- New look, new logo, new website
- What did you think of the Oscars?
- TIP: When to use "however"
- Two student successes
- How to avoid bad business writing
- TIP: Using apostrophes with numbers
- We’re reading: Manhattan Dreaming by Anita Heiss
Have you noticed something different? Yes, that’s right, your newsletter has a new look. That’s because we’ve launched our brand new website and our newsletter now reflects our new look and new logo. On the site, we’ve included more videos and resources, and we’ll be rolling out even more goodies for you in the coming weeks. We’d love to hear what you think, so do drop us a line.Also, revamping our website has been a big job. So if we’ve missed anything or made any mistakes, we’d be so grateful if you could let us know. We want the site to work for you, and we can’t wait for you to check it out.
Did you watch the Oscars? I must admit that I tuned out about halfway through, not because the nominated films weren’t amazing but because Anne Hathaway and James Franco just didn’t do it for me. However, I definitely made sure I watched the winners of the Best Animated Short Film, Australians Shaun Tan and Andrew Ruhemann. We’re big fans of children’s author and illustrator Shaun Tan so we couldn’t be more thrilled.If you’d like to follow in Shaun’s footsteps and win an Oscar (okay, the one in the picture is a fake one), you should enrol in:
Screenwriting Stage 1 with Tim Gooding
When: Mondays starting Monday 14 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
OR
Writing Books for Young Adults and Children with Judith Ridge
When: Wednesday starting Wednesday 6 April 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
TIP: However you use it
While many people believe you should never use "however" at the start of a sentence, it is becoming more common. It’s important that you remember that "however" has two distinctly different meanings, and all it takes to change that meaning is a comma. If you use ‘however’ at the start of a sentence keep in mind this advice from Grammar Girl:If you use "however" at the beginning of a sentence without a comma, "however" means "in whatever manner" or "to whatever extent."
However hard Anne Hathaway tried, she couldn't liven up a robotic James Franco during the Oscars.
If you use "however" at the beginning of a sentence with a comma, "however" means "nevertheless"
However, I loved all seven of Anne's Oscar dresses (plus the tuxedo).
What’s new this week at the Centre:- We’ve launched our brand new website and new logo! Check it out here.
- Our first Book Club meeting is being held today. Yes, yummy cakes are involved.
- Out tomorrow: Podcast interview with Cory Taylor, author of Me & Mr Booker.
- This weekend: 2 day intensive: Travel Memoir - only 2 places left.
Creative writing - how to keep motivated
So, you’ve finished stage 1 of your creative writing journey and now you want to apply what you’ve learned to your stories. It’s one thing to have the knowledge, but if you feel you’re lacking the motivation or inspiration to continue, then the online course, Creative Writing Stage 2, could be just what you need.This course is designed for those people who want to practice what they’ve learned in Creative Writing Stage 1 and workshop their writing with others. During the course, you’ll complete regular writing exercises and get invaluable feedback from your online tutor.
Here’s what some recent participants had to say about the course:
“I enjoyed the interaction with the tutor and other classmates. The course has inspired me to write a story I had only thought about before. The helpful advice from the presenter was excellent and it was very easy to do the course online. It was like having a special friend I could share my work with.”
- Dale Turner
“Cathie was superb. Her comments were insightful and useful in improving our work, as well as providing encouragement at all times. The course was fantastically easy to do - I was able to sit down and complete the modules when I found the time, whether it was during the day, or of an evening once the kids were in bed.”
- Michelle Stephens
ONLINE COURSE: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker
When: Week beginning Monday 7 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Congratulations Debbie Richardson!
We received some very exciting news this week. Debbie Richardson, who completed the online course, Writing Books for Young Adults and Children, has had her first young adult manuscript accepted for publication as an ebook! Here's what Debbie said:“I'm very pleased to tell you that my novel ‘The Bird With The Broken Wing’ is being published in a few months by a US ebook publisher. I am currently working with an editor and cover art and marketing people to get it ready for release. I just wanted to say a big thank you to Sydney Writers' Centre for offering this course online. It really helped to be able to do it at home.”
Congratulations Debbie! We can't wait to read the book.
If you think you’ve got a kids’ book in you and like the sound of learning at home, whenever suits you, our next online course in Writing Books for Young Adults and Children starts on Monday.
ONLINE COURSE: Writing Books for Young Adults and Children with Judith Ridge/Nicola Robinson/Laurine Croasdale
When: Week beginning Monday 7 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
More Student Success
Former Feature Writing participant, Corey Courtembache, has also had some publishing success. He did the course with Holly Nott last year and had a piece featured in the Sydney Morning Herald! He sent this to Holly:“I attended your feature writing course at the Sydney Writers' Centre a few months back and I just wanted to say thanks again. What I learned in the course helped to get a good piece published in the Sydney Morning Herald the other day (as well on the websites for The Age, Brisbane Times and WA Today). It was really exciting to watch it being read and tweeted throughout the day.”
Congratulations Corey! We look forward to reading more of your feature articles.
How to avoid bad business writing
Ever seen something like this in an annual report or business email?This change will allow us to better leverage our talent base in an area where developmental roles are under way and strategically focuses us toward the upcoming transition where systems literacy and accuracy will be essential to maintain and to further improve service levels to our customer base going forward.
Confused? So are we. There’s no need for business writing to be so incoherent. You can produce professional reports, letters and proposals for your business if you know the rules of good writing. Our one day seminar in Professional Business Writing will give you the tools you need to do this every time.
