We’ve heard of crashing weddings, but what about funerals? That’s the topic that bestselling author Joanna Nell has tackled for her sixth book, The Funeral Crashers. In this episode, she joins us to discuss the experience behind writing this latest novel as well as the turning point in her life that got her publishing her first book in her fifties.

00:00 Welcome
06:44 Writing tip: Overcoming technology distractions
11:16 WIN!: A Complete Fiction by R.L. Maizes
12:46 Word of the week: ‘Emolument’
13:22 Writer in residence: Joanna Nell
15:05 What her latest book, The Funeral Crashers, is about
18:36 Patients inspiring her writing
22:06 Rediscovering a passion for writing
24:58 The joy of finding a writing community
26:23 Lessons learned from a decade of writing
29:29 A word about writing short fiction
31:23 A day in the life of a full-time writer
33:40 Writing retreats
35:22 Creating memorable characters
40:06 Promoting the latest novel
41:02 Future Projects
41:58 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

We&rsquo;ve heard of crashing weddings, but what about funerals? That&rsquo;s the topic that bestselling author Joanna Nell has tackled for her sixth book, The Funeral Crashers. In this episode, she joins us to discuss the experience behind writing this latest novel as well as the turning point in her life that got her publishing her first book in her fifties.
00:00 Welcome 06:44 Writing tip: Overcoming technology distractions 11:16 WIN!: A Complete Fiction by R.L. Maizes 12:46 Word of the week: &lsquo;Emolument&rsquo; 13:22 Writer in residence: Joanna Nell 15:05 What her latest book, The Funeral Crashers, is about 18:36 Patients inspiring her writing 22:06 Rediscovering a passion for writing 24:58 The joy of finding a writing community 26:23 Lessons learned from a decade of writing 29:29 A word about writing short fiction 31:23 A day in the life of a full-time writer 33:40 Writing retreats 35:22 Creating memorable characters 40:06 Promoting the latest novel 41:02 Future Projects 41:58 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-695/">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

Writing Podcast Episode 695: Joanna Nell discusses her new novel, 'The Funeral Crashers'

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 Welcome
07:10 Writing tip: Developing your own editing checklist
12:44 WIN!: How to Live an Artful Life by Katy Hessel
14:17 Word of the week: ‘Anhedonia’
14:49 Writer in residence: Candice Chung
15:05 Writing about food rituals
17:25 Inspiration for writing the book
20:20 Selling the book to publishers
22:15 The story behind the title
26:29 Telling parents about the book
31:33 Fact checking emotional details
34:05 Grappling with sharing personal thoughts
38:20 Why Candice decided to get into journalism
42:37 The ‘frozen sandwiches’ anecdote
44:21 Literary inspirations for the book
49:24 Future projects
51:14 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 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&rsquo;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 Welcome 07:10 Writing tip: Developing your own editing checklist 12:44 WIN!: How to Live an Artful Life by Katy Hessel 14:17 Word of the week: &lsquo;Anhedonia&rsquo; 14:49 Writer in residence: Candice Chung 15:05 Writing about food rituals 17:25 Inspiration for writing the book 20:20 Selling the book to publishers 22:15 The story behind the title 26:29 Telling parents about the book 31:33 Fact checking emotional details 34:05 Grappling with sharing personal thoughts 38:20 Why Candice decided to get into journalism 42:37 The &lsquo;frozen sandwiches&rsquo; anecdote 44:21 Literary inspirations for the book 49:24 Future projects 51:14 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-694/">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 694: Candice Chung and her book, 'Chinese Parents Don’t Say I Love You'

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 Welcome
03:59 Writing tip: Dictionary of Australian Words
06:11 WIN! Jack Reacher Book Pack Giveaway
08:58 Word of the week: ‘Catenary’
09:37 Writer in residence: Belinda Castles
10:22 What Walking Sydney is about
11:09 Inspiration for writing this book
13:04 How the book came together
18:18 The connection between writers and walking
24:50 Writing and the connection to place
28:57 Reader experience and audience
31:18 Why there are no maps in this book
32:31 The armchair travel experience
34:12 Balancing writing with teaching
36:06 The writing process and time management
41:58 The book trailer and filmmaking experience
44:56 A tip from Belinda for writers
46:48 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

Do ideas come to you while you&rsquo;re out walking? There&rsquo;s a unique connection between writers and walking &ndash; 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 Welcome 03:59 Writing tip: Dictionary of Australian Words 06:11 WIN! Jack Reacher Book Pack Giveaway 08:58 Word of the week: &lsquo;Catenary&rsquo; 09:37 Writer in residence: Belinda Castles 10:22 What Walking Sydney is about 11:09 Inspiration for writing this book 13:04 How the book came together 18:18 The connection between writers and walking 24:50 Writing and the connection to place 28:57 Reader experience and audience 31:18 Why there are no maps in this book 32:31 The armchair travel experience 34:12 Balancing writing with teaching 36:06 The writing process and time management 41:58 The book trailer and filmmaking experience 44:56 A tip from Belinda for writers 46:48 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-693/">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 693: Belinda Castles walks us through her new book, Walking Sydney

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 Welcome
02:24 Reunion with original co-host A.L.Tait.
08:55 Writing Roadmap: Setting Goals and Overcoming Obstacles
19:00 Giving yourself writing rewards
21:44 Overcoming common obstacles
26:46 The importance of discipline in writing
31:04 Networking and community in writing
34:41 Understanding your genre
37:15 The role of revision in writing
41:54 Flexibility and pivoting in writing
48:48 Q&A session
52:53 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

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 &ndash; 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 Welcome 02:24 Reunion with original co-host A.L.Tait. 08:55 Writing Roadmap: Setting Goals and Overcoming Obstacles 19:00 Giving yourself writing rewards 21:44 Overcoming common obstacles 26:46 The importance of discipline in writing 31:04 Networking and community in writing 34:41 Understanding your genre 37:15 The role of revision in writing 41:54 Flexibility and pivoting in writing 48:48 Q&amp;A session 52:53 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-692/">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 695: Joanna Nell discusses her new novel, 'The Funeral Crashers'

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