What’s it like to learn with AWC?

I found this course really useful and it gave me strategies to use when a story isn't working or how to get it started.

The tutor was great; really useful and encouraging feedback.

It has given me new ideas and the confidence to keep going. Pushed me to think differently about a story, taking other points of view and using visualisation strategies.

Excellent for giving you the underpinning needed for great story telling or other writing styles.

I feel like this course was very practical but also inspiring. It makes writing seem like a viable option if you work hard enough, get enough support and find your niche.

Great structure, lots of practical steps and many modules in a length of time that was do-able (bit by bit in your own time).

I really loved how you structured the course. I wanted to learn about the three main points of view. It is so important to get the basics right.

I had a load of fun with Module 3. The examples of the different versions (same scene) taught me a lot. I could imagine each character vividly: their gestures, their voices, the way they look.

I feel more confident when I write a scene. I learned a lot about proper structuring. Things have become clearer about third-person limited narration and omniscient narration.

I can highly recommend this course. The course has taught me a lot. I feel so encouraged to continue on this basis.

This was a really useful course with practical applications. The modules were user-friendly and the course could be completed in my own time.

I was hesitant to have an author website, but now I am confident I can create and maintain one.

This course was so much more than I expected. I loved the combination of science, inspiration, method and art. It all blends so beautifully to give this "writer in hiding" the courage to throw off the chains and "dare to dream." To dream my visions into life.

What an amazing group of genuine, thoughtful, and intelligent beings. A privilege to share my Monday evenings with them, even virtually or on replay. Thank you for your sharings, fellow dreamers. Oh, and the art :)

AWC courses are always great. Well organised, the tech just works and the content never disappoints.

Just BIG THANKS to Kate and all the team for a beautiful course, and here's to the artist's life, may we all live long and brave and free :)

Simply inspiring. The rest is up to me ...

I wondered how appropriate the course would be for an unpublished writer like myself, but I need not have worried. The course was full of information useful to both unpublished and published writers.

The course has made me think more about my goals - not just for my website, but also for my writing in general. As a side note ... once I started, I was hooked and 'binged' the lessons :)

I have an idea for a story and wanted some technical knowledge about how to write it. The course gave some great insights into ways to improve my writing.

I enjoyed reading other people's stories and the feedback and encouragement from other students.

Completing the course allows you to have insight into the writing process and really helps to improve your writing.

Thanks for a fun course!

I was initially hesitant, mainly anxiety about other people reviewing my writing - however that was a highlight as the feedback has been a gift.

The tutor was excellent, right amount of support and direction.

I enjoyed the whole course, from the handouts (and the extra reading recommendations) through to the assignments and the feedback. It has been a positive part of every week to sit down and complete the modules and the writing tasks.

A wonderful opportunity to unlock that creative side of yourself and learn something on the way.

This was a great course to become inspired to write. Kate's presenting skills were very engaging, and her presentation was filled with inspiring quotes, information and imagery.

It has encouraged me to explore creative writing further.

I have wanted to write picture books for a long time and this has been my first step in taking the idea seriously.

Cathie gave very useful feedback and I was so grateful to take on board her comments on my stories.

The content was fantastic. Such a rich and robust compilation of information - a perfect initiation into the world of picture books.

I am on a roll now, so keen to keep reading, researching, writing and editing. And before too long, I think I'll try submitting to a publisher. I don't know how I would have got to this stage without the course.

Bernadette obviously knows her material and structured the course well. I enjoyed learning how the component parts come together and how they add value.

I'll certainly be more mindful of keywords and keyword research when writing.

If you want to understand how SEO works and be able to add value with your copywriting, then this course will give you enough understanding to let you stand out from the crowd when dealing with clients.

I found each module to be clear, concise and informative. With each module I began to feel more confident.

I enjoyed hearing the feedback from Mark. He was encouraging and provided suggestions when needed, in a positive way.

Having the week to watch the videos, take notes and digest all of the information made it enjoyable. I knew I had the week to get everything done while working full time and I haven't felt stressed or overwhelmed.

I have the confidence to reach my goal of changing careers and doing something I feel passionate about!

Bernadette was fantastic and explained everything really well. Loved the weekly feedback. It was very useful. I enjoyed the assignments.

I would say that it's a very practical course, easy to understand and fit in to your week.

Dare to Dream was great. It was facilitating, so positive and affirming. A different collection of tools - which are all so essential.

It feels like this course has changed me. I have been writing in bed each morning since starting. In fact, I went back to bed and wrote two days before the course; it was fate!

