WRITER 640: Susannah Glenn on her novel 'Between Husbands and Wives'

Meet Susannah Glenn, author of <em>Between Husbands and Wives</em>. Susannah discusses her writing process, overcoming self-doubt, and the importance of setting and character development. She highlights the impact of persistence, learning from setbacks, and taking writing courses.</p> 00:00 Introduction<br />01:53 The importance of doing the work<br />07:07 Writing tip: Keep it simple<br />11:13 WIN! <em>Literary Journeys</em> by John McMurtrie<br />13:07 Word of the week: pedicular<br />14:26 Writer in residence: Susannah Glenn<br />21:57 The writing process: Finding the sweet spot<br />22:35 Character development<br />24:23 Balancing writing with everyday life<br />25:51 From manuscript to book deal<br />31:54 The importance of writing routines<br />37:38 Navigating the emotional roller coaster of writing<br />44:45 Top writing tips for aspiring authors<br />46:57 Conclusion</p> <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-640/">Read the show notes</a></p> Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> <br />Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> | <a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a></p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

00:49:35

WRITER 639: Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Sebastian Smee on his latest book ‘Paris in Ruins’

Meet Sebastian Smee, a Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic, who discusses his new book <em>Paris in Ruins,</em> its historical context, and the challenges of writing it. He also touches upon his previous book<em> The Art of Rivalry,</em> how to approach writing art criticism, and tips for aspiring writers. Sebastian now writes for The Washington Post, but got his start writing for The Sydney Morning Herald. He then went on to write for The Boston Globe, The Spectator, The Guardian, The Australian and more.</p> 00:00 Introduction<br />02:35 Nat Newman’s writing tip<br />10:28 Win <em>Endgame</em> by Sarah Barrie<br />12:44 Word of the week: Hypnagogic<br />16:47 Interview with Sebastian Smee<br />20:27 Diving into historical context<br />20:59 Early career and education<br />21:49 Breaking into art criticism<br />23:55 Writing art reviews<br />25:50 Journey to America<br />27:34<em> The Art of Rivalry</em><br />31:02 Crafting<em> Paris in Ruins</em><br />38:30 Challenges and reflections<br />42:21 Advice for aspiring art critics<br />47:57 Final thoughts</p> <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-639/">Read the show notes</a></p> Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> <br />Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> | <a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a></p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

00:51:06

WRITER 638: Mitch Jennings on his page-turning novel 'A Town Called Treachery'.

Meet Mitch Jennings, author of <em>A Town Called Treachery</em>, who shares his journey to becoming a novelist and his advice for aspiring writers.</p> 00:00 Introduction<br />00:27 Reinvention<br />04:02 Writing opportunities and taking chances<br />07:58 Writing tip: The Pomodoro Technique<br />14:23 WIN:<em> Everyone this Christmas Has A Secret </em>by Benjamin Stevenson<br />15:12 Word of the week: Claque<br />18:32 Mitch Jennings and his page-turning novel<em> A Town Called Treachery</em><br />26:16 Balancing writing and family life<br />28:00 Discovering writing process during COVID<br />29:26 The role of mentorship and courses<br />32:30 Crafting the story of <em>A Town Called Treachery</em><br />37:40 Journalism's influence on writing<br />44:24 Entering and winning the Banjo Prize<br />50:34 Advice for aspiring writers<br />53:30 Final thoughts</p> <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-638/">Read the show notes</a></p> Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> <br />Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> | <a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a></p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

00:57:22

WRITER 637: New York Times bestselling author Laura Dave on 'The Night We Lost Him' and 'The Last Thing He Told Me'.

Meet New York Times bestselling author Laura Dave, who talks about her latest novel <em>The Night We Lost Him</em>, her writing process, and adapting her hit novel <em>The Last Thing He Told Me</em> for television. Laura shares her approach to character development, writing routines, and advice for aspiring writers. She talks about the importance of dedication, routine, and what you need to do before seeking publication.</p> 00:00 Introduction<br />03:00 Nat Newman's writing tip<br />05:46 Writing opportunities and tips<br />10:51 Competition: Win <em>The Dictionary of Terrible Ideas </em>by Dominic Knight<br />13.01 Word of the week: piacular<br />16:16 Laura Dave, with of <em>The Last Thing He Told Me</em> and <em>The Night We Lost Him</em><br />23:26 From novel to screen<br />24:57 The success and future of the series<br />25:46 The role of music in writing<br />29:12 Crafting characters and storylines<br />40:44 Writing routine and research<br />46:36 Advice for aspiring writers<br />48:51 Fun fact</p> <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-637/">Read the show notes</a></p> Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> <br />Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> | <a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a></p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

00:50:51

WRITER 636: Amanda Willimott on her novel 'Winter of the Wolf' and how she got her book deal.

