Welcome to our February Newsletter!
We’d like to extend a warm welcome to all of our Unlocking Creativity writers who joined us in January.
Our tutors have been deeply impressed by the quality of work emerging and by the confidence, craft, and depth that continues to develop across your writing, storytelling, and character work.
Each year begins with a powerful reminder of what’s possible when writers give themselves permission to create. Time and again, we see how much talent surfaces when people learn to quiet self-doubt, trust the process, and engage fully with their imagination.
Soon, we’ll be welcoming writers into the first 10-Month First Draft Online Course for 2026. There are only a few places remaining in this course if you are interested in beginning the journey of writing your novel or screenplay.
The Power of Classic Story Structure
Many people are concerned that classic story structure will stifle their creativity and have them writing stories that are clichéd and lacking in originality.
Classic structure isn’t just a formula, it’s a reflection of how human beings experience growth and transformation when their sense of self is challenged. It mirrors our own inner journeys of change.
A classic story takes the emotional journey of a character and places it on a dramatic stage.
As Robert McKee puts it:
The function of structure is to provide progressively building pressure that forces characters into more and more difficult dilemmas, where they must make more and more difficult risk-taking choices and actions, gradually revealing their true natures—even down to their unconscious self.
Structure provides the scaffolding for your imagination that allows you to surprise yourself and your readers. Structure doesn’t replace your creativity, it enhances it.
The dance between structure and imagination takes you to places you couldn’t consciously plan.
Wherever you are at with your writing, learning the principles of classic story structure will help you understand how to make your writing and stories more dramatic and resonate with readers.
The Writers’ Studio Approach
We introduce classic story structure in the last session of our 4-Week Unlocking Creativity course where writers are led through the process of writing a guided short story.
Writers are invariably amazed at how classic story structure stretches their imagination and enables them to write a short story that is meaningful and engaging.
Then, in our 10-Month Novel & Script First Draft course, we use the fundamentals of classic story structure to generate a first draft that takes the writer and their main character on an inspiring journey of change.
At the end of the course, people are amazed how by following this process their stories continually surprise and excite them as they have a series of “ah ha” moments and make creative discoveries along the way.
The result is that writers create stories have that magic ingredient that makes people want to read what they have written.
Best Wishes To Anastasia!
We’re sharing some bittersweet news: Anastasia Sideris, our brilliant Accounts Manager, is moving on to focus on her family and her own writing.
While we’ll miss her greatly, we’re delighted for Anastasia and thank her wholeheartedly for the dedication, care and energy she’s brought to our community since 2021.
Anastasia’s departure opens up a unique opportunity for someone with a background in Accounts and small business bookkeeping and a zest for creative writing.
Are you looking for an ongoing, Sydney-based part-time role (approximately 18 hours per week), with flexible remote or hybrid options, that marries your love of creativity with your talent for accounts management? We’d love to hear from you! You’ll be joining a dedicated team in an environment that celebrates creativity and collaboration.
Details of the position can be found here »
First 6-Week Short Story Course of 2026!
The 6-Week Writers’ Gym Course will keep your writing process alive and inspired as you learn some key story dynamics that will help you create compelling moral dilemmas and 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 before embarking on the longer journey of writing your novel or screenplay.
This comprehensive short story course starts on the 25th of February, designed for writers who have completed Unlocking Creativity and are looking to continue their writing journey.
For $50 off the full course fee, enrol and use code: GYM50
Success Stories
Maya Linnell
Congratulations to Maya Linnell, an alumna of the Writers’ Studio, whose latest novel, Sunrise at Sunny Cross Farm will be published by Allen & Unwin in June this year!
Her earlier releases, Wallaby Lane and Cockatoo Cove are available for purchase if you love a feel-good rural Australian romance.
Maggie West has worked tirelessly to prove herself, establishing a successful cattle stud whilst juggling family pressures. Scottish winemaker Fergus Abernathy is thriving on the Limestone Coast, though he longs for his family back in Scotland to join him.
Misunderstandings and long-held secrets test Maggie and Fergus as a vital community fundraiser hangs in the balance. Set against stunning wine country and rugged coastlines, Cockatoo Cove celebrates resilience, love, and life on the land.
In Maya’s words, “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.”
Click here to buy Cockatoo Cove
Kitsune’s Tale by Nyssa Baschel
Congratulations to Neasa, one of our tutors, whose short story, under her pen name, Kitsune’s Tale is being published in a paranormal romance anthology, Haunted Hearts!
When Kit’s car spirals off a rain-slicked road, she awakens in the arms of a mesmerising Irish stranger, and is drawn into a myth that feels hauntingly familiar.
