Are YOU a middle child? Author and AWC grad Seetha Dodd is, and that’s just one of the parallels between her life and the characters in her debut junior-fiction novel, Myra in the Middle – a fabulous take on finding your place in your family, and the world. In this episode, Seetha discusses how she found her way back to writing and her experience bringing this book and its characters to life.

00:00 Welcome
06:28 Writing tip: Take part in Furious Fiction!
09:02 WIN: Missing Molly by Natalie Barelli
10:18: Word of the week: “Darkle”
11:11 Interview with Seetha Dodd
13:55 Furious Fiction beginnings
19:23 Courses and confidence
24:28 The importance of community
27:25 About her book, Myra in the Middle
28:53 Culture on the page
31:05 The book’s themes
32:42 Working with an illustrator
34:03 The pitching, editing and publication timeline
38:56 Writing picture books
43:20 Writing advice
44:34 Book recommendations
47:00 Final thoughts

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Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Are YOU a middle child? Author and AWC grad Seetha Dodd is, and that&rsquo;s just one of the parallels between her life and the characters in her debut junior-fiction novel, Myra in the Middle &ndash; a fabulous take on finding your place in your family, and the world. In this episode, Seetha discusses how she found her way back to writing and her experience bringing this book and its characters to life.
00:00 Welcome 06:28 Writing tip: Take part in Furious Fiction! 09:02 WIN: Missing Molly by Natalie Barelli 10:18: Word of the week: &ldquo;Darkle&rdquo; 11:11 Interview with Seetha Dodd 13:55 Furious Fiction beginnings 19:23 Courses and confidence 24:28 The importance of community 27:25 About her book, Myra in the Middle 28:53 Culture on the page 31:05 The book&rsquo;s themes 32:42 Working with an illustrator 34:03 The pitching, editing and publication timeline 38:56 Writing picture books 43:20 Writing advice 44:34 Book recommendations 47:00 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-740/">Read the show notes</a>
Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> |&nbsp;<a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a>

Writing Podcast Episode 740: Seetha Dodd and her junior fiction debut, 'Myra in the Middle'

Glasses are a necessity for some, a curiosity for others, and even a status symbol in other contexts. So when Sydney-based academic Adam Geczy was tasked with writing about this ubiquitous item for the Object Lessons book series, how did he go about it (without making a spectacle of himself)? In this episode, Adam discusses the experience researching and writing Glasses, along with insights from an academic POV on the craft of writing in general.

00:00 Welcome
09:08 Writing tip: Make time to read
12:26 WIN: Garden of Lost Girls by A.L. Tait
13:46 Word of the week “Adsorb”
14:36 Interview with Adam Geczy
15:15 What Glasses Is about
17:49 Pitching for the Object Lessons series
22:11 Adam’s writing process and editing
28:38 Style and voice shifts
30:57 Staying adaptable
32:55 Writing without fear
35:40 Time discipline ‘hacks’
38:34 Linear drafting method
41:59 Manual research workflow
43:09 Owning your craft
45:09 Publicity and marketing
46:25 What’s next?
49:52 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Glasses are a necessity for some, a curiosity for others, and even a status symbol in other contexts. So when Sydney-based academic Adam Geczy was tasked with writing about this ubiquitous item for the Object Lessons book series, how did he go about it (without making a spectacle of himself)? In this episode, Adam discusses the experience researching and writing Glasses, along with insights from an academic POV on the craft of writing in general.
00:00 Welcome 09:08 Writing tip: Make time to read 12:26 WIN: Garden of Lost Girls by A.L. Tait 13:46 Word of the week &ldquo;Adsorb&rdquo; 14:36 Interview with Adam Geczy 15:15 What Glasses Is about 17:49 Pitching for the Object Lessons series 22:11 Adam&rsquo;s writing process and editing 28:38 Style and voice shifts 30:57 Staying adaptable 32:55 Writing without fear 35:40 Time discipline &lsquo;hacks&rsquo; 38:34 Linear drafting method 41:59 Manual research workflow 43:09 Owning your craft 45:09 Publicity and marketing 46:25 What&rsquo;s next? 49:52 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-739/">Read the show notes</a>
Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> |&nbsp;<a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a>

