Dear Fellow Writer,
In this issue:- Changing the world one apostrophe at a time
- More student successes
- Business writing TIP: Write your conclusion first
- Get publicity by writing Media Releases that Get Results
- Win a copy of Hannah Tinti’s novel The Good Thief
As you read this, I'm sitting in a hotel in Los Angeles at a conference about online marketing. (Yes, I did sneak in a visit to Disneyland too! Check out the picture). These days, people are automatically turning to the internet as their first port of call when they are looking for information. So it's vital that you know the best way to write for your online audience.
That's why our half-day workshop Writing for the Web is perfect if you want to know how to reach your audience online.
Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle
When: Friday 28 November 2008
Time: 9.00am - 1.00pm
Cost: $225
Click here for more information or to enroll online.
Changing the world - one apostrophe at a time
A couple of months ago, I wrote about a billboard near Milsons Point train station which looked like this:
As you can see, there’s an apostrophe missing in the word "wont", giving it an entirely different meaning. It’s a massive billboard with a big mistake in a high traffic public place. Obviously, I’m not the only person who was annoyed by this! I walked by a few days ago and noticed this:
Somebody has stuck two white pieces of paper making the word wont into won’t. I hope it was one of our newsletter readers.
BUSINESS WRITING TIP: State your conclusion first
When it comes to business writing, there are rules and guidelines you can learn to help make your writing clear and concise. One take-away tip you can use straight away is:2. Then write the background information.
When
you are writing about a concept, project or process, you can be tempted
to write some background information first and then build on this
before writing the conclusion. It’s natural to think that you need to
write the "building blocks" first before readers will understand the
conclusion.
However, you should do the
opposite.
It may seem counter-intuitive but it’s more effective to state your
conclusion first. Make your main point to your reader before you go
into the nitty gritty details.
Professional Business Writing
You’ll learn more golden rules in business writing in one-day at our Professional Business Writing seminar with Mel Wilkinson.
Mel will guide you through the structure of writing professionally at work. She will reveal the best way to convey your information, teach you how to avoid common mistakes and how to structure your documents through this valuable one day seminar.
All
participants receive a bonus Sydney Writers’ Centre Editorial Style
Guide to the value of $75 when enrolling for the course.
Here's what past participant Jason Leung had to say about the course:
"This course has provided me with the right skills and direction to be able to improve my professional writing. The seminar was held is a pleasant relaxed atmosphere, which made the day enjoyable."
Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Thursday 27 November 2008 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enroll online.
More student success
I love it when I get emails like this from former students:Hello Valerie,
I really love Saturdays! I opened up my SMH at the Travel section and saw my story on Carcoar. It took me by surprise. It is like getting a lovely present!
Di Cato
Congratulations Di. You’re an excellent writer. We know we’re going to read many more.
Editing at work - the easy way
Are you unsure about how to turn someone's writing into an easy-to-understand document? Do you find yourself having to edit documents at work?Editing can be a time-consuming and overwhelming process. Especially when what you’ve got to work with is a dog’s breakfast. In one day, you'll learn the skills you need to free up your time and edit like a pro.
You will learn how to edit for structure and style, standard proofreading symbols and how to use them, how to determine the tone and style of your document, how to create professional documents that communicate effectively and common mistakes in punctuation and spelling.
All
participants receive a bonus Sydney Writers’ Centre Editorial Style
Guide to the value of $75 when enrolling for the course.
Here's what past participant Carla Hickey had to say about the course:
"I was very impressed with everything. I thought Katrina was excellent and covered every question possible."
Seminar: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Thursday 4 December 2008 (one day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $345
Click here for more information or to enroll online.
Win a copy of Hannah Tinti’s book The Good Thief
We’ve got three copies of Hannah Tinti’s book The Good Thief to give away. I chatted with Hannah recently in our podcast. She made a really interesting point which I wanted to share with you. Hannah said:
"I studied with E.L. Doctorow who is best known for Ragtime, The Book of Daniel and his most recent The March.