Here’s what our most recent participants had to say about the seminar:
“The presenter was engaging and easy to follow. She referred to all of our working backgrounds and linked it into the work we were learning, which made it more interesting. The course was easy to follow and provided good resource material to take home.”
- Marisa Sfirse
“Mel was very engaging – she got everyone talking, and basically made everyone feel smart and like they had something to contribute.”
- Stephanie Oley
Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Thursday 10 March 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $450
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
What we’re reading:
I’ll admit ... I’m a bit partial to chick lit. So I’m currently reading Manhattan Dreaming by the beautiful and talented Australian author Anita Heiss. I’ll also be in Manhattan myself in a couple of weeks, walking the same streets as Anita’s lovelorn heroine. She’s art curator Lauren, who is trying to get over (while simultaneously pining for) footballer Adam. I recognise Lauren in my friends, and myself. But no, I have not stalked a womanising footballer late into night while wearing my pyjamas like she has - although, it kind of sounds like it could be fun. I admire Anita because she not only writes chick lit, she also writes non-fiction, historical fiction, poetry, and travel articles. She’s also an informed social commentator particularly on indigenous issues and it’s great to see her in action at writers’ festivals and on panels. But back to Manhattan Dreaming. I love the recognisable references to places, artists, and celebrities. It makes the book distinctly Australian, with a glamorous dose of Manhattan thrown in.
We want to know what you’re reading! If you’d like to submit a short book review (no more than 200 words) send it to courses [at] spindriftmedia [dot] com [dot] au and we’ll consider it for publication in our newsletter or blog.
TIP: Apostrophes and numbers
Last week’s tip on writing decades and whether or not you should use an apostrophe, prompted this question from one of our readers:"My understanding is that if you’re omitting the numbers from the beginning of the decade, you need to add the apostrophe to show this. For instance, 1980s becomes ’80s. Is this not correct?"
Well, the Australian Style Manual says you shouldn’t shorten decades in this way in formal writing, but it's commonly used when using a more conversational tone or if you are quoting someone. However, if you DO this then yes, you technically should use an apostrophe where you’ve omitted numbers.
WEBPICK: The Noun Project
We’re all familiar with the symbols used to indicate no-smoking areas, or to point to women’s or men’s toilets. Our visual language is more prominent than you might realise - just think of all the road signs that use no words but clearly tell us there’s roadwork ahead, or a pedestrian crossing. All of these symbols have been designed in a way that everyone can understand their meaning - whether they speak English or not. That’s why the Noun Project is so interesting. They’re building a free online collection of symbols used all over the world.
There are currently 596 symbols and the collection is growing. A quick search of the site revealed a symbol for alternative medicine (OK, not so obvious at first glance but not a bad attempt), beauty salon, windmill - there’s even one for donuts!
Check it out here.
Other upcoming courses
Seminar: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle
When: Friday 4 March 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $450
Course: Travel Memoir with Claire Scobie
When: Saturday 5 March 2011 and Sunday 6 March 2011 (2 day workshop)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395
Online Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker
When: Week beginning Monday 7 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Online Course: Writing Books for Young Adults and Children with Laurine Croasdale
When: Every Monday starting Monday 7 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman – FULL
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 8 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson – FULL
When: Thursday 10 March 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $450
Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers Stage 1 with Marina Go
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 10 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: How to Get Your Book Published with Geoff Bartlett – FULL
When: Thursday 10 March 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $85
Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle
When: Friday 11 March 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller – FULL
When: Saturday 12 March 2011 and Sunday 13 March 2011 (2 day workshop)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $450
Online Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Sue Whiter – NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 14 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Online Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker – NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 14 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
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: Daytime Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter – NEW DATE
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 22 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Self Publishing - How to do it with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 23 March 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $85
Seminar: PR and Media Releases that Get Results with Catriona Pollard
When: Thursday 24 March 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $495
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: 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
When: Monday 28 March 2011 and Monday 4 April 2011 (2 evening classes)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175
Seminar: Writing Letters and Emails with Deb Doyle – NEW DATE
When: Wednesday 30 March 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Introduction to Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 30 March 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $85
Seminar: Blogging for Business with Steven Lewis
When: Friday 1 April 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Sell your ebook on Amazon with Steven Lewis – NEW SEMINAR
When: Tuesday 5 April 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $85
Course: Travel Writing: Get Paid for Your Adventures with Sue White
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 6 April 2011 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 6 April 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Weekend Travel Writing: Get Paid for Your Adventures with Sue White
When: Saturday 9 April 2011 and Sunday 10 April 2011 (2 day workshop)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Daytime Intensive Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter
When: Monday 11 April 2011 - Friday 15 April 2011 (5 days in a row)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395
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: Daytime Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 4 May 2011 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12.00noon
Cost: $395
Course: Daytime Travel memoir with Claire Scobie
When: Every Monday starting Monday 9 May 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Magazine Writing Stage 2 with Gayle Bryant
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 18 May 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Plotting and Planning with Kate Forsyth – NEW COURSE
When: Thursday 19 May 2011 and Thursday 26 May 2011 (2 evening classes)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175
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
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
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When: Every Friday starting Friday 9 September 2011 for six weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $450
WRITING TOURS
Writing in Bali with Patti Miller
When: Saturday 18 June to Saturday 25 June 2011
Writing in Paris with Patti Miller
When: Thursday 20 October to Saturday 5 November 2011
Travel Writing in Italy with Sue White
When: Friday 16 September to Friday 30 September 2011
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