Writing Podcast Episode 739: Adam Geczy looks through the lens of his new book, 'Glasses'

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 Welcome
10:23 Writing tip: Explore art
13:16 WIN: The Lady with the Dog by Carrie Tiffany
14:32 Word of the Week “Reify”
15:20 Interview with Bridie Blake
16:42 Explaining The Boyfriend Clause
17:49 Early writing dreams
20:12 Day jobs and persistence
22:09 AWC courses and getting feedback
25:36 Pivoting to adult rom-com
27:25 Romance course lessons
29:47 Bridie’s writing process
30:59 Morning writer mindset
33:15 Balancing humour and heart
34:12 Choosing Australian publishing
37:33 The “yes” email moment
39:45 Promoting her books
40:52 What’s next?
41:49 Her writing technique evolution
45:51 Bridie’s writing tip
47:15 Theme of the book
48:13 Book recommendations
49:57 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Some authors dream of writing when they&rsquo;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,&nbsp;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 Welcome 10:23 Writing tip: Explore art 13:16 WIN: The Lady with the Dog by Carrie Tiffany 14:32 Word of the Week &ldquo;Reify&rdquo; 15:20 Interview with Bridie Blake 16:42 Explaining The Boyfriend Clause 17:49 Early writing dreams 20:12 Day jobs and persistence 22:09 AWC courses and getting feedback 25:36 Pivoting to adult rom-com 27:25 Romance course lessons 29:47 Bridie&rsquo;s writing process 30:59 Morning writer mindset 33:15 Balancing humour and heart 34:12 Choosing Australian publishing 37:33 The &ldquo;yes&rdquo; email moment 39:45 Promoting her books 40:52 What&rsquo;s next? 41:49 Her writing technique evolution 45:51 Bridie&rsquo;s writing tip 47:15 Theme of the book 48:13 Book recommendations 49:57 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-738/">Read the show notes</a>
Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> |&nbsp;<a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a>

Writing Podcast Episode 738: Bridie Blake and her debut rom-com, 'The Boyfriend Clause'

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 Welcome
08:28 Writing Tip: Try something new
11:55 WIN: The German Ward by Pip Williams
13:16 Word of the Week: “Pertinacious”
14:14 Interview with Emily Howes
15:02 Why Mrs Dickens matters
16:50 Inspirations for the novel
22:23 Researching her life
24:01 Turning facts into fiction
25:35 What stayed and what was cut
30:02 Second POV character: Anne
35:57 Balancing work and writing
38:48 Emily’s writing breakthrough
43:22 What’s next?
45:48 Writing tip
47:31 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Imagine being married to one of literature&rsquo;s most famous wordsmiths and having him describe your life as &ldquo;a blank&rdquo;. This is the reputation that Charles Dickens&rsquo; wife Kate of 22 years &ndash; with whom he had 10 children &ndash; has endured for 150 years. But in author Emily Howes&rsquo; 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 Welcome 08:28 Writing Tip: Try something new 11:55 WIN: The German Ward by Pip Williams 13:16 Word of the Week: &ldquo;Pertinacious&rdquo; 14:14 Interview with Emily Howes 15:02 Why Mrs Dickens matters 16:50 Inspirations for the novel 22:23 Researching her life 24:01 Turning facts into fiction 25:35 What stayed and what was cut 30:02 Second POV character: Anne 35:57 Balancing work and writing 38:48 Emily&rsquo;s writing breakthrough 43:22 What&rsquo;s next? 45:48 Writing tip 47:31 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-737/">Read the show notes</a>
Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> |&nbsp;<a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a>

Writing Podcast Episode 737: Award-winning author Emily Howes reimagines 'Mrs Dickens'

