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• TIP: Back to basics – the simple tenses
• Write to travel
• $30,000 for Australia’s best business book
• Why is it so easy to confuse stationary and stationery? 
• More student success – with free tickets!
• How to edit with confidence
• What we’re reading – We Need to Talk About Kevin
  by Lionel Shriver
• WEBPICK: Kidlit

What a busy week at the Sydney Writers' Centre! As the weather is warming up we're loving the atmosphere here at the Centre – it's such a creative place to be right next to the park and right on the harbour. Even Peppe (the dog) came by to say "Hi".

One thing I've been speaking about lately on the radio is the language we use in the world of business. I'm often surprised at the quality of written communication coming from some of Australia's most established companies.

If members of your team at work are responsible for communicating with customers, it's important to remember that you only have one chance to make a first impression. That's why I truly believe that everyone should complete our one-day seminar: Better Business Communications. This seminar covers the
fundamental rules you need to know when writing emails or letters.

In this one-day seminar you’ll learn:

• the four steps you must take when writing any document
• the ‘CSAW’ method of writing: Collect; Select; Arrange; Write
• an action plan to improve your writing
• valuable templates to help you write your letters and emails
• how to draft formal letters and informal emails
• a framework to ensure that any paragraph you write is clear, concise and correct
• and much more.

Past: I drank three coffees this morning.

Present: I drink coffee every morning.

Past progressive: I watched tv while I was drinking my coffee.

Present progressive: I’m drinking my coffee.

• We’re counting down the days to our Melbourne Spring Writers’ Carnival. Don’t miss out on our only Melbourne courses for 2011. 
  
  
• Check out the profile on us in this week’s (8 September) issue of BRW.
  
  
• New dates: Professional Business Writing with Sue White on Tuesday 11 October. 
  
  
• Applications for the position of Assistant here at the Centre close 5pm Friday 16 September 2011. For details visit the Writing Bar. 

What could possibly be better than travelling to a new city, spending a few days in an exotic resort, or just heading to a local bed & breakfast for the weekend? Getting paid to write about it, of course!
 
To travel is to experience so much – new sights, new sounds, new people. And for writers, new inspiration. Many people dream of writing travel features for their favourite magazines or newspapers, and it is possible. It's a competitive industry, but with the right strategies and tools, you can confidently pitch your articles to editors, and get paid to travel.
 
In our five-week Travel Writing course you’ll learn all you need to know to write great articles, and get them published.

Here’s what past participants say:
“Absolutely super. Organised, relaxed, honest.”
- Gillian Perrett

"I benefitted from Sue's real life insights. It wasn't just theory. She was generous with her knowledge and even her intellectual property."
- Craig Eardley

This course is taught by Sue White. She is a successful feature writer and travel writer whose work has featured in The Sydney Morning Herald, Vogue Australia, Travel + Leisure (Australia), Sun Herald Travel, Women’s Health, Vogue Entertaining + Travel, CNN Traveller, various ABC outlets, Green Living, G magazine and numerous other publications in both Australia and overseas. 

Travel Writing Course with Sue White
When: Thursdays starting Thursday 13 October 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enrol online.

Want to learn how to take younger readers to another world? Want to fire up their imagination? Don’t miss out on our next online course in Writing Books for Children and Young Adults. Young people love to read and there’s no shortage of publishing opportunities for kids’ book writers with engaging and entertaining stories.

This five-week course will reveal what techniques you need to know and how to apply them to your writing. You’ll discover how to find the right voice, how to write believable dialogue and how to structure your story. You’ll also discuss the children’s book publishing market and how you could be a part of it.

The best thing about this course? You can do it from home at a time that suits you! You’ll just need an internet connection and a few hours a week.
 
Here’s what past participants say:
"I really enjoyed having a reason to write again and looked forward to the feedback every week. I found it really motivating and the course has inspired me to spend more time on my writing."
- Alison Millar

"The online courses are perfect for time poor people like myself! It was easy to use and the option to download to my MP3 player was fantastic as I could listen to the lesson at any time without having to be online."
- Shelley Stephens

ONLINE COURSE: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults
When: Week beginning Monday 26 September 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enrol online.

Stationary with an "a": Think of the "a" in a car that is parked.
The car is not moving and so it’s stationary.

Stationery with an "e": Think of the "e" in envelopes or letters.
So stationery is the stuff you buy at Officeworks.

Do you want to take the guesswork out of editing? If you’re revising and approving other people’s writing, learning the rules of editing could make your job a lot easier. Understanding the editing process, whether you’re editing on hard copy or online, will not only save you time, it will help you transform even the clumsiest writing.
 
Our one-day Edit with Confidence seminar will show you how to edit for structure and style, the simple techniques to improve anyone’s writing, how to set up editorial style guides, and how to use standard proofreading symbols.

Here’s what past participants say:
"Deb was very engaging and inclusive. I found her presentation style was very much in line with the group of people she was working with. I look forward to doing more courses with her."
- Rebecca Connell

"Excellent. Deb is one of the most engaging presenters who REALLY knows her stuff. She's very interested in how the attendees can apply the lessons learned in their workplace. It's a pleasure to spend the day with her!"
- Wendy Johnston

This seminar is taught by Deb Doyle. Deb is an experienced editorial-training consultant and publication editor. Her courses are interactive and collegial. If anyone can turn an editing workshop into a fun and interesting day, it’s Deb Doyle.
 

Edit with Confidence with Deb Doyle
When: Friday 7 October 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enrol online.