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• TIP: Is utilise the same as use?
• Build your online profile
• More student success
• Don’t miss our final creative writing courses for 2010!
• Book giveaway – Genesis by Lara Morgan
• The golden rules of business writing
• Sydney Writers’ Centre Book Club
• TIP: The semicolon
• WEBPICK: The Literary Gift Company

Last week I went to see The Social Network, the film about the founding of Facebook - an excellent film about friendship and betrayal. Apart from being engrossed in the characters and the plot, I sat in the darkened cinema and simply marvelled at the writing. Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin - the genius behind The West Wing - crafted an amazing tale that is sure to win Oscars.

A compelling film can stay with you for ages. If you're interested in screenwriting, you'll love our course Screenwriting Stage 1 with Tim Gooding. I love it when this course is on - it's so dynamic and full of energy. Tim really brings the course, and the screenplays studied in it, to life!

Screenwriting Stage 1 will introduce you to the fundamentals of screenwriting, with principal focus on three basics: character, story, and structure.

Even if you haven't got an idea for a screenplay right now, the course will help you create one that may turn into your own feature film. And you’ll receive professional feedback on what you write.

Here’s what some recent participants had to say about the course: 
"Tim is passionate about his subject and inspired me to write and to continue after the course has finished. I wanted a "cut to the chase" experience that emphasised practice rather than theory and that's what I got. I feel inspired and have some basic tools to continue developing my screenplay and possibly others."
- Colleen Winney

"Tim is great. He’s very helpful and obviously knows his stuff, he’s also enthusiastic and inspirational. I've been struggling with some aspects of my writing for years and in this short course Tim has opened a few doors by revealing that rather than a mystery there is a simplicity to the process of writing for the screen. He has inspired me with the confidence to keep plugging away. Already my work has improved and I feel motivated to keep pushing on with my writing."
- Chris Mitchell

Screenwriting Stage 1 with Tim Gooding
When: Every Monday starting Monday 15 November 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enrol online.

TIP: Is utilise the same as use?
Standing on the train platform recently I was struck by the helpful suggestion over the loud speaker that passengers should ‘utilise all the doors’. I wondered if the announcer’s use of the word ‘utilise’ rather than ‘use’ was designed to make him sound more authoritative – after all, big words can do that.

It does seem that the rise of ‘utilise’ to preferred verb status over ‘use’ does have more to do with sounding important than correct usage. Use means ‘bring into service’, usually for its ‘inherent or natural purpose’. For example:

Rambo uses his raincoat to keep dry.

Rambo the dog utilised the cat's scratching post as something to pee on. (The cat was very angry.)

Build your online profile
With the help of online tools such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, you could really boost your profile as a writer. And there’s so much more to building an online profile than just social media – the opportunities are endless!

You don’t need to be a technical wizard to achieve this. Just a little knowledge goes a long way. Our Build Your Online Profile course will show you how to use the many online tools available, and also give you a chance to set up your profile in class! We want to make sure everyone benefits from this course so we’ve made our wireless broadband available to all participants for free. You’ll be able to bring your laptop and start building your online presence immediately!

By the end of this 5-week course you will have:

• Registered your own domain name.
• Set up your Twitter account and started connecting with people.
• Created a Facebook fan page and actually have some fans!
• Established a blog and / or Youtube channel.
• Made and uploaded an online video.
• Discovered tools for increasing your Googlability.
• Expanded your experience and understanding of multi-platform projects.
• Built your online profile.
  
  

Here’s what some recent participants had to say about the course:
"I loved the collaborative nature and the structure of the course. I also really liked Tristan's use of his own work in explaining concepts and his willingness to learn from the participants as well. Learning from his experiences was very beneficial. I feel I have developed a good strategy around creating an online profile with a clarity of the direction I want to go in."
- Maraya Bell

"The presenter was friendly, thorough, interested in each student, and he encouraged the group to share ideas."
- Ian McLean

This course is presented by Tristan Bancks who has been actively building and experimenting with his online presence as a writer over several years. His willingness to engage with the web has been integral to his success in getting published in Australia and the United States.