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 Welcome
13:30 Writing tip: Focus on the work
16:00 WIN: Secrets of the New Online Entrepreneurs  by Bernadette Schwerdt
19:02 Word of the week: ‘Onomastic’
19:44 Interview with: Judith Catherine
21:33 Describing Simply Beside Herself – themes and inspiration
23:55 Back story and finding writing
25:00 Discovering AWC courses
26:35 Judith’s writing breakthrough
30:30 The value of community and sharing work
32:28 Writing the novel – dissociation story hook
35:10 The timeline to publication
39:04 Editing lessons learned
42:16 Writing process chaos
44:35 Getting the book deal
47:04 Judith’s advice for writers
49:47 Reading recommendations
51:37 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.com

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&rsquo;s theme of dissociation.&nbsp;
00:00 Welcome 13:30 Writing tip: Focus on the work 16:00 WIN: Secrets of the New Online Entrepreneurs &nbsp;by Bernadette Schwerdt 19:02 Word of the week: &lsquo;Onomastic&rsquo; 19:44 Interview with: Judith Catherine 21:33 Describing Simply Beside Herself &ndash; themes and inspiration 23:55 Back story and finding writing 25:00 Discovering AWC courses 26:35 Judith&rsquo;s writing breakthrough 30:30 The value of community and sharing work 32:28 Writing the novel &ndash; dissociation story hook 35:10 The timeline to publication 39:04 Editing lessons learned 42:16 Writing process chaos 44:35 Getting the book deal 47:04 Judith&rsquo;s advice for writers 49:47 Reading recommendations 51:37 The book&rsquo;s opening Rumi quote 54:03 What&rsquo;s next? 55:23 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-736/">Read the show notes</a>
Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> |&nbsp;<a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a>

Writing Podcast Episode 736: Judith Katherine discusses being 'Simply Beside Herself'

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 Welcome
09:09 Writing tip: Public transport
13:46 WIN: Last Night I Dreamt by Paul de Zulueta
15:32 Word of the week: ‘Ensorcell’
16:26 Interview with: Curtis Garner
17:00 Describing Orange
19:15 Creating the characters
20:20 Themes and clichés of place
23:35 London as a setting
26:27 Two timeline structure
28:30 Writing sex scenes honestly
33:33 Deadlines and drafting
35:00 Rage behind the debut
40:03 Writing around a day job
42:25 Collecting notes daily
44:35 The perils of overplanning
46:15 Writing what you care about
48:53 What’s next?
50:25 Writing advice summary
51:33 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

UK-based queer author Curtis Garner burst onto the scene a few years ago with his debut novel, Isaac. Now he&rsquo;s back with Orange &ndash; 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 Welcome 09:09 Writing tip: Public transport 13:46 WIN: Last Night I Dreamt by Paul de Zulueta 15:32 Word of the week: &lsquo;Ensorcell&rsquo; 16:26 Interview with: Curtis Garner 17:00 Describing Orange 19:15 Creating the characters 20:20 Themes and clich&eacute;s of place 23:35 London as a setting 26:27 Two timeline structure 28:30 Writing sex scenes honestly 33:33 Deadlines and drafting 35:00 Rage behind the debut 40:03 Writing around a day job 42:25 Collecting notes daily 44:35 The perils of overplanning 46:15 Writing what you care about 48:53 What&rsquo;s next? 50:25 Writing advice summary 51:33 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-735/">Read the show notes</a>
Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> |&nbsp;<a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a>

Writing Podcast Episode 735: Curtis Garner explores identity in new novel, 'Orange'

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 Welcome
11:12 Writing tip: Meet your heroes!
15:05 WIN: A Word for All Seasons by David Crystal
16:50 Word of the week: ‘Croze’
17:39 Interview with: Emma J. Warrender
18:42 Describing Driven
19:38 Inspirations
21:03 The characters
23:00 Fiction beginnings
26:02 Chucky
28:00 Connecting with AWC courses
34:00 Agents and querying
40:08 Editing the manuscript
41:11 The submission stage
44:40 Bidding war
46:33 Promotion experience
48:55 What’s next?
50:00 Writing tip
52:11 Book recommendations
53:40 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

