What’s it like to learn with AWC?

I very much enjoyed the structure of the course including the fortnightly zoom calls with detailed feedback and workshopping. I also appreciated the range of different exercises, many that were organised hierarchically or conceptually so I could develop my skills.

I enjoyed the opportunity to adapt the exercises each module to my work in progress, which meant I was making progress towards the entry requirements for Novel Writing Essentials. I also enjoyed the feedback sessions, including the feedback and questions about my work and others' work; I learned a lot from this. Finally, I found the plotting/planning exercise in module 6 very, very helpful as I start the Novel Writing Essentials course tomorrow, which I was always planning to do. This course made me more confident to jump straight into the next step, and I bring with me an almost completed synopsis plus draft scenes.

The course has definitely helped me to get out of my head (and my researching) and produce drafts more quickly and effectively. Bernadette's feedback also has highlighted important higher level elements to aim for, rather than my obsessing down in the details. For instance, thinking about point of view or structure rather than just micro word choices.

I realised that I could write more quickly and fluently as I completed these exercises each week. Prior to starting the course, I'd been a bit scared to commit to the page in case I wasn't doing it correctly. But this course has helped me to just write something and see how it goes.

As a lifelong reader, I assumed that I knew how to write a book since I write all the time in my job. But I have valued the opportunity to learn the science and art of creative writing. The AWC courses have helped me to understand the mechanics of writing as well as the heart and soul. I feel better equipped to work towards my goal of writing my novel.

I've had a novel idea in my head for several years now with several half-hearted attempts to get it started. I recently made the decision to get serious and I knew that I had a lot to learn. I like how the course provides you with exercises and feedback, as well as the ability to progress and build on what you've learnt in further courses.

I found the feedback really helpful and encouraging, it's definitely helped with my confidence. It's also helped me to take some of the 'mystery' out of writing - there's key things to be mindful of when writing a scene, for example, to enhance the reader experience (and understanding!)

Jenny was wonderful, and consistently offered both encouragement and constructive feedback.

It's helped me to reaffirm my desire to write my novel, and helped me feel better about seeking out support with this.

Bernadette was great. Very warm and welcoming. Gave good feedback but made me feel comfortable at the same time.

I enjoyed the assessments. I like how they gave me the chance to put things into practice in simple ways.

It's given me confidence!

Jennifer is a very positive person with a lot of experience who provided articulate helpful feedback. She was great.

The lectures were informative and the speaker was clear and content interesting with real life examples.

I think I might be able to write!!

The tutor was awesome!! Very caring and encouraging person. Thank you for giving great feedback in a positive way!!

I enjoyed the variety of things to focus on when working on the assignments.

Great courses, great tutors.

The handouts were great and listening to the explanations really helped. The extra Zoom meetings were fantastic as so many questions were asked and answered which made my understanding deeper.

It has given me a belief in myself and my writing. I now know I'm on the right track and can go forward with confidence and look at other writing courses to keep me on track.

The AWC is a wealth of information with compassionate and helpful tutors and a safe learning space for anyone.

I liked the content, which was pitched at the right level for an aspiring but novice writer with little experience. I hoped it would provide a stimulus to start writing and overcome inertia / blockage - which it did.

The course provided more technical guidance than I had hoped for. The online delivery modes worked well for me - handout, audio, video. Being motivated into APPLYING new learning immediately was invaluable, as was the timely feedback.

Nat was great. Her feedback was much more specific and personalised than I expected (= a lot of work for her, given numerous participants), and always delivered in a very constructive, encouraging, supportive way. Great job, thank you Nat!

I enjoyed having the opportunity and being encouraged to use my imagination. I realised how seldom I do this currently, in everyday life. As I result, I feel very energised to find ways of doing that regularly from now on.

It has provided the inspiration and confidence-building for me to start writing - and KEEP writing. I recognise that success (whatever that looks like individually) requires time, commitment and perseverance. This work can (and should be) fun, as well as challenging!

