suggestions in my head.

I enjoyed having a bit of structure and something to keep me 'on task'. I find it easy to come up with excuses of why I'm not writing, but this course gave me the motivation to stick to it. I enjoyed receiving the feedback on my work and the feedback on other's work as well.

It's both given me inspiration and motivation to continue writing, but at the same time I must admit that it's created doubt about if I'm good enough to actually pursue this as something more than a hobby. This is ok though, as part of what I wanted from this course was the opportunity to actually try writing (which I haven't really done before) and to discover and learn about myself and my writing capabilities.

There were many things that I learned, but possibly the 'show and don't tell'. I've heard this before, but it never really sunk in until the tutor was giving examples of it when critiquing people's work. I constantly use that motto now when writing to try and improve my work.

I'd definitely recommend a course here. I found it full of valuable information and tips to improve my writing. It is a very supportive and encouraging environment.

Thank you for putting together such a great course!

At first, I was extremely scared to let someone else read my work but my tutor was so lovely and made some super valid points. I was happy to take in her feedback and I really think that everything made more sense when I looked at it from her point of view.

I particularly enjoyed applying everything that was taught in this course into my current reads. It put everything into perspective and really made me understand the difference small things in a story make. I can be like "Oh! Thats why I didn't like that story" or "That's why I didn't connect with the character!" I found a surprise enjoyment in analysing such things.

I found Angela's feedback very helpful. I also contacted her privately with my doubts, given I was the only student writing memoir. She reassured me and supported me to continue with my writing. Her positive feedback has encouraged me to continue writing as I've gained a great deal of confidence.

I enjoyed listening to the online tutorials and then trying to put the advice into practice. I also enjoyed receiving Angela's and the other students’ feedback which I will now process.

I'm very motivated to continue my memoir, given Angela's positive feedback about my writing style. Whether I have it published is another issue as I have no idea how to go about this. It's now my focus to go down that path, as Abby, who has also been very supportive to me during the course, has also encouraged me to pursue the publishing aspect.

Lesley Gibbes was an extremely knowledgeable, thorough and passionate tutor.

I enjoyed understanding the elements of writing Chapter books for ages 6-9, learning something about the industry and the market.

I'm always recommending AWC! I talk about how thorough the courses are and how what value they are.

I enjoyed the fact that I could learn in my own time and the clear way the presenter was talking, which made watching the videos very pleasant. I also liked that I could download the slides so I can refer back to them later if I need to.

I am getting more organised and will plan my strategy so that I can be more consistent in posting.

I found the course very conclusive of the industry from start to finish; the handouts, videos and the extra podcasts were a great bonus.

I like the very handy templates and the way Valerie presents her content. It was clear and adaptable.

I am going to write my first blog and I feel confident that I have the skills I need.