| | What you thought of our courses...Hi Amanda,
attended one of your courses. . I am starting a new business venture around publishing and will need writers . . . . can we chat? I think there are opportunities we can explore . . .
PS I also wrote a book which was published in Nov last year by Penguin. I would like to put you on my guest list to attend the launch if you are available. . . . the teaser is below.
Africa’s Greatest Enrepreneurs by Moky Makura (Penguin)
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Half of the 20 finalists in Mills & Boon / Essentials Voice of Africa competition are graduates from Writers Write.
Half of the 10 runners-up in the Woman & Home ‘Greed’ Short Story Competition are graduates from Writers Write
From the pens of some of the Voice of Africa finalists
Dear Amanda
Although I’ve been a freelance writer for years, doing the Writers Write course really gave me the confidence and skills I needed to improve my fiction writing. I started to feel like a real writer - and now there’ll be no stopping me.
~Shelagh Foster (Winner!)
Dear Amanda
If I hadn’t come to Writers Write I would never have tried to write anything, let alone a romance. Every teacher is an inspiration to continue. The sessions are fun and a chance to be creative in a non-judgmental space.
~ Delene Chetty
Dear Amanda
I signed up on the 1st of September 2007. It was Spring Day and the course was Romancing the Dollar – what a perfect way to start! I have also completed Writer’s Write. As a result of the techniques I learned from these courses, my writing has improved in leaps and bounds.
~ Artie Jina
Hi Amanda.
The only course I ever took was yours in 2003 and everything I learned is what I use today when I write. Your encouragement and enthusiasm holds strong in my thoughts and writing.
~ Kandy Wright
And the pens of some of the ‘Greed’ winners
Hi Amanda,
Thought you’d like to know that I won first prize in the ’Woman and Home’ short story competition!! Great excitement!
Best wishes,
Priscilla Holmes (winner!)
Dear Amanda
The short story I submitted to Woman & Home magazine in November last year has been chosen as one of the 5 runner up’s! This means I didn’t win the big prize but I still win some money, a Christian Dior sunglasses and other stuff… Thank you for the guidance in the Writers Write course I did!
Julia Kerr xx
~~~~~
 Amanda Patterson
“Amanda is passionate about encouraging people to express themselves in writing, and to give voice to their experiences and insights. In the lives of ordinary South Africans, Amanda seeks to uncover the extraordinary. Amanda Patterson has been instrumental in uplifting writing skills within government and political structures.”
Smuts Ngonyama, Head Of Presidency, President Thabo Mbeki
It was an honour and a delight to meet you. Your course was enlightening and a challenge. Thank you. Your words will ring in my ear for years to come. What you do is important. Please thank Marc and Anthony for me.
Shibu Malatji
Hi Amanda
I’m over the moon to be one of the twenty finalists in the Voice of Africa contest. The only course I ever took was yours in 2003 and everything I learned is what I use today when I write. Your encouragement and enthusiasm holds strong in my thoughts and writing. I’m very glad to have ’found you again’ and to note how far you’ve come since that initial course. Congratulations and may the force be with you.
Warm thoughts and best wishes
Kandy Wright
Hi Amanda
Just a note to say how much I enjoyed meeting you. It seems like one of those extraordinary coincidences that I should meet you.
Best wishes and many thanks,
Marina Lewycka
“Hi Amanda,
Thought you’d like to know that I won first prize in the ’Woman and Home’ short story competition!! Great excitement! The May issue is out on 6th April... hope you enjoy it! The theme was ’Greed’ and my story is called "Off the Menu".
Best wishes,
Priscilla Holmes”
"Amanda facilitated the Writers Write course which I attended, a course which she has created. Few courses deliver everything promised, but all five days were packed full of useful, practical information. I was enthralled from day one, and have been much inspired by Amanda’s encouragement. I used to dream about writing a novel. Now I am just writing it."
~ Megan Chronis
"Dear Amanda
I am happy to tell you I received my first ever publishing contract today and your course was what started it all. I used everything I learned at writers write. Thank you so much for your generous and comprehensive sharing of your knowledge.
Warm regards
Annette Kinnear"
Amanda, as head of The Write Co, is competent in all aspects of writing and communication, she is an "ideas" person, and she is driven.”
Kevin Lee, Director, Reso Holdings
“Amanda is passionate about sharing her knowledge and teaching others to do what she does best - writing! Amanda practices integrity and honesty in all that she does and her company, The Write Co., prescribe to values that make them successful and trustworthy. I recommend The Write Co for both corporate and individual use.” September 26, 2007
Adele Modari, Senior HR Manager, FNB, and now, ABSA.
