In this issue:
- TIP: Stationary or stationery?
- Perfect your proofreading
- Student Success – Suzi van Middlekoop
- Queen of Crime Writing Competition
- How to get your book published
- Did you know? Defenestrate
- Writing for young adults
- TIP: He said, she said
- WEBPICK: Tonecheck
I have to admit. I love my Foxtel. In particular, I love the movie channels because there are few activities I enjoy more than settling in on a cosy night indulging in a great movie. Judging by how quickly our last Screenwriting course booked out, I know I’m not the only one.
This excellent course is presented by the amazing Tim Gooding who as written for Water Rats, Blue Heelers, Packed to the Rafters, All Saints, and many more. For those of you who can remember, he also created the hit ABC TV series Sweet and Sour.
Whether you’ve had an idea for a blockbuster brewing in your head for ages, or if you’re brand new to the craft, this 5-week course will help you get the idea out of your imagination – and into an engaging movie script.
Screenwriting Stage 1 with Tim Gooding
When: Every Monday starting Monday 20 September 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
TIP: Stationary or stationery?
This may seem very obvious to most of you, but I see this error all the time, especially online. Remember – ‘stationary’ and ‘stationery’ have very different meanings! It’s an easy mistake to make, after all there’s only one letter different in the spellings of these two words. But if you want to make yourself clear, you should always get this right. Stationary means standing still or not moving. For example:
‘Palace guards are well known for their ability to stand stationary for hours.’
Stationery means paper, or writing materials such as pens and pencils. For example:
‘In our office, a chance to order stationery is always greeted with excitement.’
Remember it this way:
A car is stationary.
A letter is written on stationery.
Perfect your proofreading
Proofreading means more than just checking spelling and grammar. Knowing how to proofread properly will give you more consistency, clarity and quality in all your documents, whether in print or online. This important stage in the printing process should leave you with polished and professional documents with no errors. Whether you’re proofreading letters, reports, brochures or emails, the skills you’ll learn in this seminar will help you get the job done quickly and confidently.
After this one-day workshop, you will:
- understand and be able to use the standard proofreading symbols
- be able to identify when to use hyphens, ‘ens’ and ‘ems’, all of which are often misused
- have a clear proofreading process to follow
- be familiar with common proofreading slips (there are more than you think!)
- understand the most efficient way to check whether the designer or wordprocessing operator has done your proofreading corrections
- be more familiar with the terms used in publishing and printing
- create your own proofreading checklist
- know why you should never proofread solely on screen
- know which colour pen to use to mark which correction
- and much more!
Perfect Your Proofreading with Deb Doyle
When: Friday 17 September 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Cost: $365
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Student Success – Suzi van Middlekoop
This week, one of our former Feature Writing students contacted us with some very exciting news. Suzi van Middlekoop has had her first article accepted for publication and it will appear in the November issue of Notebook. Here’s what she said in her email: Just heard back from Notebook and they would like to run my story! Thanks so much for the encouragement to get out there. You won't believe how excited I am!
Attending both the pitching and feature writing courses really gave me the confidence and get out there and aspire to my goals. Without which, I would still be dreaming!
Congratulations Suzi! We’ll look out for your article in November and look forward to hearing about many more.
If you’re interested in writing for magazines and newspapers and want to kick-start your career, we have two Feature Writing courses coming up soon.
Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers
When: Week beginning Monday 13 September 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Holly Nott
When: Tuesdays starting Tuesday 5 October 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Queen of Crime Writing Competition
Here’s a competition for both writers and readers of crime. The Queen of Crime Awards, held annually by Partners in Crime, are now open and this year there is a new element to the competition. As well as the usual short story competition, organisers are also looking for the best crime book review! So, avid readers now have a chance to flex their writing muscles too. The short story competition is for works of 3,000 words or less, obviously with a crime theme. Entries will be judged by crime-fiction author P M Newton, and prizes will include cash (1st $250, 2nd $150, and 3rd $100) thanks to Abbeys Bookshop, writers’ centre memberships, and subscriptions to Wet Ink literary journal and the Australian Police Journal (very useful for researching that novel!).
Book review entries are to be 500-700 words long and can be on the best or the worst crime novel you’ve read.
Entry fee for both categories is $10. There’s no limit to the number of entries you can send but each one must be accompanied by an entry form and fee. Entries close on Friday 29 October 2010.
For more information visit their website.
How to get your book published
The publishing industry can seem like an impenetrable fortress if you’re new to writing and not sure how to get the attention of a commercial publisher or agent. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you arm yourself with as much information as possible, you’ll increase your chances of achieving your publishing dreams. Our two-hour seminar, ‘How to Get Your Book Published’, will give you an insight into the world of publishing and the confidence to plan your publishing journey.
The seminar will cover:
- how to write a winning book proposal
- how to approach publishers
- do you need an agent?
- how much should you write before approaching a publisher?
- negotiating a fair contract
- the editing and re-writing process
Here’s what one recent participant, Michelle Guillemard, had to say about the seminar:
‘Thank you so much for providing such a comprehensive insight into the world of publishing. You addressed all of my questions, and you made publishing seem like something that is realistically achievable for any of us - as long as we go about it in the right way! It's very encouraging as I feel that the dream is within reach now. I've still got a lot of work to do on my first draft, but when I'm ready to pitch it (hopefully by the end of the year) I'm confident that I have the right tools to do it properly!’
- Michelle Guillemard
How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 15 September 2010 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Did you know? Defenestration
Did you know there is actually a word for throwing someone out of a window? Yep, it’s ‘defenestration’ – the act of throwing someone or something out a window. The word comes from the Latin de- (from) and fenestra (window or opening). It was coined in 1618 in Prague, after an incident there in which three people, two of them Imperial governors, were thrown from the windows of Prague Castle, sparking the Thirty Years War.
