There are three short words you’re often told when you first walk into a nail salon – and they form the title of award-winning Laotian Canadian poet and author Souvankham Thammavongsa’s new novel Pick a Colour. In this episode, Souvankham explains how the novel came about, its unusual inspiration and timeframe as well as the cultural and power dynamics it explores.

00:00 Welcome
06:03 Writing tip: Dealing with rejection|
08:58 WIN!: Staged by John M. Green
10:44 Word of the week: ‘Lactometer’
13:19 Writer in residence: Souvankham Thammavongsa
14:33 Explaining the story of Pick a Colour
15:25 The Seinfeld episode inspiration!
18:10 How her characters see the world
19:40 The boxing inspiration
21:41 Setting limitations on the story
23:26 Language and cultural identity
25:07 From short stories to the novel
27:31 Writing techniques and influences
29:41 Character dynamics and power themes
33:14 The writing process and Souvankham’s backstory
37:00 Awards and recognition
40:55 Discussing the work done in the margins
43:47 Advice for aspiring writers
45:11 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

There are three short words you&rsquo;re often told when you first walk into a nail salon &ndash; and they form the title of award-winning Laotian Canadian poet and author Souvankham Thammavongsa&rsquo;s new novel Pick a Colour. In this episode, Souvankham explains how the novel came about, its unusual inspiration and timeframe as well as the cultural and power dynamics it explores.
00:00 Welcome 06:03 Writing tip: Dealing with rejection| 08:58 WIN!: Staged by John M. Green 10:44 Word of the week: &lsquo;Lactometer&rsquo; 13:19 Writer in residence: Souvankham Thammavongsa 14:33 Explaining the story of Pick a Colour 15:25 The Seinfeld episode inspiration! 18:10 How her characters see the world 19:40 The boxing inspiration 21:41 Setting limitations on the story 23:26 Language and cultural identity 25:07 From short stories to the novel 27:31 Writing techniques and influences 29:41 Character dynamics and power themes 33:14 The writing process and Souvankham&rsquo;s backstory 37:00 Awards and recognition 40:55 Discussing the work done in the margins 43:47 Advice for aspiring writers 45:11 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-702/">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 702: Souvankham Thammavongsa and her award-winning 'Pick a Colour'

War stories are often famously told by the victors. But what of the stories of civilians caught up in the conflict? These themes intersect in World-War-II-era Hong Kong in AWC graduate Emma Pei Yin’s debut historical novel, When Sleeping Women Wake – and in this episode she shares her inspirations, the book’s themes and the publishing process, including a fascinating connection with the cover designer.

00:00 Welcome
03:41 Writing tip: Avoiding info dumping
07:05 WIN!: The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave
08:39 Word of the week: ‘Gimcrack’
12:03 Writer in residence: Emma Pei Yin
13:05 Emma explains When Sleeping Women Wake
13:53 Why this story?
16:20 Influences and inspirations for the book
17:35 Balancing historical fiction and fact
19:10 The research process
21:20 The note collection process
22:27 Telling the authentic voices of Chinese people
23:39 Character development and their unique resistance
25:55 Class structure and historical contexts
27:35 Language and authenticity in this story
29:03 Morally ambiguous choices in war
30:49 The publishing process
34:51 Cover designs and market differences
38:04 Promoting the book and meeting readers
39:44 The importance of solidarity in telling niche stories
40:52 Emma’s advice for writers
42:03 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

War stories are often famously told by the victors. But what of the stories of civilians caught up in the conflict? These themes intersect in World-War-II-era Hong Kong in AWC graduate Emma Pei Yin&rsquo;s debut historical novel, When Sleeping Women Wake &ndash; and in this episode she shares her inspirations, the book&rsquo;s themes and the publishing process, including a fascinating connection with the cover designer.
00:00 Welcome 03:41 Writing tip: Avoiding info dumping 07:05 WIN!: The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave 08:39 Word of the week: &lsquo;Gimcrack&rsquo; 12:03 Writer in residence: Emma Pei Yin 13:05 Emma explains When Sleeping Women Wake 13:53 Why this story? 16:20 Influences and inspirations for the book 17:35 Balancing historical fiction and fact 19:10 The research process 21:20 The note collection process 22:27 Telling the authentic voices of Chinese people 23:39 Character development and their unique resistance 25:55 Class structure and historical contexts 27:35 Language and authenticity in this story 29:03 Morally ambiguous choices in war 30:49 The publishing process 34:51 Cover designs and market differences 38:04 Promoting the book and meeting readers 39:44 The importance of solidarity in telling niche stories 40:52 Emma&rsquo;s advice for writers 42:03 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-701/">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 701: Emma Pei Yin discusses her wartime novel, 'When Sleeping Women Wake'

A lot of old bands these days seem to be reforming for reunion tours – allowing older fans to reminisce (usually while sipping wine and sitting in a comfy picnic chair). This idea fascinated author Rebecca Heath, so in her new book The Last Encore, she decided to not only get a fictional old-school band back together but add a documentary crew and a dead body into the mix! In this episode, Rebecca shares the real-life music inspirations for the book, her editing insights and much more!

00:00 Welcome
04:09 Writing tip: Watch Shrek
07:39 WIN!: Kill Your Boss by Jack Heath
09:30 Word of the week: ‘Cucumiform’
13:59 Writer in residence: Rebecca Heath
14:34 Rebecca outlines The Last Encore
17:55 Music inspirations for the book
20:00 Defining what a ‘boy band’ is
22:28 Exploring the theme of secrets
23:55 Publishing journey insights
24:52 Writing process and routine
27:52 Balancing writing and editing
29:00 Deciding whodunnit
31:22 What to cut
34:21 The role of community in writing
37:23 Future projects and staying on brand
41:04 Rebecca’s tip for writers
43:00 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

A lot of old bands these days seem to be reforming for reunion tours &ndash; allowing older fans to reminisce (usually while sipping wine and sitting in a comfy picnic chair). This idea fascinated author Rebecca Heath, so in her new book The Last Encore, she decided to not only get a fictional old-school band back together but add a documentary crew and a dead body into the mix! In this episode, Rebecca shares the real-life music inspirations for the book, her editing insights and much more!
00:00 Welcome 04:09 Writing tip: Watch&nbsp;Shrek 07:39 WIN!: Kill Your Boss by Jack Heath 09:30 Word of the week: &lsquo;Cucumiform&rsquo; 13:59 Writer in residence: Rebecca Heath 14:34 Rebecca outlines The Last Encore 17:55 Music inspirations for the book 20:00 Defining what a &lsquo;boy band&rsquo; is 22:28 Exploring the theme of secrets 23:55 Publishing journey insights 24:52 Writing process and routine 27:52 Balancing writing and editing 29:00 Deciding whodunnit 31:22 What to cut 34:21 The role of community in writing 37:23 Future projects and staying on brand 41:04 Rebecca&rsquo;s tip for writers 43:00 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-700/">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 700: Rebecca Heath mixes music and murder in 'The Last Encore'

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 702: Souvankham Thammavongsa and her award-winning 'Pick a Colour'

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