In this issue:
- Merry Christmas!
- TIP: Anxious or eager
- Write your memoir
- Did you know? Grew like Topsy and Harriet Beecher-Stowe
- Summer School - see you soon!
- WEBPICK: Ed Ronthaler on English spelling
Happy holidays from the Sydney Writers’ Centre. We’ve had an amazing year with our wonderful community and we look forward to bringing you more ideas, resources and courses in 2011.It’s our sincerest wish that you have a brilliant holiday period and we wish the very best for you and your family in the new year.
Our office will closed from Friday 24 December 2010 and re-open Tuesday 4 January 2011. However, you can still enrol online and we will be available on email during this period.
See you in the new year!
TIP: Are you anxious or eager?
While often used as synonyms, anxious and eager do have very different meanings. If you’re anxious you are full of anxiety or greatly troubled. It suggests a sense of nervousness or fear. For example:
Students are anxious about their HSC results.
However, you sometimes see this:
Students are anxious to find out about their HSC results.
In the latter case, it may be better to use the word “eager”.
To be eager is to be keen or impatiently longing for something. If you’re eager for something you’re usually looking forward to it.
For example:
Students are eager to find out which university they’ll attend next year.
Life Writing
As expected, our Memoir Writing in Paris tour for 2011 is filling fast. There are only a few places left and we’re quite sure they’ll be snapped up soon! But if you can’t make it to Paris, don’t despair – Patti will be holding her Life Writing course here at the Centre very soon. Exploring creative autobiographical writing will help you shape your life story into an enjoyable and absorbing memoir. There will be plenty of writing exercises and workshopping, and you will also learn to:
- awaken memory and creativity
- create the lived reality of your experience on the page
- bring details to life
- find structure to your work.
'It was a great experience. I haven't been in a class room for 20 years so it was a little scary at first but Patti was awesome. She's a very good teacher, a lovely lady. Everyone was great in fact, it was a wonderful experience to share with like minded people, it's nice to know you're not alone in the quest! Bloody brilliant!'
- Marcia Tsiliris
'Patti is such a positive person and she made it a lot of fun with our group whilst learning a lot. She has an amazing way of teaching and brings out the best in you.'
- Ruby Rebic
The course is presented by Patti Miller who has taught creative writing, with a particular focus on autobiographical writing, for 20 years. At the Sydney Writers' Centre, you learn from the best - and we believe Patti is the best life writing teacher in Australia.
Life Writing with Patti Miller
When: Fridays starting Friday 14 January 2011 for six weeks
Time: 10.00am – 12noon
Cost: $450
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Did you know? Grew like Topsy and Harriet Beecher-Stowe
Has anyone ever heard the saying ‘grew like topsy’? When I used it recently in the office I was greeted by three blank stares… Well, I’ve definitely heard of it and no doubt anyone who is familiar with the book Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher-Stowe would also know the saying. Beecher-Stowe was credited with galvanising the anti-slavery movement in the US in the years before the civil war. Her book is considered an American classic, and the first anti-slavery novel. (Though it has also been accused of reinforcing racial stereotypes about African Americans.) Anyway, the character Topsy was a young orphaned slave who, when asked if she knew God made her, responded with, ‘I s'pect I growed. Don't think nobody never made me.’ The term ‘grew like topsy’ (originally ‘grow’d like Topsy’) is now used to suggest unplanned or excessive growth – to grow wild, with neither plan, structure, nor direction.
For example:
The city of Sydney grew like Topsy whereas Canberra experienced a well-planned and structured growth.
Summer School - see you soon!In January 2011, the Sydney Writers' Centre Summer School kicks off. We've already had lots of interstate enrolments - so we can't wait to welcome you to Sydney, and to the centre. The intensive courses are also ideal for those of you who can't commit to a five-week course.
You can choose from 5 consecutive days or a weekend course. The courses contain the same high quality content as our regular courses - the only difference is that you get to fast track your learning!
You can find out more here.
