So You Want to be a Writer

Is food your love language? It certainly is for bestselling author and AWC graduate Anna Johnston – brought to life through her new novel, When Lemons Give You Life. In this episode, Anna dishes up the inspiration and character creation for this latest book and the challenges, strategies and superpowers of being an author with ADHD. She also shares how she deals with writing tough scenes, her writing workflow, and advice for writers. 00:00 Welcome11:18 Writing tip: Cut the Starting Scene13:24 Writers in the wild14:51 WIN: The Bookshop of Buried Pasts by Sarah Clutton16:42 Word of the week: Jakes17:14 Writer in residence: Anna Johnston18:16 Anna explains new book, When Lemons Give You Life20:21 Story themes and origins24:02 Research and authenticity27:10 POV structure and flashbacks29:22 Editing and deadlines32:45 What she learned from AWC courses35:20 ADHD writing strategies38:06 Letting characters go41:34 Organising notes and workflow43:25 Balancing writing life44:39 Publicity and events46:40 Next book plans47:26 Anna’s advice for writers49:28 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you spend your weekends visiting cliffs with your child to find out which ones would be deadliest? Well, that’s something Fiona Hardy did in researching her new ‘cosy crime’ novel, Old Games! In this episode, Fiona joins us to discuss the inspiration for this latest book, her own writing process and how she went from kids to adult fiction! 00:00 Welcome06:31 Writers in the wild11:06 Writing tip: Metrics of success14:31 WIN!: The Clueless Guide to Solving a Mystery by Samera Kamaleddine & Hykie Breeze16:10 Word of the week: ’Obstreperous’16:57 Writer in residence: Fiona Hardy17:50 What is her new book ‘Old Games’ all about?20:09 Plotting and pitching this second novel23:25 Cosy crime without a murder26:19 Writing fight scenes27:41 Realistic consequences28:28 Setting the story in Victoria30:23 Researching crime and cliffs32:42 Balancing bookselling and writing34:11 Daily writing process and goals35:31 Publicity, creating socials and anxiety39:17 How Fiona moved from kids to adult books40:34 Future projects43:39 Writing tip45:10 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you love historical fiction? I have to admit to being a sucker for a different time and place – and both are on offer in Mary-Lou Stephens’ latest novel, The Hobart Hotel. In this episode, Mary-Lou discusses her unique approach to research and the challenges of writing about Uruguay in the 1940s, as well as why she loves writing historical fiction so much. 00:00 Welcome06:03 Writers in the Wild10:08 Writing tip: Find balance in your creative life13:15 WIN!: The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives by Elizabeth Arnott15:07 Word of the week: ’Patalous’15:45 Writer in residence: Mary-Lou Stephens17:19 Describing The Hobart Hotel19:16 Inspiration and research20:57 The dual timeline process22:36 Capturing the Uruguay wartime vibe27:24 Why Historical Fiction?30:32 Mary-Lou’s ‘slow travel’ writing life34:40 Writing while traveling37:17 Memoir and meditation43:10 What’s next?44:58 Promoting her books46:07 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian bestselling crime author Sarah Barrie has a dozen books to her name, with her latest standalone thriller Dark Sanctuary, exploring the nuanced world of mental health support, prisons and more. In this episode, Sarah shares the serendipitous inspiration for this novel, the research process and POV choices she made, as well as turning back the clock to give insights into her equally serendipitous start into the world of writing! 00:00 Welcome07:35 Writing tip: Put your writing out there!10:20 WIN!: The Couples Retreat by Mercedes Mercier13:06 Word of the week: ’Crepuscular’13:38 Writer in residence: Sarah Barrie14:49 Dark Sanctuary overview15:46 Inspiration and themes17:59 Three POV structure19:11 Podcast character angle20:49 Setting and research21:45 Prisons – psychology and programs24:34 Research and the findings25:30 Writing the detective character27:47 Editing and deadlines28:20 Farm life writing30:07 Mental health themes32:59 Sarah’s origin story34:56 Publishing breakthrough38:50 Advice for writers40:16 What’s next?41:29 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some kids dream of being a zookeeper when they grow up. Others dream of becoming a writer. Well, author and animal conservationist Tina Strachan ended up doing both! In this episode, she shares her passion for wildlife and how she ended up scoring a book deal for her Wilder Zoo series – with book 3, Neeka and the Great Search out now. She also shares her writing routine and experience working with a professional illustrator. 