Don’t go to the Gunnas Masterclass if you want to cling to your pathetic excuses for not writing. Catherine Deveny doesn’t want to hear your reasons for not producing: she is there to make you WRITE. And you will. Repeatedly. What you do next is up to you, but this class will give you the tools and motivation to get your words on the page. And the courage to write what you really are. A day spent in excellent company, writing and eating lovely food — what greater pleasures does life offer?!

Tanya Stedge

There was no doubt about it. My writing felt stale and a little tedious, so I entered the Gunnas Masterclass looking for motivation and some fresh ideas. A room of like minded people was a good start. Then it was down to business as Catherine delivered a multitude of tips and ideas. Her no nonsense style was concise, informative and entertaining. I walked in with a bit of fog in my brain, but within hours I’d felt a manic energy take over. A great day and most of all, a lot of fun!

Greg Johns

Today I attended Catherine Deveny’s Gunna’s Writing Masterclass. Before I get to the actual benefits to writers of attending this class, let me first mention the fringe benefits:

• The class took place in a comfortable room upstairs at La Luna Restaurant in North Carlton—great food and coffee and very friendly and helpful staff. Lunch was incredible; a large range of grazing food, wonderful variety and great tastes. This was not a Weight Watchers event.
• Catherine Deveny performed at her absolute best, shifting the mood from mad, hilarious humour, to biting satire and social commentary, to motivating us to think about and do, what we most wanted from life, to Dominatrix Teacher who made sure we knuckled under and actually wrote
• An intelligent and fascinating range of participants, one of whom I watched later that night (after doing my homework for Dev) as she read at an Erotica performance at Open Studio; I may have a new friend. Dev warned us that pregnancies, creative partnerships and friendships were among the many consequences of her workshops, in addition to outstanding writing pieces.

I found this workshop opened me up creatively and I began writing great pieces with confidence. Dev was wonderful at making people feel relaxed about being in the class and writing. She never asked us to do anything that could be publicly humiliating eg we did not read out our pieces or get pressured to publish. She was able to help me see the importance of writing most days of the week and gave me many great tips and techniques for stimulating creativity, writing from the heart and getting over procrastination, fear and lack of confidence.

A tip: don’t ever ask Dev to give you free advice on being a writer over a cup of coffee

Catherine Deveny is an inspiration, a wonderful entertainer and master teacher. I don’t know where she gets her energy. I highly recommend her Gunna’s Writing Masterclass.

Peter Forrester

I attended Catherine’s master class because I have been a wannabe writer for years. Now in my 60’s I am determined to get there. I would recommend the class to anyone who wants a jumpstart with their writing. Catherine’s message throughout the class is clear. If you want to write then do it and stop making excuses. She had us writing all day and respected that we were all at different stages and abilities. She gave us the opportunity to share, chat with the other delightful people who were there and to read our writing while being incredibly respectful about those people who want to keep their writing to themselves.

I came out at the end of the day with the motivation to keep on with my writing attempts, with some bits of writing which, although done under pressure, I was a bit proud of and, most importantly, a shape for the biggest piece of writing I want to attempt. Catherine is also funny and incredibly generous with her considerable experience. The venue is perfect with food that made me incredibly happy. And it was practical! A visit from an editor gave us insight into what editors do and how to work with them. So if you want warmth, humour, good company, good food and inspiration and motivation to write don’t go past the Gunnas Master Class.

Marg D’Arcy

During the pack up and exiting Catherine asked me what I thought, ‘what dya think of it’? I gave it a 9.9, saying I never give a 10, there’s always room for improvement. I don’t know how she’ll do it but I’m sure she will. I can’t offer any criticism, helpful or otherwise. Only praise and thanks.

With 24 hrs of accumulated hindsight, motivation stands out. Not motivation in any regular sense from my experience. Not the ‘dominion over’/ greed driven, ‘you can do it just do it’ ‘motivational’ hype that’s spruiked in any number of styles and voices. Motivation, from pointing out and encouraging the group to reveal, from personal experience, the obstacles we put in the way of ‘getting it down’, followed up with strategies that have been helpful, from sources far and wide. All set in a firm and clear framework, based in the understanding that it’s us, we are responsible, we put up the barriers, we are the saboteurs, our own worst etc. Energising, not in the least bit patronising, nothing to do with shame, veiled or otherwise.

The next thing that comes to mind is tucker. It’s easy to complement isn’t it. My income bracket dictates that I will only be dining at La Luna on special to very special occasions; hmm, quick as you like. The workshop was a very inclusive, comfortable affair that La Luna fed, much better than well. I’m not sure how this fits in, it does for me though, the dunnies were an appreciated plus.

If you have, in anyway, found yourself inclined toward the Gunna experience, don’t miss out.

Thomas Paine

It is about reminding yourself what you want your life to be, identifying the little creatures that stop you from achieving that life and learning to say to them, “Go away, shut up, sit over there. I’m busy.”

It is, as Catherine says, about “not dying with your music inside you” and “getting to the best possible place with the least amount of damage.”

Catherine presents simple yet powerful ideas with grace, generosity and passion in a wonderfully safe, welcoming environment filled with amazing people and incredible food.

The Gunnas Masterclass is empowering, freeing and inspiring. Do it.

Laura Hartnell

I finally got my act together and booked into a Gunnas class. It was the best thing I’ve done for myself in ages. I’m not a writer, but have dreams of writing. Catherine provided just the inspiration and kick up the butt I needed. She got me writing, and that’s no mean feat! Warm, welcoming and practical, I’d definitely recommend this class to anyone.

Martel Menz

If you’ve ever been stuck in a muddy bog of procrastination, you feel low on ideas, your motivation’s running on empty, or you generally need a kick up the arse, this is the class for you. Catherine runs through practical exercises and tools to get you up and at ’em, plus you’re guaranteed some top nosh at the faboo La Luna. Do it, go on!

Emily Kratzmann

If you’re looking for something within yourself to write, but not sure what, I can guarantee you that by the end of 6 hours with Devs you will have found it! Catherine is the practical, pragmatic, protagonist of writing your own stories, and you will get the advice and inspiration you need to just sit down and write. You will surprise and delight yourself and overcome whatever is holding you back in the Gunna’s Writing Masterclass.

Leisa Bowness

Thanks a squillion, Catherine!

Still on a high from yesterday’s Gunnas class, so glad we sent our pieces to you asap… It’s exhilarating to go what the fuck, there’s gaping holes n contradictions in this writing but sending it off anyway. This is unlike both of us to do this.

We just showed both pieces to our mum here in Bendigo….who was astounded with what Vonnie wrote about “commitment”. Mum wasn’t so sure of me using the word “fuck it” in my piece, so I just blamed it on you, telling her that Catherine throws the word round the place so it must be OK!

The best thing is that I was up writing this morning before my cuppa…a habit I will do my darndest to cultivate. I usually leave writing to night-time.

Big positive changes already, thanks to you.

Mars Drum