In this issue:
- TIP: Enormity vs enormousness
- Perfect your pitch - and get published!
- What’s new at the Centre
- $7,000 for writers
- Join us in our virtual classroom
- Is travel writing your dream job? Win stays in a fancy hotel and more
- TIP: Do you practice or practise?
- The essentials of writing letters and emails
- WEBPICK: Language is a Virus
Last weekend was fantastic here at the Sydney Writers' Centre. It was buzzing here, with students doing our Feature Writing and Travel Memoir courses, which were both booked out. Judging by the number of enquiries we received, it certainly seems like many of you want to Eat, Pray, Love your way around the world – and then write about it.That is, to write a book about your travels. Think Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes, Holy Cow by Sarah MacDonald, Almost French by Sarah Turnbull or Last Seen in Lhasa by our wonderful presenter, Claire Scobie.
Even though our weekend course was booked out with a waiting list, the good news is that you can enrol in the evening version of the course. It's once a week for five weeks.
Travel Memoir with Claire Scobie
When: Thursdays starting Thursday 3 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
TIP: Enormity versus Enormousness
It’s always sad when a word falls out of use, perhaps because it’s no longer fashionable or because people just don’t know when to use it. That seems to be the case with the word ‘enormousness’. Most people seem to assume that ‘enormousness’ and ‘enormity’ are interchangeable, but that’s not the case.
‘Enormousness’ is used when you're describing something huge or really big.
‘Rambo the chihuahua couldn't believe the enormousness of the Great Dane guarding the gate.’
However, ‘enormity’ is used to describe something really horrible or wicked. So you would write about:
‘the enormity of the Queensland floods’
‘the enormity of the crimes’ or
‘the enormity of the fraud’.
You would NOT write about ‘the enormity of the region’ or ‘the enormity of the 400-page textbook’.
What’s new this week at the Centre:- We’re already receiving bookings for Sell Your eBook on Amazon in April
- Veteran editor/publisher Marina Go started presenting her course this week - stay tuned for an announcement of Marina’s next course.
- Writing for the Web in February is booked out. Next date: Friday 11 March 2010
- Our wonderful intern Randall brought us homemade cupcakes! We love him.
Perfect your pitch - and get published!
Judging by the number of people we’ve had enrol in our Summer School courses, it seems many of you are determined to make 2011 your year of writing! And if it’s newspapers and magazines you want to write for, we’ve got plenty of courses that can help you make it happen.In the world of newspapers and magazines, often it’s not the finished story that gets you published, it’s your pitch. Pitching ideas to editors is an essential skill if you want to get published, and get paid for your writing!
Perfecting your Pitch will guide you through a step-by-step process that will give you the confidence to approach editors with your story ideas.
Here’s what some recent participants had to say about the course:
‘Sue was such an easy going presenter and gave good concrete advice with practical suggestions. We were not left in any doubt if our ideas were good or bad; she was honest and open about her own writing and about the market for journalistic work. I have upgraded my knowledge and skills. Also there was a personal sense of achievement.’
- Robyn Elliott
‘The workshopping of pitches was very helpful. Sue is very experienced, very approachable and friendly.’
- Naomi Joyce
Perfecting Your Pitch with Sue White
When: Thursday 17 February & Thursday 24 February 2011 (two evening classes)
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $175
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
$7,000 for writers in Western Sydney
For our readers living in Western Sydney, here’s a fantastic opportunity from the Copyright Agency Limited and the Western Sydney Young People’s Literature Project. They’ve come together to offer three $7,000 writing fellowships for writing across a range of genres.Writers at any stage of their experience can apply and the three selected writers will receive funds to develop their work. Any narrative genre will be considered. Writers from around Australia are welcome to apply, but special consideration will be given to writers from the western Sydney area.
You can get more information from Judith Ridge at the Western Sydney Young People’s Literature Project - judith.ridge@blacktown.nsw.gov.au
Get paid for your writing - learn online
You don’t have to live in Sydney to join us for one of our most popular courses. We’re seeing more and more people from interstate and around the world joining us in our virtual classroom to learn the essentials of writing for magazines and newspapers.The online course, Feature Writing Stage 1, teaches the same great content as the face-to-face course we hold here in Milsons Point. But the difference is, you can learn whenever you want from wherever you are! If you want to start writing articles and getting paid for them, this course will show you how.
Here’s what some recent participants had to say about the course:
'This is just the best course ever! Sue was perfect, she had lots of experience, and was easy to understand.'
- Birgit Kunzli
'Excellent! The online setup was easy to use and a surprisingly good learning experience.'
- Stephanie Hunt
Online course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Sue White
When: Week beginning Monday 31 January 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Is travel writing your dream job?
Did you know that 59% of Australians say that being a travel writer is their dream job? Well, that’s the result of a survey done by lastminute.com.au, who asked 17,000 people to pick their dream job.If travel writing is your dream job too here’s a great opportunity to get you started. The Live Every Lastminute blog is looking for 8 people to become reviewers. One person from every state and territory in Australia will be chosen to write about a new experience every month for a year. Each month, the lucky bloggers will be given anything from a few nights in a fancy hotel, to cooking classes, and they’ll then share their experience with the readers of Live Every Lastminute.
To enter, just write a sample blog post of no more than 100 words on a recent travel experience you’ve had anywhere in the world, attach a photo, then ask your facebook and twitter friends to vote for you. A shortlist will be selected from the posts with the most votes, and then eight winners chosen.
Entries close at midnight on Sunday 20 February 2011, so check out www.freestuffforayear.com.au
TIP: Do you practice or practise?
We get lots of suggestions from our readers and twitter followers for weekly tips, and here’s one that came from Rebecca. She asked us to look into the difference between ‘practice’ and ‘practise’.Most people assume that the two are interchangeable but they’re not – and it’s easy to remember which one to use once you know the difference.