WEBPICK: Ed Ronthaler on English spelling
This charming video was filmed when Ed Ronthaler, typographist and champion of simplified spelling, was 102.
Whether you agree with his suggestions or not, you can’t deny his ingenuity! He makes a convincing argument for rethinking how we spell many words.
Check it out here.
Other upcoming courses
Online Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker – NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Tuesday 4 January 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Online Course: Magazine Writing Stage 1 with Valerie Khoo/Sue White – NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Tuesday 4 January 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Daytime Intensive Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter – SUMMER SCHOOL
When: Monday 10 January 2011 - Friday 14 January 2011 (5 days in a row)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395
Online Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge/Nicola Robinson
When: Week beginning Monday 10 January 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller – SUMMER SCHOOL
When: Every Friday starting Friday 14 January 2011 for six weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $450
Course: Daytime Intensive Magazine Writing Stage 1 with Sue White – SUMMER SCHOOL
When: Monday 17 January 2011 - Friday 21 January 2011 (5 days in a row)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395
Seminar: How to Get Your Book Published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 19 January 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Travel Writing: Get Paid for Your Adventures with Sue White – SUMMER SCHOOL
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 20 January 2011 for four weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $345
Course: Travel Memoir with Claire Scobie – NEW COURSE
When: Saturday 22 January 2011 and Sunday 23 January 2011 (2 day workshop)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Weekend Intensive Magazine Writing Stage 1 with Sue White – SUMMER SCHOOL
When: Saturday 22 January 2011 and Sunday 23 January 2011 (2 day workshop)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Daytime Intensive Travel Writing: Get Paid for Your Adventures with Sue White – SUMMER SCHOOL
When: Monday 24 January 2011 - Friday 28 January 2011 (4 mornings with a 1 day break for Australia Day)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $345
Course: Magazine Writing Stage 1 with Mathew Nott
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 25 January 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Online Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker
When: Week beginning Monday 31 January 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 1 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle
When: Thursday 3 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle – NEW DATE
When: Thursday 3 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $450
Course: Travel Memoir with Claire Scobie – NEW COURSE
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 3 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge – NEW DATE
When: Every Monday starting Monday 7 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Tuesday 8 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $450
Seminar: Writing Letters and Emails with Deb Doyle
When: Wednesday 16 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Introduction to Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 16 February 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Seminar: PR and Media Releases that Get Results with Catriona Pollard
When: Thursday 17 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $495
Course: Perfecting Your Pitch with Sue White – NEW DATE
When: Thursday 17 February 2011 and Thursday 24 February 2011 (2 evening classes)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175
Seminar: Edit with Confidence with Deb Doyle
When: Friday 25 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When: Saturday 12 March 2011 and Sunday 13 March 2011 (2 day workshop)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $450
Course: Screenwriting Stage 1 with Tim Gooding
When: Every Monday starting Monday 14 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Writing about Interiors, Style and Design with Nigel Bartlett – NEW COURSE
When: Thursday 24 March 2011 and Thursday 31 March 2011 (2 evening classes)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175
Seminar: Self publishing - How to do it with Geoff Bartlett – NEW DATE
When: Thursday 24 March 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Seminar: Perfect Your Proofreading with Deb Doyle
When: Friday 25 March 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Boost Your Creativity with Laurine Croasdale – NEW DATE
When: Monday 28 March 2011 and Monday 4 April 2011 (2 evening classes)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175
Seminar: Blogging for Business with Steven Lewis
When: Friday 1 April 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $365
Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 3 May 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Magazine Writing Stage 2 with Gayle Bryant – NEW DATE
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 18 May 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Your Story Structure with Kathryn Heyman
When: Friday 17 June 2011 and Friday 24 June 2011 (2 half-day classes)
Time: 9.30am - 12.30pm
Cost: $215
Course: Life Writing Masterclass with Patti Miller – NEW COURSE
When: Every Friday starting Friday 1 July 2011 for eight weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12.00noon
Cost: $650
Course: Novel Writing Workshop with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 5 July 2011 for six weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $495
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