In this issue:
- TIP: Hear, hear to using the correct spelling!
- Delve into your dark side with Crime Writing
- Student Success – Aoife McGee is published
- Learn online – Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers
- Melbourne Poets Union International Poetry Competition
- Learn the essentials of grammar and improve your writing
- Did you know? What's your 'magnum opus'?
- WEBPICK: Hey! Teenager of the Year
It's been a busy week here at the Sydney Writers' Centre. We've been putting the finishing touches on our new online course: Writing for the Web presented by web writing expert Grant Doyle. This is going to be available as a self-study module. It's packed with useful information and guidelines on the right way to write web content. I'm so impressed with it - if I do say so myself! I'm also really looking forward to our Crime Writing Weekend Workshop THIS weekend. This is going to be two days of mystery and suspense - and lots of wonderful teaching from crime author Marele Day. It's such a great opportunity to learn from Marele, who does not usually live in Sydney. So we're thrilled she's agreed to host this weekend for you. It won't be held again this year. See you there!
Hear, hear to using the correct spelling!
I’ve noticed lately that the saying ‘hear, hear’ seems to have morphed into ‘here, here’. The saying ‘hear, hear’ is a contraction of ‘hear him, hear him!’ and has been in use in the English language since the late 1600s. It’s usually exclaimed as an expression of agreement, for example:
‘We’ve been working so hard at the Sydney Writers’ Centre this week we deserve an award.’
‘Hear, hear!’
So, that’s ‘hear’ NOT ‘here’. For some reason, ‘here, here’ has become the catchcry, particularly online. And, in fact, the use of ‘here, here’ is almost outnumbering the correct use of ‘hear, hear’!
Delve into your dark side with Crime Writing
There are only a few spaces left in our first ever Crime Writing Workshop. Crime writing expert and author Marele Day will show you the essentials of writing a good crime story over this intensive writing weekend. It’s bound to be a weekend full of mystery, drama – and writing!You’ll learn all about how to maintain suspense, how to create memorable and believable characters, and what editors look for in a good crime novel.
You’ll also discover:
- The “rules” of crime writing and how to get started
- Research resources for crime writers
- How to develop a sense of place in crime fiction
- The importance of plotting your crime
- How to plant clues and create suspense
The workshop is presented by Marele Day, author of four crime novels – The Life and Crimes of Harry Lavender, The Case of the Chinese Boxes, The Last Tango of Dolores Delgado and The Disappearances of Madalena Grimaldi – as well as a collection of crime-comedy stories – Mavis Levack, PI. She is also the editor of How to Write Crime. Other novels include the acclaimed Lambs of God and Mrs Cook: The Real and Imagined Life of the Captain’s Wife.
Crime Writing Workshop with Marele Day
When: Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 October 2009 (two-day workshop)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Student Success
Aoife McGee completed a Feature Writing course with us two years ago and has since gone from strength to strength with her writing career. She is now a regular contributor to weekendnotes.com and has also been offered a column in the UK based Australia and New Zealand Magazine. She’s written a number of articles for the magazine, including an interview with Ber Carroll and one on her own experiences as an Irish expat in Australia, and has been offered a regular diary post until April next year.
Congratulations Aoife! It sounds like your writing career is really taking off.
"Just thought I'd let you know I have had a lot of successs with my writing recently. I have gone at with with full force over the last few months ... I'm over the moon really and it just goes to show that if you want something bad enough, you just have to keep reaching out for it! Thanks again for your guidance at the beginning of my journey."
- Aoife McGee
Learn online – Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers
We have another Online Feature Writing course coming up and with 2009 drawing to a close, now’s the time to get started on your magazine writing career. This great course is for anyone who’s interested in writing for magazines and newspapers – total beginners or for those who want to brush up on their writing skills.
Through our interactive classroom, you’ll learn the essential skills needed to write great articles, and get them published.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- find ideas that work and know where to get them
- understand the magazine/news market
- analyse different types of feature articles
- research, structure and write a feature
- understand what editors want from a writer
- pitch your article or idea to a magazine and sell it!
The best thing about learning online is that you can login to your password-protected classroom any time that suits you! But you’ll still get the benefit of expert feedback on your work and a chance to interact with your presenter and classmates.
Here’s what one recent participant had to say about the course:
‘I have been looking at doing a course with the Sydney Writers' Centre for ages, but as a mother I am time poor. I eventually signed up with the Feature Writing Course, at a particularly busy time in my schedule. However, the podcasts are so easy to listen to. I was able to learn while cooking & cleaning, so it did not take up much of my time. Valerie shared her experience and insight generously and I feel like I have done a two-year English course in five weeks. I learnt a lot about the process of writing, and I especially liked the podcast responses to our questions.’