Tristan has a background as an actor and television presenter in Australia and the UK. His short films have won a number of awards and have screened widely at festivals and on TV. Tristan has written several books for kids and teens, including the Mac Slater, Coolhunter series (Random House Australia, Simon & Schuster US), and his illustrated series, Nit Boy, about everybody's favourite mini-beasts.

Build Your Online Profile with Tristan Bancks
When: Thursdays starting Thursday 18 November 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enrol online.

More student success
This week, we were thrilled to hear from Rachael McKinney on her success in her writing journey. Rachael completed the online course in Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers in June this year. During the course, she wrote an article and sent it to Charter magazine, and it’s now been published in the November issue. Congratulations Rachael!

Since then, Rachael has also contributed articles to a number of publications at ACP Magazines. Rachael wrote to us:

‘I wouldn’t have been in a position to produce anything worthy of publication if I hadn’t done the course ... Thanks again for a great course – my number one take away was the idea of writing as a craft, a skill that could be developed and nurtured, rather than some potentially unattainable creative gift.’

We also heard this week from Sam Grosser. Here’s what she said:

'I completed your Feature Writing course with Pamela Wilson in June/July this year and I'm just writing to let you know that I had my first article accepted yesterday, by Quadrant, probably for their December edition, both print and online. Which is fantastic! So, thank you - without the course I would never have had the confidence to go for it.'

She has also self-published her first novel, Another Time and Place, and will be launching it later this month.

Finally, Feature Writing Stage 1 and 2 graduate, Penny Robertshawe, has had a second article published in Wellbeing Magazine. Her latest article is on the Power of Play in adults’ lives.

Congratulations to Rachael, Sam and Penny!

Don’t miss final Creative Writing courses for 2010!
As the year draws to a close, many of you may still be thinking about those New Year’s resolutions you made way back in January. That’s why we’ve scheduled one final Creative Writing course, so you can go into your holidays feeling inspired and motivated!

Whether you’ve never written before or you’ve been dabbling with short stories and fiction and want to refine your writing, this course will teach you how to use the essential elements of great stories in your writing.

This creative writing course will teach you 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
  
  

Here’s what recent participants had to say about the course:
‘I greatly enjoyed the atmosphere of the course, and the way reading and constructive criticism was encouraged. My confidence in my writing abilities is higher than it has ever been, and I feel as though I have gained a greater understanding of some of the fundamentals of creative writing.’
- Tim Sweeney

‘I found the presenter to be very down to earth and lively. She was very encouraging and enthusiastic about all of our work. Even though I am only new to writing, during the course I found so many new techniques and ways of approaching my work that I couldn’t have discovered without help. Writing is a passion I have only just recently discovered, and to have a course that offers so much in these early stages of my learning was the best experience I could have hoped for.’
- Gustavo Panucci

This course is presented by Jeni Mawter. She is the children’s author of the hilarious ‘So’ series: So Gross!, So Feral!, So Sick!, So Festy!, So Grotty! and So Stinky! (HarperCollins) as well as the Freewheelers series: Unleashed!, Launched! and Extreme! (HarperCollins). Unleashed! was shortlisted for the WAYRBA Older Readers Award 2009.

DAYTIME Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter
When: Thursdays starting Thursday 11 November 2010 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am – 12noon
Cost: $395

Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter
When: Thursdays starting Thursday 18 November 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enrol online.

Book giveaway – Genesis by Lara Morgan
We recently had the pleasure of interviewing Lara Morgan for our author podcast series. Her new young adult series is the Rosie Black Chronicles, and the first book, Genesis, was released in October.

If you want to hear about Lara’s writing journey and what inspires her work, you can listen to the full podcast here.  

