I want to:
Become a Writer
People write for different reasons. Think of writing as a journey. Regardless of your goal or
destination, if you have a story to tell, the process of writing should be just as satisfying and
enjoyable as the outcome, wherever you end up.
Starting out
Whether you’re writing for enjoyment, for publication, or to share your story with your
friends, family or children Queensland Writers Centre (QWC) is here to help.
Ideas
Most writers at some point in their career have been asked, where do you get your ideas from?
Ideas come from everywhere and every idea has the potential to grow. Ideas come from
personal experience, from the everyday, from being inspired by other art forms such as music
or photographs, and from the depths of our imagination. Deciding what kind of story you want
to tell is the first step on your journey as a writer.
If you are writing a true story, popular non-fiction genres include memoir, essays, biography
and travel writing. If you want to create a story from your imagination the most common
fiction genres are literature, crime, romance, science fiction, fantasy and young adult. You
don’t need to decide where your story fits in the first instance, but if you’d like to know more
about these genres, QWC has resource sheets to help.
Read
Published authors tend to agree that in order to be a good writer you need to do two things:
read a lot and write a lot. Reading is key. Reading makes you familiar with narratives and the
way stories are told. Read widely. Read everything you can in the genre you'd like to write in to
learn from other authors what makes a story or a character great (or not so great).
Write
Writing is a craft so the more you work at it, the better your writing will be. Keep a notebook
or mobile device on you to jot down ideas. Write whenever you have a chance. If you’d like to
learn how to make time for your writing, QWC has a resource sheet to help you out.
Learn
Every writer’s needs and expectations are different, but writing workshops and courses can be
a good way to learn basic skills, or develop your existing talents.
QWC offers information seminars, full-day workshops and introductory short courses year
round covering a wide range of topics, genres and skills. www.qwc.asn.au/events
The Australian Writer’s Marketplace Online Learning Centre offers a range of courses online
for writers just starting out. https://www.awmonline.com.au/learn-online/
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Universities and other learning institutions will offer courses and qualifications, and the kind
of training you require, your personal goals, your project and your budget will dictate if these
are suitable for you. When enquiring about courses, the following questions will help you in
determining which course is best suited to your needs as an emerging writer.
- Ask who the tutor will be and then do some research on that person;
- Ask to be referred to someone who has completed the course;
- Ask for details about any participants who have been successful as a result of doing the
course.
Writing Queensland, QWC’s online magazine, publishes articles and resources each week.
Crafted by QWC’s tutors and mentors specifically for Queensland writers, these short articles
are a great way to check in on publishing trends and gain insider information from industry
leaders. http://www.writingqueensland.com.au/
Connect
Writing is often incorrectly labeled a solitary profession. Below are some ways you can connect
with readers, writers and publishing industry professionals.
Festivals are an excellent way to immerse yourself in 'the writing life'. Brisbane Writers
Festival, GenreCon, Byron Bay Writers Festival and Voices on the Coast are just a few literary
festivals that happen along the east coast.
Book launches, readings and events are often free and a great opportunity to actively support
fellow writers. Your local independent bookstore or council library will have a range of free
events to attend. QWC hosts Whispers Salon each month at The Library Café. Also consider
subscribing to QWCs eBulletin and your bookseller’s newsletter to stay up to date with news of
events, and remember to RSVP!
Writing Queensland (WQ) magazine will keep you in the loop with all the industry news, tips
for writers, events and opportunities every month. WQ is free with a QWC Membership.
Writing Queensland is now also available online: http://www.writingqueensland.com.au/
Share
As you become more comfortable with your writing and your voice, gaining feedback on your
writing is the next important step on your journey as a writer.
Writing groups offer support and critique in a social setting, allowing you connect, learn and
grow with other writers. If you’d like to join (or start) a writers group, QWC has a resource
sheet that can help.
Competitions will assist in placing your writing in front of an audience and become confident
with submitting your work. If you’re ready to submit to competitions, The Australian Writer’s
Marketplace (AWM) is a comprehensive resource providing submission guidelines and contact
information for the Australian and New Zealand publishing industry www.awmonline.com.au.
Milestones are an important part of assessing your progress. If your goal is writing every day,
or 1000 words in a week, completing a draft or submitting to a magazine or journal, remember
to take a moment to recognise your progress and celebrate your milestones. Every time you
Still have questions? Contact Queensland Writers Centre on 07 3842 9922
or email qldwriters@qwc.asn.au
Become a Writer / 2.
write, you’re taking a step forward in your writer’s journey. As you achieve your goals, be sure
to let QWC know of your progress. We always love to hear about our member’s success!
Still have questions? Contact Queensland Writers Centre on 07 3842 9922
or email qldwriters@qwc.asn.au