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 Welcome 11:12 Writing tip: Meet your heroes! 15:05 WIN: A Word for All Seasons by David Crystal 16:50 Word of the week: &lsquo;Croze&rsquo; 17:39 Interview with: Emma J. Warrender 18:42 Describing Driven 19:38 Inspirations 21:03 The characters 23:00 Fiction beginnings 26:02 Chucky 28:00 Connecting with AWC courses 34:00 Agents and querying 40:08 Editing the manuscript 41:11 The submission stage 44:40 Bidding war 46:33 Promotion experience 48:55 What&rsquo;s next? 50:00 Writing tip 52:11 Book recommendations 53:40 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-734/">Read the show notes</a>
Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> |&nbsp;<a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a>

Writing Podcast Episode 734: Emma J. Warrender talks all things 'Driven'

Want to go to Mars? The main character in Jordan Prosser’s new novel Blue Giant certainly does, and will stop at nothing to achieve this goal. In this episode, Jordan explores the origins of this story, the intriguing cast of characters and how writing a novel differs from other forms of writing he does. Don’t miss this one – it’s ‘out of this world’!

00:00 Welcome
09:10 Writing tip: Fridge poems online
11:20 Writers in the wild
12:40 WIN: The Extraordinary Florence Stoker by Karen Brooks
14:45 Word of the week: ‘Epicene’
15:42 Interview with: Jordan Prosser
16:24 Describing Blue Giant
18:00 Origins of the story
20:10 Exploring the cast of characters
31:05 Fitting novel writing into everyday life
33:33 Prioritising writing
37:48 The publishing journey
41:20 Differences between fiction and script writing
44:06 Genre defining
46:06 What’s next?
47:47 Writing tip
51:07 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Want to go to Mars? The main character in Jordan Prosser&rsquo;s new novel Blue Giant certainly does, and will stop at nothing to achieve this goal. In this episode, Jordan explores the origins of this story, the intriguing cast of characters and how writing a novel differs from other forms of writing he does. Don&rsquo;t miss this one &ndash; it&rsquo;s &lsquo;out of this world&rsquo;!
00:00 Welcome 09:10 Writing tip: Fridge poems online 11:20 Writers in the wild 12:40 WIN: The Extraordinary Florence Stoker by Karen Brooks 14:45 Word of the week: &lsquo;Epicene&rsquo; 15:42 Interview with: Jordan Prosser 16:24 Describing Blue Giant 18:00 Origins of the story 20:10 Exploring the cast of characters 31:05 Fitting novel writing into everyday life 33:33 Prioritising writing 37:48 The publishing journey 41:20 Differences between fiction and script writing 44:06 Genre defining 46:06 What&rsquo;s next? 47:47 Writing tip 51:07 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-733/">Read the show notes</a>
Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> |&nbsp;<a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a>

Writing Podcast Episode 733: Jordan Prosser discusses new book, 'Blue Giant'

With a mountain of rejections, AWC grad Leearna Shaw was ready to throw in the proverbial towel with her dream of novel writing. But just a few years later, her rural romance A Farm in Golden Clouds wins the Romance Writers of Australia’s Emerald Award and she lands a 2-book publishing deal! So what happened in the middle to set this success story in motion? In this episode, Leearna shares it all.

