June 2023

10-Month First Draft Online course.

Starts June 19, a few spots left!

We still have a few spots in our upcoming First Draft Novel & Script Online course commencing June 19th.

This course will help you write the best story you are capable of, while having fun along the way.

Designed for people working full time, this course provides a step-by-step process that breaks the writing of your first draft into manageable bite-sized chunks. It is suitable for both people who have a clear story idea and those who are starting with a blank canvas.

“I always knew I wanted to write a book, but the idea of a framework made me more confident to start the journey. My tutors were my cheerleaders throughout the process. The course gave me a great insight into the classic novel structure, with great hints, tools and suggestions along the way, and the all-important accountability.”

Maya Linnell – She recently published her fifth novel, Kookaburra Cottage, with Allen & Unwin.

Quick Course Round-up

The next Unlocking Creativity Online course will commence 14th June:  more >

The next Unlocking Creativity Live course will commence 20th July (early bird discount ends 29th June):  more >

The next two 6-Week Short Story courses are:

• Character Development Short Story course starting 12th June (Unlocking Creativity is a prerequisite)  more >
• Genre Short Story course starting 7th August (Unlocking Creativity is a prerequisite) more>

The next 10-Month First Draft Online course starts 19th June  more >

The next 10-Month First Draft Live course (with Roland, Kathleen & Rich) will commence 9 September  more >

The next 8-Month Second Draft Online will commence 25th September  more >

Third Draft Online will commence 21st August, register now for your pre-course work  more >

The next Third Draft Live will commence 28th October  more >

Third Draft Part 2 Online will commence 17th July, register now for your pre-course work  more >

The Third Draft Part 2 Live will commence 13th August, register now for your pre-course work  more >

Please contact the office on (02) 9386 4994 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday, if you have any questions at all about which course is right for you.

Writing Competitions!

Each month we update the competitions page with new and exciting competitions, so make sure you’re checking in regularly!

We list upcoming Short Story and other Writing competitions of varying lengths and genres. There’s something there for every writer.

Please read any instructions and entry requirements on the competition/awards website.

Under the Vines: Series 2

Thanks to ACORN Media, we have copies of Under The Vines Series 2 to giveaway.

In this sparkling romantic dramedy, Sydney socialite Daisy (Rebecca Gibney, Winter) and former London lawyer Louis (Charles Edwards, The Crown) continue to operate Oakley Winery, the struggling New Zealand vineyard they jointly inherited. But the course to good wine—and to true love—never runs smooth.

Louis is still hoping to save his marriage, and any chance of romance between the two unlikely partners in wine further sours when Daisy meets David (Kirk Torrance, Outrageous Fortune), a handsome local doctor. Daisy’s lovesick bestie, movie star Griff (Dean O’Gorman, The Hobbit trilogy), is trying to repair his own relationship with handyman Gus (Simon Mead). Meanwhile, rival winery Shimmering Lake hires a rock star French vintner, who happens to be Tippy’s (Trae Te Wiki) distant cousin. He wants to mentor Oakley’s young winemaker, but can he be trusted?

“A charming sun-kissed comedy drama” – The Sun (UK)

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

“I’ve recently completed the 4-Week Unlocking Creativity course in Bronte and I have felt supported and encouraged from the first session. The positivity the group creates is something very special. I feel much more confident and better equipped to be able to put my thoughts, feelings and ideas onto paper and would highly recommend giving it a go!”

William D

Unlocking Creativity Online

“The learning unfolds in an exceptionally simple way, with each week building on the next.”

Alex B

Unlocking Creativity Online

“I really enjoyed it. I can see how satisfying writing can be, and how much work goes into writing a novel or script. I will never again take for granted how much work goes into publishing something. Writing is very time consuming and can feel like torture, to get started, and then once you get going you can get into a flow and it can be very soothing. I really enjoyed this experience. Thank you.”

Belinda H

First Draft Online

“What a ride it has been! I feel tired now, having finished the course so early, but honestly I just felt compelled to keep writing. It may seem a bit corny, but this course is among the best things I’ve done in my life to date. Thanks for the opportunity!”

Kerrie M

First Draft Online

“Kelly has been a great tutor. She has provided comprehensive and clear feedback and taken the time to explore that with me. I have appreciated her honesty about my work – I don’t want a wishy-washy response; I want clear critique and guidance. I felt all along that I was tapping into the mind of a specialist. Thanks, Kelly, you were wonderful!”

Malcolm H

Third Draft Online

UPCOMING COURSES

4-Week Unlocking Creativity
Whether you are a complete beginner, a professional writer or somewhere in-between, this is the first step towards achieving your writing goals, whatever they are. This introductory writing course will give you essential tools and techniques to unlock the power of your imagination and dramatically improve the quality of your writing.

June 14th:  Unlocking Creativity – ONLINE

July 20th:  Unlocking Creativity – LIVE

10-Month Novel & Script First Draft
If your dream is to write a novel or screenplay our first draft course will get you doing it. You don’t need to have a clear idea for a story to start. The course’s step-by-step process begins by helping you find and clarify the key characters and story in a broad outline before embarking on writing your actual first draft.

September 9th: Novel & Script First Draft – LIVE

June 19th: Novel & Script First Draft – ONLINE

6-Week Short Story Course Online
Our Short Story courses are ideal for writers who have completed Unlocking Creativity and want to continue with their creative journey.
If you do the work and implement the tools and techniques you will be amazed at how much your writing and story-telling ability develops.

These courses will also prepare you for the 10 Month First Draft course should you want to do that down the track. Receive targeted feedback on every piece you post.

June 12th: Character Development – ONLINE

August 7: Genre – ONLINE

8-Month Second Draft
The First Draft is where you find the possibilities of your story. The Second Draft writing course is the pivot draft where you focus on making your story come alive and work for your reader.

February 4th 2024: Second Draft – LIVE

September 25th: Second Draft – ONLINE

7-Month Third Draft

You have found the dramatic spine of your story in The Second Draft. The Third Draft is where all the hard work you have put into finding, developing, clarifying and structuring your story in the First and Second Drafts dramatically pays off.

October 28th: Third Draft – LIVE

August 21st: Third Draft – ONLINE

12-Month Live & 10-Month Online Third Draft  Part Two
By following the course process, learning advanced tools and techniques and giving and receiving feedback enables everyone to take their writing and story to another level. ‘The voice of each writer is much clearer and confident; there is a sense of finding and settling down with the voice.

August 13th: Third Draft Part Two – LIVE

July 17th: Third Draft Part Two – ONLINE