Interestingly, our copy of the Macquarie Dictionary doesn’t list ‘defenestration’, but the online Mirriam-Webster dictionary suggests a more modern meaning for the word - a swift dismissal or expulsion (as from a political party or office).
Writing for young adults
If you think you’ve got the next Twilight or Harry Potter in you, but don’t know how to start writing it, our Online Writing Books for Children and Young Adults course is for you. You’ll learn all about writing an entertaining and engaging story for young readers – without leaving home! Even if you don’t live in Sydney, you can still take part in this great course. This interactive course will show you how to get your story started, how to create believable characters, and how to keep kids entertained. You’ll also cover:
- finding the right voice
- how to write believable dialogue
- common assumptions about writing for children and about young readers
- how to structure a story that works
- the secrets to plotting for different age groups
- what you need to know about getting into the children’s publishing market
‘You have re-ignited a 'fire' releasing the creative soul that has laid dormant for years. Thank you!’
- Liane Barker
‘As a first-timer to any online course, I found it very user-friendly. The best thing is the convenience re 'attendance' plus the professionalism of the tutors. The feedback was instructive (and kind!) and the presentation of both written and audio parts was clear and concise. I have already recommended it to others looking for effective writing courses that aren't prohibitively costly.’
- Mavis Stucci
Online Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge/Nicola Robinson
When: Week beginning Monday 20 September 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
TIP: He said, she said
We came across a great article in the New York Times (via Gotham Writers’ Workshop) by Elmore Leonard. The article is called “Easy on the Adverbs, Exclamation Points and Especially Hooptedoodle” and offers some great advice to fiction writers, from one of the world’s best! Here are a few of our favourite tips: Never use a verb other than ''said'' to carry dialogue.
The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in. But said is far less intrusive than grumbled, gasped, cautioned, lied. I once noticed Mary McCarthy ending a line of dialogue with ''she asseverated,'' and had to stop reading to get the dictionary.
Never use the words ''suddenly'' or ''all hell broke loose.''
This rule doesn't require an explanation. I have noticed that writers who use ''suddenly'' tend to exercise less control in the application of exclamation points.
My most important rule… If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.
You can read all of Elmore Leonard’s writing tips here.
WEBPICK: TonecheckWe’ve all done it – fired off an angry or curt email and hit send before re-reading/reconsidering/editing/getting someone else to read it… In these times of instant communication you want to be sure your emails won’t be misinterpreted and this week’s webpick should help guard against any workplace misunderstandings.
Tonecheck will analyse your email message and give you a ‘tone tolerance’ reading. You’ll be able to see which sentences suggest you’re ‘contented’ and which ones suggest you’re ‘angry’, and Tonecheck will even give you suggestions on how to improve the tone.
And it’s free! Outlook users can download tonecheck here.
Other upcoming courses
Seminar: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle
When: Friday 10 September 2010 (one-day seminar) - FULL
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Online Creative Writing - Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker
When: Week beginning Monday 13 September 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Online Magazine Writing - Stage 1 with Valerie Khoo/Pamela Wilson – NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 13 September 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 15 September 2010 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Seminar: Perfect your proofreading with Deb Doyle – NEW COURSE
When: Friday 17 September 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $365
Course: Screenwriting Stage 1 with Tim Gooding
When: Every Monday starting Monday 20 September 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Online Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Nicola Robinson – NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 20 September 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Seminar: Boost Your Creativity with Laurine Croasdale – NEW COURSE
When: Tuesdays 21 & 28 September 2010
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175
Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Tuesday 21 September 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 5-day Intensive course with Jeni Mawter
When: Monday 27 September - Friday 1 October 2010 (5 consecutive days)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395
Course: Magazine Writing Stage 2 with Gayle Bryant
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 29 September 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Editing at work with Deb Doyle – NEW DATE
When: Wednesday 29 September 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Online Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker – NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 4 October 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Magazine Writing Stage 1 with Holly Nott – NEW DATE
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 5 October 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle
When: Friday 8 October 2010 (one-day seminar) – NEW DATE
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Writing for the web with Grant Doyle
When: Monday 11 October 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $365
Course: Novel writing workshop with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 12 October 2010 for six weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $495
Seminar: PR and Media Releases that get results with Catriona Pollard – NEW COURSE
When: Thursday 14 October 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $495
Seminar: Blogging for Business with Steven Lewis
When: Thursday 14 October 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm
Cost: $365
Seminar: Introduction to Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 14 October 2010 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter – NEW DATE
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 14 October 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Writing Letters and Emails with Deb Doyle – NEW DATE
When: Friday 15 October 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $365
Seminar: Online Business Booster Bootcamp with Valerie Khoo – NEW DATE
When: Thursday 21 October 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am sharp - 5.30pm
Cost: $695
Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 27 October 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
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 Katherine Heyman – NEW COURSE
When: Fridays 5 & 12 November 2010 (two half-day classes)
Time: 9.30 - 12.30pm
Cost: $215
Course: Build Your Online Profile with Tristan Bancks – NEW DATE
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 18 November 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Self-publishing with Geoff Bartlett – NEW DATE
When: Thursday 2 December 2010 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller – NEW DATE
When: Every Friday starting Friday 14 January 2011 for six weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $450
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller – NEW DATE
When: Saturday 12 March 2011 and Sunday 13 March 2011 (2 day workshop)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $450
Writing Tour: Writing in Bali with Patti Miller – FULL
When: 30 September to 5 October 2010
Writing Tour: Writing in Paris with Patti Miller – FULL
Dates for 2010:
Arrival: Thursday 21 October 2010
Departure: Saturday 6 November 2010
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