“Struggling to get a sluggish writing project back on track? Not sure where to best focus your energies? Whether you’re a beginner or an established writer, Kathryn’s Goal-Setting Workshop is the perfect prompt to turbo-boost your writing.  I was thrilled with this workshop.  Great questions. Revelatory.” —  Lee Murray, two-time Bram Stoker Award® winner and author of Into the Ashes.

"I just read your (always excellent) newsletter and thought – ‘must tell Kathryn the job is done’, given you were a significant influence on my goalsetting to get this story written. Thank you for the inspiration."  — Robyn Pearce - The Time Queen & Novelist

"Thanks for everything Kathryn - we both found your feedback fantastically useful - exactly what we needed!"  - Lyn & Katherine

“This workshop was fantastic! It was an amazing breakdown of the art of screenwriting, I left feeling inspired”  – Julie Prebble, Director

“Great pacing and inspiring”  – Jessica Todd

“Loved it!  Kathryn gets straight to the point and gives clear, practical advice about screenwriting. She demystifies the process.”  – Rebecca Barry Hill, Journalist/Screenwriter

“Kathryn’s course is a must for any newbie. It’s a fast, furious and funny two days – I can’t wait to get started on my first feature.”  – Eryn Wilson, Actor/Writer/Director

“Fantastic array of information. It’s so helpful to get to look “under the bonnet” of a film and see all the moving parts. This will save hours of time in avoiding the pitfalls.” Cindy Mullins – Publishing Agent

“I feel like I learnt years of knowledge in two days. It was incredible so stop reading this and go sign up!” Francesca Wen Xiu Logan – Aspiring Screenwriter

“Kathryn has a skill too many story consultants and teachers lack – the ability to listen attentively. This allows her to tune in to what the writer is doing and then offer finely tuned and individualized advice rather than generic formulas. In return she expects the writer to do some work on their ideas, not just sit back and wait to be told something. This is an approach that produces results.” Daniel Fleming – Professor of Screen & Media Studies, University of Waikato

“I wrote a story that was directly inspired by one of Kathryn’s creativity exercises during her workshop. The story went on to win a NZ Society of Authors competition and I have just heard that it has been accepted for publication in Landfall! A real breakthrough for me.” Bronwyn Calder – Writer

“This workshop has inspired me to flesh out some ideas – a really great start for me!” Anke Richter – Journalist and Non-Fiction Author

“ I solved a problem that’s been plaguing me for months today! Thank you.” Zoe Meager – Author

“Just finished my first novel and I continued to use some of the stimulating techniques you taught me whenever I felt blocked or bored. I don’t think I would have even attempted to write a book, without the help I received via your classes.” Jane Kline – New Novelist

“As a copywriter and blogger I write for money everyday, but this Kickstart workshop was 100% worth the time to advance my personal project. Kathryn is professional, respectful and precise. She gave me a sterling process to build my plot, and l was able to go home and churn out some work that I truly rate. Great writers don’t always make great teachers but this one’s got the goods.” Emma Harrison-Clark – Copywriter

“Be warned! This creative writing course is not just about sitting listening to talks and tips on writing which you can find in good books. You have to write! It’s like being dropped in at the deep end. You learn to swim! There is however a benevolent life saver keeping watch and ready to rescue you if you feel you are getting out of your depth and you can climb into the life boat for some one -to-one help, which is both life saving and inspirational, when you need it. I didn’t want to just learn ‘about writing’, I wanted to learn ‘to write’ and was well satisfied.” Ray Prowse – (Former) AUT Lecturer, Academic Literacies

“A fascinating insight into the creative process.” Jenny Haworth – Author/Publisher

“ I attended two writing workshops organised by Beginners Guide to Writing Workshops in May. Really impressed with the speakers and the value they gave. I’m sure they will help my writing a lot.” Peter McCutcheon

“As someone new to screenwriting this was the perfect introduction to the foundations of writing a script, as well as fantastic discussion on industry insights.” – Emily McKenzie, Actor

“In two days I’ve gone from being too intimidated to write a scene, to feeling equipped to take on a feature! Thanks so much!” – Angus Dreaver

“Wow wow Wow. This course has been so motivating. Thanks Rachel Lang for sharing your knowledge and making us all feel safe to share our stories. Thanks Kathryn Burnett and Nick Ward for your great kind feed back. And thanks Jonathan Zsofi for our emails and techie stuff. Your guys seasoned Industry knowledge is so welcomed. The Beginners Guide Writing workshops are so valuable for any up and coming writers I can't bragg about them enough. And certainly have keep me sane over this past lockdown. Can't wait to expand my skill set and learn more.” - Kelly Mitchell, Head of MKUP

