Welcome to our May Newsletter.
Last week, we welcomed our newest writers into our 4-Week Unlocking Creativity Online and Live-in-Studio course. The key to turning your writing dreams into a reality, is to do the work. So, we are really proud of all the writers who have decided to embark on their creative writing journey with us. The art is in the doing.
We’re always blown away by the latent talent that emerges when aspiring writers learn how to tap into the power of their imagination and start putting the tools and techniques the course provides into practice.
Whether you are unlocking your creativity, writing your novel or screenplay or working on your short story techniques, we believe that the act of writing creatively nourishes the spirit of the writer and ultimately the reader.
The Question of Talent
A burning question many aspiring writers often torture themselves with is “Do I have the talent required to be a writer?”
People often ask us how many talented writers come to our courses. We respond by saying, we believe everyone who has a genuine desire to write has the raw ingredients to be a writer. The truth is, everyone is a unique individual and has something worthwhile to say.
We see the proof of this in every course we run. But like any creative pursuit, what the final results will be, depends on your commitment and how far you want to take it.
Writing a novel or a screenplay is a craft that takes time to master. You have to learn all about story structure so that you write in a way that has readers wanting to know what happens next and takes them on a profound emotional and spiritual journey of change. As writers in our courses move through the step-by-step process, we see their stories getting better and better.
Natalie Goldberg, author of Writing Down the Bones, says, “I’m not saying that everyone is Shakespeare, but I am saying everyone has a genuine voice that can express his or her life with honesty, dignity and detail. There seems to be a gap between the greatness we are all capable of and the way we see ourselves and, therefore, see our work.”
One of the pleasures of running our 4-Week Unlocking Creativity course is witnessing the process of people recognising their own talent as well as their fellow writers when they learn how to tap into the power of their imagination – the true source of creative power.
Many people walk into the first session feeling anxious and doubting their ability. Some writers wonder whatever made them do the course in the first place. In contrast, at the end of the first three-hour session everyone is on a creative high.
Recognising their own creative potential as well as that of their fellow writers is an inspiring and uplifting experience. It always feels like a minor miracle. And is one of the many reasons we love what we do.
Click to read more about the Seven Keys to Realise Your Writing Talent
Intensive 6-Week Short Story Course
Starting on the 10th of June, the 6-Week Character Development course will keep your writing process alive and inspired as you learn some key story dynamics that will develop your characters, writing and storytelling skills.
It also gives writers considering the 10-Month Novel & Script First Draft course an excellent opportunity to explore ideas and characters before embarking on the longer journey of writing your novel or screenplay.
This comprehensive course is designed for writers who have completed our Unlocking Creativity course and are looking to continue their creative journey.
Success Stories
Downstream by Annika Johansson
Congratulations to Annika Johansson, an alumna and tutor of the Writers’ Studio, whose debut novel, Downstream, has been published by Echo Publishing and is out now!
What happens when your great Australian dream gets washed away? And then tries to drag your marriage down with it?
When the 2022 flood hits, Lismore resident Rob and his wife Sal find themselves homeless and forced to flat share with strangers in Ballina – a slightly older hippy couple, also impacted by the floods, who couldn’t be more different from their new flatmates.
A two-bedroom, one-bathroom flat with very thin walls… Surely they can stick it out for six months – they’re all grown-ups, right? As each awkward, yet entertaining week rolls into the next, they graciously try to deal with one another’s personal quirks while waiting for life to get back to normal. Only life has bigger plans for all four of them.
Click here to buy Downstream
Share the Good News!
If you’ve earned recognition for your writing in competitions or received awards, we’d like to showcase and celebrate your accomplishments!
Please share a brief note along with relevant details or links to wstudio@writerstudio.com.au with the subject line “Success Stories.”
We look forward to showcasing your achievements.
Giveaways and Ticket Deals!
The Madame Blanc Mysteries Season 3
Thanks to Acorn Media, we have 5 DVDs to give away for the third season of cozy mystery series, The Madame Blanc Mysteries.
