So You Want to be a Writer

• 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.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• 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.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• 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.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• 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.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• 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.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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