If you want to write (or write more and/or better) AWC probably has a course for you - and it will be delivered in a very user-friendly way.

Sincere thanks for your help.

Alex provided fantastic feedback each week that really helped you to improve. She was very informative; I enjoyed receiving the feedback over video as well. She provided ideas and suggestions that were always beneficial, and gave a mix of constructive and positive criticism so that you felt supported and positive the whole way through.

I truly appreciate the emphasis in the course that it is possible to get published. Too often there is an assumption that any creative industry is so competitive there's no point even trying, but this course constantly challenged that stigma, and it made it an even more positive experience.

I enjoyed the assignments! I enjoyed being able to explore an article idea the whole way through, to get a glimpse of how it feels writing articles and going through the process in the industry. The assignments really do mimic the process quite well, so you don't feel like you're doing everything for the first time.

I have a far clearer idea of what I'm going to do in this industry, the kinds of articles I want to write, and a greater trust in myself to be able to do the right research, ask for interviews, etc. The discussion around including smaller details and beautiful lyrical writing showed how fun this can be.

AWC provides exceptionally informative courses that provide practical, real world skills. They use plenty of informative examples, including examples of graduates from the courses to show that their courses work. The courses are flexible, can be worked into any busy routine, they're very affordable and have more variety than any other educator provider I've found in Australia.

Pamela always delivers clear, easy to follow information and ideas. She structures her delivery and presents well.

The information and exercises regarding characters were excellent. Enjoyed thinking about my characters and trying to develop them further.

I feel I understand the area of YA fiction more and the course has given me confidence about my ideas for a novel. I'm looking forward to developing those ideas based on Pamela's presentations.

The Australian Writers' Centre is an amazing source of inspiration. The level of training in their many courses and the professionalism with which each course is presented is outstanding. Each course that I have completed is a goldmine! If you want to write, AWC is well worth considering for support, and sound, relevant teaching.

The seminar was conducted in a clear and concise way, and the use of the handouts was all very helpful.

I now know so much more about not only when and how to use a flashback or a memory, but also the tenses, which I can sometimes struggle with.

I used to think memories and flashbacks were basically the same thing. Now I understand that a memory is a summary, and a flashback is a whole scene which will help with my future writing immensely.

If anyone is thinking about whether or not to do a course with the Australian Writers' Centre, I would tell them to go ahead and do it. Their information is invaluable.

The course provided incredible foundations for me to build upon. I enjoyed learning to develop my voice as a writer.

I think Scrivener is brilliant and the way Natasha explained how it worked was very easy to follow.

I really liked the way you could set up your scenes and chapters and then work on which ever section you felt like on any particular day. I really feel that this capacity will encourage me to write my memoir. Natasha was able to demonstrate different ways that you could use the program which was also very helpful.

I like the way that you can move things around easily, bookmark and annotate what you are doing. I also like the way you can include your research material all in the same place. Having already started my writing I have so many documents already so the idea of being able to keep everything within the one place with easy access is so empowering. It really streamlines the whole process.

I really like AWC's courses. They are very practical and useful. The information you share really empowers anyone new to writing to get started.

I thought Grant was exceptionally informative and knowledgeable.

I liked it all. I now have confidence in editing and a better understanding of the rules of grammar.

Very professional level of education.

Carla was super positive and encouraging. I loved her honesty and the connections she made with each writer. I thought her feedback was honest and supportive which made me want to write and do more learning activities/exercises.

I feel like I learnt so much about my character, my writing style and what publishers are looking for. As well as how to write my story ideas down in the most suitable point of view.

Loved everything about it. Thank you very much! :)

Absolutely loved the course and information presented. Being a teacher, I thought I knew how to write a narrative, but there is so much more to writing an engaging children's novel. I loved the tutorials with expert writers and authors and well as publishing perspectives. When we completed the written assignments, I valued Carla's critical feedback, and it definitely encouraged me to keep writing and get my ideas down.

