Dear Fellow Writer,
In this issue:- Author interview: Kerry Greenwood
- Another student success
- Short story competitions
- Pamela and Geoff get international deals
- Better business writing – how to write winning reports and proposals
- Your feedback: would you like Sydney Writers’ Centre podcasts?
Talking to Kerry Greenwood - author of the best-selling Phryne Fisher mysteries
With
43 books under her belt, Kerry Greenwood is a very busy woman! She
combines her writing with part time work for Victoria Legal Aid as an
advocate in Magistrates’ Courts. She has just released Trick or Treat, the fourth installment in the Corinna Chapman series (Allen & Unwin).
Kerry took time out of her busy schedule to talk to us here at the Sydney Writers’ Centre. You can read the full interview here on our resources page, where you’ll find other author interviews.
It’s always useful to find out about the writing process from other writers. We can always learn new techniques or helpful strategies to improve our writing, so I hope you take advantage of these resources.
One question I did ask Kerry was: What would your advice be for aspiring writers who may be struggling with self doubt, discipline and the creative process?
Kerry said: “Self doubt exhaustion and confusion are part of the process, embrace them, and don't stop writing to examine what you have. The world is full of people trying to perfect chapter one. Even I have to go back and fix chapter one and I once wrote a novel in nine days. Keep writing and don't stop until you have at least 20,000 words. Then you can start playing with it.”
Kerry took time out of her busy schedule to talk to us here at the Sydney Writers’ Centre. You can read the full interview here on our resources page, where you’ll find other author interviews.
It’s always useful to find out about the writing process from other writers. We can always learn new techniques or helpful strategies to improve our writing, so I hope you take advantage of these resources.
One question I did ask Kerry was: What would your advice be for aspiring writers who may be struggling with self doubt, discipline and the creative process?
Kerry said: “Self doubt exhaustion and confusion are part of the process, embrace them, and don't stop writing to examine what you have. The world is full of people trying to perfect chapter one. Even I have to go back and fix chapter one and I once wrote a novel in nine days. Keep writing and don't stop until you have at least 20,000 words. Then you can start playing with it.”
Stage 2 Creative Writing – take your writing to the next level
You may not yet have written 43 books like Kerry. But you have to take a step in the right direction if that’s what you hope to achieve one day. We’re here to help you make it happen.
If you have already completed Creative Writing Stage 1 or Writing Books for Children and Young Adults, then this is the next step in your creative writing journey.
Creative Writing Stage 2 will give you the motivation and momentum to keep your writing going. You will also learn writing skills that will enhance your craft in a nurturing environment.
The course has been carefully developed by two of our leading creative writing presenters, Pamela Freeman and Judith Ridge.
Stage 2 is a very practical course with opportunities to workshop your writing in class. In this course, the focus is on “doing” so that you can keep your creative writing momentum going and actually produce a finished story.
When: Every Monday for 5 weeks from Monday 29 October 2007
Time: 6.30-8.30pm
Cost $395
Click here for more information or to enroll online.
You may not yet have written 43 books like Kerry. But you have to take a step in the right direction if that’s what you hope to achieve one day. We’re here to help you make it happen.
If you have already completed Creative Writing Stage 1 or Writing Books for Children and Young Adults, then this is the next step in your creative writing journey.
Creative Writing Stage 2 will give you the motivation and momentum to keep your writing going. You will also learn writing skills that will enhance your craft in a nurturing environment.
The course has been carefully developed by two of our leading creative writing presenters, Pamela Freeman and Judith Ridge.
Stage 2 is a very practical course with opportunities to workshop your writing in class. In this course, the focus is on “doing” so that you can keep your creative writing momentum going and actually produce a finished story.
When: Every Monday for 5 weeks from Monday 29 October 2007
Time: 6.30-8.30pm
Cost $395
Click here for more information or to enroll online.
