Special Update Newsletter
Welcome to our Newsletter.
 We do hope that everyone is well, and slowly adapting to the massive changes and interruptions to our normal lives occurring at this time.
We know this is much easier said than done, but what we always tell writers in our courses, is to not let current circumstances stop you from pursuing your creative dreams, and to just focus on what you have control over – your writing.
Many of our current writers have been going great guns, saying how writing has been a great antidote to what’s happening around them. The act of writing brings us into the moment, nourishes our spirits and connects us with something bigger than ourselves. We received this from one of our writers yesterday:
“Thanks so much for the encouragement. I work in health, aged care specifically. My writing is keeping me sane from the stress of what has been imposed upon us.” Ros
Live Workshop Changes
We also want to update you on what changes are occurring to our Live Studio courses. (Our fully Online courses are not affected.)
For current and upcoming Live courses, all workshops will be conducted using the excellent Zoom meeting app, which simulates the live classroom experience as a “virtual classroom” from your own home.
The Live-Stream Video Virtual classroom will include live interaction with your tutor and fellow writers, break out groups, opportunities for discussion, asking questions, writing and creative sharing and even coffee breaks, minus the yummy chocolate biscuits. The only difference is you will be logging in remotely.
We ran our first all-day Zoom workshop for one of Novel & Script course groups on Saturday. Participants all said they were surprised and delighted at just how well it worked, saying they felt very focused, and very connected with their group.
We will of course be resuming live workshops at the Studio, as soon as we are able.
New Online Courses Starting Sooner
We are also running a 4-Week Unlocking Creativity Online course starting next Wednesday 1 April, for people now at home.
And we are offering a $70 discount to join the 1 April course (see Discount Code below).
We are also thinking about offering a 6-Week Short Story Online course starting within the next couple of weeks.
Please let us know if you are interested in joining an earlier 6-Week Short Story Online course. (Unlocking Creativity is a pre-requisite.)
We will also looking at offering an earlier 10-Month Novel & Script First Draft Online course to cater for those at home.
Writing is a mood altering activity
“One must be pitiless about this matter of mood. In a sense writing will create the mood. Generally, I’ve found this to be true. I have forced myself to begin writing when I’ve been utterly exhausted, when I’ve felt my soul as thin as a playing card, when nothing has seemed worth enduring for another five minutes… and somehow the activity of writing changes everything.” Joyce Carol Oates
Unlocking Creativity $70 Discount Code:
Receive $70 off the normal course fee to join the 4-Week Unlocking Creativity Online – 1 April course.
 Enter this code: MARCH
Enter the code into the ‘ID Code’ field located below the mobile phone field, when registering.
It is case sensitive!
For more information and register click here
Quick Course Round-up
The next Unlocking Creativity Online courses will commence next Wednesday on 1 April, and on Wednesday 29 April more >
The Unlocking Creativity Live/Virtual course will commence 30 April more >
The next upcoming 6-Week course is the Character Development Short Story Online course starting 15 June. (Unlocking Creativity is a prerequisite.) Reserve your place now more >
The next 10-Month First Draft Online course will commence on 22 June more >
The next 10-Month First Draft Live course with Roland, Kathleen & Richard will start on 12 September more >
Notes on First Draft Live September course: We hope by September that we will have returned to Live workshops, however if you register for the 12 September course, and if you change your mind for whatever reason, you can get full refund up to 60 days (14 July) before the course commences.
Second Draft Online will start on 6 April. A few places are still open. Register for your pre-course work more >
The next Third Draft Online course will start on 17 August more >
Third Draft Part 2 (Extension) Online will commence 20 July more >
Third Draft Part 2 (Extension) Live/Virtual course just commenced on 21 March, but you can still join this course 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.
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 Certifcates are valid for 3 years from purchase date.
Purchase here: GIFT CERTIFICATES
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.
“One word: ‘Wow’! In four weeks, Unlocking Creativity has opened my eyes to the key elements of story structure and scene setting that many other courses simply didn’t explain. The exercises and writing tasks gave me a unique insight into my writing style. What I do well and what I can work on to improve. It’s been wonderful to have the opportunity to submit my work for review and feedback in a safe and nurturing environment. The best thing I’ve done for my writing in a long time.” Claudine, Unlocking Creativity
“I’m so glad I did the Unlocking Creativity course! I was only able to learn that because the nurturing environment of the Writers’ Studio made me feel comfortable enough to overcome the nerves I had regarding my style. My only regret is that I didn’t do this course sooner.” Tegan, Unlocking Creativity
“I found it inspirational and encouraging, challenging and so rewarding. It has been an incredible environment in which to share with and learn from other writers. I’ll be forever grateful that I did this course!” Elizabeth, Unlocking Creativity
“I’d highly recommend the Unlocking Creativity course. It’s such a rewarding experience and you’d be surprised as to how much you find out. Not only about writing short stories but also about yourself.” Tanisha, Unlocking Creativity
“The course is really well structured with both lessons and exercises and it really puts you in the mindset of writing every day, not only tapping into your creativity but also asking you to adhere to guidelines and deadlines which in turn create discipline. I’m really glad I did it!” Silvia, Unlocking Creativity
“I’ve learnt so much throughout the duration of this short course and gained more confidence in my writing thanks to the support and encouragement from those that participated in the course with me, and the tutors.” Chelsea, Unlocking Creativity
“I really felt this was a valuable experience and money well spent. I would recommend this course to every writer because I know that success would be accelerated by this experience. In conclusion I feel I must congratulate Writers Studio on its success in imparting such valuable.” Elaine, Unlocking Creativity
“The thing that has surprised me the most, has been learning that structure can unleash my creativity – a seemingly incongruent concept, but now I totally get it and believe it. I’ve loved watching where my pen has taken me – down unexpected and enjoyable story lines. I have absolutely loved it!” Rebecca, Unlocking Creativity
“This course is the most liberating, inspirational, nurturing and fulfilling activity I have undertaken in a very long time. I had no idea there were such simple yet utterly effective strategies for finding the right words and structures to create an interesting or even compelling story in such a short time. Thank you to all at the Writer’s Studio.” Jean, Unlocking Creativity
“The First Draft online course is extremely well done actually. I must admit I was pleasantly surprised and thought without doing the live course there would be no way of achieving ta First Draft! But there you go, I was wrong. My tutor Helen helped me to find new story lines and depths to my characters and plot that I did not see and she was very encouraging and positive! Altogether, the course materials, the emails, the step by step guide, the encouragement and inspirational quotes from other authors and Kathleen videos, made me push forward when at times, I hate to admit it, I wanted to give up.” Lisa, First Draft
“I am so pleased that even when I felt the fear, that little voice that says I’m not good enough, can’t do it, it’s too risky that I did it anyway, enrolled in the 10-month first draft and took the plunge to do something I’ve always wanted to do for myself. I wish I’d found The Writers Studio years earlier. I recommend to anyone seeking a writing course that it’s a valuable course to undertake because it prompts the writer to write daily, be accountable and inspires to take that next step so words can develop into a better story. I am grateful for the course, my tutor and the team at the Writers Studio.” Lorraine, First Draft
“Thanks for an amazing course! It was one of the hardest things I’ve done but so worth it.” Sophie, First Draft
“I’ve loved the course and I’m proud of myself for sticking to it through to the end.” Amanda, First Draft |