I really enjoyed the practical nature of the course. I'm starting to learn how to build scenes and plan structure. This is a big step forward for me as I have never tried to write a novel before.

Nat was great and provided really insightful, helpful feedback. She was always respectful and encouraging.

I think the course would be very helpful to anyone who wants to learn how to write a novel.

Despite my initial concerns, I am glad I enrolled in the course. It has helped me to remember my love of writing, overcome my writers block and has given me the tools to push past my perfectionism. I loved the weekly assignments. The deadlines kept me accountable, and sharing them to our public forum was a great way to get comfortable with other people reading my work.

Petronella was really encouraging and a great help. Her feedback on our assignments was great. She highlighted things we did well and suggested improvements with an explanation of why something was confusing or didn't read well. I know for one of my assignments, I had made it too complicated for such a short scene, which was evident when Petronella gave her feedback.

I enjoyed the weekly assignments, where we would demonstrate our understanding of the modules in a concise scene and then receive feedback on our work. It was really interesting to read everyone else's assignments too.

The course exceeded my expectations. I am amazed at how thorough and informative the intensive learning modules are! I am beyond grateful to have completed this course.

Bernadette is fantastic! She is truly a copywriting guru. Her in-depth knowledge and life experience as a copywriter is priceless. She exudes confidence coupled with humility. Her authenticity and kind approach to her students made it so easy to listen and learn.

Moreover, Bernadette is a wordsmith architect and her teaching style is so thorough and intensive that I felt personally mentored by her within the group setting. The critical feedback that Bernadette gave was always constructive and helpful for growth. Every week she encouraged us and revealed the positive aspects to our copy, highlighting our strengths, and cultivating self-belief.

What I loved most about Bernadette's teaching style, was her ability to encourage you to believe in yourself and empower you to want to be the best copywriter.

I have learnt tangible and practical formulas that I can go to when writing copy for clients. I now feel better equipped with marvellous knowledge and skills to get out there and give this a real go!

Thank you to Bernadette and the team at AWC for an incredible experience. I believe that what I have learnt here will be life changing.

I needed help to kick-start my writing as it had languished for far too long. I also wanted help with problems which were getting in the way of continuing to write my book.

Jenny was very helpful and knowledgeable as well as encouraging. Her feedback picked up a key issue with the beginning of my story on which I needed to focus. She also pointed out other more minor things to be aware of and keep in mind as I write.

I enjoyed learning more about plot, character, structure and storytelling. I was pleased to improve my understanding of these key areas of novel-writing. Giving and receiving feedback was also a very enjoyable part of this course.

I feel that I have a much better understanding of what is required to write a novel, in terms of effort, time spent and establishing a routine. This has been eye-opening and a good reality check for me.

If you want to learn more about writing fiction or non-fiction, build your knowledge and skills in the craft of writing, and believe in yourself as a writer, then do an AWC course.

Thanks for another great course! This has pushed me farther along on my writing journey and for that, I'm very grateful.

Jennifer was perfect. Prompt. Fair with criticism. For me it was picking over the fine points of the plot and that you can't get away with things.

It was great reading others' work. Seeing we all have the same difficulties and fears. Seeing there are some really good writers out there and I need to lift my game! Seeing what I liked and what I didn't like as much, and understanding why. It was great having other eyes on my writing. Seeing different opinions. Jennifer's opinion obviously was a big incentive to see if I'm on the right track etc.

I now know I have it in me. Having other (talented) writers reading my stuff made me really have to work on my own writing. It was much better after the course than it was before.

The course is essential. Better done sooner rather than later. Don't be embarrassed, we all started somewhere, better to get good, constructive feedback early and in a supportive environment.

I found it practical and easy to follow. Fast paced and practical. Common sense advice plus a lot of tips and information.

I am set to start now. No more mulling. I am going to write my book...maybe even a series!