So You Want to be a Writer

Ever wanted a step-by-step insight into building a novel? Well, in this episode, you have access to bestselling author Kate Forsyth’s note-taking, research and writing process in the creation of her latest novel, The Changeling! It’s a fascinating look into the actual nuts and bolts of crafting a story, from idea to finished edit – including mistakes made along the way! Kate generously shares her methods in this special episode and a bonus Q&A session, with a link to the video available in the show notes.
00:00 Welcome
05:44 Writers in the wild
06:56 WIN: Bad Neighbours by Joanna Jenkins
08:25 Word of the week: ‘Pyroclastic’
09:22 Kate Forsyth: Behind the scenes of The Changeling
12:56 Beginnings
14:10 Stage one of the process
18:58 Timelines
23:00 Building the protagonist’s story
26:01 Relevance to today
27:00 Asking questions
30:32 Key dates and weaving the story into them
31:48 On location research
34:06 New beginnings
36:38 Narrative structure
40:00 Thematic structure
41:48 Building the word count
43:55 The editing process
48:03 Q&A
62:35 Final thoughts
You can access a free video version of Kate’s session, go here.
Read the show notes
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Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com
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Train platforms are fascinating people-watching locations. And if you’ve ever sat and imagined the lives of the strangers standing next to you, UK-based author Ilona Bannister’s new psychological thriller Five may be for you. In this podcast episode, Ilona discusses her inspiration for the book and her own path to writing, along with insights into her daily writing practice.
00:00 Welcome
03:09 Writing tip: Hobbies help you write better
07:38 Writers in the wild
09:06 WIN: Nutcote: Home of May Gibbs by Fiona Starr
11:45 Word of the week: ‘Irredentism’
12:42 Interview with: Ilona Bannister
13:16 The premise of Five
15:56 Why a train platform?
18:15 Building the five characters
20:20 Creating a strong narrative voice
23:30 Morally ‘grey’ characters
24:52 Writing for readers
26:33 London versus New York
28:20 Finding the ending
30:21 Ilona’s path from lawyer to novelist
36:09 Publishing during lockdown
38:10 Writing routines as a parent
39:48 Networking and its benefits
43:10 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.

Same-sex couples fought long for marriage equality, but finally getting it didn’t necessarily equate to ‘happily ever after’. That’s the area UK-based bestselling author Tom Rob Smith explores in his new novel Twenty Years Together – inspired by how legalisation of gay marriage changed the psychology of long-term relationships. In this episode, Tom discusses the inspiration behind telling this nuanced love story and his own journey as a writer.
00:00 Welcome
04:24 Writing tip: Active vs. Reactive characters
10:04 WIN: The Warrumbar by William J. Byrne
11:48 Word of the Week: ‘Incrassate’
12:37 Interview with: Tom Rob Smith
13:45 Twenty Years Together premise
15:24 Defining the genre
19:17 Plotting and outlining process
21:54 Finding the right ending
23:24 Queer love story influences
26:48 Midlife marriage thought experiment
31:50 Publishing his debut Child 44
35:45 Success and self doubt
39:02 Balancing books and TV
43:37 Disciplined writing routine
46:55 Connecting with readers
48:50 Tom shares a writing tip
51:33 Final thoughts
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Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every day we experience ‘sliding doors moments’ – those decisions we make that unwittingly affect the future. In this episode, bestselling author Petronella McGovern explores this concept through her own life and via the plot of her latest novel, Every Time She Wakes. As well as sharing the inspiration and research into this story, she also shares the evolution of her life as a writer and advice for writers wanting to grow their wordcount.
00:00 Welcome
09:04 Writing tip: Stop thinking, start writing
11:20 Writers in the wild
14:26 WIN: When the Party’s Over by Katie Hoskins
15:56 Word of the Week: ‘Futz’
16:51 Interview with: Petronella McGovern
18:57 Elevator pitch for Every Time She Wakes
20:44 Inspiration for the novel
22:54 Bushfire setting
26:45 Structure and research
29:38 The mind-bending rules of time travel
30:37 Suze’s identity
34:54 Editing a time loop story
36:01 Evolving as a writer
38:58 Personal sliding doors moments
41:48 Early reading and writing influences
44:41 Petronella’s writing routine
47:08 Craft tip to beat perfectionism
49:01 Book recommendations and one last question
52:14 Final thoughts
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Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com
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Do you believe in second chances? In this episode, author Michelle Wright discusses her new novel Good Boy – about a long-term prisoner who joins a dog rehabilitation program and is assigned a troubled pooch he renames ‘Good Boy’. Michelle talks about the story’s inspiration, reasons for setting it in its particular time period, the double meaning behind the title and more.
00:00 Welcome
07:55 Writing tip: Call yourself a writer!
11:15 Writers in the wild
13:59 WIN: Whistler by Ann Patchett
15:19 Word of the week: ‘Glabrous’
16:16 Interview with: Michelle Wright
16:59 Overview of new book, Good Boy
18:08 Origins and prison research
21:10 Planning process
23:52 ‘Beat sheet’ method
25:27 Why set it in 1997?
27:56 Naming Good Boy’
30:36 Why short stories matter
33:33 Short vs. novel ideas
36:24 Michelle’s publishing breakthrough
38:09 Redefining writer success
39:44 Next novel plans
41:10 Tip: Find your own process
43:05 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.