How do you go about writing a deeply personal story? In this episode, Sonia Orchard discusses her memoir, Groomed, and the process of writing about a traumatic childhood experience. She also shares tips for others looking to write their own memoir.

00:00 Introduction
03:15 Writing tip: It’s never too late to start
06:53 WIN!: Best, First and Last by Amy T. Matthews
09:07 Word of the week: ‘Grok’
11:18 Writer in residence: Sonia Orchard
15:33 Deciding whether to tell such a vulnerable story
17:00 Writing it vs not writing it
19:25 How Sonia compiled the memoir
23:12 “Write for yourself and edit for others”
24:20 Choosing what details to remove in the story
26:55 Navigating the justice system
28:08 The therapeutic power of writing
33:55 Memoir vs fiction: Similarities and differences
44:31 What Sonia hopes people take away from this book
46:30 Top tips for writing your own memoir
48:41 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

How do you go about writing a deeply personal story? In this episode, Sonia Orchard discusses her memoir, Groomed, and the process of writing about a traumatic childhood experience. She also shares tips for others looking to write their own memoir.
00:00 Introduction 03:15 Writing tip: It&rsquo;s never too late to start 06:53 WIN!: Best, First and Last by Amy T. Matthews 09:07 Word of the week: &lsquo;Grok&rsquo; 11:18 Writer in residence: Sonia Orchard 15:33 Deciding whether to tell such a vulnerable story 17:00 Writing it vs not writing it 19:25 How Sonia compiled the memoir 23:12 &ldquo;Write for yourself and edit for others&rdquo; 24:20 Choosing what details to remove in the story 26:55 Navigating the justice system 28:08 The therapeutic power of writing 33:55 Memoir vs fiction: Similarities and differences 44:31 What Sonia hopes people take away from this book 46:30 Top tips for writing your own memoir 48:41 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-654/">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;

So You Want to be a Writer

WRITER 654: Sonia Orchard shares her impactful memoir, 'Groomed'

It was a single photo of AWC graduate William J. Byrne’s grandmother standing outside a ramshackle home that formed the spark that inspired this self-confessed history buff to explore stories of his past and the experiences of Aboriginal people leading up to the 1960s. The result is his debut novel, The Warrumbar – spanning half a century and casting light on a lesser-told chapter of Australia. In this episode, William shares his inspirations and publishing journey, and the AWC course that made all the difference.

00:00 Welcome
04:03 Writing tip: Enter writing competitions
07:18 WIN!: What Happened That Night by Nicci French
09:55 Word of the week: ‘Puissance’
10:45 Writer in residence: William J. Byrne
11:05 What The Warrumbar is about
12:58 Why he wrote for this time frame
15:00 What inspired William to write the book
16:45 Stories from family members
18:00 Writing a teenage character
19:00 Balancing research with family stories
21:12 The note-taking process
22:23 Moses as a lens for the Aboriginal experience
23:38 Australia's historical awareness
25:44 The path to publication
29:11 Completing a writing course with AWC
30:50 The importance of writing communities
33:42 Major themes of the book
35:55 Advice for writers
36:34 Future writing projects
37:59 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

It was a single photo of AWC graduate William J. Byrne&rsquo;s grandmother standing outside a ramshackle home that formed the spark that inspired this self-confessed history buff to explore stories of his past and the experiences of Aboriginal people leading up to the 1960s. The result is his debut novel, The Warrumbar &ndash; spanning half a century and casting light on a lesser-told chapter of Australia. In this episode, William shares his inspirations and publishing journey, and the AWC course that made all the difference.
00:00 Welcome 04:03 Writing tip: Enter writing competitions 07:18 WIN!: What Happened That Night by Nicci French 09:55 Word of the week: &lsquo;Puissance&rsquo; 10:45 Writer in residence: William J. Byrne 11:05 What The Warrumbar is about 12:58 Why he wrote for this time frame 15:00 What inspired William to write the book 16:45 Stories from family members 18:00 Writing a teenage character 19:00 Balancing research with family stories 21:12 The note-taking process 22:23 Moses as a lens for the Aboriginal experience 23:38 Australia's historical awareness 25:44 The path to publication 29:11 Completing a writing course with AWC 30:50 The importance of writing communities 33:42 Major themes of the book 35:55 Advice for writers 36:34 Future writing projects 37:59 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-699/">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 699: William J. Byrne and his historical novel, 'The Warrumbar'

When was the last time you visited a zoo? Well, now imagine you’re visiting the last zoo on Earth and you have the premise for Emma Sloley’s new book, The Island of Last Things. In this episode, Emma shares the inspiration, research and publishing experience for this book and some of the larger themes this piece of fiction evokes.

