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How Lifelong Learning Made Megan Frith an Award-Winning Storyteller
To be a writer is to be a lifelong learner. This mindset defines the creative trajectory of Megan Frith, a versatile storyteller who has continually
From Debut to Bestseller: How One of Our Students Became New Zealand’s Most Wanted … Author
We are so proud of one of our own graduates, Gareth Ward, who studied on the Write a Novel Course under the guidance of tutor
How One Graduate Built a Career in Two Genres
Ian Middleton’s writing career began, fittingly, outdoors. After completing the Magazine Journalism Course at NZ Writers’ College with distinction, Ian turned his passion for mountain
Fault Lines to Storylines: A Seismologist’s Journey to Her Debut Novel
Tatiana Goded has a PhD in Seismology, three NZ Writers’ College courses under her belt, and a freshly published debut novel. A Trip Towards the
From the Staffroom to the Page
How a Retired Teacher from Nelson Found Her Voice in Magazine Journalism After twenty-eight years teaching English in Nelson classrooms, Janet Hart thought she knew what a writing life looked like. It looked like marking school essays. But everything changed over a September breakfast, when a piece she read in
Numbers to Narrative: How a Writing Course Launched an Award-Winning Career
Can a creative writing course transform an aspiring writer into an award-winning novelist? The extraordinary path of New Zealand author Suzanne Main proves that it absolutely can. Before capturing the hearts of young readers nationwide, Suzanne spent her days working as an accountant. However, a deep-seated desire to create led
Journalism Course Graduate Jo Wills Q & A
Jo Wills completed the Writing Articles for Websites and Blogs Course, as well as the Basics of Creative Writing and Advanced Creative Writing Courses at NZ Writers College. While she has been published several times online, she recently had a print piece published in AA Directions. Tell us a bit
Writing Course Graduate Juliet Slattery Q & A
Juliet Slattery is currently writing grants and short stories, and editing a novel manuscript, while staying on a small island off the coast of Australia. Juliet completed the 5-Month Short Story Challenge at the Writers College last year, and had a short story published in Capital Magazine. Tell us a
Writing Course Graduate Sarah Kelleher Q & A
Sarah Kelleher completed the Freelance Journalism Course and the Write a Novel Course at NZ Writers’ College. Her first novel is currently sitting on a publisher’s desk. Sarah tells us about her experience on her writing courses, and her progress as a writer. Photo credit: Richard Doran Tell us a
Claudia Rose: Graduate Journalism Student Q&A
Claudia Rose completed the Writing Articles for Websites and Blogs Course at NZ Writers College. She had an article published in Pet Life Magazine, and is the founder of the Facebook Page Pawsitive Tales. Tell us a bit about yourself. What made you sign up for a writing course? I’m
An Interview with Author Madeleine Redding
Madeleine Redding completed two writing courses at New Zealand Writers College. Her memoir Hold My Hand, Rosie. Don’t Let Go, co-written with her daughter, is about to launch in Auckland this March. Madeleine shares her writing and publishing process with us. Can you tell us what motivated you to write
Popular Stories
The Modern Writer’s Toolkit: 6 Essential Tools to Supercharge Your Writing
Focusing on writing can feel impossible in today’s world full of deadlines and distractions. EMMA CLARKE shares six free digital tools to help freelance writers
How Raising Money For Charity Can Raise Your Writing Game
Great fundraising campaigns can be masterclasses in powerful and emotive storytelling, as well as raising money for a worthy cause. Professional fundraiser BETH GOULSTONE shares
3 Biggest Web Writing Mistakes for SEO
Imagine pouring hours into writing the perfect article, only to find that hardly anyone is reading it. Why? Because if your content doesn’t appear on
Scriptwriter Karen Jeynes’ Gift to New Zealand Writers
How Emmy-nominated Karen Jeynes became a scriptwriting tutor for Kiwi storytellers In her cluttered home office in Cape Town, surrounded by books and postcards, Karen Jeynes opens her laptop for another monthly Q&A session with her scriptwriting students. Within minutes, aspiring screenwriters from across the globe – including New Zealand
Is My Freelance Writing Awful?
Does your passion for writing outweigh your skill? KATE TAYLOR explores what to do if you suspect your friends aren’t telling you the truth about
Doubting Yourself as a Writer? You Are Not Alone.
