Creative Writing Course Reviews

First Draft - Novel & Script

I did the courses in 2022 and 2023.
I have just submitted my first novel for publication and I would never have accomplished the task had I not worked with your wonderful tutors.
I have always wanted to write , and have produced numerous short stories and poems. As a teacher, most of my writing has been for the benefit of my secondary students, and turning that love to produce something for myself has felt like a wonderful achievement. Your Studio made it possible.
It helped with everything I needed; it showed me micro plots, scene organisation, plot twist devices, and tempered my too descriptive language when I needed to move forward with action. It also provided me with the tools to go a step at time, and break down passages that I would not have had the wherewithal to change .I'm a right-brained thinker; I start at A and want to be at Z straight away. Your meticulous approach was the greatest asset in looking at how I could reduce the bird's eye view to the smaller pieces.

First Draft - Novel & Script

The most revealing aspect has been the ability of my pen to do the thinking (i.e. the imagination). It has given me a lot of confidence and has been a great deal of fun. There are a number of other aspects that have been really valuable. The deadlines forced me to be disciplined. The structuring was at times frustrating but really valuable in keeping me on track. The interaction with others in the course was extremely valuable in opening my mind. The course convinced me that I can do it if I just keep writing.

First Draft - Novel & Script

I have loved this course. The structure, feedback and monthly group sessions have propelled me forward and I have managed to write a number of scenes every week. I’m not sure what I think of the draft itself but the fact it exists now and is something I can continue to develop and refine means I’ve come on a journey of my own. It has been a great process to just push forward and slowly learn to shut out the negative voices in my head telling me to stop! Thank you, it’s been a blast!

First Draft - Novel & Script

I enrolled in this course to gain accountability and I did gain this (mostly). Well I have 60,000 words that I wouldn't have if I hadn't enrolled. I also have a story. I have turning points and I have a character who is revealed by her responses to those and this is a useful foundation.

First Draft - Novel & Script

This First Draft course has taught me to trust. To trust the process because it literally creates story from where there was none. To trust myself that if I do the work the work moves my story forwards. And mostly to trust my characters as long as they keep pursuing their own goals, the story reveals itself to me. I’m remarkably impressed with this course its techniques and most of all its teachers. Their spirit of generosity is a beautiful thing.

First Draft - Novel & Script

I have loved everything about the First Draft experience. I’ve been able to develop my characters over time and have been able to put her under the extreme pressure! I don’t know where it all comes from, but I’m strapped in and excited to see where we go in the Second Draft in February.

First Draft - Novel & Script

I can’t believe I made it. There were times I doubted myself my story my character my stamina and I might have succumbed to it if it wasn’t for the tutors' encouragement and positive feedback. But it was also the momentum created by my fellow writers sharing their stories and own battles. We’re in it together. I’m looking forward to getting into the psych of my characters in building something worthy of reader's time.

First Draft - Novel & Script

This course taught me so many critical elements I would never have considered had I attempted this on my own. I love my main character, and can't wait to take her into Second Draft!

First Draft - Novel & Script

So much of the story - which began as a throwaway line - has grown and wandered and stormed around and surprised me. I know there is so much more it has taught me and that is thrilling. I remember an early quote "The book that will most change your life is the one you write" now I get it but while I’m writing it myself, it only exists because of this class and all my new writing buddies I’m grateful to everyone in the class for their honesty, openness, and enthusiasm.

First Draft - Novel & Script

Where do I even start to express the journey of the last 10 months? How far we have come and how much we have learned is astonishing. It feels like the knowledge of 10 years, not months. We have experienced the distillation of a lifetime of wisdom from other writers and creators. The principles and practices of building a structure and the wonder of watching others imagined worlds come together and takeoff. Where do we go from here? The only answer is forward, forward, forward, of course.

First Draft - Novel & Script

It was fabulous! Absolutely loved it! Just as it was an absolutely amazing atmosphere supportive, positive, and unconditional. It also gave an absolute whale of a structure to give my newborn novel. The core it needed. I now have a whole story formed and scenes designated to where they need to show the action. I was able to do it in my own process and style. The course being structured but also flexible enough to provide for my idiosyncrasies as a writer! So so highly recommended!!! Thank you so much for your wisdom and patience!

