Meet Scott Ryder, a former Australian commando, who discusses his memoir Forged in Fire, detailing his 22-year military career and the transition to civilian life. Forged in Fire takes us inside the secretive world of the commandos.

00:00 Introduction
01:18 Nat Newman’s writing tip
09:15 Giveaway: The Blanket Cats by Kiyoshi Shigematsu
11:31 Word of the week: lenitive
12:11 Creative nonfiction
13:44 Interview with Scott Ryder
25:06 Reflecting on military life and writing
26:04 The writing process: Chronology and challenges
27:36 Confronting memories and emotional transparency
29:27 The impact of writing on personal growth
33:13 Transitioning to civilian life
41:57 Fact-checking and authenticity in memoir writing
43:29 Future plans and final thoughts
48:43 Fun fact: Words that only exist in plural form
49:39 Closing remarks

Read the show notes

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

Meet Scott Ryder, a former Australian commando, who discusses his memoir Forged in Fire, detailing his 22-year military career and the transition to civilian life. Forged in Fire takes us inside the secretive world of the commandos.
00:00 Introduction 01:18 Nat Newman’s writing tip 09:15 Giveaway: The Blanket Cats by Kiyoshi Shigematsu 11:31 Word of the week: lenitive 12:11 Creative nonfiction 13:44 Interview with Scott Ryder 25:06 Reflecting on military life and writing 26:04 The writing process: Chronology and challenges 27:36 Confronting memories and emotional transparency 29:27 The impact of writing on personal growth 33:13 Transitioning to civilian life 41:57 Fact-checking and authenticity in memoir writing 43:29 Future plans and final thoughts 48:43 Fun fact: Words that only exist in plural form 49:39 Closing remarks
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-628/">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> | <a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a>

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

WRITER 628: Meet Scott Ryder, a former Australian commando, on his memoir 'Forged in Fire'.

Meet bestselling author Paula Hawkins, whose new book The Blue Hour explores a psychological thriller set on a Scottish island. Paula discusses her writing process, research on art, transition from a finance journalist to a novelist, how she wrote four romance novels under a pen name and her experiences following the success of The Girl on the Train. She also shares her writing advice, emphasising the importance of feedback and understanding your readers’ experiences.

00:00 Introduction
00:34 Writing tip with Nat Newman
02:53 Storyboarding for writers
06:22 Win: The Stranger at the Wedding by A. E. Gauntlett
08:14 Word of the week: Palmy
09:30 Paula Hawkins and her latest novel The Blue Hour
21:19 From financial journalism to fiction
21:46 First foray into fiction
23:40 How Paula writes romance under a pseudonym
24:52 Finding the right genre
25:38 The birth of The Girl on the Train
27:48 Dealing with success and pressure
30:12 Writing process and challenges
40:34 Advice for aspiring writers
43:02 Fun fact: apophony

Read the show notes

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

Meet bestselling author Paula Hawkins, whose new book The Blue Hour explores a psychological thriller set on a Scottish island. Paula discusses her writing process, research on art, transition from a finance journalist to a novelist, how she wrote four romance novels under a pen name and her experiences following the success of The Girl on the Train. She also shares her writing advice, emphasising the importance of feedback and understanding your readers’ experiences.
00:00 Introduction 00:34 Writing tip with Nat Newman 02:53 Storyboarding for writers 06:22 Win: The Stranger at the Wedding by A. E. Gauntlett 08:14 Word of the week: Palmy 09:30 Paula Hawkins and her latest novel The Blue Hour 21:19 From financial journalism to fiction 21:46 First foray into fiction 23:40 How Paula writes romance under a pseudonym 24:52 Finding the right genre 25:38 The birth of The Girl on the Train 27:48 Dealing with success and pressure 30:12 Writing process and challenges 40:34 Advice for aspiring writers 43:02 Fun fact: apophony
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-633/">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> | <a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a>

WRITER 633: Paula Hawkins, author of 'The Blue Hour' and 'The Girl on the Train'.

Meet Ryan Butta, author of the new biography, The Bravest Scout at Gallipoli – a previously untold story of one of Australia’s forgotten wartime heroes. In this lively and interesting conversation, Ryan shares what led him to tell this particular story, his research process and other fascinating stories from here and overseas that inadvertently prepared him for a life as a published author.