Meet Amanda Willimott, who talks about her historical fiction novel <em>Winter of the Wolf</em>, informed by extensive research. Amanda reveals how she got her book deal with Penguin Random House and the power of persistence, planning and mentorship.</p> 00:00 Introduction<br />03:56 Writing tip: Attend events<br />07:19 Competition: Win <em>The Dictionary of Terrible Ideas </em>by Dominic Knight<br />09:25 Word of the week: Riparian<br />10:48 Interview with Amanda Willimott, author of Winter of the Wolf<br />25:24 Deciding to write a novel<br />26:12 Setting goals and overcoming challenges<br />27:56 The importance of planning and research<br />29:35 Writing discipline and tracking progress<br />36:04 Editing and refining the manuscript<br />37:58 The path to publication<br />41:19 Celebrating success and future plans<br />45:11 Final thoughts and advice for aspiring writers<br />47:13 Fun fact: What is a circadian novel?</p> <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-636/">Read the show notes</a></p> Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> <br />Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> | <a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a></p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

00:49:32

WRITER 635: Meet Christian White on his novel 'The Ledge' – and writing the Netflix hit ‘Clickbait’.

Meet bestselling author and screenwriter Christian White on his novel <em>The Ledge </em>and writing the Netflix hit <em>Clickbait</em>. his writing process, and his transition from books to screenwriting, including his work on TV shows like Clickbait and <em>Apartment 7A</em>.</p> 00:00 Welcome to episode 635<br />01:46 Nat Newman's writing tip<br />02:41 Nat's creative writing journey<br />04:34 The importance of elevator pitches<br />09:07 Win: <em>Cherrywood</em> by Jock Serong<br />11:20 Word of the week: Panoply<br />14:01 Interview with Christian White, author of <em>The Ledge</em><br />31:43 The journey to <em>Clickbait</em><br />33:15 Balancing success and stress<br />35:16 Appreciating the moment<br />36:11 From <em>Clickbait</em> to <em>Apartment 7A</em><br />41:36 The collaborative process<br />45:43 Balancing writing and family life<br />55:30 Tips for aspiring writers<br />01:01:29 Conclusion</p> <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-635/">Read the show notes</a></p> Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> <br />Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> | <a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a></p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

01:03:58

WRITER 634: Ariane Beeston on her powerful memoir 'Because I'm Not Myself, You See’

Meet Ariane Beeston, who shares insights into her powerful memoir <em>Because I'm Not Myself, You See</em>, exploring postpartum psychosis, her writing journey, and the therapeutic yet challenging process of recounting personal experiences. This memoir is brave and beautifully written. As a graduate of Australian Writers' Centre, we’re so thrilled for Ariane.</p> 00:00 Introduction<br />00:19 Using prompts to discover your character<br />03:39 Nat Newman’s writing tip<br />08:32 Setting writing goals<br />11:23 Win: <em>The Paris Gown </em>by Christine Wells<br />14:22 Word of the week: Vestige<br />6:22 Interview with Ariane Beeston, author of <em>Because I'm Not Myself, You See</em><br />28:03 The proposal journey<br />28:17 Navigating rejections and acceptances<br />29:01 The challenge of writing a book<br />29:26 Creative Nonfiction insights<br />30:00 Seamlessly weaving research and personal story<br />31:14 Overcoming personal obstacles<br />32:35 The emotional toll of writing<br />33:36 The urgency to finish<br />34:58 Post-writing reflections<br />35:49 The writing timeline<br />36:52 Managing deadlines and mental health<br />39:52 Reliving the past through writing<br />42:04 Ethics and accuracy in memoir writing<br />46:20 The book's impact and reader responses<br />48:18 Top tips for writing a memoir<br />54:02 Conclusion</p> <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-634/">Read the show notes</a></p> Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> <br />Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> | <a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a></p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

00:58:32

WRITER 633: Paula Hawkins, author of 'The Blue Hour' and 'The Girl on the Train'.