Ex-pat antiques dealer Jean White (Sally Lindsay) solves new mysteries in Sainte Victoire, from a deep-sea diving mishap to a historical duel, alongside her friend—and flirting partner—Dom (Steve Edge).
You can watch the trailer here
For your chance to win, email with your name, address, the series title and your mobile to: rsvp@writerstudio.com.au
ULSTER AMERICAN
As exclusive Writers’ Studio subscribers, Ensemble Theatre is offering 20% off performances of ULSTER AMERICAN, from 13–26 May.
ULSTER AMERICAN is a savage satire exposing the fragile egos and abuses of power that run rampant in Hollywood. Harriet Gordon-Anderson, Brian Meegan and Jeremy Waters, reunite after Outhouse Theatre’s critically acclaimed 2021 season in this acerbic and brutally hilarious play.
You can watch the trailer here
To take advantage of this offer, make sure that ticket type, ULSTER AMERICAN: Newsletter 20%, is selected and check your quantity of tickets before continuing to review your basket.
Click here to see ULSTER AMERICAN
HIGH AND LOW: JOHN GALLIANO
Thanks to Nixco, we have 10 double passes to giveaway to the upcoming documentary, HIGH AND LOW: JOHN GALLIANO, in cinemas for a limited time from May 30.
Directed by Academy-Award winner Kevin Macdonald (One Day in September, Touching The Void, Whitney), HIGH & LOW – JOHN GALLIANO delves into the captivating and complex life of head designer at Dior, John Galliano, who soared to unimaginable heights before experiencing a public downfall that shattered his career.
You can watch the trailer here
For your chance to win, email with your name, address, the series title and your mobile to: rsvp@writerstudio.com.au
Recent Course Feedback
Some snippets of the wonderful feedback that we receive back from recently completed courses. We update these each newsletter.
“What an adventure! Six fabulous weeks of writing tasks that have challenged and inspired. The feedback templates have really helped guide what to look for, and it’s so true that by providing feedback and encouragement to others, we all grow as writers. I’ve learnt so much; with each writing activity, further elements have been understood, explored and practiced. So, a BIG thank you to the Writer’s Studio, and to all the wonderful writers I got to play with over these six weeks. Let’s write for the sheer pleasure of it, and take ourselves on our very own character arc as we do.” Judith, Writers’ Gym
“The course has ignited a passion within me to continue and the feeling this is just the first step in actually focusing and pursuing writing more seriously.” Tiffany, Unlocking Creativity
“Using structure helped immensely in opening up the imagination and creativity. I am very structured in most things, and felt that this was the thing that was causing my lack of confidence to write. The way it was introduced actually helped me find a new lease on life with writing.” Paul, Unlocking Creativity
“Writers’ Gym exceeded my expectations in course content and the generous, genuine encouragement and feedback I received from my tutor and fellow writers.” Pushpa, Writers’ Gym
“The Unlocking Creativity course has prised open long-closed parts of my memory and life. Times when I felt dangerously alive and feeling all the feels. It’s made me more present. I notice things around me, search for ways to describe moments, or textures, sunrises, wind in trees, a wet road, a busy gym. It’s made me read again and look for the structure, recognise blocks of detail, consider the character development. I’m also watching television differently, and most of all, I WANT to write every day.” Holly, Unlocking Creativity
“When I first encountered The Writers’ Studio, joining the Unlocking Creativity course, I realised that I was in good hands. I am now on my second Third Draft Part 2 and getting closer to my ultimate goal – finishing my book. Thanks to the guidance of the tutors and editors that have helped me along the way (even though English is my second language), I feel confident that I can achieve what I have set out to do. Kelly has been a guiding light and understands my book better than I do. Her suggestions always make sense. It feels good to know that if I lose my way and get off script, or do too much telling, she will pull me back on the right track before it is too late and save me a lot of re-writing. I could not be where I am today without The Writers’ Studio.” Pierre, Third Draft Part 2