Short story competition
One of the best ways to hone your creative writing is to enter short story competitions. ArtsNet East Gippsland is presenting the Hill of Content Bookshop Hal Porter Short Story Competition 2007, the fourteenth year of competition.First prize is $1000, courtesy of The Hill of Content Bookshop, with two additional prizes of $500 courtesy of ArtsNet East Gippsland. There are also book prizes provided by University of Queensland Press, and certificates for short listed stories.
Contemporary writers, resident in Australia, are invited to enter a short story in the competition, written in any style, to be eligible for the national prize. Entries close on 14th December, 2007.
Announcement of the winning entry will be early in 2008.
For details on how to enter, visit: http://www.artsnet.net.au/page5.htm
Another student success
I was thrilled to hear from student Tatyana Leonov this week. Tatyana finished the course Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers only three weeks ago and this week her story is the COVER story of City Weekly.Tatyana says:
“I knew how to write and that I wanted to make that into a career but Valerie's course taught me how to make that dream a reality. The details like how to pitch, how to stand out and what not to do were invaluable lessons. An idea I had in class turned into the City Weekly feature and now I can't wait to build up my portfolio and get a full-time job in the print media industry. I now know this is possible and that in itself is a fantastic feeling.
“Thank you to Valerie for her ongoing support and straight to the point honesty. Having competed school and university, and had numerous teachers, Valerie has been one of the very best.”
If you want to be published in magazines or newspapers, there is a weekend intensive session coming up.
When: 24 November and 1 December 2007 (two consecutive Saturdays)
Time: 9.30am-4.00pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enroll online.
ONLINE COURSE
If you don’t live in Sydney, you can learn online.
Course: ONLINE Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers
When: Week beginning Monday 5 November (runs for 5 weeks)
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enroll online.
Pamela and Geoff get international deals
At the Sydney Writers’ Centre you learn from the best. So we’re thrilled to tell you the news that two of our presenters have scored international deals for their books.
Pamela Freeman presents Creative Writing and her latest book Blood Ties has now gone global. Geoff Bartlett presents How to Get Your Book Published and Travel Writing and his latest book Mutterings has also been signed to multi-country distribution. Congratulations Pamela and Geoff!
How to Write Winning Reports and Proposals
If you have to write at work, the quality of your writing can make a huge difference to your career prospects. Clear and consistent communication is essential in any business document.
Whether you are writing a single page memo or a 133-page report, you need to ensure that you follow best practice guidelines.
This practical seminar covers:
* how to structure reports and proposals
* the fundamentals of persuasive writing
* tips and rules for stress-free writing
* how to gain the reader's attention
* the 8 step plan to write winning proposals
* the words you should never use
Seminar: How to Write Winning Reports and Proposals with Mel Wilkinson
When: Friday 9 November 2007
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enroll online.
Sydney Writers’ Centre podcasts
We
value your opinion here and have made many changes as a result of your
feedback. For example, we recently implemented online enrolment through
our website as a result of your comments.Now, we’d love your opinion on whether you would find Sydney Writers’ Centre podcasts useful. These would be:
• fortnightly (or thereabouts)
• available on iTunes
• streaming as audio from our website
• include author interviews and tips on writing
Let us know if this is something you might be interested in - and the types of topics you’d like covered. Just reply to this email with your thoughts.
Thanks so much!
Other upcoming courses
Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Judith Ridge
When: Every Monday for 5 weeks from Monday 29 October 2007
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm
Cost $395
Seminar: How to Write Winning Reports and Proposals with Mel Wilkinson
When: Friday 9 November 2007
Time: 9.00am-5.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday for 5 weeks from Thursday 15 November 2007
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm
Cost $395
Seminar: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Friday 16 November 2007
Time: 9.30am-4.30pm
Cost: $285
Seminar: How to Get Your Book Published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Tuesday 20 November 2007
Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Cost: $65
Seminar: Freelance Success Seminar with Gayle Bryant and Valerie Khoo
When: Wednesday 28 November 2007
Time: 6.30-8.30pm
Cost $65
Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: 24 November and 1 December (two consecutive Saturdays)
Time: 9.30am-4.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: ONLINE Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers
When: Week beginning Monday 5 November (runs for 5 weeks)
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
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Wishing you much writing success,
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