Alecia Hancock gets into a writing mood at the Wembley Hotel.
Camera IconAlecia Hancock gets into a writing mood at the Wembley Hotel. Credit: Supplied/Marcus Whisson

Drink in creative atmosphere

Rosanna Candler, Western Suburbs WeeklyWestern Suburbs Weekly

The Australian Writers’ Centre (AWC) WA director said she was impressed by the tavern’s rich history and atmosphere.

‘I can easily picture someone sitting in the old chesterfield lounge in the corner with their laptop or notepad, drink in hand and writing a book,’ she said.

‘We have a big space upstairs with a balcony and plenty of natural light ” it has just the right feel about it to inspire creativity.’

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The Hancock Creative director said she first came across the AWC three years ago while looking to kick-start her ‘lifelong dream’ of writing a novel.

‘I couldn’t find any writing courses in Perth that offered professionals with behind-the-scenes industry insight,’ she said.

‘I signed up for the AWC online course and it got me writing again, I loved it. It got me thinking that there really should be something like this in Perth.’

The AWC launched in Sydney in 2005, expanded to Melbourne last year and has seen more than 16,000 students graduate from its writing programs.

Newspaper and magazine journalist Mrs Hancock said WA’s geographical isolation often made the difficult job of breaking into writing even more daunting. The classes were ‘for people who don’t know how to get their ideas out of their head and onto the page’.