Thanks to Walker Books, we have one copy of Genesis to give away. Here’s a bit more about the book:

Five hundred years into the future, the world is a different place. The Melt has sunk most of the coastal cities and Newperth is divided into the haves, the ‘Centrals’; the have-nots, the ‘Bankers’; and the fringe dwellers, the ‘Ferals’.

Rosie Black is a Banker. When Rosie finds an unusual box, she has no idea of the grave consequences of her discovery. A mysterious organisation wants it – and will kill to get it.

Forced to rely on two strangers, Rosie is on the run. But who can she trust? Pip, the too attractive Feral, or the secretive man she calls Boss? From Earth to Mars, Rosie must learn the secrets of the box – before it’s too late.

If you’d like to win our copy of Genesis just tell us what you think would be the best thing about living in the future. Email your answers to courses [at] spindriftmedia [dot] com [dot] au by 5pm on Friday 12 November 2010, and please remember to include your postal address.

The golden rules of business writing
Are you writing documents at work and want to ensure they’re professional and polished every time? Writing reports, proposals and letters doesn’t have to be stressful – by following a few golden rules you’ll find writing will become one of your easier tasks, perhaps even an enjoyable one!

Our business communication seminars are intensive and informative and in one day, you’ll learn the essentials of good business writing. The Professional Business Writing 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
• and much more!
  
  

Here’s what some recent participants had to say about the seminar:
‘I enjoyed the relaxed and interactive environment. The course has given me a new, more confident approach to writing.’
- Alison McInerney

‘Mel's level of experience and her training style were exceptional. Her suggestions and approach were useful and practical. She kept the day moving but allowed for appropriate discussion. I have consciously altered my style of conveying information and my boss has commented on the difference.’
- Rachel Welsh

This seminar is presented by Mel Wilkinson, an experienced corporate writer and former guest lecturer at the Financial Services Institute of Australia. Mel runs a corporate writing agency and specialises in writing, editing and proofreading corporate collateral such as tender documents, annual reports, brochures, website content, newsletters, newspaper editorial, advertising copy, adviser and employee communication and sector reports.

Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Tuesday 16 November 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $450

Click here for more information or to enrol online.

Sydney Writers’ Centre Book Club
We had a big response to our call for thoughts on our first ever book club. There’s obviously a lot of interest in this and we’re now ready to refine it. It seems most of you would prefer an afternoon get together, and many of you are interested in crime fiction, Australian fiction and biographies.

We’ve now decided that we’ll be opening the book club to everyone in the Sydney Writers' Centre community – as long as you are a current subscriber to this "Get Published" newsletter.

Our next step is establishing what time we should hold our book club and also collecting contact details for those of you who would like to join us. So we’ve set up another survey that we’d like to fill in if you think you’ll be joining our book club in 2011.

If you complete the survey, you'll be the first to hear of any news - so you'll get first dibs on a place in the book club before the general public.

Click here for the survey.

TIP: The semicolon
We’ve covered this infrequently used punctuation mark before, but thought we should revisit it, as it can come in very handy!

A semicolon is used to separate a sentence, when neither a comma nor a full stop seems quite right. It is commonly used when you are writing a sentence with two distinct, but closely related clauses. A full stop isn’t appropriate as the sentence has one overarching idea, and a comma won't work because the second half of the sentence is distinct from the first. Using the semicolon is more a discretionary step than a rule to follow, so here are some examples.

Many summers have warmed up slowly and steadily; this one keeps having alarming cold snaps.

A wide range of people dream about developing their writing skills into a freelance career; an increasing percentage of these are learning the craft in our courses.

WEBPICK: The Literary Gift Company
I can’t believe it’s almost Christmas – again! Thank goodness for online shopping and a strong Australian dollar. One website that makes it easy to buy for your book-loving friends or relatives is The Literary Gift Company.