00:00 Welcome
09:10 Writing tip: Help other writers
11:48 Writers in the wild
13:08 WIN: Realms of Gold by A.J. MacKinnon
14:48 Word of the week: ‘Heirophant’
15:40 Interview with: Leearna Shaw
17:00 Description of A Farm in Golden Clouds
18:15 Inspirations for the book
20:22 Her early writing dreams
22:20 Getting rejections
24:00 Discovering AWC courses
28:40 Winning the Emerald Award
32:00 Scoring a 2-book deal
38:00 The importance of the writing community
41:10 Advice for writers
42:46 Book recommendations
45:28 Promotion experiences
47:50 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

With a mountain of rejections, AWC grad Leearna Shaw was ready to throw in the proverbial towel with her dream of novel writing. But just a few years later, her rural romance A Farm in Golden Clouds wins the Romance Writers of Australia&rsquo;s Emerald Award and she lands a 2-book publishing deal! So what happened in the middle to set this success story in motion? In this episode, Leearna shares it all.
00:00 Welcome 09:10 Writing tip: Help other writers 11:48 Writers in the wild 13:08 WIN: Realms of Gold by A.J. MacKinnon 14:48 Word of the week: &lsquo;Heirophant&rsquo; 15:40 Interview with: Leearna Shaw 17:00 Description of A Farm in Golden Clouds 18:15 Inspirations for the book 20:22 Her early writing dreams 22:20 Getting rejections 24:00 Discovering AWC courses 28:40 Winning the Emerald Award 32:00 Scoring a 2-book deal 38:00 The importance of the writing community 41:10 Advice for writers 42:46 Book recommendations 45:28 Promotion experiences 47:50 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-732/">Read the show notes</a>
Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> |&nbsp;<a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a>

Writing Podcast Episode 732: Leearna Shaw takes us to 'A Farm in Golden Clouds'

Have you ever sat on a train and wondered about the lives of the other passengers? Author Samantha Sotto Yambao certainly has. In fact, she’s written a book based on that very concept! In this episode, Samantha shares her experience crafting and publishing her new novel, The Elsewhere Express, the unique lit scene in the Philippines and the manuscript that ended up becoming a donor for her other books!

00:00 Welcome
09:40 Writing tip: Doodling words
12:02 Writers in the wild
13:16 WIN: She Lied First by Dinuka McKenzie
15:00 Word of the week: ‘Noctambulism’
15:57 Interview with: Samantha Sotto Yambao
16:33 Describing The Elsewhere Express
18:00 Crafting the characters
22:00 Using an ambiguous location
23:40 Samantha’s writing and publishing journey
27:40 Getting an agent and published
35:30 Paralysed by fear
39:00 Current book experience: reboot
47:10 The unique Philippine literature scene
51:00 Thoughts on other genres
52:07 What’s next?
55:20 Writing tip
56:28 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comk

Have you ever sat on a train and wondered about the lives of the other passengers? Author Samantha Sotto Yambao certainly has. In fact, she&rsquo;s written a book based on that very concept! In this episode, Samantha shares her experience crafting and publishing her new novel, The Elsewhere Express, the unique lit scene in the Philippines and the manuscript that ended up becoming a donor for her other books!
00:00 Welcome 09:40 Writing tip: Doodling words 12:02 Writers in the wild 13:16 WIN: She Lied First by Dinuka McKenzie 15:00 Word of the week: &lsquo;Noctambulism&rsquo; 15:57 Interview with: Samantha Sotto Yambao 16:33 Describing The Elsewhere Express 18:00 Crafting the characters 22:00 Using an ambiguous location 23:40 Samantha&rsquo;s writing and publishing journey 27:40 Getting an agent and published 35:30 Paralysed by fear 39:00 Current book experience: reboot 47:10 The unique Philippine literature scene 51:00 Thoughts on other genres 52:07 What&rsquo;s next? 55:20 Writing tip 56:28 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-731/">Read the show notes</a>
Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> |&nbsp;<a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a>k

Writing Podcast Episode 731: Samantha Sotto Yambao presents 'The Elsewhere Express'

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. 

Everything you&rsquo;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 &ndash;&nbsp;author, journalist, creative and CEO of the Australian Writers&rsquo; Centre.&nbsp;

So You Want to be a Writer

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