613 episodes
So You Want to be a Writer Australian Writers' Centre
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- Arts
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4.9 • 41 Ratings
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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.
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WRITER 613: Meet Amy T. Matthews, who also writes as Amy Barry and Tess LeSue!
Meet Amy T. Matthews, an award-winning author and associate professor, about her varied writing career under different pseudonyms, where she shares her approach to balancing multiple writing projects and her thoughts on the romance genre. All of Amy’s books are traditionally published and she also writes under Amy Barry and Tess LeSue.
00:00 Introduction00:18 TikTok and who is doing it right?02:41 Nat Newman writing tips22:03 Interview with Amy T. Matthews, also known as Amy Barry and Tess LeSue29:55 From bad poetry to a PhD in creative writing31:30 Transitioning to romance writing32:11 The fascination with romance34:01 The birth of Tess LeSue35:23 Navigating the publishing world42:56 Balancing writing and teaching47:06 Intensive writing process57:42 Future aspirations and tips for aspiring writers01:01:38 Conclusion and 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. -
WRITER 612: Meet Petronella McGovern, author of 'The Last Trace', on how to build narrative tension and keep readers turning the page.
Meet Petronella McGovern, author of The Last Trace. Petronella shares her top 5 tips on creating narrative tension and so that readers keep turning the page. You'll discover techniques on character development, the challenges of editing, writing cliffhangers, ensuring you have internal and external conflicts and much more.
00:00 Introduction and welcome00:18 TV series based on books02:28 Nat Newman's writing tips on writing accents10:46 WIN: Lies & Weddings by Kevin Kwan13:51 Word of the week: Psephology15:12 Interview with Petronella McGovern, author of The Last Trace23:09 Introducing the multi-generational characters23:46 Crafting emotional connections with characters24:55 Narrative tension and point of view decisions26:40 Internal and external conflicts27:56 Writing realistic teenagers30:41 Drip feeding secrets and foreshadowing34:18 The importance of cliffhangers35:15 The evolution of writing process39:52 Balancing subplots and multiple POVs42:25 Final thoughts and future projects45:16 Conclusion and 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. -
WRITER 611: Lia Hills, author of The Desert Knows Her Name, on how she wrote her first draft in two weeks using a voice software!
Meet award-winning poet, novelist, and translator Lia Hills. Lia reveals her innovative approach of narrating her novel, The Desert Knows Her Name, using voice recognition software while on location in the desert. She completed her first draft in TWO WEEKS! You’ll discover Lia’s methodology, challenges, and the profound connection between place and narrative.
00:00 Introduction and host's update02:00 Nat Newman’s writing tips05:51 Words at Dawn writing community08:00 Keep it simple10:21 Useful apps for writers12:31 Book giveaway: The Haters by Robyn Harding14:53 Word of the week: Imbroglio15:35 Interview with Lia Hills27:01 Immersing in character narration28:23 Writing in the desert29:11 Specific writing spaces31:50 Challenges and reflections34:39 Community engagement and research38:47 Editing and software tips49:23 Future writing methods51:17 Final thoughts and tips53:42 Podcast conclusion and resources
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. -
WRITER 610: Meet Kyra Geddes, author of 'The Story Thief'
Meet Kyra Geddes, author of The Story Thief. Kyra discusses her journey from idea to publication, the importance of research, and the challenges of editing her manuscript. The episode concludes with writing tips and a book giveaway: The Wrong Man by Tim Ayliffe.
00:00 Introduction01:33 Nat Newman’s writing tips09:10 Book giveaway: The Wrong Man by Tim Ayliffe11:20 Word of the week: Fuscous11:54 Interview with Kyra Geddes28:48 The journey to starting the manuscript29:53 Overcoming the fear of the blank page30:56 The long writing process31:54 The path to publication32:51 Facing rejections and manuscript assessments34:06 Pitching to publishers35:45 The epiphany: Switching to first person37:58 Securing a publishing deal42:38 The structural edit challenge50:01 Future writing plans51:33 Top tips for aspiring writers53:28 Conclusion and 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. -
WRITER 609: Hachette’s Vanessa Radnidge on why you should enter the Richell Prize.
In this special time-sensitive episode of 'So You Want to be a Writer,' Valerie Khoo discusses the prestigious Richell Prize with Vanessa Radnidge, Head of Narrative Nonfiction and Literary at Hachette. The episode dives into the details and benefits of entering this unique prize, which offers a $10,000 reward and a year-long mentorship with a Hachette publisher.
00:00 Introduction and special episode announcement00:35 The Richell Prize: An overview01:47 Interview with Vanessa Radnidge, Head of Narrative Non-Fiction and Head of Literary at Hachette.03:05 Details of the Richell Prize06:08 The mentorship experience10:53 Advice for aspiring writers16:59 Encouragement to enter literary competitions
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. -
WRITER 608: Meet Michael Brissenden who chats about his novel 'Smoke’
Meet Michael Brissenden who chats about his latest novel Smoke. He discusses his research process, where he gets his ideas, how he uses a whiteboard in his writing process and transition from journalism to fiction writing.
0:00 Introduction and welcome00:23 Success story: Sarah Speedie03:40 Nat Newman's writing tips05:58 Finding beta readers12:41 Competition: Win 'Death in the Air' by Ram Murali14:52 Word of the week: Embrocate17:55 Interview with Michael Brissenden, author of Smoke23:30 Facing rejection and finding inspiration24:25 From journalism to fiction writing25:13 Crafting a nuanced story26:42 Developing characters and plot27:36 The writing process and challenges28:35 Exploring themes in 'Smoke'32:45 Research and authenticity34:30 Daily writing routine36:18 Planning and structuring a novel41:23 Journalism skills in fiction writing46:00 Creating a strong female protagonist51:22 Top writing tips for aspiring authors53:54 Conclusion and 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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Valerie and Allison bring you great authors to learn more about the writing journey
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I just started listening to this when I saw that you guys interviewed my favorite author! I got sucked in and I am loving all of these podcasts!
Yes, I want to be a writer.
I first tuned into "So You Want To Be A Writer" podcast when my kids were all in high school, and I was spending a lot of time driving them here and there. I listened to Val and Al chit chat about all things writing while I was trying to figure out what I would do when I was no longer driving to this or that. Through their conversations and author interviews, I began to believe that maybe, I too could be a writer. I tuned in every week, sometimes every day trying to catch up on the back catalog, and learned something, sometimes many things, from each episode.
A couple of months ago, I launched my youngest chick out of the nest, and last week, I finished my first manuscript. I'm so grateful to Val and Al for all that they do every week to encourage new writers like me. Their honesty about their experiences and generosity with their knowledge is what helped me get the pages written. No matter where you are in your writing journey, this podcast will enhance the ride.