Fancy yourself an undiscovered Dostoyevsky, Steinbeck or Rowlings? Becoming a successful, published author takes time, patience and discipline. Foster your passion by undertaking a writing course or workshop, where you will receive invaluable advice, instruction and feedback from your teacher and fellow classmates.
Brisbane North Institute of TAFE provides a variety of short courses in various areas of writing, like novel writing, script writing and short story writing. Each unit takes about six months to complete. Some courses can be undertaken online while others require attendance at campuses at Bracken Ridge, Caboolture, Eagle Farm, Ithaca, Redcliffe and South Brisbane.
Serious writers should consider becoming a member of the
Queensland Writers Centre. The QWC is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to assist writers by providing advisory publications (such as the
Australian Writers Marketplace, a guide to getting published in Australia), programs and other projects for writers. Membership is $60 for a full year (or $110 for two years) and includes a monthly copy of
WQ magazine and access to the online members directory.
The Queensland Writers Centre host several workshops and seminars throughout the year; see the 2011 program
here. Members receive a discount.
Genre writers might also like to join an appropriate writers groups such as
Crime Writers Queensland or
Vision Writers Group for science fiction, horror and fantasy writers.
Whether you're a hobbyist writer or a wannabe best seller, a professional writing course can serve to hone your writing skills.