"He is very well known for writing historical novels that feature real people in real times and explore real issues. He gave me wonderful advice which I used in The Good Thief, which was to not do any research."
This surprised me a little because I speak to so many writers who say that research is the cornerstone of their writing - especially if it’s historical fiction. You need to be accurate in order for your book to be credible.
Hannah continues:
"She said, ‘Everyone’s seen enough movies to fake a time period … Your first draft needs to be driven by the characters and your situation and your plot and not about the outside world.’ ... Then after you have your first draft, then you do the research."
Have a listen to our podcast with Hannah Tinti either on our webpage or on iTunes.
To win one of three copies of The Good Thief check out this short 1-minute video for the answer.
Send your answer, full name and postal address to: competitions@spindriftmedia.com.au
Entries close 5pm on 27th November 2008.
Media Releases That Get Results: new date due to popular demand
So many students have gotten so much out of this seminar that we've had to add a new date to our calendar due to popular demand. Our November seminar which was held last Friday booked out extremely quickly.So we've added another date for you - Tuesday 2 December 2008.
If something exciting has happened to your business, you want to tell the world about it or market it to the right people. But how do you go about it?
Our seminar Media Releases that Get Results will teach you how to write a media release to get the publicity you are after.
This is exactly the kind of advice I use myself when I want to build a profile about my business or what I'm doing. It has resulted in being featured on Sunrise with Mel and Kochie, Channel 7 news, CLEO, Cosmopolitan, Madison, Life etc, G magazine, 9 to 5, The Australian Financial Review - and many more.
Here's what past participant Atlanta Camilleri had to say about the course:
"Your media release writing course has paid off for me in terms of publicity. I could not be happier. Thanks for the great advice. It works!"
Seminar: Media releases that get results with Luisa Volpato
When: Tuesday 2 December 2008 (one day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $345
Click here for more information or to enroll online.
Top 100 Australian Women's Blogs
So what does it take
to write a successful blog? The jury is still out on that because it
depends on what you're using your blog for. Some people use it as a
marketing tool and others as a journal about their life.There are bloggers who write well-researched posts that include lots of references, while others use their blog as a philosophical rant for their thoughts.
It’s interesting to check out some of the blogs on the list of Top 100 Australian Women’s Blogs.
Do you read any of them?
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
Course: Online Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: The week beginning Monday 17 November 2008 for five weeks
Time: Whenever it suits you
Cost: $395
Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett - FULL
When: Monday 17 November 2008 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $65
Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett - FULL
When: Thursday 20 November 2008 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $65
Course: Feature Writing Stage 2 with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Monday starting Monday 24 November for four weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $325
Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Thursday 27 November 2008 (one day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle
When: Friday 28 November 2008
Time: 9.00am - 1.00pm (half day seminar)
Cost: $225
Seminar: Media Releases that Get Results with Luisa Volpato
When: Tuesday 2 December 2008 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Fee: $345
Seminar: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Thursday 4 December 2008 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Fee: $345
Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 10 December 2008 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $65
Course: DAYTIME Creative writing stage 1 with Judith Ridge
When: Monday 5 January to Friday 9 January 2009 (5 consecutive days)
DAYTIME session for Year 11 and 12 students ONLY
Time: 10am - 12noon
Fee: $395
Course: Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 5 January 2009 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Intensive DAYTIME Feature writing for magazines and newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Monday 12 January and Tuesday 13 January 2009 (2 consecutive days)
Time: 10am - 4pm
Fee: $395
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When: Every Friday starting Friday 30 January 2009 for six weeks
Time: 10am - 12noon
Cost: $450
Course: Feature writing for magazines and newspapers with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Monday starting Monday 2 February 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $325
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 3 February 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 4 February 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Thanks for signing up to this newsletter. Remember, if you'd like to leave this list at any time just reply to this email letting us know.
Wishing you much writing success,
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