So You Want to be a Writer

Some authors dream of writing when they’re young but leave it behind to focus on another career. But not Bridie Blake, who instead quit university and made her work fit around her publishing aspirations. After pivoting from YA to romance, she published her debut rom-com novel, The Boyfriend Clause, and in this episode, AWC grad Bridie shares the writing courses that changed her fortunes and her experience seeing her book on the shelves. 00:00 Welcome10:23 Writing tip: Explore art13:16 WIN: The Lady with the Dog by Carrie Tiffany14:32 Word of the Week “Reify”15:20 Interview with Bridie Blake16:42 Explaining The Boyfriend Clause17:49 Early writing dreams20:12 Day jobs and persistence22:09 AWC courses and getting feedback25:36 Pivoting to adult rom-com27:25 Romance course lessons29:47 Bridie’s writing process30:59 Morning writer mindset33:15 Balancing humour and heart34:12 Choosing Australian publishing37:33 The “yes” email moment39:45 Promoting her books40:52 What’s next?41:49 Her writing technique evolution45:51 Bridie’s writing tip47:15 Theme of the book48:13 Book recommendations49:57 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.

Imagine being married to one of literature’s most famous wordsmiths and having him describe your life as “a blank”. This is the reputation that Charles Dickens’ wife Kate of 22 years – with whom he had 10 children – has endured for 150 years. But in author Emily Howes’ new novel Mrs Dickens, she seeks to fill in those blanks. In this episode, Emily shares her inspirations for choosing this historical figure and the challenges of reimagining history. 00:00 Welcome08:28 Writing Tip: Try something new11:55 WIN: The German Ward by Pip Williams13:16 Word of the Week: “Pertinacious”14:14 Interview with Emily Howes15:02 Why Mrs Dickens matters16:50 Inspirations for the novel22:23 Researching her life24:01 Turning facts into fiction25:35 What stayed and what was cut30:02 Second POV character: Anne35:57 Balancing work and writing38:48 Emily’s writing breakthrough43:22 What’s next?45:48 Writing tip47:31 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.

Scottish-Australian author and AWC grad Judith Katherine went from being crippled by fear about sharing her writing to publishing her debut novel, Simply Beside Herself. In this episode, Judith shares the lockdown routine that unlocked her new writing path, the courses that changed the game and some of the valuable lessons she learnt along the way. She also shares insights into her book’s theme of dissociation.  00:00 Welcome13:30 Writing tip: Focus on the work16:00 WIN: Secrets of the New Online Entrepreneurs  by Bernadette Schwerdt19:02 Word of the week: ‘Onomastic’19:44 Interview with: Judith Catherine21:33 Describing Simply Beside Herself – themes and inspiration23:55 Back story and finding writing25:00 Discovering AWC courses26:35 Judith’s writing breakthrough30:30 The value of community and sharing work32:28 Writing the novel – dissociation story hook35:10 The timeline to publication39:04 Editing lessons learned42:16 Writing process chaos44:35 Getting the book deal47:04 Judith’s advice for writers49:47 Reading recommendations51:37 The book’s opening Rumi quote 54:03 What’s next?55:23 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.

UK-based queer author Curtis Garner burst onto the scene a few years ago with his debut novel, Isaac. Now he’s back with Orange – a coming of age novel that explores two characters as they grapple with a sense of identity and place across a five-year span. In this episode, Curtis shares his inspirations for this novel, his writing process and tips, plus why sex scenes in books should have less fluff! 00:00 Welcome09:09 Writing tip: Public transport13:46 WIN: Last Night I Dreamt by Paul de Zulueta15:32 Word of the week: ‘Ensorcell’16:26 Interview with: Curtis Garner17:00 Describing Orange19:15 Creating the characters20:20 Themes and clichés of place23:35 London as a setting26:27 Two timeline structure28:30 Writing sex scenes honestly33:33 Deadlines and drafting35:00 Rage behind the debut40:03 Writing around a day job42:25 Collecting notes daily44:35 The perils of overplanning46:15 Writing what you care about48:53 What’s next?50:25 Writing advice summary51:33 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.

From the ice rinks to the locker rooms, sports-related romance is sizzling HOT right now. So perhaps it comes as no surprise that AWC graduate and debut author Emma J. Warrender found herself in a fast and furious bidding war for her street-racing-romance, Driven! In this episode, she shares that story, how she got an agent, plus the book character who was inspired by a very special real-life friend. 00:00 Welcome11:12 Writing tip: Meet your heroes!15:05 WIN: A Word for All Seasons by David Crystal16:50 Word of the week: ‘Croze’17:39 Interview with: Emma J. Warrender18:42 Describing Driven19:38 Inspirations21:03 The characters23:00 Fiction beginnings26:02 Chucky28:00 Connecting with AWC courses34:00 Agents and querying40:08 Editing the manuscript41:11 The submission stage44:40 Bidding war46:33 Promotion experience48:55 What’s next?50:00 Writing tip52:11 Book recommendations53:40 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.