Pursuing your
LOCALinspiration
DREAMS
Valerie Khoo, founder of the Sydney Writers’ Centre Keeping up with the Jones’, Jones’s or Joneses? Where does the apostrophe go? Apostrophes are one of the most misused marks. In some cases, they’re great for a laugh. In other cases, you create an unprofessional impression. Ever since school, Valerie Khoo loved writing but never considered it as a career. Instead, she studied to become an accountant and ended up working as an auditor for PricewaterhouseCoopers. Valerie worked hard to climb the corporate ladder but she knew in her heart she wasn’t passionate about this career. Her dream was to become a successful writer. Valerie founded the Sydney Writers’ Centre in 2005 with two courses and it is now Australia’s leading centre for writing training offering over thirty courses! I recently attended a course at Sydney Writers’ Centre, which I really enjoyed and found well worthwhile. Further to this, I interviewed Valerie about her passion for writing, her journey so far and the courses on offer.
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• Will Smith: with his attitude to life and his achievements, which I believe shows in his movie, The Pursuit of Happyness. • Matt Damon: inspired me with his graciousness, integrity and the way he treats people. • Robert Kiyosaki: with his entrepreneurial attitude.
novel one day. • Magazine Writing: Ideal for people who want to get published in the big magazines. • How to sell your e-book on Amazon: It really is very easy. This course gives you more options; basically you can be your own publisher. • Business Writing: For people wanting to improve their writing within their industry. We offer a wide variety, something for everyone.
I hear that you have some Was it a hard decision to leave As a feature writer, you intensive Summer School and PricewaterhouseCoopers to contribute to some of the online courses in addition to the pursue your passion? biggest publishers in Australia, It was difficult at the time. There usual range of courses you offer. have your own column, and meet were some great opportunities Who should attend them? and interview celebrities and within the firm but really I had to To name a few: follow my heart. I realised account- corporate leaders all the time. Creative Writing: It’s for people who ing wasn’t what I was passionate Of those you have interviewed, •used to love writing at school, who about, but it was hard as I had a who inspired you the most? love telling stories or want to write a career all mapped out.
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Was the journey as you expected it to be?
When I finally left PricewaterhouseCoopers I went back to university. I did a part-time, postgraduate course in communication, majoring in journalism and public relations. I didn’t understand that writing could be a career. It was only after studying and working in public relations for two years that I entered into writing full-time. Fortunately, because of my background in accounting, I am not daunted by numbers or balance sheets. It is a great background to have and still benefits me in my newfound career.
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How do you balance writing and running a business?
It is all about time management. You have to be ruthless, understanding your priorities. I can get distracted especially in the world of Twitter and Facebook, which I am quite into. When I have a big project, I know I have to work hard and make myself focus. I make sure I am rewarded to encourage myself: anything as little as going out to afternoon tea to buying myself a new dress.
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. You are now living your dream, you are a regularly published writer and author of five books. What is your next goal? I’m writing a book about business at the moment. Its focus is about communicating in the business world. Too often we get bogged down with information, pie charts, and Excel spread sheets. It will contain stories to empower your staff and get your customers over the line.