"Thank you to Amanda Patterson, for sponsoring a course to Tobi Harper. She can now continue to pursue her dream of inspiring others."
Tanya & Toni from Woman @ Work
Guess What?
The short story I submitted to Woman & Home magazine in November last year has been chosen as one of the 5 runner up’s! This means I didn’t win the big prize but I still win some money, a Christian Dior sunglasses and other stuff goodie bag plus my name will be published in the issue out on 6 April…
Thank you to the Write Co for their guidance in the Writers Write course I did!
Julia Kerr
A sincere thanks for a truly spectacular course. There are courses, and then there are courses that change lives. And you have created the latter. I loved every minute of it.
Sarah Bullen, author of Hey, Baby
Amanda, has provided not only an exciting new platform for burgeoning authors, but also a highly professional service for anyone interested in honing their writing skills for personal or professional purposes. Pan Macmillan has published a novel written by one of Amanda’s students and we are constantly reviewing new material always enthusiastically endorsed by Amanda. We look forward to publishing many more books originating from her course.
Terry Morris, MD, Pan Macmillan SA
Romancing the Dollar was the GPRS that took me from a blank page to the end quickly & effectively.
A day of fun filled suggestions & interesting ideas, an opportunity to t*** around ideas & stretch one’s self during the creative exercises.
Naseema / Nicole Ross
If I hadn’t come to Writers Write I would never have tried to write anything, let alone a romance. Every teacher is an inspiration to continue. The sessions are fun and a chance to be creative in a non-judgmental space. It’s also really cool to hang out with other aspiring writers. Spurred on by this encouragement, I have been trying to write a full-length novel for submission to "Mills and Boon" ever since. It is overwhelming and a wonderful surprise to know that I am a finalist. I enjoyed writing the story and would like to continue writing romantic short stories. I like their pace and ease of reading.
~ Delene Chetty
Don’t even contemplate writing a book without doing a course with The Write Co. It will save you years of wasted effort, writer’s block and shallow plotting. It will remove all fear of failure and leave you with no more excuses.
Petra Oelofse, Senior Copywriter, Tequila Advertising
Hello Amanda.
What incredible news! To be chosen as a finalist in the Voice of Africa’s writing competition is such a thrill for me. I have always loved reading and writing, so much so that I majored in English as part of my BA Degree. In the last 4 years I have actively pursued my interest in writing and have written approximately 8 novels which are published on a Fan Fiction Website.
I dabbled with the idea of writing a novel with the intention of getting it published. That was when I started looking for a Writing Course to help me hone my skills. I found out about your school and signed up for my first course on the 1st of September 2007. It was Spring Day and the course was Romancing the Dollar – what a perfect way to start! I have also completed Writer’s Write I & II and Hearts of Africa.
As a result of the techniques I learned from these courses, my writing has improved in leaps and bounds. View point, which was a major issue for me in the past, has all but disappeared. I have learned how to show my reader the action rather then tell them. I have learnt to give my characters voices and have learnt how to develop and know my characters inside out. And most of all I have learned to plan and plot a novel from the first paragraph to the last.
Artie Jina
Amanda is a totally professional individual. Committed to a quality product ensuring the medium used to communicate the written word is used to its full potential.
Derek Prouse, Owner, Creda communications
Its a huge honour to be up there in the top 20 of the Mills & Boon Essentials magazine Voice of Africa competition. Although Ive been a freelance writer for years, doing the Writers Write course really gave me the confidence and skills I needed to improve my fiction writing. I started to feel like a real writer - and now therell be no stopping me.
Shelagh Foster
Regular pointed, but detailed provider of valuable insights into the benefits of quality written communications.
Robin Parker, managing director, bizcommunity.com
The Write Co strive to be custodians of the English language and purists and pragmatists all wrapped in one!
Clive Price, MD, PEER GROUP
I have really enjoyed the quality of the articles, workshops and ideas. The guidance and views I have found specifically helpful.
Kevin Whitfield, Owner, Retailer
Amanda has a good feel for the market and looks at win-win situations. I have found her to be honest and sincere in her dealings. She has built a good team that shares her vision and values. We are co-operating in arranging for her students to make freelance contributions to our magazine. She is committed!
Haroun Pochee, Director, Roshgold Investments
I found Amanda to be innovative, creative, analytical, results-oriented and professional with her finger on the pulse of current writing trends. I would commission the company’s services again and recommend it to friends, colleagues and stakeholders.
Sandy Goulding, Media 24 Editor
I’ve attended two of Amanda Patterson's courses and found them to be informative and valuable.
