So You Want to be a Writer

By: Australian Writers' Centre
  • Summary

  • Everything you’ve always wanted to know about succeeding in the world of writing and publishing. Learn practical writing techniques, go behind-the-scenes and discover how real-life authors got their big break. Uncover the creative processes of writers who have made it. Your host is Valerie Khoo – author, journalist, creative and CEO of the Australian Writers’ Centre.

    2024 Australian Writers' Centre
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Episodes
  • WRITER 638: Mitch Jennings on his page-turning novel 'A Town Called Treachery'.
    Nov 18 2024

    Meet Mitch Jennings, author of A Town Called Treachery, who shares his journey to becoming a novelist and his advice for aspiring writers.

    00:00 Introduction
    00:27 Reinvention
    04:02 Writing opportunities and taking chances
    07:58 Writing tip: The Pomodoro Technique
    14:23 WIN: Everyone this Christmas Has A Secret by Benjamin Stevenson
    15:12 Word of the week: Claque
    18:32 Mitch Jennings and his page-turning novel A Town Called Treachery
    26:16 Balancing writing and family life
    28:00 Discovering writing process during COVID
    29:26 The role of mentorship and courses
    32:30 Crafting the story of A Town Called Treachery
    37:40 Journalism's influence on writing
    44:24 Entering and winning the Banjo Prize
    50:34 Advice for aspiring writers
    53:30 Final thoughts

    Read the show notes

    Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
    Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    57 mins
  • WRITER 637: New York Times bestselling author Laura Dave on 'The Night We Lost Him' and 'The Last Thing He Told Me'.
    Nov 11 2024

    Meet New York Times bestselling author Laura Dave, who talks about her latest novel The Night We Lost Him, her writing process, and adapting her hit novel The Last Thing He Told Me 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.

    00:00 Introduction
    03:00 Nat Newman's writing tip
    05:46 Writing opportunities and tips
    10:51 Competition: Win The Dictionary of Terrible Ideas by Dominic Knight
    13.01 Word of the week: piacular
    16:16 Laura Dave, with of The Last Thing He Told Me and The Night We Lost Him
    23:26 From novel to screen
    24:57 The success and future of the series
    25:46 The role of music in writing
    29:12 Crafting characters and storylines
    40:44 Writing routine and research
    46:36 Advice for aspiring writers
    48:51 Fun fact

    Read the show notes

    Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
    Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    51 mins
  • WRITER 636: Amanda Willimott on her novel 'Winter of the Wolf' and how she got her book deal.
    Nov 4 2024

    Meet Amanda Willimott, who talks about her historical fiction novel Winter of the Wolf, informed by extensive research. Amanda reveals how she got her book deal with Penguin Random House and the power of persistence, planning and mentorship.

    00:00 Introduction
    03:56 Writing tip: Attend events
    07:19 Competition: Win The Dictionary of Terrible Ideas by Dominic Knight
    09:25 Word of the week: Riparian
    10:48 Interview with Amanda Willimott, author of Winter of the Wolf
    25:24 Deciding to write a novel
    26:12 Setting goals and overcoming challenges
    27:56 The importance of planning and research
    29:35 Writing discipline and tracking progress
    36:04 Editing and refining the manuscript
    37:58 The path to publication
    41:19 Celebrating success and future plans
    45:11 Final thoughts and advice for aspiring writers
    47:13 Fun fact: What is a circadian novel?

    Read the show notes

    Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
    Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    50 mins

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