February 2020

February Newsletter & Upcoming Courses

Welcome to our Newsletter.

After an already difficult start to the year with the tragic bushfires, we have some very sad news closer to home.

Our beloved ‘Unlocking Creativity Online’ tutor, Owen Ravenscroft passed away on Friday 31 January, after a long battle with cancer.

Owen was an author, a tutor, and an alumni of the Writers’ Studio. He was a loving husband, father, brother and son, a dear friend, a dedicated surfer and a great bloke. 

Many of you tutored by Owen over the years, will attest to his unfailing humour, his insightful feedback, and his unwavering encouragement and support of all aspiring writers and their creativity.

We mourn the passing of this wonderful man and our dear colleague. We will miss him deeply.

Vale Owen

We were also shocked and saddened to learn of the death of one of our former Novel & Script writers, Kimberley McRae in tragic circumstances in mid January.

Kathleen has penned a loving tribute to Kim, whose death is currently being investigated by police. Kim published her book, ‘Hey Boys, She’s Got a Gash and Other Tales of Gods’, in December 2018, under the name Isabella Lawson.

Click to read Kathleen’s tribute to Kim: click here

Vale Kim

Quick Course Round-up

Unlocking Creativity Online will commence on 11 March more >

Unlocking Creativity Live will commence 27 February – limited places 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 22 June for new registrants. There are still a few places open in the 2 March course, but you have to be undertaking or have undertaken Unlocking Creativity to be eligible to register for the 2 March course 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 12 September course is now open for new bookings more >

Second Draft Online will start on 6 April. Register for your pre-course work more >

Second Draft Live commenced on 2 February. You can still join this course, register asap for your course work to date  more >

Third Draft Online course will start on 10 February but this course is now booked out. The 17 August course is now open for bookings 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 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 double passes to give-away to the new feature film ‘Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears’.

Romantic wayside stops in the Far East, glamorous sojourns in the mansions of London, and a battle to survive the rolling sands of the Arabian Desert long enough to find the missing treasure, solve numerous murders and break all aviation records as Miss Fisher wings her way home again!

‘Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears’ opens nationally on February 27.

If you would like to win one of these double passes, please email rsvp@writerstudio.com.au

Include your name, mobile number and the name of Miss Fisher’s reluctant sidekick police detective.

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

Owen Ravenscroft

Owen’s debut novel ‘Sink Or Swim’ was judged Highly Recommended in the 2013 Fellowship of Australian Writers’ Literary Awards.

Owen had been working to complete his follow-up to Sink or Swim, and it’s with great sadness that his second novel was not published before Owen’s illness overtook him.

Sink or Swim: Through a combination of bad luck and poor decisions a once privileged grazing family are forced from their historic property. Relocation to a coastal caravan park provides benefits for some and consequences for others, dire consequences. The high cost of low life!

Purchase a copy of Sink or Swim here

Kimberley McRae (Isabella Lawson)

Kim published her memoir in December 2018.

“When Brenda meets Emin, he is a young man half her age, a refined and brilliant undergraduate, freed from the stranglehold of his orthodox family. Brenda is a well-educated and alluring hooker. Aware of her role in their ‘erotic arrangement’, she sees it as nothing more than a transaction….”

“Isabella Lawson lays her soul bare in this intense and beautiful memoir.”

Purchase a copy 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 was one of the most meaningful things I’ve done in a while, and it was unlike any of the writing courses I have done before. The support that I received from my tutor and peers was phenomenal, and pushed me to keep writing when otherwise I might have given up. Thank you.” Terry, Unlocking Creativity Online

“Anyone who wants to or is considering to be a writer will find no better place to start than the Writers Studio. As well as guiding you throughout the process in a nurturing environment, it teaches you the basics and the main elements of writing in a descriptive and encouraging manner. My tutor, Emily, was very informative and was always ready to give a helping hand and give you tips on how to use and improve your ideas on the page. The Unlocking Creativity course I took a part of showed a clear understanding of storytelling principles and concepts and challenged me to do my best with the work I came up with. Most enjoyable 4 weeks. Highly recommend it!” Matthew, Unlocking Creativity Online

“Really fantastic course – it got me excited and inspired to write. Richard was a lovely teacher and the positive attitude he creates in the class is contagious! If you’re feeling a bit stuck or writer’s blocky – then this is the course for you!” Amanda Unlocking Creativity Live

“I’ve loved each lesson and learning about the dance between structure and imagination. A wonderful four weeks of personal growth.” Ruth, Unlocking Creativity Live

“I always enjoyed and felt energized after class. I am going to keep writing and commit to do the Short Story course in 2020.” Page, Unlocking Creativity Live

“I loved being part of an interesting group who all share a love of writing. Thanks Richard, for making this the most amazing experience.” Angela, Unlocking Creativity Live

“I have gained so much from this brilliant course that I will take it with me every day into my creative expression and I am so grateful. It has changed me forever.” Amanda, Unlocking Creativity Live

“Definitely a good idea choosing this course. It has reignited the enjoyment for creative writing.” Lee, Unlocking Creativity Live

“Thanks for an amazing course! It was one of the hardest things I’ve done, but so worth it.” Sophie, First Draft Online

“The First Draft online course is extremely well done. I must admit I was pleasantly surprised and thought without doing the live course there would be no way of achieving a 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 Online

“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 Online

“I’ve loved the course and I’m proud of myself for sticking to it through to the end.” Amanda, First Draft Online

“For any fledgling writer like myself, this course is absolutely critical to go far, far beyond any of the concepts that were touched upon in First Draft. This course has been monumental in terms of my learning experience and monumental in terms of lifting my protagonist, and all other characters to being worthy of each other. Now that a really strong structure is all laid out before me, I feel I really have a story to tell! It fills me with enthusiasm, and I am on ‘full steam ahead’ mode to finish it, and get my characters out in public!!’ Suzanne, Second Draft Online