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

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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;