Entering short story competitions is a brilliant exercise for writers of all levels. Even if you think your writing isn’t ready yet, it will give you a deadline to aim for – and there’s nothing like a due date to inspire you to get your story into shape. There are
The Brisbane Writers Festival is on from 5-8 September 2019 and tickets are now on sale. The Brisbane Writers Festival have announced a massive lineup with over 160 internationally renowned writers, thinkers and more scheduled to speak and present at the event. The festival will have a special focus on
By Nat Newman How high do your stakes have to be when writing a story? Is death, destruction and violence necessary to push your story forward? Short answer: No way. I started thinking about this after a discussion on the So you want to be a writer Facebook community. A
“If I waited till I felt like writing, I’d never write at all” – Anne Tyler Writing can bring you incredible joy – but it can sometimes feel like a chore. It depends on your mood, what’s gone on that day, and whether you got out on the right side
“The worst thing you write is better than the best thing you did not write” For so many of us, writing is a creative urge that simply must be brought to the surface. To live a life having never expressed yourself in this way, simply unthinkable. Your favourite authors –
By Nat Newman You’ve bought your ticket, booked your accommodation and sorted out a babysitter. You’re totally ready to attend the amazing writers’ festival that’s coming up! There’s just one problem… you’re a tiny bit terrified. Who will you speak to? What if you don’t know anyone? Is it okay
“There is no greater tragedy than bearing an untold story inside you.” So goes the quote (attributed to Maya Angelou), summing up the curious compulsion that so many people on this planet have to WRITE. To tell a story – any kind of story – and continuing a verbal tradition
If you write screenplays in any of the genres of sci-fi, horror and/or thriller, then you need to get on this competition faster than you can say Wilhelm scream. Truant Pictures (based at Fox Studios, Sydney) is running the Truant Screenplay Competition to encourage and mentor new Australian voices working
Guest post by Pamela Freeman If you’re planning out your structure, it can be overwhelming. All the graphs of three-act structures, all the pacing advice, all the ‘do I have a midpoint reversal’ panics… But there is a simpler way to consider if your structure is solid. And that is:
This week, we invite you to take part in a small writing task. What is it that drives you to write? Why do you do it? Writing can bring you incredible joy – but it can sometimes feel like a chore. It depends on your mood, what’s gone on that
Congratulations to AWC alumna Petronella McGovern who launched her debut novel Six Minutes at Berkelouw Books in Mona Vale in Sydney last week. With over 160 people attending, it was so popular, the event had to relocate across the road to the Memorial Hall. Launched by bestselling author Liane Moriarty,
It can be hard to stop reading a good story. Chapter after chapter, there’s always something to keep you turning pages. With the very best books, you may find yourself wondering: how do they come up with these great ideas? Well for many it means careful planning and outlining followed
Back for its second year, the 2019 Shoalhaven Readers’ and Writers’ Festival is taking place 26-27 July – with an extra special festival for children. The theme for this year is ‘adventure’ and the headlining children’s events will take place in Nowra, just two hours south of Sydney. We’re excited
Courses taken at AWC:
Crime and Thriller Writing
Write Your Novel
Anatomy of a Crime: How to Write About Murder
Make Time to Write / Creative Writing 30-day Bootcamp
There are loads of books out there about writing and it can be hard to find one that really connects with you. They can offer advice or exercises, rules or suggestions, or just provide inspiration. We’ve brought together recommendations from some top authors, writers and publishers on what they believe
If you are Australia’s next great storyteller then this is for you. HarperCollins Publishers Australia has announced that entries are now open for the 2019 Banjo Prize. From the HarperCollins website: “We’re looking for exciting new Australian voices telling the sorts of stories that we love to read – from sweeping
Applications are now open for the May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust 2020 Creative Time Residential Fellowships for published authors and illustrators of books for young people. To be eligible to apply for a Fellowship you must have had at least one title for children or young adults published by a
Australia’s bestselling crime author Candice Fox has a massively busy and successful 2019 ahead of her. Described by her collaborator, the world’s bestselling author James Patterson, as “A bright new star of crime fiction”, she is New York Times #1 bestselling author and presenter of the Australian Writers’ Centre’s Anatomy
Voting has opened for the 2018 Australian Romance Readers Awards and we are delighted to announce that Pamela Hart (aka Pamela Freeman, AWC’s Director of Creativity) and AWC creative writing alumni Penelope Janu and Joanna Nell are amongst the finalists. Pamela is a finalist in the Favourite Historical Romance
There’s nothing like the convenience of online learning to help you fit personal projects around your busy schedule. And if you’ve had the same writing resolutions popping up on your list again after again – why not make 2019 YOUR year to make them happen. Your future self will high
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