‘Practice’ is a noun, or thing, and ‘practise’ is a verb, or doing word. So:
‘The doctor practises medicine at his local practice.’
In American English though, ‘practice’ is used as both a noun and a verb.
WORDWISE: Kangaroo
An amusing news piece was doing the rounds yesterday on most channels – a mob of kangaroos forced the cancellation of the Hanging Rock race day! They invaded the race-track and couldn’t be convinced to leave, so organisers had to cancel all races. What could be more Aussie than that?There’s some fascinating stories surrounding the word ‘kangaroo’, and it turns out most of them aren’t true. According to one legend, Captain Cook asked an aborigine the name of this strange creature when he first encountered one in the 1700s. Apparently, the reply was ‘kangaroo’, which Captain Cook took to be the name of the animal. Legend has it though, that the aborigine was actually saying, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
It’s a nice story, but it’s not true. The word ‘kangaroo’ really does come from the aboriginal name for a grey kangaroo. It took many years for linguists to find the tribe that used this word, but in 1971 they did. In the Guugu Yimidhirr (a tribe in north east Australia) language gangurru really does mean kangaroo – not, ‘I don’t know.’
The essentials of writing letters and emails
There are few of us who aren’t required to regularly write emails or letters at work. In this age of instant communication it’s essential that we can make ourselves understood in our correspondence with clients, colleagues and even potential employers.Many people struggle with written communication, possibly because this essential skill isn’t taught at school or university. Knowing some simple steps could be all it takes to turn your writing into clear and concise communication.
Our one-day seminar, Writing Letters and Emails, will guide you through the steps of effective writing, and give you templates that you can apply immediately.
Here’s what some recent participants had to say about the seminar:
'The presenter was great. Flexible with the content and kept us engaged. 10/10!'
- Rebecca Staddon-Smith
'Examples were provided and we got to work through them throughout the day. Deb is a friendly easy going presenter with loads of little tips on how to structure information/details into an email or letter.'
- Candice Arzapitian
Writing Letters and Emails with Deb Doyle
When: Wednesday 16 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
WEBPICK: Language is a Virus
Any website that promises to cure writer’s block is bound to get my attention! Well, that’s a big claim, but Language is a Virus does have some really useful stuff for writers. There’s everything from writing games (character name generator, haiku-a-tron, writing prompts), to creative writing how-tos, and writing exercises from well-known authors.
There’s plenty here to keep the most committed procrastinator busy! And even more to help budding writers practise their craft.
Check it out here.
Other upcoming courses
Online Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker
When: Week beginning Monday 31 January 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Online Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker – NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 31 January 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Online Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Sue White
When: Week beginning Monday 31 January 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman – FULL
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 1 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle – FULL
When: Thursday 3 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle
When: Thursday 3 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $450
Course: Travel Memoir with Claire Scobie
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 3 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Monday starting Monday 7 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Online Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Nicola Robinson
When: Week beginning Monday 7 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers Stage 1 with Sue White
When: Every Monday starting Monday 7 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Tuesday 8 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $450
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Kate Forsyth
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 9 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Writing Letters and Emails with Deb Doyle
When: Wednesday 16 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Introduction to Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 16 February 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $85
Seminar: PR and Media Releases that Get Results with Catriona Pollard
When: Thursday 17 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $495
Course: Perfecting Your Pitch with Sue White
When: Thursday 17 February 2011 and Thursday 24 February 2011 (2 evening classes)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175
Seminar: Edit with Confidence with Deb Doyle
When: Friday 25 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Daytime Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 1 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395
Course: Travel Memoir with Claire Scobie – NEW DATE
When: Saturday 5 March 2011 and Sunday 6 March 2011 (2 day workshop)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: How to Get Your Book Published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 10 March 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $85
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller – FULL
When: Saturday 12 March 2011 and Sunday 13 March 2011 (2 day workshop)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $450
Course: Screenwriting Stage 1 with Tim Gooding
When: Every Monday starting Monday 14 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Writing about Interiors, Style and Design with Nigel Bartlett – NEW COURSE
When: Thursday 24 March 2011 and Thursday 31 March 2011 (2 evening classes)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175
Seminar: Self Publishing - How to do it with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 24 March 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $85
Seminar: Perfect Your Proofreading with Deb Doyle
When: Friday 25 March 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Boost Your Creativity with Laurine Croasdale
When: Monday 28 March 2011 and Monday 4 April 2011 (2 evening classes)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175
Seminar: Blogging for Business with Steven Lewis
When: Friday 1 April 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Sell your ebook on Amazon with Steven Lewis – NEW SEMINAR
When: Tuesday 5 April 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $85
Course: Travel Writing: Get Paid for Your Adventures with Sue White – NEW DATE
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 6 April 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Daytime Intensive Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter – NEW DATE
When: Monday 11 April 2011 - Friday 15 April 2011 (5 days in a row)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395
Course: Weekend Travel Writing: Get Paid for Your Adventures with Sue White – NEW DATE
When: Saturday 16 April 2011 and Sunday 17 April 2011 (2 day workshop)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 3 May 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Magazine Writing Stage 2 with Gayle Bryant
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 18 May 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Your Story Structure with Kathryn Heyman
When: Friday 17 June 2011 and Friday 24 June 2011 (2 half-day classes)
Time: 9.30am - 12.30pm
Cost: $215
Course: Life Writing Masterclass with Patti Miller – NEW COURSE
When: Every Friday starting Friday 1 July 2011 for eight weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12.00noon
Cost: $650
Course: Novel Writing Workshop with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 5 July 2011 for six weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $495
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller – NEW DATE
When: Every Friday starting Friday 9 September 2011 for six weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $450
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