So You Want to be a Writer

Australian Writers' Centre
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  • BOOKS
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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. 

  1. Writing Podcast Episode 694: Candice Chung and her book, 'Chinese Parents Don’t Say I Love You'

    5 DAYS AGO

    Writing Podcast Episode 694: Candice Chung and her book, 'Chinese Parents Don’t Say I Love You'

    How do you go about writing a personal memoir that heavily features your very-much-alive parents? Author Candice Chung grappled with this and her culturally private family while curating her book, Chinese Parents Don’t Say I Love You. In this episode, she joins us to discuss the inspiration for a book that uses food as a storytelling device, some of the rituals around dining and the story behind the title of her book! 00:00 Welcome07:10 Writing tip: Developing your own editing checklist12:44 WIN!: How to Live an Artful Life by Katy Hessel14:17 Word of the week: ‘Anhedonia’14:49 Writer in residence: Candice Chung15:05 Writing about food rituals17:25 Inspiration for writing the book20:20 Selling the book to publishers22:15 The story behind the title26:29 Telling parents about the book31:33 Fact checking emotional details34:05 Grappling with sharing personal thoughts38:20 Why Candice decided to get into journalism42:37 The ‘frozen sandwiches’ anecdote44:21 Literary inspirations for the book49:24 Future projects51:14 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.

    57 min
  2. Writing Podcast Episode 693: Belinda Castles walks us through her new book, Walking Sydney

    1 DEC

    Writing Podcast Episode 693: Belinda Castles walks us through her new book, Walking Sydney

    Do ideas come to you while you’re out walking? There’s a unique connection between writers and walking – and in this episode, Belinda Castles shares the inspiration and experience in creating her new book, Walking Sydney. The book is a curated collection of talks had while on walks with authors around various parts of the city and exploring the concepts of nostalgia, change and a sense of place. 00:00 Welcome03:59 Writing tip: Dictionary of Australian Words06:11 WIN! Jack Reacher Book Pack Giveaway08:58 Word of the week: ‘Catenary’09:37 Writer in residence: Belinda Castles10:22 What Walking Sydney is about11:09 Inspiration for writing this book13:04 How the book came together18:18 The connection between writers and walking24:50 Writing and the connection to place28:57 Reader experience and audience31:18 Why there are no maps in this book32:31 The armchair travel experience34:12 Balancing writing with teaching36:06 The writing process and time management41:58 The book trailer and filmmaking experience44:56 A tip from Belinda for writers46:48 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.

    51 min
  3. Writing Podcast Episode 692: Special episode with Allison Tait on your writing roadmap

    25 NOV

    Writing Podcast Episode 692: Special episode with Allison Tait on your writing roadmap

    In this special bonus episode of 'So You Want to Be a Writer,' Valerie is joined by her original podcast co-host Allison Tait in a live-streamed event celebrating 20 years of the Australian Writer Centre. Together, they discuss important topics for all writers – including goal-setting, overcoming writing obstacles, and structuring one's writing career. They also reflect on their own writing journeys, give writing tips, and offer valuable advice on managing impostor syndrome, planning writing schedules, understanding genre requirements and MORE! 00:00 Welcome02:24 Reunion with original co-host A.L.Tait.08:55 Writing Roadmap: Setting Goals and Overcoming Obstacles19:00 Giving yourself writing rewards21:44 Overcoming common obstacles26:46 The importance of discipline in writing31:04 Networking and community in writing34:41 Understanding your genre37:15 The role of revision in writing41:54 Flexibility and pivoting in writing48:48 Q&A session52:53 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.

    57 min
  4. Writing Podcast Episode 691: Holly Brunnbauer and her romance novel, 'What Did I Miss?'

    24 NOV

    Writing Podcast Episode 691: Holly Brunnbauer and her romance novel, 'What Did I Miss?'

    If you found yourself newly single after not dating since being a teenager, what would you do? Author and AWC graduate Holly Brunnbauer asks that question in her award-winning romance novel, What Did I Miss? –and in this episode she shares what inspired her to write it, her exciting story about getting an agent and book deal, plus the unusual window of time she writes in during each day! 00:00 Welcome02:00 Our SALE is on 05:21 WIN!: ‘Every Day I Read’ by Hwang Bo-reum06:54 Word of the week: ‘Orrery’07:58 Writer in residence: Holly Brunnbauer09:07 What is What Did I Miss? about?10:20 What inspired Holly to write the book12:50 The experience writing it14:55 Holly’s year of writing a novel16:27 Discovering the AWC courses17:15 Getting an agent and a book deal21:44 Pitching to screen professionals24:00 Balancing writing with a busy life26:24 Planning and Structuring a Novel28:55 Documentation31:50 The joy of writing and future plans33:53 Publication surprises and realities35:28 Bonus short interview with Charlotte Barkla38:09 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.

