Writing Tips and Expert Advice

Iona Winter studied on the Write a Novel Course at NZ Writers’ College, working with mentor Sonny Whitelaw. The manuscript she developed during the course went on to form the basis of her Master of Creative Writing at AUT, and a short story drawn from it later won the Headland

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 refined her craft through multiple courses at NZ Writers’ College. Starting with the Short Story Course, Megan says, ‘I had a number of “aha” moments

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 Alex Smith. Gareth wrote The Traitor and the Thief on the course, a thrilling steampunk adventure that readers have called ‘a cracker’ and ‘a story

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 biking and adventure sport into paid work, placing articles in New Zealand Mountain Biker, The Climber and Spoke magazine within his first year out of

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 Sunset came out in 2025. We sat down with Tatiana to talk about her writing process, the courses that changed everything, and her advice for

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

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

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

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

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 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

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