5 March 2009

Dear Fellow Writer,

In this issue:

How to keep your creative juices flowing
Get published in your favourite magazine
Griffin Theatre Awards - $10,000 prize
Do you want to write children's books?
Writing in Paris - information night next week
Webpick: Is it procrastinating or 'professional development'?

As you receive this newsletter I'll be in Melbourne hosting a breakfast seminar for about 100 people. I love Melbourne - but I don't like leaving Rex, Rocky and Rambo (here's a birthday picture of Rocky from last week - he had cupcakes).

I can't wait to get back to Sydney though because it's a busy time at the Centre. We've got Life Writing and Feature Writing courses starting in the next couple of weeks plus our "One night in Paris" information night.

See you there!

Keep your creative juices flowing

So, you’ve finished your Creative Writing course. You feel inspired to keep writing, to take on new ideas, maybe to bring that old novel back to the surface. But it’s hard to keep motivated when you no longer have the regular support of a teacher or writing group.

You may be stuck for ideas, but there are things you can do to keep up your writing practice. Do you like restaurants or movies? Start writing reviews - there are many websites that accept reader reviews. Check out writing competitions - they are a great way to focus your attention and get you writing.

Or buy a journal and get into the habit of writing for a mere 8 minutes a day. Everyone can find 8 minutes - even if it's just on the bus on the way to work. You'll be surprised how big an impact this little bit of discipline can make. One day, before you know it, half an hour will have passed and the seeds of your short story or novel will have been planted.

Get published in your favourite magazines or newspapers

Another Feature Writing course finished this week and we're looking forward to hearing all the success stories that are bound to come from this group. We’re always thrilled to hear how successful our Feature Writing students have been with many of them being published in major newspapers and magazines around the country.

We've had so much interest in these workshops that we're now running a daytime course with Pamela Wilson. These sessions are great if you have kids at school or if you need to learn how to write feature articles for your job. When I met journalist Pamela Wilson, I knew she would be perfect for the Sydney Writers' Centre. So I’m thrilled she's teaching the
daytime sessions of Feature Writing for Magazines
and Newspapers starting 12 March 2009.

Pamela is an experienced freelance journalist who has worked for many national publications including The Daily Telegraph, The Medical Observer, Men’s Health and AAP.

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

Click here for more information or to enrol online.

Win $10,000 - Griffin Theatre Awards

All you playwrights out there will be very pleased to hear that the Griffin Theatre Company has doubled its annual prize money to $10,000! Based in Kings Cross at the Stables Theatre, Griffin Theatre has been bringing Australian audiences the best in new theatre for 30 years.

The Griffin Award offers a rare opportunity for Australian playwrights, and not only for the prize money. The theatre has launched many careers over the years. Previous winners from the last 12 years include Brendan Cowell (Rabbit, 2003), Ian Wilding (The Carnivores, 2005) and Mary Rachel Brown (Australian Gothic, 2006).

You have until 4.00pm on Friday 3 April 2009 so check
out details now at Griffin Theatre Awards.

We know that many of you are interested in writing plays, so let us know if you’d like to see a playwriting course at the Sydney Writers’ Centre. Send your interest email to courses@spindriftmedia.com.au.

How to write books for children

On Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 March 2009, the Norman Lindsay Festival of Children’s Literature will be held at the Norman Lindsay Gallery in Faulconbridge in the Blue Mountains. The festival will include talks for adults and children and will feature popular children's authors Libby Gleeson, Andy Griffiths, Jo Henwood and many more. There'll be plenty for the kids to do with storytelling sessions, bushwalks and more.

If you’d like to write for kids, our next Writing for Children and Young Adults course begins on Wednesday 25 March 2009. The course will be taught by Judith Ridge, who has many years experience in children's book editing and teaching.

This course in Writing Books for Children and Young Adults will cover:

How to get started
Finding the right voice
Creating characters and stories young readers will enjoy
Common assumptions about writing for children and about young readers
Understanding the children's publishing market

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

Click here for more information or to enrol online

A tip that (or which?) will improve your writing

When to use 'that' and when to use 'which'. It's often assumed that the two words are interchangeable and it really doesn’t matter which one you use, but that’s not true.

'That' should be used when it follows a clause that is essential to the meaning of the sentence (a restrictive clause). For example:

Cats that are celebrating their birthday should have cake.

In other words, it's essential the cats are celebrating their birthday in order for them to have cake.

You would only use 'which' if the clause is not essential to the meaning (a non-restrictive clause). For example:

Writing courses, which are held at the Sydney Writers' Centre, will help you
learn to write well.

In this case, writing courses in general will help you learn to write. It's not essential the courses are held at the Sydney Writers' Centre.
(Although we admit: we DO think our courses are the best!)

"One night in Paris" - information night

There have been so many enquiries about Writing in Paris 2009 that we've decided to give you the opportunity to attend an information night to learn more. Patti Miller will take you on a short trip around Paris and tell you all about writing memoir in the world's most romant|c city.

"One night in Paris" - information night
Date: Thursday 19 March 2009
Time: 6pm for 6.30pm (Estimated finish time: 7.30pm)
Where: Sydney Writers’ Centre. This might change depending on the number of RSVPs, however it will be in Milsons Point. We will email you to confirm.

You can find out more about this great travel
opportunity on our website.

RSVPs are essentials. To RSVP for this event simply click here.

Procrastinating or 'professional development'

As writers, is it acceptable to procrastinate at work by playing scrabble and doing crosswords? Surely anything that helps to improve our vocabulary (and therefore our writing) could be considered 'professional development'? Even if you don't agree, there's plenty at Ask Oxford Word Games to keep you occupied in your free time.

You can start with the basics, like Hangman (not as easy as I remember), Awful Authors (a punning game where you choose the author for an imaginary book title) and Categories. Then work your way through to the Slightly Harder Games and, finally, Fiendishly Difficult Games (and yes, they really are).

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: Self-Publishing - How to do it with Valerie Khoo - 2 PLACES LEFT
When: Monday 9 March 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75

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: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When: Every Friday starting Friday 13 March 2009 for six weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12.00noon
Cost: $450

Course: Online Creative Writing with Pamela Freeman / Cathie Tasker
When: Week beginning Monday 16 March 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 16 March 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Feature writing for magazines and newspapers with Judy Skatssoon - FULL
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 - FULL
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

Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle
When: Monday 30 March 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $325

Course: Feature Writing Stage 2 with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Monday starting Monday 4 May 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

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

Course: Hook Your Reader with Maree Giles
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 17 June 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Thanks for signing up to this newsletter. Remember, if you'd like to leave this list at any time just reply to this email letting us know.

Wishing you much writing success,