STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
For anyone who is serious about turning their passion for writing into a career, I would highly recommend Elaine Ouston's writing workshops.
All participants in the workshops benefitted from Elaine's expertise and her ability to draw out fruitful interaction in the variety of writing exercises she conducted. I attended her year-long series of workshops and my successes to date are: * First prize winner of the Second Quarter, 2013 U.K. writing competition - www.flash500.com * Shortlisted in the U.K. 'Writing Magazine' August, 2013 edition - Themed writing competition 'The Race'. * Stringybark Flash and Microfiction Awards (Australia). My entry was one of seventy-seven award-winning short stories published in 'Behind the Wattles' edited by David Vernon. * Stringybark Humorous Short Fiction Award (Australia). My entry was one of twenty-seven award-winning short stories published in 'The very end of the affair ...' edited by David Vernon. * Longlisted in Fish Short Memoir Prize 2013 - Fish Publishing, Ireland (www.fishpublishing.com) * Short story published in 'A Christmas Presence', edited by Mark Svendsen (Reflections on the Festive Season from Capricorn Writers & Friends) * Short story published in 'Colours of Love' - Morris Publishing Australia (An Anthology of short stories and poetry by Capricorn Writers and Friends) Barb Hunt (Previously writing under the name Barbara Stackpoole) Elaine’s boot camp workshop was extremely informative, and her feedback helped me to figure out the structure of my story.
I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to improve their writing in any way. Sacha Cairns I had the privilege of having Elaine Ouston edit my first book. I had re-read it so many times and I thought it was perfect. How wrong I was!!!!
Elaine’s comprehensive and thought-provoking editing convinced me to do a total re-write and I’m so happy I did. I am now super proud of my books. Gayle Torrens |
I take pleasure in recommending to any would-be writers or current writers wishing to hone their skills, that they undertake writing workshops with Elaine Ouston.
As a retired Teacher-Librarian of some sixteen years’ experience, together with a total of thirty-three years teaching experience, I have decided to turn my part-time hobby of short story and poetry writing into almost a full-time occupation. This year I have undertaken a year of courses with Elaine. I have been fortunate to undertake these workshops in the company of other writers – which is an added bonus – but should you choose to complete any of them on-line, I am sure you will enjoy the same high level of expertise, personal attention and professional feedback from Elaine – which is sure to lead to an improvement in your writing, as it has in mine. Since undertaking these workshops, I have experienced increased success in some International and Australian writing competitions. * First prize in the U.K.’s Writing Magazine Poetry Comp. Aug.2013 Ed. * Stringybark Humorous Fiction Awards 2013. One of twenty-seven stories selected for publication in ‘The Very End of the Affair’ edited by David Vernon. * One short story and five poems selected for publication in ‘Colours of Love’, Morris Publishing, Australia. 2013. * Two short stories and a poem {in the soon to be published} ‘Liz Huf Literary Awards’, Morris Publishing, Australia.2013. Margaret Hunt writing under the name Rusty Hunt Elaine's workshops are incredible value for money. I came away from boot camp with several strategies I can implement immediately to dramatically improve my fiction writing.
The practical exercises and personalised feedback were really helpful. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Elaine's courses to anyone wanting to become a better writer. Sophia Auld |