January Newsletter & Upcoming Courses
 Happy New Year everyone.
It has been a traumatic start to the new year and new decade for so many directly affected by the fires, but also for the entire country as this tragedy unfolded and continues to do so. For some of us at this time, it is hard to feel creative and imaginative when there has been so much sadness and suffering.
We completely understand if you have put your writing goals to one side, but hope that you can find a way back to your creativity.
One of our writers who has family involved in the fires wrote in to say, “The writing does indeed help and is a little safe space to escape to. I’m back in to the writing now, which feels good.”
It is never too late to use our emotional experiences to create new narratives for ourselves and to look at events as an opportunity to make sense of this crazy journey that is life.
Elise Hawthorne, who worked for many years in journalism and PR, decided to do this last January. She made a new year’s resolution to write the first draft of her novel.
 She joined our First Draft Course in March 2019, and finished the first draft of her novel in December 2019.
She has written about this journey on her blog:
“I never wanted to be one of those people who said, “one day I’m going to write a book,” and then didn’t get around to doing it – putting it off for some reason or another as one does. My dad was one of those people, and in life, I genuinely believe that one could learn by another’s regret, or at least try to.”
Keep reading Elise’s post here
Quick Course Round-up
Unlocking Creativity Online will commence on 22 January more >
Unlocking Creativity Live will commence 27 February more >
The next upcoming 6-Week course is the Writers’ Gym – Advanced Writing Techniques course starting 24 February. (Unlocking Creativity is a prerequisite.) Reserve your place now more >
The next 10-Month First Draft Online course starts 2 March. (Unlocking is a pre-requisite starting on 22 January) more >
The 10-Month First Draft Live course with Roland, Kathleen & Richard will commence on 7 March, however this course is now booked out, with a wait-list only for those who have already undertaken Unlocking Creativity. The 5 September course is now open for new bookings more >
Second Draft Online will start again on 6 April. Register for your pre-course work more >
Second Draft Live will commence 2 February. Register now for your pre-course work more >
Third Draft Online will start 10 February. Only one place still open more >
Third Draft Live with Roland, Zahid & Richard commenced 16 November, however, you can still join this course. There’s been only one session so far, and you can catch up online before the second session in February more >
Third Draft Part 2 (Extension) Online will commence 20 July more >
Third Draft Part 2 (Extension) Live will commence 21 March more >
Please contact the office on (02) 9386 4994 between 10.30am and 3pm Monday to Friday, if you have any questions at all about which course is right for you.
Free Movie Tickets
 We have 10 x free double passes care of Roadshow Films, to give away to the new Australian family film ‘GO!’ starring Richard Roxburgh and Frances O’Connor.
When Jack and his single mother move to a small town in Western Australia, he soon gets involved in the competitive world of go-kart racing.
Jack’s got natural talent but must learn to control his recklessness.
GO! is a high-octane Australian family film with heart.
GO! opens nationally on 16 January.
To win a ticket please email: rsvp@writerstudio.com.au with your name, address and mobile number.
Gift Certificates
 A Gift Certificate for our 4-Week Unlocking Creativity Course, either live or online, is the perfect present for someone who has been wanting to write but needs a push, or is wanting to develop their writing further.
Plus, it is such a generous act to support people in realising their creative dream.
Gift Certificates are valid for 3 years from purchase date.
Purchase here: GIFT CERTIFICATES
Success Stories
Eve Dyer
Eve let us know that she has published her personal development book, Ignite Your Power: Unmasking the Five Faces of Anger.
She writes that it took her 13 years to finish, but the breakthrough came when she did the Online Unlocking Creativity course . “I discovered a profoundly different way of enabling words to flow through me. My writing markedly improved—for me this was a breakthrough I repeated the course a year later and could see the improvements in my writing.”
A fictional story, that Eve started in Unlocking Creativity was also awarded an Honourable Mention in the 2014 Writer’s Digest international short story competition. “This was my first validation that I could write.”
17 years working as a Clinical Psychologist provided Eve with deep insights which she shares in ‘Ignite Your Power: Unmasking the Five Faces of Anger’.
Congratulations Eve!
Purchase a copy here
Susan Steggall
Susan wrote to let us know that her novel ’tis the doing, not the deed, has been published by Small Star Press.
’tis the doing, not the deed’, follows Apolline a headstrong French lawyer, and her mild-mannered Australian husband, Parry, an investigator for an art auction house, as they investigate the provenance of paintings by two 20th-century Australian artists.
Congratulations Susan!
You can purchase a copyand read ”tis the doing, not the deed’ here
Recent Course Feedback
Some snippets of the wonderful feedback that we receive back from recently completed courses. We update these each newsletter. They show what a large variety of writers get out of our writing courses.