First Draft - Novel & Script

It’s been fantastic! No regrets about signing up. It’s been such a steep learning curve. I’ve learned about story structure keeping the plot moving and character development. The insights of my classmates have been invaluable and I’ve been able to incorporate some other suggestions. I looked forward to attending each class and went away with fresh motivation. Some months have been more challenging than others but I’ve been able to reach the end with the boundless encouragement of everyone. Thank you Rich and team for your feedback, patience and wisdom.

First Draft - Novel & Script

This course has been a journey in writing and personal experience. I’ve learnt that it is invigorating to be around people who are all discovering their stories and hearing their feedback and ideas has improved what I am doing in my story. I’ve learned during a time of personal trials and tribulations. This room has always been a safe and embracing space and I will always appreciate that. Richard, Roland and Kathleen have been generous guides to my writing journey.

First Draft - Novel & Script

Over the last 10 months I’ve been able to dream up characters, create dramatic scenes and imagine a different life and world. It’s been incredibly rewarding, fun and enjoyable. The group has been fantastic. The collaborative effort of everyone and the teachers has created a wonderful dynamic.

First Draft - Novel & Script

The online materials have been incredible. They help me know exactly what I’m meant to be doing next and the reasoning behind it in terms of my character's growth. It made sure I didn’t get bogged down at every challenge I faced whilst writing. I knew I had to keep going and trust the process. I also found the layout of the materials super easy to navigate and find what I needed to. I have to understand that writing a novel is a process and one draft is not going to cut it. I’m going to find the writers will power to commit to re-writing, taking it all apart and going at it again in the second draft. Thank you so much! It’s amazing to actually have finished a first draft after years of trying. The support has been incredible.

First Draft - Novel & Script

The process has helped me discover the deeper emotional journey within the story and opened up new possibilities for the kind of story I want to tell readers. I have really enjoyed the online materials because they were easy to follow, well-structured, and flexible without strict time limits. I plan to continue developing the story in the second draft course and keep believing in the potential of both the story and myself as a writer. Thank you for all the support and guidance throughout this journey.

First Draft - Novel & Script

The first draft has been an expansion on the freedom I learned in the Unlocking Creativity course. As someone who has written a first draft long ago, hated it, then over the course of a few years attempted 3 first drafts and become almost paralytic each time out of some fear, it brought me back to the feeling of just plunging in and writing fearlessly and not caring if it wasn’t perfect, whilst giving me the structure to write in this way towards a decent first draft of the story I can be overall satisfied with. It’s been a great experience with a great tutor. Hoping the draft two experience is just as great, if not more so :D

First Draft - Novel & Script

I was surprised at how much the structure gave me freedom. Instead of being restrictive it became a container for me to pour my ideas, feelings and words into without the need for constant editing or second guessing myself to make sure it made sense or the flow was right. I could just trust the process and focus on getting the words down. Such a great course! Highly recommend.

First Draft - Novel & Script

I am so grateful for this course. I can hardly believe I'm at the end of First Draft. It has been an incredible journey. It feels like I believed in magic, enrolled in First Draft for the second time and just like that, I'm writing this. Thank you! I can't wait for Second Draft.

First Draft - Novel & Script

Brilliant course thank you! I have enjoyed it so much. I am going to drive straight into draft 2 course starting in July and keep learning.

First Draft - Novel & Script

I never thought I could do this. I have started and abandoned so many of these, to actually get through and complete a story so big and vast is so fulfilling. But more than that I have fallen so in love with writing each day and the lessons it has to show me. Thank you so very much.

First Draft - Novel & Script

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your encouragement and feedback. Over and over the course materials have stressed the importance of trusting the process and just committing to writing everyday - well, most days at least! And here we are at the end of the course with a rough first draft!! It is very exciting and I couldn't have done it without the structure of the course. Thank you all so much!

First Draft - Novel & Script

The structure has definitely helped keep my wild imagination on course. It’s really given my scene writing direction and has left me without too many questions on how to start and end a scene. Would 100% recommend this course to anyone!