They’ve got all sorts of gifts for readers and writers, no matter what their age. You can buy mugs (‘Go away I’m reading’), posters of classic books such as Catch 22 and The Great Gatsby, badges, games and, my favourite, ‘books turned into things’ – confetti, clocks, handbags. It seems there’s nothing you can’t do with an old book (a read book, of course).

Kids gifts include crafting boxes and an Alice in Wonderland Jigsaw Puzzle. And for writers there’s the Writer’s Toolbox, a box of right-brain activities designed to get you over any writing obstacle.

Check it out here.

Other upcoming courses
Course: Perfecting Your Pitch with Sue White
When: Thursdays 4 & 11 November 2010
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175

Course: Your Story Structure with Kathryn Heyman – NEW COURSE
When: Fridays 5 & 12 November 2010 (two half-day classes)
Time: 9.30 - 12.30pm
Cost: $215

Course: Online Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker – NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 8 November 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Seminar: Perfect Your Proofreading with Deb Doyle
When: Tuesday 9 November 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: DAYTIME Introduction to Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 10 November 2010 (two-hour morning seminar)
Time: 10.00am – 12noon
Cost: $75

Course: DAYTIME Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 11 November 2010 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395

Seminar: DAYTIME How to Get Your Book Published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 11 November 2010 (two-hour morning seminar)
Time: 10.00am – 12noon
Cost: $75

Course: Online Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker
When: Week beginning Monday 15 November 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Screenwriting Stage 1 with Tim Gooding
When: Every Monday starting Monday 15 November 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Tuesday 16 November 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Kate Forsyth – FULL
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 16 November 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Magazine Writing Stage 1 with Mathew Nott
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 17 November 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Build Your Online Profile with Tristan Bancks
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 18 November 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter – LAST CREATIVE WRITING CLASS FOR 2011
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 18 November 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Online Magazine Writing Stage 1 with Valerie Khoo/Sue White – NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 22 November 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle – FULL
When: Monday 22 November 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $365

Seminar: PR and Media Releases that Get Results with Catriona Pollard
When: Thursday 25 November 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $495

Seminar: Writing Letters and Emails with Deb Doyle
When: Friday 26 November 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $365

Course: Online Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge/Nicola Robinson – NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 29 November 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Seminar: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle
When: Wednesday 1 December 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Introduction to Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett – NEW DATE
When: Wednesday 1 December 2010 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75

Seminar: Editing with Ease with Deb Doyle
When: Friday 3 December 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Self-Publishing with Geoff Bartlett – NEW DATE
When: Wednesday 8 December 2010 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75

Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When: Every Friday starting Friday 14 January 2011 for six weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $450

Course: Daytime Intensive Magazine Writing Stage 1 with Sue White – NEW DATE
When: Monday 17 January - Friday 21 January 2011 (5 days in a row)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395

Seminar: How to Get Your Book Published with Geoff Bartlett – NEW DATE
When: Wednesday 19 January 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $75

Course: Travel Writing: Get Paid for Your Adventures with Sue White – NEW DATE
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 20 January 2011 for four weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $345

Course: Daytime Intensive Travel Writing: Get Paid for Your Adventures with Sue White – NEW DATE
When: Monday 24 January - Friday 28 January 2011 (4 days in a row with a 1 day break for Australia Day)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $345

Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle – NEW DATE
When: Thursday 3 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $365

Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge – NEW DATE
When: Every Monday starting Monday 7 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When: Saturday 12 March 2011 and Sunday 13 March 2011 (2 day workshop)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $450

Course: Boost Your Creativity with Laurine Croasdale – NEW DATE
When: Monday 28 January & Monday 4 February 2011 (2 evening classes)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175

Seminar: Blogging for Business with Steven Lewis – NEW  DATE
When: Friday 1 April 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $365

Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman – NEW  DATE
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 3 May 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Novel Writing Workshop with Pamela Freeman – NEW  DATE
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 5 July 2011 for six weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $495