writing course

Need help with your project? — Need help with your writing?

NEED HELP WITH YOUR WRITING?

Whether you’re writing memoir, personal essays or autobiographical fiction this affordable 6 week comprehensive introduction to the craft of writing from life has you covered. From putting the ‘me’ into memoir, to using the techniques of fiction to create a compelling narrative from your life experiences, this course provides all the craft knowledge and practice you need to create moving and meaningful stories.

Get those stories out of your head and onto the page. Free yourself from the repeat cycle of long-held dramas replaying and get words on paper. Watch your writing grow from anecdotes to fully formed narratives. Create meaning from your experiences and shape your stories into publishable works of art.

SIX WEEK ONLINE COURSE TO HELP YOU GET GOING!

This 6 week course starting in January 2026, facilitated by award winning author and experienced writing teacher, Edwina Shaw (that’s me 🙂 ), will provide you with all the tools you need to make your writing sing. Connect with other writers on the same journey and share work in small feedback groups during the course. The course fee also includes professional feedback on your writing from Edwina.

WRITING FROM LIFE ONLINE COURSE OUTLINE

This affordable, fun and interactive online course will be held using ZOOM and runs on Monday evenings from Monday January 12 until Monday February 16, 6 pm until 7:30 pm.

Classes will be recorded and sent to all participants if you have to miss one, but you’ll get the most out of the course by attending live.

Don’t wear yourself out! Join us and learn some tricks and tips to make writing your story easy!

WEEK 1: Monday, January 12, 6pm – 7:30 pm

Anecdote VS Story – What is Life Writing? What makes a story? What stories do you want/need to tell? Autobiography VS Memoir. Memoir VS Autobiographical Fiction. Create meaning from the stories in your life and shape them to build compelling narratives.

WEEK 2: Monday January 19, 6pm – 7:30 pm

Putting the ME in MEMOIR – All life writing requires you to step up as the main character. How do you put yourself into the story? Previous You and Wise You Now, making sense of experiences and creating meaning. Techniques and tricks to help you write about yourself without going mad.

Will I Ever Be Who I Am? by Gay Liddington — *Will I Ever Be Who I Am?* by Gay Liddington – see your story become the book you’ve dreamt of, just like Gay did!

WEEK 3: Monday January 26, 6pm – 7:30 pm

Writing in Scenes – Use the techniques of fiction and write in scenes using setting, characters, conflict and dialogue to make your reader experience the past with you. Don’t just tell them about it, show them. How? By writing in scenes. A step by step guide to creating scenes that work.

SUBMIT a short scene to 500 words for feedback from Edwina

WEEK 4: Monday February 2, 6pm – 7:30 pm

Characters in Life Writing – How do you write about real people? Carefully! Compassion is key. We’ll cover the ethics of memoir and how to create composite characters from the cast of thousands in your life. Using specific sensory details to develop characters quickly.

WEEK 5: Monday February 9, 6pm – 7:30 pm

Setting and Dialogue in Life Writing – Where and when is your story set? How can you use these settings to add depth and conflict? Use dialogue to bring your scenes to life. Differentiate each character through their words. Actions versus what they say. Techniques for effective dialogue, plus formatting tips.

Where could following this path lead you?

WEEK 6: Monday February 16, 6pm – 7:30 pm

Structuring your story. Find the central quest or question of your story and shape your narrative around it. Learn about the importance of secrets and suspense to keep your reader engaged. Use structure to manipulate the events of your life to make it compelling reading. Plus Publishing Pathways for Life Writing.

SUBMIT a short memoir piece/essay/or chapter to 1500 words for feedback from Edwina.

The course will include weekly reading tasks, worksheets, homework exercises and interaction with others in small feedback groups (optional). The online sessions will be live, starting at 6 pm on Monday nights and will include writing exercises, information sharing and Q & A. You’ll have Edwina on tap so ask away!

REVIEWS FROM THE LAST ONLINE COURSE (now available to purchase as recordings only)

“Edwina, thank you for your course. So simple and yet so full of wisdom, guidance and learning.”

Ian Minns – course participant 2023

“EDWINA is a great teacher of the craft of writing. Her style is a gentle approach and always enthusiastic, encouraging the students along, affirming and inspiring. The subject matter in this recent set of workshops is full to the brim of useful information to make the writer’s task that much easier and self-aware of their style. Ed is generous with her knowledge and eager to share. I recommend doing Edwina’s workshops if you are starting out or you just need a kick-start to get all fired up and enthusiastic about your already started projects, sitting gathering dust! Well worthwhile.”

Kerry Parkes – Course Participant 2023

COST for this comprehensive introduction to the craft of writing from life?

6 LIVE ONLINE classes, each 1.5 hours (exclusive content recordings available to keep and refer to) including handouts, readings and helpful links.

Feedback on two pieces of writing.

Small feedback groups (optional)

$300

All for only $300!! Yes, not thousands, just $300 to make a start on your dream of putting your stories on the page at last. I know finding money to spend on yourself can be tricky, which is why I aim to make my retreats and courses as affordable as possible.