Ceri Balston, Editor, Harmonious Living
The Write Co is a leading training institute with integrity, drive and passion. Amanda Patterson identified a gap in the market and has worked tirelessly to improve the quality and increase the number of South African authors. I found the writing courses that I attended at The Write Co to be creative, enlightening, well-structured and results driven. I would recommend The Write Co to anyone wanting to brush up on their writing skills.
Vimla Frank, Editor
Amanda’s reputation precedes her. She is a stickler for detail, and The Write Co has a superb reputation in the writing and editing field.
Yvette Montalbano, Chief Operating Officer, Businesswomen’s Association
Thanks Amanda, I am going to write - thanks to the sessions The Write Co did so brilliantly with us. I have lost my fear of failure! I have a mountain of experience and ideas.
Garth Strachan, Member of Parliament, Western Cape
Thanks to Amanda Patterson for the writing skills. Thank you for putting the pen in my hand.
Alex Harris, ex-student and author of Rocks and Hard Places
The courses that Amanda offers are rich in valuable material, user friendly in presentation and demanding in terms of self challenge. The courses are well presented with excellent instructors who know their subject and are confident in presentation, The facilities provided are more than adequate and the courses start punctually and conclude timeously. The information is presented in an innovative way and there are key words and functions that help students to remember the courses years after. We have continuously used The Write Company for courses on Press Releases, Business Writing and Editing and have seen solid results in the work place. Recently I attended a Writer’s Course which was probably the best investment I have ever made and more valuably a real light bulb experience. I cannot recommend Amanda highly enough in terms of the way she runs her business or her business to be utilized for personal and company needs. We have used other service providers and have never been satisfied with the results. As far as possible we now use Amanda’s company for all our requirements.
Sandi Mackenzie, Military Museum
I attended a course through Amanda Patterson's company, and found it informative, creative and extremely helpful. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to write for a living.
Jennifer Fysh, Editor
“Amanda’s fire, passion and intensity are perfectly suited to the fickle world of writing. Under the auspices of The Write Co., we present an ongoing songwriting workshop which Amanda has both attended and given feedback on, and this has enabled us to provide clients with a really dynamic mode of instruction. Her work ethic and her love for what she does makes it a pleasure to work with her.” December 14, 2007
Rob Richards, Owner, Singers Inc
“Amanda Patterson is an innovative entrepreneur. She identified a gap in the market when she started her business The Write Co. The company is unique in South Africa and has grown exponentially thanks to Amanda’s creative yet practical approach to teaching both creative writing and business writing.” Laura Boon, Owner, Laura Boon Literary Agency
“Amanda has been very successful in setting up The Write Company and in using her skills to develop a number of her pupils to the point of becoming published authors both here and overseas.” September 25, 2007
Karen Toombs, Snr H.R. Business Partner, Unisys Africa (Pty) ltd
“I have worked with Amanda Patterson on various projects. These have included arranging a writing class for students at Crawford College, as well as helping with the organisation of evenings that involved specialist speakers. I have repeatedly been impressed by the efficient manner in which Amanda performs tasks. She is organised, always in charge of situations and capable of asserting herself, while taking into consideration the immediate circumstances and people. Amanda is an expert in her field, upgrading courses while also presenting a variety of existing courses that cover a wide spectrum of writing skills and subjects. Impressive is her manner in dealing with prospective and already accomplished writers. Her empathy and understanding is always evident. Amanda is an expert communicator, carefully assessing her audience and the purpose of her delivery. There is a warmth about all she undertakes, tempered by a purposefulness and vigour. Amanda is without doubt one of the leading figures on the South African writing scene, offering a professional service that allows her students to explore, learn and achieve. Johan Pienaar (PhD) Teacher in charge of English Crawford College, Sandton”
Johan Pienaar, Head of English, Crawford College
“I was very impressed with The Write Co’s professionalism and knowledge. I would happily recommend that any aspirant writer would benefit from these courses and even more so if Amanda is the lecturer on the particular course.” September 17, 2007
David Gemmell, Author
“The Write Co does some great courses and they are willing to tailor to your specifications. We were very satisfied with the course provided.” September 16, 2007
Marguerite Carte, HR Manager, First National Bank
“If you need your books to sell outside of the book retailer space, Amanda Patterson comes highly recommended. She provides a great platform for local and international authors to reach new audiences. Her events are executed with professionalism and class.”