    39 min
  5. Writing Podcast Episode 690: Ian Scott explores the weird and wonderful world of literary 'Pen Names'

    17 NOV

    Writing Podcast Episode 690: Ian Scott explores the weird and wonderful world of literary 'Pen Names'

    When Ian Scott and Kirsty McHugh – curators at the National Library of Scotland – created an exhibition on pen names, they never imagined it would become a book. But that’s exactly what happened, and in this episode, Ian joins to discuss some of the curious motivations and stories behind some of the world’s most famous and infamous pseudonyms in their book Pen Names – including examples of authors who fully immersed themselves in their imaginary personas! 00:00 Welcome00:18 Rewriting your personal narrative07:06 Writing tip: Tracking your time10:05 WIN!: The Funeral Crashers by Joanna Nell13:33 Word of the week: ‘Edentulous’14:14 The world of words: Short forms of ‘until’16:10 Writer in residence: Ian Scott16:57 The inspiration for the book Pen Names18:42 An exhibition on pen names23:00 The stories behind the stories27:00 Common reasons for pen names27:58 Gender bias in literature31:55 Other reasons for not using your own name32:10 Famous examples34:55 Authors wanting to be judged independently38:47 Deceptive use of a pen name: Fiona Macleod40:55 Modern pen names and marketability43:19 Collaborative writing under one name45:01 Authors like Lee Child and book cover real estate46:49 Would Ian choose a pen name for himself?48:45 Wait – is his co-writer Kirsty McHugh even real?50:30 Is his book in his own library?53:02 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.

    56 min
  6. Writing Podcast Episode 689: Zanni L. Arnot’s new novel, 'A Guide to Falling Off the Map'

    10 NOV

    Writing Podcast Episode 689: Zanni L. Arnot’s new novel, 'A Guide to Falling Off the Map'

    Author Zanni L. Arnot has carved out a prolific career as a children's author – publishing more than 40 books in the past decade as ‘Zanni Louise’. In this episode, Zanni discusses how she got into writing children's books and her first YA novel, A Guide to Falling Off the Map. She also shares the differences between different age range stories, juggling multiple projects, plus provides insights and advice for aspiring authors. 00:00 Welcome00:28 How a setting can become a character07:53 Writing tip: Learn to love grammar and punctuation13:42 WIN!: Reacher by Lee Child17:14 Word of the week: ‘Headwork’17:48 Writer in Residence: Zanni L. Arnot18:46 An overview of her new book21:03 Why a YA novel?23:43 How Zanni got into writing26:52 Discovering a passion for writing27:30 Building a writing community28:16 On creating 41 books in ten years!30:47 Crafting stories for different age groups32:57 Balancing writing with a busy life34:15 Navigating the multiple projects35:33 The process of writing the story39:42 Is adult fiction next?41:11 Advice for managing your time43:30 Zanni’s approach to social media45:44 Keeping track of ideas and choosing the next one48:19 Promoting books from overseas50:15 Advice for authors looking to try YA53:16 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.

    56 min
  7. Writing Podcast Episode 688: Ben Macintyre shares insights on his latest book, 'The Siege'

    3 NOV

    Writing Podcast Episode 688: Ben Macintyre shares insights on his latest book, 'The Siege'

    The Iranian Embassy siege that unfolded in the UK in 1980 was a huge world event at the time, although perhaps lost in the fog of history today. Prolific British author Ben Macintyre brings it back into focus in his latest book, The Siege: The Remarkable Story of the Greatest SAS Hostage Drama and he joins us to discuss his writerly beginnings, turning real-world espionage into captivating reads and how he balances the personal and factual details in his stories. 00:00 Welcome00:48 The power of constraints in writing11:30 Writing tip: The iceberg theory13:52 WIN!: Torn by Nicole Madigan15:26 Word of the week: ‘Nonpareil’16:11 Writer in residence: Ben Macintyre17:05 Ben gives an overview of The Siege21:00 His personal experience with the events25:43 Ben’s background in writing28:33 Exploring the SAS archive32:05 The TV series Rogue Heroes33:20 Character depth and authenticity35:20 Challenges of taking an oral history37:40 Pacing and structuring the book40:15 Real life being stranger than fiction42:18 Research and writing process45:27 From book to screen51:05 Advice for aspiring writers54:22 Balancing sensory and factual details57:12 Ben’s upcoming project58:13 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.

    1h 1m
  8. Writing Podcast Episode 687: Moreno Giovannoni discusses his new novel 'The Immigrants'

    27 OCT

    Writing Podcast Episode 687: Moreno Giovannoni discusses his new novel 'The Immigrants'

    The search for ‘a better life’ is the classic motivation for immigrants arriving in a new country and so often we hear about the success stories. But author Moreno Giovannoni wanted to tell the more overlooked migrant stories for his latest novel, The Immigrants – drawing on his family’s own experiences in Australia. Giovannoni shares his approach to writing, his thoughts on translating, as well as past and future projects. 00:00 Welcome04:47 Writing tip: Creative Mottos07:46 WIN!: The Watervale Ladies’ Writing and Firefighting Society by Mette Menzies10:20 Word of the week: ‘Gibbous’11:46 Writer in residence: Moreno Giovannoni12:20 What his new book The Immigrants is about16:30 Fiction versus the real life inspirations20:10 Bringing his style to the Australian setting23:25 The research and notetaking26:20 Structuring the book29:31 Fitting the seven key events into the story31:35 The publishing journey33:22 The writing process and challenges34:56 A typical writing day37:40 Balancing writing and translating41:33 Publicising the book43:33 Future writing plans and pure fiction50:32 Moreno Giovannoni’s writing tip52:48 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.

    56 min
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4.7
out of 5
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About

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. 

Information

  • Creator
    Australian Writers' Centre
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2025
  • Episodes
    694
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Australian Writers' Centre
  • Show Website
    So You Want to be a Writer

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