Doubting yourself as a writer is more common than you think. How can you overcome self-doubt and find your writing voice? BY LAURA SWAIN Is
A No-Nonsense Guide to Becoming a Writer – Part Two
Earning an income from freelance writing can be daunting. In part two of her series, KATE TAYLOR breaks the process into easy-to-follow steps. Writing is
An Interview with Author Madeleine Redding
Madeleine Redding completed two writing courses at New Zealand Writers College. Her memoir Hold My Hand, Rosie. Don’t Let Go, co-written with her daughter, is about to launch in Auckland this March. Madeleine shares her writing and publishing process with us. Can you tell us what motivated you to write
Discover Creative Writing Techniques
Write Articles for Digital and Print
Practical Strategies for Fearful Writers
BY JANE DANIELL If you, too, struggle with self-doubt when writing, the following tips may help you overcome some of the more common insecurities, while
Why Plain Language Is Good for Readers, and Society as a Whole
Plain language is about simplicity. Learn why it’s also about respect and social equality. ‘Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,’ said Leonardo Da Vinci. He applied
5 Reasons Why Writers Should Use Visual Journalism
BY JANE GARDINER The world is changing, and digital media continues to adapt. Rather than despair, writers should see visual journalism as an opportunity for fun, growth and collaboration. Are words enough? In this ever-evolving digital age, writers are increasingly finding the need to adapt and learn skills beyond traditional journalism; visual journalism is one […]
Logical Flow: How to Create More Meaningful Text in 5 Steps
Here’s how you can make your writing flow more logically so that you can communicate your ideas more effectively. Firstly, what is logical flow in writing? Logical flow can be defined as the progression of ideas from one sentence to another. One of the most common issues in day-to-day writing is the poor linking […]
A No-Nonsense Guide to Becoming a Writer – Part Two
Earning an income from freelance writing can be daunting. In part two of her series, KATE TAYLOR breaks the process into easy-to-follow steps. Writing is
Avoid A Defamation Claim in New Zealand: Practical Tips for Your Next Article
Defamation law is often overlooked by article writers until it is too late. Here are some of the basics of New Zealand legislation and pointers to help prevent a libel complaint. Even for a writer, defamation or libel were probably not words front of mind until recently. Now, they may conjure up images of a […]
How to Write and Sell Articles in New Zealand
So you want to write and sell articles in New Zealand? Writing is an excellent way for Kiwis to earn extra income from home. If
Writers Evolve! How to Make AI Work for Us
The recent rise of AI has been seen by writers as anything from troubling to an extinction-level event. But so were the tools that came
How to Find Work as a Freelance Writer in New Zealand
By Melissa Gilbert Understanding the playing field is essential in order to secure work as a freelance writer. Researching the various routes a freelance writer
The Self-Doubt of an Accidental Freelance Journalist
By PAUL HARRIS No, I did not crash my bike into a newsstand, although my journey was somewhat accidental. I went in search of professional development. What I found was a new career as an outdoor travel journalist. As a slightly wayward teenager, journalism was never on my horizon. The
A No-Nonsense Guide to Becoming a Writer – Part One
Are you dreaming of becoming a writer? In this two-part series, KATE TAYLOR discusses why knowing your reasons for writing is the best place to
4 Reasons ChatGPT Can’t Compete with Professional Writers
BY ANDREW MURTON If you believe the hustle-bros and get-rich-quick gurus on YouTube, just about anyone can earn easy money publishing professional-quality e-books, articles and
Web Writing Skills
Staying Motivated as a Writer
Tips for Breaking into a Career in Writing In NZ
Writing Careers: Types of Writing Jobs that Can Earn You Money
How to Find Work as a Freelance Journalist in New Zealand
How Raising Money For Charity Can Raise Your Writing Game
How much money can you make as a writer in New Zealand?
From Blogs to Branding: Exploring the Vast Job Market for Content Writers
Discovering the Joy of Writing: The Benefits of Taking a Writing Course
Explore the World
and Write
Talking Travel Writing With Award-Winning Journalist Ewan Mcdonald
Travel writer Mark Mitchell interviews leading New Zealand journalist Ewan McDonald, exploring his travel writing inspiration, highlights and writing tips and advice. Ewan McDonald had a great gig at the Waikato Times in Hamilton. He was a sub-editor, writing headlines and checking facts. But he also interviewed the likes of
Travel Writing: 5 Travel Writers Who Show It’s Never Too Late to Start
It’s never too late to start a career in travel writing. Here, Chris Shorrock focuses on five travel writers who show that with hard work and perseverance, you can succeed. Travel writing is what dreams are made of. Whether it’s an African overland odyssey, reviewing upmarket hotels in Ko Samui,
Why Do a Travel Writing Course?
When every man and his dog thinks he’s a great travel writer, WENDY MONTROSE explains why she did a course before embarking on the road to travel journalism. ‘I’m doing a travel writing course,’ I told my daughter. With retirement looming and plans for getting out and about in our
Q & A With Travel Writer and Award-Winning Author: Joe Bennett
An ex-pat Brit who travelled to NZ 35 years ago and settled in Lyttelton, Joe Bennett is an award-winning travel author, writer, and columnist. His
Watch a Q & A with Award-winning Tutors at Our College
Our team of Writers College writers/tutors answer your questions about the creative writing industry – and about getting published!