Meet bestselling author Paula Hawkins, whose new book <em>The Blue Hour</em> explores a psychological thriller set on a Scottish island. Paula discusses her writing process, research on art, transition from a finance journalist to a novelist, how she wrote four romance novels under a pen name and her experiences following the success of <em>The Girl on the Train</em>. She also shares her writing advice, emphasising the importance of feedback and understanding your readers’ experiences.</p> 00:00 Introduction<br />00:34 Writing tip with Nat Newman<br />02:53 Storyboarding for writers<br />06:22 Win: <em>The Stranger at the Wedding</em> by A. E. Gauntlett<br />08:14 Word of the week: Palmy<br />09:30 Paula Hawkins and her latest novel <em>The Blue Hour</em><br />21:19 From financial journalism to fiction<br />21:46 First foray into fiction<br />23:40 How Paula writes romance under a pseudonym<br />24:52 Finding the right genre<br />25:38 The birth of <em>The Girl on the Train</em><br />27:48 Dealing with success and pressure<br />30:12 Writing process and challenges<br />40:34 Advice for aspiring writers<br />43:02 Fun fact: apophony</p> <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-633/">Read the show notes</a></p> Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> <br />Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> | <a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a></p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

00:45:02

WRITER 632: Meet Ryan Butta, author of the new biography, 'The Bravest Scout at Gallipoli'

Meet Ryan Butta, author of the new biography, <em>The Bravest Scout at Gallipoli</em> – a previously untold story of one of Australia’s forgotten wartime heroes. In this lively and interesting conversation, Ryan shares what led him to tell this particular story, his research process and other fascinating stories from here and overseas that inadvertently prepared him for a life as a published author.</p> 00:00 Introduction and host welcome<br />00:19 Upcoming travel writing course<br />00:38 Special bonuses for enrollees<br />05:42 Writing tip: Imagination game<br />09:42 Win:<em> Diving, Falling </em>by Kylie Mirmohamadi<br />11:32 Word of the week: Imbrication<br />14:12 Interview with Ryan Butta<br />28:36 Organising research and writing process<br />30:13 Starting the writing journey<br />31:23 From fiction to nonfiction<br />34:18 Pitching and publishing success<br />36:54 Challenges and realities of being published<br />39:51 New projects and future plans<br />45:48 Passion and motivation in writing<br />49:50 Top tips for nonfiction writing</p> <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-632/">Read the show notes</a></p> Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> <br />Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> | <a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a></p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

00:54:52

WRITER 631: Meet children’s book publisher and author Dani Vee.

Meet Dani Vee, publisher at Larrikin House, whose latest book is <em>Riley's Failproof Guide to Breaking a School Record</em>, and her soon-to-be-released book is <em>My Pet Croc</em>. Dani shares her writing process but also provides insights into the children’s publishing industry, her role as a publisher and what she is looking for in a manuscript. Dani discusses the importance of finding the right voice, creative control, and the submission process for aspiring authors.</p> 00:00 Introduction to the podcast and special series<br />02:14 Meet Dani Vee: Author, publisher, and podcaster<br />03:43 Riley's fail-proof guide to breaking a school record<br />05:02 From picture books to junior fiction<br />06:00 The creative process and challenges of writing<br />12:44 The magic of writing <em>My Pet Croc</em><br />14:43 Transitioning from teaching to publishing<br />17:26 The role of a publisher in a small publishing house<br />20:52 Exploring different book genres<br />21:24 The story behind <em>The Bogan Book Club</em><br />22:20 The importance of voice in publishing<br />23:33 Breaking stereotypes in literature<br />24:26 Defining the Larrikin voice<br />27:05 Submission process and common mistakes<br />32:13 Working with authors: Challenges and considerations<br />34:58 Evaluating submissions: Key questions<br />37:36 Future plans and writing aspirations<br />40:08 Conclusion and final thoughts</p> <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-631/">Read the show notes</a></p> Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> <br />Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> | <a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a></p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

00:40:57