12 February 2009

Dear Fellow Writer,
In this issue:

More student success

The right way to plural
Feature writing - Evening, Daytime and Online
How to think and write like a journalist - what you need to know
Tickets for you to Last Chance Harvey
Do you want to write fantasy?
How to showcase your work

I'm so thrilled to welcome a new member to our team at the Sydney Writers' Centre. Let me introduce our new Operations Coordinator, Danielle Williams. So if you call us, chances are that Danielle will take your call.

Danielle has a long background in writing and adult education. She's formerly worked at the University of Sydney's Centre for Continuing Education and the NSW Writers' Centre. She has a wealth of knowledge about writing and it already feels like she's been here forever! If you drop us a line, say "Hi" to Danielle.

TIP: The right way to plural

Noun plurals - there are so many irregularities here that it can sometimes be difficult to find the right word! Some of these may seem obvious but it’s amazing how many times people get it wrong.

Here are some handy rules for a few of those nasty irregular plurals:

If the word ends with '-us' the plural form will end in '-i'
For example: cactus to cacti, nucleus to nuclei, focus to foci
If the word ends with '-on' the plural will end
in '-a'
For example: phenomenon to phenomena,
criterion to criteria
If the word ends with '-o' the plural will have an
'-es' added
For example: potato to potatoes or tomato to
tomatoes.

Editing essentials

Business is back! School holidays are over and many of us are heading back to work. February is a great time to prepare for the year ahead and learn new skills. We have a number of business writing seminars coming up that can help you achieve more at work.

If you have to edit documents at work or would like to improve your own writing skills, Katrina Lobley’s Editing Essentials seminar could be just what you need. This seminar will give you the skills and knowledge to professionally edit and proofread documents quickly and accurately.

We’ll cover:

simple techniques that will improve anyone's writing
how to determine the tone and style of your document
common mistakes in punctuation and spelling
how to create professional documents that communicate effectively

When: Tuesday 24 February 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Cost: $345

Click here for more information or to enrol online.

Feature writing and student success

We’ve had some amazing success stories from students this week, with two articipants from Judy Skatssoon’s Feature Writing course having articles published.

Congratulations to Allison Garoza whose article "Well, hello there sailor" was picked up by the Canberra Times, and to Cindy Bingley-Pullen who had two articles published - "A feast of celebration for Chinese New Year" which was published by the Ballarat Courier and "Family, food and fun" by the Townsville Bulletin.

Many participants in the Feature Writing courses have gone on to have articles published in major newspapers around the country. If you'd like to get published in your favourite magazine, there are three options for you to choose from:

EVENING
When: Every Monday for 5 weeks from Monday 16 March 2009
(with one week break for Easter)
Presenter: Judy Skatssoon
Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Cost $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.

DAYTIME
When: Every Thursday for 5 weeks from Thursday 12 March 2009
Presenter: Pamela Wilson
Time: 10am to 12noon
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.

ONLINE
When: The week beginning Monday 23 February 2009 for five weeks
Presenter: Valerie Khoo
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.

How to think and write like a journalist - what you need to know

If you’ve completed Feature Writing stage 1 and you're ready to take the next step in your writing career, our stage 2 course is enrolling now. Feature Writing stage 2 will give you more practical skills to help you navigate the journalists' trade.

Topics covered include:

how to find the right angle
advanced interviewing techniques
nailing the lead of your feature
Freedom of Information
ethics and protocol

Feature writing for magazines and newspapers stage 2
When: Every Monday for 5 weeks from Monday 4 May 2009
Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enrol online.

Movie tickets for you to Last Chance Harvey
Our friends at Icon Films are giving away 20 double passes to a preview screening of Last Chance Harvey, a film about opening your heart and changing your life. Starring Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson, who were both nominated for Golden Globe awards for their performances, the film has garnered rave reviews.

All you have to do to win a double pass is email us at ourses@spindriftmedia.com.au with your full name and "Last Chance Harvey tickets" in the subject line. The first 20 respondents’ names will be placed on a list at the door. Easy!

Last Chance Harvey
Wednesday 25 February, 6.30pm
Greater Union Cinemas
George Street, Sydney

Do you write fantasy?

Are you a fantasy fanatic? Would you be interested in learning from one of the industry’s best fantasy fiction writers? The Sydney Writers’ Centre is looking at running a one-day World Building seminar with Pamela Freeman for those writers interested in fantasy fiction.

World building is essential to any fantasy fiction novel - just look at J.R. Tolkein. The Lord of the Rings could never have been so successful if he hadn’t created a believable world.

The course will cover topics such as:

Making your ecosystem believable
Which technologies will your world use?
How to develop your world’s history
Setting up a coherent system of magic

If you are interested, we'd like to know whether you prefer a Saturday or Sunday workshop. Please send your feedback to courses@spindriftmedia.com.au.

How to showcase your work

Red Bubble is an online artists’ community where you can post your stories and receive feedback from other members. The site has a strong focus on visual arts but writers too have a chance to have their work critiqued.

It’s a great way to get your work out there and also a wonderful time waster - there are some great poems and short stories there!

Check it out here. Membership is free and you can even join groups devoted especially to writing.

http://www.redbubble.com/

Business and Careers Institute in Milsons Point

Remember to check out our sister training organisation - the Business and Careers Institute - which we've just opened in Milsons Point. Thanks to those of you who have already enrolled in some of the courses! You'll find the same high quality of courses and presenters here.

As you know, I'm a big believer that technology can help you achieve more in less time. If you want to get the most out of everyday software like Word, Excel and Outlook, these fun and interactive courses will help you become a pro-user in just one day.

You can check it out here. I'd love to know what you think!
www.bcinstitute.com.au

Other upcoming courses
Seminar: Media Releases that Get Results with Luisa Volpato
When: Tuesday 17 February 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Fee: $345

Course: Online Creative Writing with Pamela Freeman
When: Week beginning Monday 23 February 2009 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 23 February 2009 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Seminar: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Tuesday 24 February 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Cost: $345

Seminar: Self-Publishing - How to do it with Valerie Khoo
When: Monday 9 March 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75

Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett - FULL
When: Wednesday 11 March 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75

Course: Feature writing for magazines and newspapers with Pamela Wilson
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 12 March 2009 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12.00noon
Cost: $395

Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 12 March 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75

Course: Feature writing for magazines and newspapers with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Monday starting Monday 16 March 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Novel Writing Workshop with Pamela Freeman
Evening classes held approximately every six weeks
Course starts: Tuesday 17 March 2008
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $450

Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Wednesday 18 March 2009 (one day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman - FULL
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 24 March 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 25 March 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 26 March 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75

Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle
When: Monday 30 March 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $325

Course: Feature Writing Stage 2 with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Monday starting Monday 4 May 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 6 May 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 12 May 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

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Wishing you much writing success,