00:00 Welcome06:45 Writing tip: Carry a tiny book around11:26 WIN!: The Angry Wives Club  by Gabbie Stroud12:57 Word of the week: ‘Spicate’13:22 Writer in residence: Tina Strachan15:09 Wilder Zoo series overview17:20 Tina’s favourite koala fun fact18:19 Wildlife career origins21:54 The role of zoos and conservation25:05 Turning point to getting into writing27:02 Building a daily habit27:37 Entering a CYA competition31:22 Connecting with a publisher33:03 From samples to a series35:12 Courses and gaining confidence36:55 Building her author website 38:25 Writing routine and its evolution42:07 School visits and writing festivals42:57 Illustrator collaboration44:52 Next books47:08 Tina shares some writing advice49:11 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are three short words you’re often told when you first walk into a nail salon – and they form the title of award-winning Laotian Canadian poet and author Souvankham Thammavongsa’s new novel Pick a Colour. In this episode, Souvankham explains how the novel came about, its unusual inspiration and timeframe as well as the cultural and power dynamics it explores. 00:00 Welcome06:03 Writing tip: Dealing with rejection|08:58 WIN!: Staged by John M. Green10:44 Word of the week: ‘Lactometer’13:19 Writer in residence: Souvankham Thammavongsa14:33 Explaining the story of Pick a Colour15:25 The Seinfeld episode inspiration!18:10 How her characters see the world19:40 The boxing inspiration21:41 Setting limitations on the story23:26 Language and cultural identity25:07 From short stories to the novel27:31 Writing techniques and influences29:41 Character dynamics and power themes33:14 The writing process and Souvankham’s backstory37:00 Awards and recognition40:55 Discussing the work done in the margins43:47 Advice for aspiring writers45:11 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of old bands these days seem to be reforming for reunion tours – allowing older fans to reminisce (usually while sipping wine and sitting in a comfy picnic chair). This idea fascinated author Rebecca Heath, so in her new book The Last Encore, she decided to not only get a fictional old-school band back together but add a documentary crew and a dead body into the mix! In this episode, Rebecca shares the real-life music inspirations for the book, her editing insights and much more! 00:00 Welcome04:09 Writing tip: Watch Shrek07:39 WIN!: Kill Your Boss by Jack Heath09:30 Word of the week: ‘Cucumiform’13:59 Writer in residence: Rebecca Heath14:34 Rebecca outlines The Last Encore17:55 Music inspirations for the book20:00 Defining what a ‘boy band’ is22:28 Exploring the theme of secrets23:55 Publishing journey insights24:52 Writing process and routine27:52 Balancing writing and editing29:00 Deciding whodunnit31:22 What to cut34:21 The role of community in writing37:23 Future projects and staying on brand41:04 Rebecca’s tip for writers43:00 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When was the last time you visited a zoo? Well, now imagine you’re visiting the last zoo on Earth and you have the premise for Emma Sloley’s new book, The Island of Last Things. In this episode, Emma shares the inspiration, research and publishing experience for this book and some of the larger themes this piece of fiction evokes. 00:00 Welcome04:10 Writing tip: Aim for rejections!08:30 WIN!: Tom Clancy Executive Power by Andrews & Wilson11:22 Word of the week: ‘Pelf’11:56 Writer in residence: Emma Sloley13:03 What is The Island of Last Things about?13:50 How Emma got the idea for the book16:00 Discussing the term ‘climate fiction’19:00 Researching Alcatraz for the book21:37 Gathering insights from zookeepers24:19 Transition to American characters25:35 Publishing journey and agent experiences28:34 Editing process with agents and editors31:34 Balancing writing and travel34:39 Current writing projects38:40 Tips for aspiring writers41:06 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.