From the halls of Australia’s Parliament House to the dark corners of the Vatican! In this episode, author Sophie Clark talks about her writing process and how she pitched her debut ‘romantasy’ novel, Cruel is the Light. She chats about her political background and how walking the ‘halls of power’ influenced her writing, as well as offering tips for aspiring writers.

00:00 Introduction
03:06 Nat Newman's writing tip: systematic editing
09:02 WIN! Death in the Arctic by Tom Hindle
10:47 Word of the week: ‘disputation’
12:29 Writer in residence: Sophie Clark
14:25 Defining ‘romantasy’
15:49 Inspiration for her book
18:35 Researching on location
22:29 Writing action and fight scenes
24:28 Drafting and experience in Pitch Wars
26:24 Mentorship and guidance
27:38 Securing an agent
30:11 Sophie’s writing process and challenges
34:30 Political influence in writing
36:31 Building a writing community
39:13 Publicity and promotion
41:17 Asking “who’s my audience?”
45:38 Sophie’s top tips for aspiring writers
48:04 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 halls of Australia&rsquo;s Parliament House to the dark corners of the Vatican! In this episode, author Sophie Clark talks about her writing process and how she pitched her debut &lsquo;romantasy&rsquo; novel,&nbsp;Cruel is the Light. She chats about her political background and how walking the &lsquo;halls of power&rsquo; influenced her writing, as well as offering tips for aspiring writers.
00:00 Introduction 03:06 Nat Newman's writing tip: systematic editing 09:02 WIN! Death in the Arctic by Tom Hindle 10:47 Word of the week: &lsquo;disputation&rsquo; 12:29 Writer in residence: Sophie Clark 14:25 Defining &lsquo;romantasy&rsquo; 15:49 Inspiration for her book 18:35 Researching on location 22:29 Writing action and fight scenes 24:28 Drafting and experience in Pitch Wars 26:24 Mentorship and guidance 27:38 Securing an agent 30:11 Sophie&rsquo;s writing process and challenges 34:30 Political influence in writing 36:31 Building a writing community 39:13 Publicity and promotion 41:17 Asking &ldquo;who&rsquo;s my audience?&rdquo; 45:38 Sophie&rsquo;s top tips for aspiring writers 48:04 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-647/">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>

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;

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