00:00 Introduction and host welcome
00:19 Upcoming travel writing course
00:38 Special bonuses for enrollees
05:42 Writing tip: Imagination game
09:42 Win: Diving, Falling by Kylie Mirmohamadi
11:32 Word of the week: Imbrication
14:12 Interview with Ryan Butta
28:36 Organising research and writing process
30:13 Starting the writing journey
31:23 From fiction to nonfiction
34:18 Pitching and publishing success
36:54 Challenges and realities of being published
39:51 New projects and future plans
45:48 Passion and motivation in writing
49:50 Top tips for nonfiction writing

Read the show notes

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

Meet Ryan Butta, author of the new biography, The Bravest Scout at Gallipoli – a previously untold story of one of Australia’s forgotten wartime heroes. In this lively and interesting conversation, Ryan shares what led him to tell this particular story, his research process and other fascinating stories from here and overseas that inadvertently prepared him for a life as a published author.
00:00 Introduction and host welcome 00:19 Upcoming travel writing course 00:38 Special bonuses for enrollees 05:42 Writing tip: Imagination game 09:42 Win: Diving, Falling by Kylie Mirmohamadi 11:32 Word of the week: Imbrication 14:12 Interview with Ryan Butta 28:36 Organising research and writing process 30:13 Starting the writing journey 31:23 From fiction to nonfiction 34:18 Pitching and publishing success 36:54 Challenges and realities of being published 39:51 New projects and future plans 45:48 Passion and motivation in writing 49:50 Top tips for nonfiction writing
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-632/">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> | <a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a>

WRITER 632: Meet Ryan Butta, author of the new biography, 'The Bravest Scout at Gallipoli'

Meet Dani Vee, publisher at Larrikin House, whose latest book is Riley's Failproof Guide to Breaking a School Record, and her soon-to-be-released book is My Pet Croc. Dani shares her writing process but also provides insights into the children’s publishing industry, her role as a publisher and what she is looking for in a manuscript. Dani discusses the importance of finding the right voice, creative control, and the submission process for aspiring authors.

00:00 Introduction to the podcast and special series
02:14 Meet Dani Vee: Author, publisher, and podcaster
03:43 Riley's fail-proof guide to breaking a school record
05:02 From picture books to junior fiction
06:00 The creative process and challenges of writing
12:44 The magic of writing My Pet Croc
14:43 Transitioning from teaching to publishing
17:26 The role of a publisher in a small publishing house
20:52 Exploring different book genres
21:24 The story behind The Bogan Book Club
22:20 The importance of voice in publishing
23:33 Breaking stereotypes in literature
24:26 Defining the Larrikin voice
27:05 Submission process and common mistakes
32:13 Working with authors: Challenges and considerations
34:58 Evaluating submissions: Key questions
37:36 Future plans and writing aspirations
40:08 Conclusion and final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

Meet Dani Vee, publisher at Larrikin House, whose latest book is Riley's Failproof Guide to Breaking a School Record, and her soon-to-be-released book is My Pet Croc. Dani shares her writing process but also provides insights into the children’s publishing industry, her role as a publisher and what she is looking for in a manuscript. Dani discusses the importance of finding the right voice, creative control, and the submission process for aspiring authors.
00:00 Introduction to the podcast and special series 02:14 Meet Dani Vee: Author, publisher, and podcaster 03:43 Riley's fail-proof guide to breaking a school record 05:02 From picture books to junior fiction 06:00 The creative process and challenges of writing 12:44 The magic of writing My Pet Croc 14:43 Transitioning from teaching to publishing 17:26 The role of a publisher in a small publishing house 20:52 Exploring different book genres 21:24 The story behind The Bogan Book Club 22:20 The importance of voice in publishing 23:33 Breaking stereotypes in literature 24:26 Defining the Larrikin voice 27:05 Submission process and common mistakes 32:13 Working with authors: Challenges and considerations 34:58 Evaluating submissions: Key questions 37:36 Future plans and writing aspirations 40:08 Conclusion and final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-631/">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> | <a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a>

WRITER 628: Meet Scott Ryder, a former Australian commando, on his memoir 'Forged in Fire'.

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