00:00 Welcome
04:10 Writing tip: Aim for rejections!
08:30 WIN!: Tom Clancy Executive Power by Andrews & Wilson
11:22 Word of the week: ‘Pelf’
11:56 Writer in residence: Emma Sloley
13:03 What is The Island of Last Things about?
13:50 How Emma got the idea for the book
16:00 Discussing the term ‘climate fiction’
19:00 Researching Alcatraz for the book
21:37 Gathering insights from zookeepers
24:19 Transition to American characters
25:35 Publishing journey and agent experiences
28:34 Editing process with agents and editors
31:34 Balancing writing and travel
34:39 Current writing projects
38:40 Tips for aspiring writers
41:06 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

When was the last time you visited a zoo? Well, now imagine you&rsquo;re visiting the last zoo on Earth and you have the premise for Emma Sloley&rsquo;s new book, The Island of Last Things. In this episode, Emma shares the inspiration, research and publishing experience for this book and some of the larger themes this piece of fiction evokes.
00:00 Welcome 04:10 Writing tip: Aim for rejections! 08:30 WIN!: Tom Clancy Executive Power by Andrews &amp; Wilson 11:22 Word of the week: &lsquo;Pelf&rsquo; 11:56 Writer in residence: Emma Sloley 13:03 What is The Island of Last Things about? 13:50 How Emma got the idea for the book 16:00 Discussing the term &lsquo;climate fiction&rsquo; 19:00 Researching Alcatraz for the book 21:37 Gathering insights from zookeepers 24:19 Transition to American characters 25:35 Publishing journey and agent experiences 28:34 Editing process with agents and editors 31:34 Balancing writing and travel 34:39 Current writing projects 38:40 Tips for aspiring writers 41:06 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-698/">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 698: Emma Sloley welcomes you to 'The Island of Last Things'

Are YOU ready to unlock your potential in 2026? Join us for a special ‘manifestation’ episode of the podcast, as Valerie is joined by Matt Cooke, author of Beyond Wanting: The Art of True Manifestation. Matt shares his personal story into manifestation – from skeptic to believer AND how he manifested his book deal – and some key ideas you can use immediately in taking actionable steps towards achieving goals. It’s a positive blend of inspiration and practical advice for anyone looking to make meaningful changes in the year ahead!

00:00 Welcome
03:25 Practical steps and skepticism
04:34 Valerie's personal connection to goal setting
07:53 Writer in residence: Matt Cooke
09:06 Understanding ‘Beyond Wanting’ and manifestation
13:35 Common manifestation mistakes
17:10 Matt’s own journey
17:50 Getting the book deal of his dreams – literally
26:01 How Matt got into manifestation
33:40 The power of gratitude for future events
34:20 The science of reality
39:23 Signs and synchronicities to look for
43:20 The numerical significance of 2026
48:18 Manifestation stories and lessons
57:07 Practical steps for the year ahead
1:03:01 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

Are YOU ready to unlock your potential in 2026? Join us for a special &lsquo;manifestation&rsquo; episode of the podcast, as Valerie is joined by Matt Cooke, author of Beyond Wanting: The Art of True Manifestation. Matt shares his personal story into manifestation &ndash; from skeptic to believer AND how he manifested his book deal &ndash; and some key ideas you can use immediately in taking actionable steps towards achieving goals. It&rsquo;s a positive blend of inspiration and practical advice for anyone looking to make meaningful changes in the year ahead!
00:00 Welcome 03:25 Practical steps and skepticism 04:34 Valerie's personal connection to goal setting 07:53 Writer in residence: Matt Cooke 09:06 Understanding &lsquo;Beyond Wanting&rsquo; and manifestation 13:35 Common manifestation mistakes 17:10 Matt&rsquo;s own journey 17:50 Getting the book deal of his dreams &ndash; literally 26:01 How Matt got into manifestation 33:40 The power of gratitude for future events 34:20 The science of reality 39:23 Signs and synchronicities to look for 43:20 The numerical significance of 2026 48:18 Manifestation stories and lessons 57:07 Practical steps for the year ahead 1:03:01 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-697/">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>

WRITER 654: Sonia Orchard shares her impactful memoir, 'Groomed'

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