Karabo Kgoleng, PR, Jacana Media
“The Write Co offers skilled trainers in their areas of expertise. I personally attended one of her courses and have plans to attend two others. Amanda Patterson is an articulate communicator. The written course material The Write Co provided was excellent. I would not hesitate to recommend her services.”
Lynne Frost, Owner Tower Events
“Amanda is a great writing coach and inspired me to start writing my first novel. The Write Co presents excellent writing courses.” September 6, 2007
Freya Nell
IT specialist & freelance writer
My experience of The Write Co is awesome. Amanda Patterson has a detailed knowledge of the writing / publishing industry and a wonderful capacity to effectively share this knowledge. My interaction with The Write Co was for creative writing and I was awed by its ability to unlock creativity. In addition to my direct experience, I have appreciated Amanda’s tireless energy in organising functions, presentations and publications for The Write Company. I would recommend both Amanda and her company without any hesitation.” September 6, 2007
Penny Castle, Senior HR Manager, Nedbank
“Amanda’s an excellent networker who has helped to ensure maximum exposure for both of our companies in the field of book reviews. She always meets deadlines and, through the provision of often excellent content from herself and her colleagues and subscribers at The Write Co., has helped to build and sustain CitiVibe’s popular books section on a Thursday.” September 3, 2007
Bruce Dennill, CitiVibe Editor, The Citizen
“The Write Co engineers innovative PR courses. It was by divine intervention that Amanda and I met in 2005. As a guest on my radio programme she shared her account and understanding of life’s journey with reverance, relevance and love. By her simplicity, the purity of her intention and inner strength, she charms the spirit to fight, dance and play the game of life by the written word.” March 10, 2008
Merle O’Brien, CEO, PRISA (Public Relations Institute of South Africa)
“The Write Co is fantastic at knowing what the marketplace needs with regards to skills training and even better at delivering the goods. The Write Co has a well deserved reputation at being leaders in their field.” December 13, 2007
Kate Thompson, Senior Account Manager, Magna Carta
“The Write Co has developed a successful niche market and has helped to launch creative and business writing talent in SA. A number of courses and workshops have been developed by the company. They provide a comprehensive and meaningful overview to the art of writing in the various fields covered.” October 29, 2007
Jackie Kelly, Editor
“The Write Co offers a unique set of courses. Amanda has a driving intensity of focus which is quite awesome. When one thinks about the "caring face of business" you think of Amanda Patterson’s name because she never loses sight of the fact that if we really want a better life for ourselves we need to uplift our entire community in the process.” October 26, 2007
Karen Lotter, Owner, eThekwini Website Factory
“The Write Co’s professionalism and knowledge is of a great standard. I would happily recommend that any becoming writer would benefit from their courses.” October 26, 2007
Eric de Kock, Owner, Deep Blue Advertising
“The Write Co is a great inspiration and believer in those who would love to write but do not have the tools or the knowledge at their disposal. The company understands the pains of growth.” October 26, 2007
Domenico Pisanti, HR, Discovery Health
After five years of battling to publish my novel locally and internationally, I attended The Write Co’s writing courses and published a year later. Enough said.” October 26, 2007
A J Brooks, Dipcivils Engineering
“Amanda is an accomplished writer and maintains a high profile in writing circles. She is passionate about her field and is highly active in motivating, assisting and educating writers of all levels.” October 26, 2007
Adam Rabinowitz, Director, DV8
“Amanda has integrity. She has character. This can be evidenced in her willingness to go the extra mile in offering workable solutions. She has achieved much through perseverance and determination, and her journey to significance is only beginning! It is an awesome privilege to be connected with someone of her calibre.” October 26, 2007
Justin Lippiatt, Corporate Development Manager, 2significance & Nedbank
“The Write Co knows people & saw a gap in the market that desperately needed someone with initiative to manage. The company gives hope to ordinary people and has given opportunities to those who sought it.” October 26, 2007
Liesl Burnett, Writer, ABSA
In my dealings with The Write Co, Amanda was very professional and delivered work of a high quality. She showed great insight and sensitivity in her writing, and in that of her company’s.
Samantha Page, Editor, O Magazine
“The Write Co, with Amanda Patterson, is passionate, motivated and a real-life inspiration. Amanda is a master in her field with a true commitment to sharing her knowledge and experience. I look forward to working with her, and The Write Co again soon.” October 25, 2007
Johan Botes, Director, Hofmeyr Herbstein & Gihwala Inc
“The Write Co is a dynamic company. It has built up a solid business and has established a reputation for getting things done. It has provided the platform for, and the inspiration to - several new writers and is constantly nurturing and exposing new writing talent in South Africa.
