- TIP: How to use acronyms in your writing
- Get started in script writing
- Student successes – Jane Rowley and Analaura Luna
- Learn the essentials of grammar and punctuation
- Book giveaway – Fear the Worst by Linwood Barclay
- Kick-start your writing with Online Creative Writing
- Did you know? What has Taylor Swift got to do with “ad nauseum”
- WEBPICK: Six Sentences
I’ve been busy editing a magazine this week. I’m nearly at the end of the process and I must say that it’s very exciting to see the magazine being “born”. The cornerstone of the magazine is the writing and I love working with this team of feature writers. That’s why I also love teaching the online Feature Writing course – the next one starts Monday 28 September. If you’re enrolling in that one, I’ll see you in the virtual classroom soon!What: Online Feature Writing with Valerie Khoo
When: The week beginning 28 September 2009
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online
TIP: Using acronyms in your writingYou may need to use acronyms in your writing. Acronyms can be really useful when you know what they mean – but make sure your readers do too.
Unless your house style says otherwise, you should always write the full name of the organisation/term in the first instance, followed by the acronym in brackets. After that, feel free to use the acronym only.
For example:
“The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA) issued a warning on new tax rules that apply to writers. The ICAA will be holding a seminar on this issue next month.”
(Don’t be alarmed: the above example is fictional!)
Get started in scriptwriting
Many big screen directors made their start with short films – think Adam Elliott or the Edgerton Brothers (Mmmmm – Joel Edgerton). Short films now are so popular there are countless festivals dedicated to the art around Australia and the world. If you’ve got an idea for a short film and want to know how to get it written, filmed and seen, join us for our Script Writing for Short Films seminar.
This course will cover:
- how to select and develop suitable ideas for a short film
- what narrative elements you need in a short film screenplay (characters, plot, dialogue etc)
- what technical elements must you consider in a short film screenplay (locations, props, budget etc)
- the roles of the writer/director/producer and how they interact
- getting your film seen and sold
Here’s what some recent participants had to say about the course:
‘Geoff’s real world experience was invaluable and worth the price alone. I’ve rethought how I practice writing based on Geoff’s research and real life examples.’
- Chris Bradford
‘It was fantastic to understand the process of a short film and how ideas become reality. Before this course I had a few vague ideas for short films. I now know what to do next if I want to enter Tropfest!’
- Katie Whiffen
Script Writing for Short Films with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursdays 1 and 8 October 2009 (2 evening seminars)
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $165
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Student SuccessesJane Rowley, one of our former Feature Writing students, has had her first article published. Her article will appear in the September/October issue of Australian Pilot – and she’ll be following that up with two more articles for the same mag. Congratulations Jane!
We’ve also had news of more self-publishing success. Analaura Luna attended our Self-Publishing: How to do it seminar and has now published Your Family, Your Money: Real money advice for families. It’s the first in a series of books on family finances. Congratulations Analaura!
(Last week we told you about another successful student, Nitasha Richardson. And we’re very embarrassed to say we got her name wrong! It was Nitasha Thomson whose article was published in Natural Health and Vegetarian Life. We’re sorry for the error Nitasha.)
Spot the error
It seems we all make mistakes! I saw this sign in the Sydney CBD last night and thought I’d include it here for your amusement. Can you spot the error?
Learn the essentials of grammar and punctuation
Grammar is a funny thing. Some people are so passionate about it – and why not, it’s the glue that holds our language together. But in Australia, many of us weren’t taught grammar at school, leaving us to figure out for ourselves where the apostrophe should go, whether to use ‘which’ or ‘that’, or when to use a hyphen. If you’d like to get a grip on grammar, or you think you know the rules but want to know more about the 'why', then this one-day seminar could be for you. It’s a practical and intensive day and will help you transform your writing.
This seminar will give you:
- knowledge that you can apply easily and immediately in your writing
- a clear understanding of how to treat common mistakes - such as apostrophes and plurals
- an understanding of when to bend, break or keep a rule or convention
- the ability to discern when more than one solution is acceptable
- a taste of how professional editors approach their craft
- more confidence in applying the standard hard-copy editing marks to double-spaced copy
- and much more
The workshop is presented by Deb Doyle, an experienced editorial-training consultant and publication editor. Deb has conducted courses for the Productivity Commission, AMP and Wizard Home Loans as well as many other corporate and government entities located in Sydney or Melbourne. Deb's courses are interactive and fun. You'll be amazed at how engaging and interesting a workshop in grammar and punctuation can be.
