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Free newsletter from the Sydney Writers' Centre packed with information about our upcoming courses and events, writing competitions, festivals, free articles on writing as well as freelance news and opportunities. Here's a collection of some of our past newsletters.

7 January 2010

Thursday, January 07, 2010
In this issue:
  • Reinvent yourself as a writer
  • TIP: Active vs Passive voice
  • Feature Writing with Pamela Wilson
  • Win a Podcast Book Pack
  • Travel Writing – get paid to holiday
  • Word crimes while on holidays
  • Blogging for Business
  • WEBPICK: Prompted to Write

Happy new year everyone! I hope you had a great break over the holidays and I wish you the best in the year ahead. Whether or not you've made some new year's resolutions, this is often the time of year when you pause, reflect and think of all the things you've always wanted to do. But, somehow, last year went by - and you didn't do any of them! If you've thought about exploring the world of writing, this is a great time to do it.

There are so many different types of writing. Maybe you already know which one you want to pursue. But if you're not sure, then I highly recommend our program "Reinvent Yourself: So You Want To Be A Writer". This is a self-paced CD/audio program and workbook that will help you find your writing path. It includes 6 BONUS CDs featuring 8 best-selling authors that I've personally handpicked and interviewed. They'll share their secrets of success.

You can find out more here.





TIP: Active vs Passive voice
When writing, it’s important that you don’t come across as vague. Active voice will make your work sound more convincing, and less bureaucratic or like meeting minutes.

For example:
Valerie has taken Rambo for a walk.

Rambo was taken for a walk.
The first sentence is written in active voice – the subject (Valerie) is performing the verb (taking Rambo for a walk). The second sentence is written in passive voice. We don’t know who is taking Rambo – he has become the subject and the verb is being done to him.




Write articles for magazines and newspapers
Make 2010 your year to get published! If you want to learn how to write for magazines and newspapers, our Feature Writing course is the perfect first step.

You'll learn all about getting published in your favourite magazine or newspaper. In fact, some people have even been published before they've finished the course!

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!

Here’s what some recent participants had to say about the course:
‘Pam was an outstanding lecturer! We had a fantastic group that I felt comfortable to ask questions and share ideas with. My daily intranet news stories have come to life! I'm not afraid of writing now and am actually enjoying a part of my job I used to dread.’
- Carolyn Hardy

'The information presented was interesting and logically taught. I think the small size of the group was really beneficial for asking questions and getting to know the other group members. I had a great time! I have the confidence now that I can achieve success in writing, which I did not have previously.'
- Chantelle Thompson

Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers Stage 1 with Pamela Wilson
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 28 January 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers Stage 1 DAYTIME with Vanessa Waters
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 3 March 2010 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12 noon
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enrol online.





Sydney Writers’ Centre podcasts and book giveaway
In 2009 we interviewed many authors about their writing journeys for our podcast series. We’re really looking forward to bringing you more inspiring and informative interviews in 2010, from writers of fiction, non-fiction, kids books and much more.

You can check out all of our podcast interviews here.

To celebrate another year of author interviews, and to give you a taste of what’s in store, we have four books to give away from authors whose interviews we featured last year.

Our Podcast Book Pack includes:

If you’d like to win our Podcast Book Pack, just tell us who you would like interviewed in 2010 and why. Send your answers to courses [at] spindriftmedia [dot] com [dot] au, and don’t forget to include your postal address. The closing date for this competition is Friday 15 January 2010.



Word crimes
I thought you might be amused at some of the signs I saw while on holiday.







Can you spot the errors? “Accommodation” is spelt incorrectly. “Purchase” is spelt wrong. And the apostrophe in front of ’Tis should be facing the other way!


 
Travel Writing - get paid to holiday
Do want to know what it takes to be a travel writer? Want to combine your love of writing with travel?

If you want to write articles about your favourite travel destination, or perhaps write for guide books, join us for this info-packed seminar. You'll discover that it's not all about lying on the beach sipping cocktails... but you'll also learn how you can help fund your travel by writing about it.

The seminar will cover:

  • publishing opportunities     (newspapers, magazines, electronic publishing, travel literature, guidebooks, other avenues)
  • types of travel stories (service stories, destination stories, personal essays)
  • what it takes to be a travel writer
  • some straight talk about earnings
  • finding and focusing your story (the right subject, travel trends, developing your story)
  • the art and craft of travel writing
  • getting published and making contacts (including tips on joining professional associations such as the Australian Society of Travel Writers)
  • writing for travel guidebooks

Here’s what some recent participants had to say about the seminar:
‘I have a lot of ideas now and will start to put them into action. I'm more inspired to believe I can do it!’
- Kristi Blake

‘It seriously motivated me to take a notebook on my travels and consider turning my writing from a hobby to perhaps profit. It gave me some great practical ideas about travel writing... ideas that I can immediately use. I feel as though I have the right tools to start travel writing.’
- Kirsten Lodge

This seminar is presented by Geoff Bartlett, he has worked as a freelance travel writer and photographer for magazines and websites for the last six years. His current areas of focus are the islands of the South Pacific and Asia. He is a regular contributor to Pacific Island Paradises and Asian Paradises.