“Congrats on a great workshop. I’ve done a few and think yours is by far one of the most comprehensive. Really enjoyed it - you really know your stuff. " - Scott Butler - Advertising

“I have always had an interest in film and TV and wanted to learn more on the mechanics. This short course gave me a great insight into this industry and how great story lines are made into great TV and Movies” – Andi Bebb, Technical Manager

“Really valuable workshop for technical knowledge and gaining confidence in your ideas and skills.” – Karli Green, Environmental Regulator

“Loved being able to approach how a script comes to life from the ground up to have a better understanding of working with writers from a producer’s point of view. Kathryn’s workshop has also inspired me to carve out more time to write my own scripts and get them made!” – Jo Raj, Producer

“Having attended two of Kathryn’s workshops now, they have provided me with a great understanding of screenplay structure, and tools to work through issues when I get stuck, which has been very helpful, not only for my own writing, but also assessing scripts that I am given to read which I may get to shoot .” – Kirk Pflaum, Director of Photography

“Kathryn Burnett is the bomb-diggity. She brings amazing experience, intelligence, and passion to her teaching. She has a comprehensive understanding of movies, cinema history, and storytelling technique, and is effective and engaging when sharing that knowledge with her students. Kathryn is to storytelling tutors as Carlos the Jackal is to international assassins. I can’t recommend her highly enough.”  – Steve Barr, Screenwriter, producer, and development executive

“The June workshop was a thoroughly enjoyable two days with Kathryn. Learnt new things and was reminded of others – than you!” Emma Newborn, Actor

“A great brainstorming session to sort out the ideas in your head. Thanks for starting my engine!” Jane Asbury

“I found Kathryn’s teaching rich and engaging. For a novice like myself it was very encouraging and I gained a wealth of insights and sense.” Frances Young – Psychologist and Educator

“What I may have understood intellectually about brainstorming became something that now has real value.” Helen Mongillo – Writer

“Kept me writing notes and solving problems in my writing projects all day. Fascinating and very helpful!” Amy Paulussen – Writer

“Loved Kathryn’s relaxed and yet professional teaching style – great sense of humour and ability to communicated ideas clearly and concisely.” Katherine Smith – Data Entry Operator

“A day’s worth of inspiration! I really enjoyed the mix of exercises and lecture.” Nadine Kats – Web Writer and SEO

“A great shot in the arm injection of creative juice! Thanks Kathryn for your warm and down to earth delivery. Really loved it!” Melissa Parsons – Teacher, Researcher, Author.

“Thanks Kathryn – this is the third course of yours I’ve attended and it reinforced earlier learning with great clarity.” Jacqui Wood – Copywriter, Writer

Ideas Clinic. My head is bulging with the possibilities and now I have great motivation to make the time to write. It was very liberating, after I got over the whole world-is-ending sense of doom, to have to share my ideas with real people. The immediate feedback from the group was rewarding and not at all scary, as I had imagined.” Therese Oliver – Aspiring Novelist

“I strongly recommend anyone interested in creative or screenplay writing to do one of Kathryn’s courses. She has an elegant way of demystifying the creative writing process, while maintaining the magic. Importantly at the end of the course you’ll come away with a tangible plan of attack to put in place at once and the desire to go with it.” Helena Ashcroft – Publicist Blue Fox PR

“Wow, when I won your fine Creative Writing workshop through NZWG I was really pleased, but had no idea it would be so incredibly helpful, have been singing your praises on Facebook.” Raewyn Alexander – Poet, Novelist, Publisher

“Because I am self-employed it is hard setting aside time to just be lateral and spontaneous when it comes to the creative process. What I love about these Brainstorm sessions is I get to play in my own head. There is enough structure to challenge and prompt me, but enough freedom to allow me to go off in a completely different direction if I want. The sessions have given me some fantastic new ideas and helped me take existing ones in new and exciting directions. It is perhaps the one part of my week where I can just be purely creative without questioning or ‘reasoning’ my way through the process, and I am not going to be distracted by phone calls or other demands. Kathryn is the perfect drill instructor – inspiring, funny, creative and challenging.” Andrew Whiteside – Television Presenter/ Director/ Writer