First Draft - Novel & Script

I just want to thank Elizabeth and creators of the course for helping me finish a first draft of something for the first time! It’s been a game-changer for me. Thank you all very much!!!

First Draft - Novel & Script

Just to say thanks to the whole crew at WS for everything. I couldn’t have done this without you! In a previous life I was an academic, and so I know how hard it is to create online courses that actually work. This one definitely does!!

First Draft - Novel & Script

It's wild to me that now I have a first draft, when about a year ago, all I had was a concept. WILD. Thank you so much to Janelle, my Unlocking Creativity tutor Kitty and the whole team - I know so much work goes on in the background to make this all happen! I've recommended the courses to so many people, telling them they have to dive in and trust the process. But the materials, examples and tutors have really made that easy for me and I've enjoyed it so much. I'm excited to keep going and keep challenging myself!

First Draft - Novel & Script

Every testimonial and claim about this course is absolutely true and it is thanks to The Writer’s Studio that I finally have a first draft after 16 years of trying to write my book. I am looking back on my absolute mess of a first draft and I couldn’t be any happier because I know in that messy draft is the golden story I have always wanted to write and I can’t wait to continue adding layers to the canvas with The Writer’s Studio to bring my masterpiece to life so THANK YOU!

First Draft - Novel & Script

The steps and process put forward by the Writer’s Studio and the comments from a professional tutor helped draw the story from me. I am excited what will be extracted next in the second draft to build on what I have developed and written. A structured plan as you have provided, and tutor, keeping me disciplined is the structure I need. I will be in attendance for the second draft and beyond.

First Draft - Novel & Script

When I began I didn’t have a story—just a main character, an opponent, and a single scene from Unlocking Creativity. That scene survived and appears almost at the end of my story. By trusting the process I have created a complete story based on these fragile beginnings. Now that I’ve finished my first draft, all the protagonists have come to life, and worked together to create their own, interconnecting stories. I have already signed up to do the Second Draft course, and this time I’m doing it LIVE in Sydney! I’m very excited about this; I think the added bonus of a workshop environment once a month will be very rewarding.

First Draft - Novel & Script

The course provided so much valuable education about writing, story structure, basic essential ingredients that I number 1) had no idea about and number 2) would not have discovered by reading a ‘Writing for Dummies’ book which my husband bought me about 5 years ago and I have never opened it, not from a lack of good intentions!

First Draft - Novel & Script

My story has come to life in ways I would never have imagined. I’ve done several writers’ courses but only this one has given me the experience of finding my characters in that magical place writer’s dream of. They just come to me. I love that. I believe I have learned more from this course than others including tertiary based writing courses.

First Draft - Novel & Script

I’ve learned so much about the landscapes of storytelling from the actions that drive the narrative or plot forward to the emotional journey of a main character! Group work has been surprising and delightful – but also motivating and incredibly supportive. I’ve really loved our entire group and their fascinating stories. I’m looking forward to developing my story further and the next course. A million thanks to Rich, Kathleen and Roland for the narrative journey of a lifetime.

First Draft - Novel & Script

I feel more confident as a storyteller, to be able to structure and convey real themes that are so important to me. And I have met wonderful, supportive, creative people also on the writing journey. Thank you!

First Draft - Novel & Script

I was so nervous for my first session. I felt like an impostor, not sure if I could fit alongside the other writers who I was sure were all more confident and capable than me. But I also knew that left to my own devices I’d never ever begin to sketch out a story. I feel so lucky to have gone through this process with such lovely, generous writers who have lifted me when I begin to be plagued by my self doubt. I’m very grateful for their kindness and support alongside the endlessly patient guidance by our amazing teachers. Thank you so much!

First Draft - Novel & Script

This course has been even more helpful than I could have hoped. I began with a cluster of colourful ideas and a character and no direction. I tried for months to write the story myself but didn’t have the tools to make that character go on a journey. This course gave me the gift of plot, of forcing things to happen, of reacting and propelling my character forward. She and I both landed somewhere entirely different to where I thought we would yet still with the specks of colour that excited me in the first place. Thank you to the teachers and and my fellow writers who helped me get there.