I did tell someone they were brave to attempt to write a novel without getting some writing tools! Do some courses!

Thank you for offering such diversity in your courses. Now I need a cup of tea.

Dare to Dream was a great title and drew me in. The course totally lived up to its title.

Kate was so inspiring and encouraging. I enjoyed her outlook on writing and life and her encouragement, and the ability to talk freely also if we had something to say.

Every writer at any level should do this course. I'm inspired to make writing a daily activity and to pursue my dreams.

I loved this course and look forward to starting another one.

Cathie is amazing and I nervously soaked in all her comments. I look forward to one day meeting her.

I need to go back to my stories that I've written and start from scratch. I can see where my stories now fall short, and I plan to follow all the advice and feedback that was given.

I didn't want this course to end. My only regret is I didn't do this course earlier.

Bernadette was always kind, encouraging and her feedback always helpful. In Zoom meetings and messages, she helped bring the group together to a point where we could continue our work together beyond the course.

I enjoyed workshopping each other's manuscripts and connecting with people who I can talk shop with!

The guidance, feedback, deadlines and connections with other writers helped me complete the first draft of a brand new novel. As I had some disappointments with another manuscript preceding the course, I feel this would have taken much longer to complete otherwise. I have also come away with a brand new group of friends who are at the same stage in their writing pursuits.

If you are serious about completing your novel, don't doubt the investment in yourself and trust that, no matter what you've already learnt, you will come away with much more.

I wish I had done it sooner.

Such fun! Zoom meetings, interacting via email, and especially getting confirmation that us writers regularly have the same doubts about our ability. But as Bernadette says, 'Just keep writing and it will all come together.'

Bernadette was so encouraging, and gave great advice, e.g., keep writing, don't go back and fix what anyone in the group has said, you can do that later. And so I steamrolled along and completed my novel in the time allocated. Bernadette's encouraging words kept me working hard - 'could my writing be as good as she says?' I believed in her.

I enjoyed the interaction with like-minded people who gave terrific 'readerly' and 'editorial' advice. Also, meeting the challenge of timelines.

Happy with all that was offered. Especially the admin team at AWC who treated me so respectfully when I asked dumb questions. Nothing was too much trouble. And their speed at responding was terrific.

A huge thanks for getting me back on track. I haven't written fiction since my book was published - 15 years ago! Too busy as a funeral celebrant writing other peoples' stories. I am now entrenched in a regular writing routine.

If you have the passion, commitment, and can dream, the AWC is a wonderful backup to you achieving your dream.

Bernadette was fantastic. Her feedback was always constructive and provided insight into things I hadn't thought about or been aware of. She was very gentle with her criticism; it was actually guidance on how to do something better. The encouragement from the other participants and of course Bernadette was very reassuring.

I found the site easy to navigate and the structure of the course was great. I didn't have any technical issues which was great for me as I can be pretty backwards on the technical side.

I was amazed with myself that I completed the course and had the homework sections in on time. I am listed in the world's greatest procrastinators, but I knew that this was just what I needed at this point in my life. The class members were great; we've actually formed an outside group to continue with our writing journeys. I'm blown away by the encouragement the group gave me on tackling such a tough topic, domestic violence, and the encouraging feedback I received.

Everyone I have dealt with at the Australian Writers' Centre has been courteous and well informed. The courses are run in a very professional way and the content of the courses is top-notch.

Why did I put off doing this course for so long?

I feel that everything I needed to begin my writing was addressed. The course was thorough and easy to understand. Every step was explained perfectly.

Angela has been an excellent tutor and her feedback, I feel, has been invaluable. I felt encouraged and given tips on how to improve.

I enjoyed reading my classmates' assignments and can see that I was in a course with very talented people. There was definitely an environment of support and encouragement within our group.

At 55 years old, learning usually is a bit difficult but I felt that I had plenty of time to go over my assignments and each module was broken down into easy to understand bites.

It has assisted me to feel motivated and have a roadmap to achieve what I could only dream about for many years. Even my partner would say that from day one, I was engrossed in the course. I had a "this is what I really want to do " moment.

If you have a burning ambition to write the book that is bouncing around your head you need to contact AWC. The courses are set up for any age or experience and you don't have to sell a kidney to afford them. You feel supported and encouraged all the way.

I will be continuing to do more courses with you along the way as I practice the writing craft. I have come away from the creative writing course feeling enthusiastic and motivated. Hopefully I can celebrate a published novel with you all in the not too distant future.