Places are strictly limited to 15, so book now to avoid disappointment.

BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE

Payment plans are available for those not so flash with cash. CONTACT ME and we’ll work something out.

Join me to start 2026 with a BANG! Let’s get this Life Writing party started and help you get those stories out of your head and onto the bookshelves!

Any questions? Just ask. Drop me a line.

Lots of love,

Edwina xx

Writer at work!

Got a feeling you might be a writer? Do this quick quiz then add up your points and see how you go!

5 Sure Signs You’re a Writer

You READ – a lot. Is your bedside table, floor, desk covered in books half-read and to be read? Writers read voraciously and widely. Reading is your safe place and your sanctuary. Not only that, when writers read we’re always looking at how the book is written, especially books we love. We’re always thinking, “How did the author DO that?” Give yourself one point for every book in your pile.
You WRITE. Do you have a diary or journal you’ve been keeping for years? That’s a sure sign of a writer and the best way I know to develop your unique writing voice. Not keeping a diary? Do you write long letters, or emails or blog posts? Do you write to make sense of things? Write to bear witness? Does the act of writing give you pleasure? Does writing soothe you? Do you find comfort in shaping words into sentences and sentences into paragraphs? Give yourself 5 points if you write regularly. An extra 5 if you’ve kept a diary for over a year.
You REMEMBER IN STORIES. When you are remembering events from the past, do you find yourself writing the memory in your head? Are you forming a story with words rather than images, or images and words together. Are you trying to find a way to tell this story in a way that adds meaning to the random events of life? If so give yourself 5 points. If you’ve started writing these stories down, give yourself an extra point for every story you’ve started and an extra 5 for every story you’ve finished.
You DREAM IN STORIES or WAKE UP with story lines fully formed, or a CHARACTER wanting to be written. Do you remember your dreams and think, now THAT would make a great story! Do you wake up with the beginnings of stories in your head, with sentences, maybe whole paragraphs already formed? I woke up once with this: “My name is Condolezia, but I don’t speak Spanish. I was born the year after my brother who died the day he was born.” It was so strong I still remember it! Do you daydream in stories? Do characters tap you on the shoulder and demand to be heard, to have you write them into being? Give yourself 5 points if any of these nerdy, wordy visitations have happened to you. Give yourself an extra 5 for every story you’ve written from these prompts.
You FIND YOURSELF WRITING YOUR LIFE WHILE YOU’RE LIVING IT! This is a sure sign you’re a writer. If, in the midst of some life drama, turmoil, blessing or tragedy you find yourself searching for the words to describe it, then you are unmistakably a writer. The day my infant son died, I found myself sitting on the loo thinking about how I could ever write this terrible story. Thinking of a title. “Of Milk and Blood” I thought was pretty good. But I thought again and ended up with my Guide Through Grief instead. So if you’ve found yourself sitting among the wreckage, thinking up titles for this period of your life, then, I’m both afraid and proud to say – You, my friend, are a writer! It’s a blessing and a curse. Sometimes I just want to LIVE something without putting it into words. Give yourself 10 points if this kind of thing has happened to you. An extra 10 for every story inspired in a similar way, that you actually wrote.

SO, are you a writer?

IF YOU SCORED

0-5 points – you love to read, but haven’t actually spent much time writing or even thinking about writing. You’re happy to let others do the story telling. The world needs readers and we writers LOVE YOU!

5-15 points – you love reading and writing and a deep part of you is calling out to be expressed in words. All you need to do is give yourself a chance. Try getting some of those stories out of your head and onto the page! See here for a guided meditation to quiet that inner critic holding you back and get you started!

15 – 30 points – you’ve got what it takes to be a writer! In fact, you know it in your heart but you just need a little nudge to get those stories out of your head and onto the page. See here for a FREE WORKSHOP that will help you use all those great inspirations and thoughts to create stories.

30 points and over – CONGRATULATIONS! YOU’RE A WRITER! Yes you are! You know this, you’ve been writing and getting some of those ideas onto paper. Writing is a rewarding and fulfilling lifestyle. Writers are always observing and learning and creating meaning through words. Words bring comfort and order to our lives. We can create something beautiful from all we experience, even the darkest moments. See here for an affordable live online course in creative writing that will give you all the craft knowledge you need to make your stories engaging and compelling and, most of all, publishable!

WHATEVER YOU SCORED, if you’re reading this post, something is calling you to writing. Consider yourself on notice. Sooner or later you’re going to have to get those stories out of your head and onto the page. See my FREE WORKSHOP and then check out my UPCOMING CRASH COURSE IN CREATIVE WRITING

Let me help you set out on the magical journey of writing! I’ve been writing and publishing for over 20 years and have been teaching creative writing at universities, schools, festivals, at the Queensland Writers Centre and in the community since 2005. I’ve helped more writing students than most people have had hot dinners, so let me help you make a start on your writing adventures too. See more about me HERE.

Now, stop reading and start writing!

Wishing you the joy of creativity this holiday season. May you and yours connect in love and harmony and may the year ahead be filled with fun, creative adventures, lots of laughter and friends and fantastic good luck! YAY!