Travel Writing morning seminar with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 21 January 2010 (two-hour morning seminar)
Time: 10.00am - 12 noon
Cost: $75

OR

Travel Writing evening seminar with Geoff Bartlett
When: Monday 15 February 2010 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Cost: $75

Click here for more information or to enrol online.






Did you know? 9am and 9pm
We’re so used to using the terms “am” and “pm” to indicate the time of day. But do you know what the terms stand for?

These terms are actually abbreviations for the Latin phrases “ante meridiem” and “post meridiem”, which mean “before midday” and “after midday”.










Blogging for Business
If you’re thinking of setting up a blog for your company, it’s essential that you know how to write one that will be noticed for the right reasons. A blog can be a powerful tool – you can use it to reach out to customers and staff and to build the reputation of your company.

If you want to learn the essentials for a good business blog, or you already blog for your company and want to know how to improve it, then our one-day Blogging for Business seminar is ideal for you.

The seminar will cover:

  • the critical distinctions between a blog and an ordinary company webpage
  • the terminology of blogging
  • what readers expect from a corporate blog
  • how to write a blog that stands out
  • finding and building an audience
  • how and what to measure
  • common internal objections to blogging and how to overcome them
  • best practice policies and guidelines for corporate bloggers
  • building the business case for your blog
  • what you should be looking for in your blogging software

The seminar is presented by Steven Lewis who has consulted on blogging, podcasting and other Web 2.0 tools for companies such as Westpac and IAG. For Tourism Tasmania he created a ground-breaking series of travel podcasts, with similar projects in the works for companies like V Australia and Time Out.

Here’s what some of our recent participants had to say about the course:
‘The seminar was at the perfect pace to learn and be stimulated – great presenter and teacher. It dragged me out of the dark ages of social networking knowledge to be talking the talk!’
- Sally Berry

‘The presenter Steven Lewis is an expert in his field, which made the seminar relevant and up to the minute. I will be changing my Style File to a blog as soon as I can!’
- Kandy Russo

Blogging for Business with Steven Lewis
When: Thursday 28 January 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $365

Click here for more information or to enrol online.





WEBPICK: Prompted to Write
Sometimes, we need a little help to get started on that writing project – whether it’s a short story for a competition, a novel, or even a letter. Being ‘prompted to write’ could be just what you need to turn that creative spark into a story!

Each day on the blog ‘Prompted to Write’ a new image is posted, and with that a writing prompt. The idea is that you take that prompt and write a short story of about 100 words. You have the option of posting that story in the comments page, or you can just keep the work for yourself. Either way, prompts like these can help get you into the habit of writing, and writing well.

For prompts and writing advice visit www.promptedtowrite.com.









Other upcoming courses
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 5-day Intensive course with Jeni Mawter – FULL
When: Monday 11 January - Friday 15 January 2010 (5 consecutive days)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395

Course: Online Creative Writing with Cathie Tasker/Pamela Freeman – FULL
When: Week beginning Monday 11 January 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Online Feature Writing Stage 1 with Valerie Khoo – FULL
When: Week beginning Monday 11 January 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Marketing Your Book with Amanda Falconer
When: Every Monday starting Monday 18 January 2010 for three weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $265

Course: Script Writing for Short Films with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 20 January and Wednesday 27 January 2010 (two evening seminars)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $165

Course: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 21 January 2010 (2-hour morning seminar)
Time: 10.00am - 12 noon
Cost: $75

Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller – FULL
When: Every Friday starting Friday 22 January 2010 for six weeks
Time: 10am - 12noon
Cost: $450

Seminar: Blogging for Business with Steven Lewis
When: Thursday 28 January 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $365

Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Pamela Wilson
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 28 January 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Online Creative Writing with Cathie Tasker/Pamela Freeman
When: Week beginning Monday 1 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Online Feature Writing Stage 1 with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 1 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

 Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Tuesday 2 February 2010 (2-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 3 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Online Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge - FULL
When: Week beginning Monday 8 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Thursday 11 February 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395

Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When: Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 February (two-day workshop)
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Cost: $450

Course: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Monday 15 February 2010 (2-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75

Course: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle
When: Tuesday 16 February 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman - FULL
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 16 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 DAYTIME course with Jeni Mawter
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 18 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395

Course: Online Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Week beginning Monday 1 March 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Seminar: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Tuesday 2 March 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Cost: $345

Course: Feature Writing Stage 1 DAYTIME course with Vanessa Waters
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 3 March 2010 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am – 12noon
Cost: $395

Seminar: Self-Publishing: How to do it with Geoff Bartlett
When: Monday 15 March 2010 (2-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $75

Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 30 March 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Kate Forsyth
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 8 April 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Feature Writing Stage 2 with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Wednesday beginning Wednesday 14 April 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Cost: $395
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