Lance Rothschild, Owner, Opportun(at)e
“Amanda’s innate skill is so simple yet one which so few people ever achieve - that of communication - and she has built her highly successful business, The Write Co, around that basic ability. It is a true pleasure for me to write this recommendation!” October 25, 2007
David Kirkness, Owner, The Property Practice
“Amanda has created an environment that is conducive to developing people’s ability to communicate via the written word - I have gained a great deal of insight into myself and I have improved my ability to express myself by leaps and bounds - and all this at a very reasonable cost.” September 3, 2007
Frances Kazan, owner Kazan Training
“Amanda is a profound teacher in writing skills. She has a quick eye for one’s abilities to guide along and nurture one’s progress in a suitable genre of writing, she recommends. Encouraging a budding writer’s progress with her fair and instant critique, she endevours constant progress. Motivating in her classes, where group dynamics create inspired atmosphere, she transfers her views with latest trends in the literary world with a professional analysis. Through her special events of workshops, published authors show insight into their particular way of writing, encouraging participant writers and create enthusiasm with their support. I recommend Amanda’s classes and workshops, through contemporary learning methods, to anyone with a burning interest for writing.” September 2, 2007
Zoltan Zoltan Galos, Galos Architects
I interviewed Amanda Patterson on Divine Intervention, the magazine programme I hosted on Radio Veritas in 2005. Her journey is an inspiration to aspiring writers. She walks the talk of her passion with such sincerity, freedom and respect for words. I look forward to an opportunity to work with her in the future.” October 4, 2007
Merle O’Brien, Presenter, Radio Veritas
“Although not having worked with Amanda directly I did attend her writing course. The programme was well structured, organised and great fun. I would recommend that anyone interested in tapping into writing skills attend.” September 28, 2007
Ilka Dunne
“Amanda is an extremely professional businesswoman. She runs excellent writing courses and workshops, and provides ongoing and frequent additional value to Write Co. subscribers. She never lets you down.” September 25, 2007
Tamzin Lovell
“I did a few courses with Amanda and her team and found them very useful. I often tell people who want to write a book not to do so until they have done her courses. I have written about 7 books since doing the courses.” September 11, 2007
Douglas Shaw
“I thoroughly enjoyed Amanda’s course; she is an excellent and passionate teacher.” September 10, 2007
Lisa Witepski, LadWriting
“The Write Co pays great attention to detail in written communications.” October 25, 2007
Julian Thompson, IT Director, Mangosuthu Technikon
“Amanda Patterson is an inspired teacher who changes lives. Passionate about words, she communicates her love for writing across her whole business. I have known Amanda since December 2006 and have worked with her on numerous projects about business and fiction writing. Amanda is not only a creative person with great ideas - she actually makes them happen.” October 21, 2007
Paula Marais, Owner, Logogog
“Amanda taught me to write novels through two of her courses. Having written 150 scientific papers beforehand, I knew I wanted to move on to novels, but was initially unsure of what I could learn at a writing school - I enrolled on the first course simply because it seemed common sense to do so. From the first class however I was completely amazed at what I hadn’t known about constructing and writing novels. Each class had no more than eight students, which allowed Amanda and us to interact one-on-one throughout, and I always felt the homework exercises were cleverly chosen and constructively reviewed in class by Amanda. As the four Saturday mornings of the course passed I’ll never forget the sense of awe I experienced as I saw my novel develop before my eyes, and, when it was completed through the second course I enrolled upon, I knew it was a sound piece of work which in turn left me even more amazed that Amanda had shown me how to do it so easily. I certainly have no reservations whatsoever in recommending Amanda’s courses to anyone at all who wants to learn the correct way to write novels, and to learn this in an extremely methodical, professional, supportive and relaxed environment. If I had to choose one single attribute that struck me the most, it would be Amanda’s 100% non-judgmental feedback on every single piece of student writing I saw her discussing with her students - she has a very keen sense of how to pinpoint and discuss the aspects of students’ work that can build their confidence, and she never once made a negative comment to anybody in either class about anything at all that had been written. Everything she discussed with her students was totally confidence-building. I know she must put a lot of thought into her approach in this regard. Amanda of course is a successful and productive author in her own capacity - she must be an excellent organiser to be able to manage that while also attending to all the things that need to be done to found and run a writing school. To be taught by a real practitioner of whatever it is you are learning is the only way to learn properly, and, with that in mind, the fees to enroll on her courses are very, very reasonable. I can state categorically that what I learned at Amanda’s writing school has changed my life and started my second career - and I doubt very much if I personally could have learned this any other way.
Albin Baecker
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