If you live in Brisbane, click here to grab a free ticket to the anthology launch on February 14.
Hydra in Winter by Shelley Dark
Congratulations to Shelley Dark, who undertook our Unlocking Creativity course, and who has self-published her book, Hydra in Winter!
When Shelley jets off for two weeks on Hydra, she’s not seeking a sun-kissed Greek island escape; instead, she’s chasing the story of her husband’s great-great grandfather—Australia’s first Greek convict, and a pirate!
In Shelley’s words, “It’s been a few months since I finished your Unlocking Creativity course, which was, in all honesty, one of the best courses I have ever done. It feels a bit surreal but it’s a testament to the incredible support and inspiration I’ve received from our wonderful writing community. You were part of my writing journey, and I’m excited about the future!”
Click here to buy Hydra in Winter
Share the Good News!
If you have completed courses with the Writers’ Studio and you’ve earned recognition for your writing in competitions or received awards, we’d love 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.”
Giveaways!
Manly Writers’ Festival 2026
We have some session tickets* to the 2026 Manly Writers’ Festival to give away!
The festival will run from 19-22 March, bringing together writers, journalists, historians, and storytellers to explore fiction and non-fiction in all their forms – from novels, memoir, history, reportage, personal reflection, and the important issues of today.
Whether you’re into history, politics, crime, sport, fiction, or anything that is a good read, the Manly Writers’ Festival is a literary festival presenting a rich program of panels, interviews, and special events featuring almost 90 writers, leading authors, commentators, and local and emerging voices in venues located amidst the coastal beauty of Manly.
Full program details can be found at manlywritersfestival.org.au
For your chance to win a complimentary session ticket*, email with your name, mention the Manly Writers’ Festival and your mobile number to: rsvp@writerstudio.com.au
*Tickets may be subject to Booking/Merchant fees and non-redeemable for Thomas Keneally’s opening oration.
Fackham Hall
Thanks to Nixco, we have 5 double passes to give away to Fackham Hall, the new hilarious comedy directed by Jim O’Hanlon and written by comedian Jimmy Carr, releasing nationally 19 February.
A spoof that crosses Downton Abbey with Flying High and Monty Python, Fackham Hall follows lovable pick-pocket Eric Noone as he lands a job at a unique English manor house.
He quickly rises through the ranks, and a forbidden romance with lady-of-the-house Rose Davenport blossoms. But when an unexpected murder occurs, Eric gets framed – leaving Rose and her family’s future perilously uncertain.
You can watch the trailer here
For your chance to win, email with your name, address, the movie 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.
“If you’ve ever felt like writing was your calling but life just pushed it away from you, the Writers’ Studio cannot only reignite your passion but also guide you on your journey and partner you with like-minded people who will boost your energy when you need. Thank you for transforming my ability to make writing part of my life.” Filipe, First Draft Course
“I know now from doing this course that I’m going to keep on writing. I’ve missed that nearly zen feeling when you’re on a roll and the ideas come and the words spill out onto the page. Doing this course has made me realise that the trick to writing is consistency, doing a little bit every day, diving in and getting started, putting the words down even if they’re junk. Just get the story down then I can polish it.” Louise, Short Story – Writers’ Gym
“One of the most important takeaways has been learning to let go of the inner critic. I realized that listening to that internal voice only creates obstacles and hinders the writing process. I was genuinely surprised by how easily the words came once I settled into the work. I have definitely seen my own writing improve. I found myself captivated by the short stories at the end and enjoyed following the work of specific writers.” Joshua, Unlocking Creativity Online
“It has been the most amazing experience. I didn’t really know I wanted to write but now I love writing. The tools make even the impossible seem doable. And even in such a short time, I have seen my writing and my fellow writers’ stories come alive, dancing on the page each with their own unique flavour. Do it. You won’t regret it.” Kate, Unlocking Creativity Live
“Second Draft was spectacular and I loved it. Hard as it was, it really tightened up my story and gave me the big picture view which then became my story bible. Emily’s energy kept us all going especially during the hard parts. She was truly amazing. Great, great course! ” Jasmina, Second Draft Course
“Third Draft Part Two helped me to find depths in my story that I had never explored despite years of previous work. My tutor was able to guide me in writing a draft that elevated the work to a new level entirely. They were a huge help, and their feedback was invaluable. Thanks to this course, I’m in a much better position to finish working on my novel and hopefully get it ready for publishing. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to attend this course, and would recommend it to any first-time author willing to accept constructive criticism and improve.” Michael, Third Draft Course