“The Unlocking Creativity course far exceeded my expectations. I didn’t realise that a step-by-step approach to learning the craft of creative writing would unleash in me such excitement and a pandora’s box of inspiration.” Lesley, Unlocking Creativity
“I have gained so much from this brilliant course that I will take with me every day into my creating expression and I am so grateful for this. It has changed me forever.” Amanda, Unlocking Creativity
“This course has given me the ability to put more effort into my writing than excuses. The knowledge that spending time to write – even writing junk – is better than nothing at all. I’m ready to be a real writer now.” Jeremy, Unlocking Creativity
“I signed up to this course hoping to gain some knowledge regarding building characters and story structure. Walking away from the course, I have gained that and so much more!” Nicole, Unlocking Creativity
“It is so much more than a writing course and I am so glad that I did this. My eyes are opened in the short four weeks to see a world of writing is as big and as deep as our universe. Whatever our mind, soul, life want to get out of it, it is there. It’s inspiring and empowering! Eve, Unlocking Creativity
“This course has given me so much confidence and excitement about writing. I never knew I could ‘write’ until I came to this course!” Amelia, Unlocking Creativity
“The Unlocking Creativity course has been so good for me in so many ways. I feel like I’m one step closer to writing the story I’ve always wanted to write.” Jane, Unlocking Creativity
“I can hardly believe that four weeks ago I found the Unlocking Creativity Online course on the internet, read some reviews, rolled the dice and decided to have a go. It has been a revelation and I’ve loved it.” Ari, Unlocking Creativity
“The Unlocking Creativity course was by far the most challenging – and rewarding thing – that I’ve done in a long time.” Terry, Unlocking Creativity
“I signed up to the Unlocking Creativity course, and it has been one of my better decisions this year. It has been a fabulous, joyful and liberating experience to write for myself, outside of my daily grind.” Emily, Unlocking Creativity
“Really enjoyed my last four weeks of the unlocking creativity course. It has been a fantastic course. It has helped me connect with my imagination again and has inspired me to want to write daily.” Jacqueline, Unlocking Creativity
“It’s amazing how much knowledge you gain and how much your mind expands in four weeks. I’m still trying to process it myself. In the case of the Unlocking Creativity course, I’ve been on quite the journey and learned lessons that I would never have figured out on my own.” Matthew, Unlocking Creativity
“I loved the Genre course, the writing, the feedback, I loved reading what other writers were putting up on the board. So much talent in one small group. If you are wondering if you should do one of the Writers’ Studio courses the answer is easy, YES!!!” Sonja, Short Story Genre
“The Genre course was so very fun, and most of all it taught me a lot about letting go and just writing to see where the story takes me.” Wendy, Short Story Genre
‘I almost can’t remember what my life was like before I started writing. Unlocking Creativity gave me so many wonderful writing tools, but the Short Story Genre course really challenged me to use them. I wrote in all the four genres, was happy with my final pieces…and I enjoyed myself!” Rebecca, Short Story Genre
“What continues to amaze me is that once you allow the mind a free rein, it takes one to places and outcomes that could never occur to me without using the writing process. Had I not taken these two writing courses with the Writers’ Studio, I simply would have had no idea of what I could create! I want to place on record my appreciation for the excellent support I’ve received from The Writers’ Studio who have helped me to move forward from a struggling beginner to a confident beginner!” Robert, Short Story Genre
“I finished my genre short story course. Woohoo! This is my second course with the Writer’s Studio, and once again, the quality of writing has blown me away, alongside the supportive writer community and encouraging feedback from our tutor. If you want to start writing, this school is a great place to start!” Amy, Short Story Genre
“If you want to write, you’re in good hands with The Writers Studio, which has lifted the veil for me, revealing the joys of short story structure, character and genre.” Michael, Short Story Genre
“I have really enjoyed and benefitted from the online materials. I loved the balance between technical advice and information relating to structure and story processes, and solid inspirational quotes and guidance for the process of writing and being a writer. I think that what the Writer’s Studio offers is gold. A brilliant team of passionate and supportive writers, coaxing stories out of us in a manageable, sense-making yet magical way.” Helen, First Draft
“This course has given me direction, inspiration and confidence to keep writing, almost every day. Even amongst the chaos of life with a toddler and that is the greatest gift I could ever be given. Thank you to the whole team, especially Rich for all your help!” Jessie, First Draft
“I have loved doing this course. When I began I did not know where my novel would take me as I had very little idea of the story. I was quite anxious about this. The structure of the course really helped my story to come together and to flow. I will really miss the course – so I am already excited about the next one. Clare, First Draft
“I have thoroughly enjoyed this course and it really feels like it’s over quite quickly! I have ended up with a massive pile of words along with a much better idea of what my story is and how I would like to see it develop. I’d recommend this course to anyone who is serious about getting a first draft done but isn’t quite sure how to get started or keep going through the messy middle, what you’ll have at the end may not be perfect, but it will be done!” Cherie, First Draft
“The course is as good as its reputed to be and way better than I imagined. My brother is currently just beginning the third draft course and it was on his recommendation that I began it. I truly am blown away by what the structure and questioning have facilitated in me.” Simonne, First Draft
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