Here’s what some recent participants had to say about the seminar:
‘The reference book was very comprehensive and will be an excellent resource for the future. I have gained confidence with report writing and grammar and punctuation skills.’
- Jo Porter
‘Deb was fantastic. She really knows her stuff. I now have a better basic knowledge of grammar and punctuation.’
- Stephanie Johnston
Grammar and Punctuation with Deb Doyle
When: Wednesday 14 October 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Win Fear the Worst by Linwood Barclay
Our latest podcast is now online and this week we’re featuring the hugely successful Canadian author, Linwood Barclay. His latest thriller is Fear the Worst. The worst day of Tim Blake's life started out with him making breakfast for his seventeen-year-old daughter Sydney. Syd was staying with him while she worked a summer job - even if he wasn't entirely sure what her job at the Just Inn Time motel actually was - and Tim hoped this quality father-daughter time would somehow help her deal with his divorce from Susanne. When she didn't arrive home at her usual time, he thought she'd probably gone to the mall to hang with her friends. When she didn't answer her phone he began to worry. When she didn't come home at all, he began to panic.
If you would like to win a copy of Fear the Worst simply watch the video below and answer the question. Email your answers to courses@spindriftmedia.com.au by Friday 25 September 2009, and don’t forget to include your postal address.
Kick-start your writing with Online Creative Writing
If you’d like to kick-start your writing but can’t attend classes at our Milsons Point training room, then why not join our next Online Creative Writing course. Whether you’re interested in writing short stories, a novel, or your family history, this course will give you the confidence to indulge your creative side. During this course you’ll learn how to:
- kick-start the creative writing process
- tap into your imagination
- draw from everyday experiences and memories
- examine different types of creative writing
- give structure to your writing
- use characters and dialogue
We’ve had students from all over Australia and the world complete our Online Creative Writing course. Here’s what some of them have had to say:
“I have had an amazing 5 weeks. I have learnt so much in such a short time. I want more. My writing is so much tigher. I look back to my first submission and know what to do with it now. This has been a fantastic course. I have been able to fit it into my life. There has been no pressure, just support and understanding. Thank you.”
- Angelina Cimino
"My writing or authorship has improved immensely. I now know how to structure my writing and how to structure my story for publication. I didn't have to arrange babysitters and could do it at home at any time that suited."
- Karlene Dalbraithe
Online Creative Writing with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker
When: Week beginning Monday 28 September 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Did you know? The latin phrase ‘ad nauseam’ literally means ‘to the point of nausea’. It’s a phrase used when referring to something that has been discussed or repeated extensively – until you are sick of it.
So, if you’ve heard the song ‘Love Story’ by Taylor Swift five times in one day and it’s making you feel ill, it’s because the local radio station is playing it ‘ad nauseam’.
WEBPICK: Six SentencesWe’ve seen six word memoirs, and now it’s time to let yourself go wild and see if what you can say with six sentences! This blog accepts submissions from all over the world. Your story must be one paragraph of no more than six sentences.
It’s an exercise in restraint, but you’d be surprised how much you can say with so few words. There are some fabulous stories here – lucky they’re so short, it would be easy to spend a whole day reading them.
You can read six sentence entries and submit your own work here - http://sixsentences.blogspot.com/
Other upcoming courses
Seminar: Successful Freelancing with Gayle Bryant and Valerie Khoo
When: Thursday 24 September 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 28 September 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever you want
Cost: $395
Course: Online Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman / Cathie Tasker
When: Week beginning Monday 28 September 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 30 September 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Script Writing for the Short Films with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 1 October and Thursday 8 October 2009 (two evening seminars)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $165
Seminar: How to Get Your Book Published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 7 October 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Crime Writing Weekend Workshop with Marele Day
When: Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October 2009 (2 day workshop)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Katrina Lobley
When: Every Monday starting Monday 12 October 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Tuesday 13 October 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle
When: Wednesday 14 October 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Self-Publishing: How to do it with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 14 October 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Writing for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 15 October 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 20 October 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Feature Writing Stage 2 with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 21 October 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Thursday 22 October 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Cost: $345
Seminar: Blogging for Business with Steven Lewis
When: Friday 23 October 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $365
Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Pamela Wilson
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 5 November 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Online Business Booster Bootcamp with Valerie Khoo
When: Tuesday 24 November 2009
Time: 9.30am - 5.30pm
Cost: $695
Course: Marketing Your Book with Amanda Falconer
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 19 January 2009 for three weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $265
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When: Every Friday starting Friday 22 January 2010 for six weeks
Time: 10am – 12noon
Cost: $450
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