5 February 2009

Dear Fellow Writer,

In this issue:

Student success: Jo Harris - from online student to feature writer

TIP: Are you using "dead" words? Get rid of them!
Daytime Feature Writing: We heard you - it’s on! Starts March.
Macquarie Dictionary Word of the Year
You can write a chain thriller with author James Patterson

I was so happy to receive this email from Jo Harris this week.

"I completed Valerie's online course in November 2008. By Christmas, I had secured my first freelance writing job! I was completely amazed at how quickly it all happened. Without Valerie's support and encouragement and, of course, the user-friendly online course, I would never have had the confidence to apply for this ongoing freelance writing position. If you follow Valerie's expert advice you really can't go wrong."
- Jo Harris

If you’d like to learn online, there are a couple of courses starting on 23 February 2009 - so make sure you sign up
if you want to secure your place.

ONLINE Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers
If you like the idea of writing articles for magazines and newspapers, this course is for you. The course will teach you about:

    * which ideas work and where to get them
    * understanding the magazine/news market
    * different types of feature articles
    * how to research, structure and write a feature
    * what editors want from a writer
    * how to pitch your article or idea to a magazine and sell it!

When: The week beginning Monday 23 February 2009 ENROL NOW
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enrol online.

ONLINE Creative Writing Stage 1
This course is ideal for people who want to write fiction, short stories or perhaps, one day, a novel. 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

When: The week beginning Monday 23 February 2009 ENROL NOW
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost $395

Click here for more information or to enrol online.

Write part of a "chain thriller" with author James Patterson

I’m sure you’re all familiar with the concept of a chain letter or email - receive it, send it on to 10 friends, and in return you’ll get good/bad luck for the next 7 days!

These are usually the scourge of my inbox. But Borders and James Patterson are taking the idea and offering writers a chance to participate in a chain thriller.

The online story will be written over 30 days, with James Patterson writing the first and last chapters and 28 co-authors all the chapters in between. The book will be published and one lucky writer will win a one-on-one master class with James Patterson.

Check it out here.

TIP: Are you using dead words? If so, get rid of them!

When it comes to concise writing it’s important to get rid of "dead" words. That means words that simply do not need to be there. Consider this list:

• important essentials
• in the event that
• just exactly
• make a decision
• fedora hat
• merge together
• mutual cooperation

You’ll see these phrases written in documents often but they can all be replaced by a shorter phrase or, in some cases, a single word.
[Answers at the bottom of the newsletter.]

Remember, in business writing: less is more!

Business writing courses
Our upcoming business writing courses can help you turn unmanageable writing into clear communication. You can choose from:

Media Releases That Get Results
When: Tuesday 17 February 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Fee: $345
Click here for more information or to enrol online.

Editing Essentials
When: Tuesday 24 February 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Cost: $345
Click here for more information or to enrol online.

Professional Business Writing
When: Wednesday 18 March 2009 (one day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.

And the Macquarie Dictionary Word of the Year is ....

The English language is constantly changing. It’s amazing how often a new word or phrase can enter the lexicon. Some of you may have heard of:

• Helicopter parenting
(noun a style of child rearing in which parents are excessively attentive to and involved in the lives of their children [from the notion that the parents are always hovering overhead])

• Audiation
(noun the process by which one plays over in
one's mind mus|c that one has heard, which
intrudes itself sometimes to an unpleasant degree).

Aren’t you pleased someone came up with a word for that? These words and many more have been honourably mentioned in the Macquarie Dictionary’s Word of the Year 2008.
Click here for the full list.

And the winner is... toxic debt!

Daytime Feature Writing: We heard you! Starts 12 March 2009

Thanks to the overwhelming number of people who told us you want a daytime feature writing course. We’re very happy to announce that we’ve heard the call and it's on.

The great news is that this is being taught by the very experienced journalist and feature writer, Pamela Wilson, who has just joined the Centre. With 18 years experience under her belt, Pamela contributes to Men’s Health, Good Health and Medicine, Australian Parents, Travel Vacations, Ninemsn online, Medical Observer, Reader’s Digest and Health Smart.

She has worked at AAP and The Daily Telegraph and has held various positions including medical-political
features editor, chief-sub-editor, chief-of-staff, industrial
relations correspondent, news and feature writer and
health reporter.

At the Sydney Writers' Centre you learn from the best! And I have no doubt that Pamela will be training an up and coming group of talented feature writers. Will you be one of them?

When: Every Thursday for 5 weeks from Thursday 12 March 2009
Time: 10am to 12noon
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enrol online.

Business and Careers Institute in Milsons Point

Remember to check out our sister training organisation - the Business and Careers Institute - which we've just opened in Milsons Point. Thanks to those of you who have already enrolled in some of the courses! You'll find the same high quality of courses and presenters here.

As you know, I'm a big believer that technology can help you achieve more in less time. If you want to get the most out of everyday software like Word, Excel and Outlook, these fun and interactive courses will help you become a pro-user in just one day.

You can check it out here. I'd love to know what you think!
www.bcinstitute.com.au

Other upcoming courses
Seminar: Media Releases that Get Results with Luisa Volpato
When: Tuesday 17 February 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Fee: $345

Course: Online Creative Writing with Pamela Freeman
When: Week beginning Monday 23 February 2009 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 23 February 2009 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Seminar: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Tuesday 24 February 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Cost: $345

Seminar: Self-Publishing - How to do it with Valerie Khoo
When: Monday 9 March 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75

Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle
When: Tuesday 10 March 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $325

Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett - FULL
When: Wednesday 11 March 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75

Course: Feature writing for magazines and newspapers with Pamela Wilson
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 12 March 2009 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12.00noon
Cost: $395

Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 12 March 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75

Course: Feature writing for magazines and newspapers with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Monday starting Monday 16 March 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Novel Writing Workshop with Pamela Freeman
Evening classes held approximately every six weeks
Course starts: Tuesday 17 March 2008
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $450

Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Wednesday 18 March 2009 (one day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman - FULL
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 24 March 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 25 March 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 26 March 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75

Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 6 May 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 12 May 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

ANSWERS:
• important essentials - "essential"
• in the event that - "if"
• just exactly - "exactly"
• make a decision - "decide"
• fedora hat - "fedora"
• merge together - "merge"
• mutual cooperation - "cooperation"

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Wishing you much writing success,