So You Want to be a Writer

We’ve heard of crashing weddings, but what about funerals? That’s the topic that bestselling author Joanna Nell has tackled for her sixth book, The Funeral Crashers. In this episode, she joins us to discuss the experience behind writing this latest novel as well as the turning point in her life that got her publishing her first book in her fifties. 00:00 Welcome06:44 Writing tip: Overcoming technology distractions11:16 WIN!: A Complete Fiction by R.L. Maizes12:46 Word of the week: ‘Emolument’13:22 Writer in residence: Joanna Nell15:05 What her latest book, The Funeral Crashers, is about18:36 Patients inspiring her writing22:06 Rediscovering a passion for writing24:58 The joy of finding a writing community26:23 Lessons learned from a decade of writing29:29 A word about writing short fiction31:23 A day in the life of a full-time writer33:40 Writing retreats35:22 Creating memorable characters40:06 Promoting the latest novel41:02 Future Projects41:58 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.

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.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.