- Heather Smith
Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 19 October 2009
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Melbourne Poets Union International Poetry Competition
Entries are now being accepted for the Melbourne Poets Union’s annual poetry competition. This is an international competition with a generous first prize of $1,000. Second prize is $300 and third $200. $100 will also be awarded for the Martin Downey Urban Realist Award.Prizes will be awarded for the best original and unpublished poems on any theme. Poems can be up to 50 lines, and you can enter as many as you like!
Entries close on Friday 30 October and the entry fee is $6 per poem or $15 for three poems.
For full entry details and form click here.
Learn the essentials of grammar and improve your writing
Many people find the thought of grammar and punctuation intimidating, and it’s no wonder when so many of us weren’t taught it in school! But knowing the basics of grammar and punctuation will give you the tools to improve your writing – and it doesn’t have to be hard to learn. Our one-day grammar and punctuation seminar is an intensive yet fun way to learn the essentials of this important topic. You’ll finish the day with a much better understanding of the building blocks of English, and be able to confidently apply your new knowledge immediately.
During this seminar you will learn:
- how to treat common mistakes - such as apostrophes and plurals
- the basic rules you need to know to be confident in the workplace
- when to bend, break or keep a rule or convention
- how to discern when more than one solution is acceptable
- how professional editors approach their craft
- how to apply the standard hard-copy editing marks to double-spaced copy
- and much more
Recent participant Marissa Loe had this to say about the course:
‘The presenter was easy to follow and friendly. Deb was always happy to answer our questions and tackle any grammar issues we were facing in our everyday line of work.’
This seminar is taught by Deb Doyle, an experienced editorial-training consultant and publication editor. Deb has conducted courses for the Productivity Commission, AMP and Wizard Home Loans as well as many other corporate and government entities located in Sydney or Melbourne.
Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle
When: Wednesday 14 October 2009
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $395 Includes comprehensive text-workbook Grey Areas and Gremlins: A grammar and punctuation refresher (valued at $50)
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Writing tip: Using ellipsis correctly ... commonly known as "dot dot dot"
Sometimes, you use the ellipsis - a series of three dots - to indicate that some words have been omitted. However, make sure you use the ellipsis correctly. Unless you have a house style that states otherwise, there is typically a space on either side of the ellipsis. And remember that you don't use more than three dots. CORRECT: Greg Norman said: ‘I thought I was in love with Chris ... but I was wrong.’
INCORRECT: Greg Norman said: ‘I thought I was in love......but the media thinks I was in love with my ego.’
Have you written your ‘magnum opus’?You may have heard of the ‘magnum opus’. You'll often hear it associated with artists, musicians or people with a body of creative work. Their 'magnum opus' usually refers to their biggest creative achievement. Magnum opus is Latin for 'great work'.
For example:
"Some people say that architect Jørn Utzon's magnum opus is the Opera House."
"Classical music experts agree that The Magic Flute is Mozart's magnum opus."
"Sgt. Pepper is often described as The Beatles' magnum opus."
WEBPICK: Hey! Teenager of the YearThis is another blog on Young Adult literature, but this one is unique because it is written from the perspective of a young adult. Steph Bowe is 15 and is an aspiring author and lover of YA fiction. She writes book reviews and author interviews. She was also a judge for the Inky Awards 2009 (awards for YA fiction in Australia). And did I mention she’s only 15 years old?
You can check it out here - http://heyteenager.blogspot.com
Other upcoming courses
Course: Crime Writing Workshop with Marele Day - THIS WEEKEND
When: Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October 2009 (2-day workshop)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Online Creative Writing with Cathie Tasker/Pamela Freeman
When: Week beginning Monday 12 October 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Katrina Lobley - FULL
When: Every Monday starting Monday 12 October 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson - FULL
When: Tuesday 13 October 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Grammar and Punctuation with Deb Doyle
When: Wednesday 14 October 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Self-Publishing: How to do it with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 14 October 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 15 October 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Online Feature Writing Stage 1 with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 19 October 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman - FULL
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 20 October 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Feature Writing Stage 2 with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 21 October 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Thursday 22 October 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $345
Seminar: Blogging for Business with Steven Lewis
When: Friday 23 October 2009 (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 5 November 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Friday 6 November 2009 (2-hour morning seminar)
Time: 10.00am - 12 noon
Cost: $75
Course: Online Business Booster Bootcamp with Valerie Khoo
When: Tuesday 24 November 2009
Time: 9.30am - 5.30pm
Cost: $695
Course: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Thursday 26 November 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 2 December 2009 (2-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Marketing Your Book with Amanda Falconer
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 19 January 2010 for three weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $265
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When: Every Friday starting Friday 22 January 2010 for six weeks
Time: 10am - 12noon
Cost: $450
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 16 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
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