Two thousand years ago in Britain, the historical figure of Boudicca famously revolted against the Roman Empire and carved a path across the land. This later sparked many myths and stories – including the new historical fantasy novel Nightshade and Oak by author Molly O’Neill. In this episode, Molly discusses her inspirations for telling this story and the experience of writing and editing it. She also shares her take on blending science and creativity and the joys of writing under contract. 

00:00 Welcome
06:18 Writing tip: Block in time for your writing
08:12 WIN!: The Ironbark Promise by Léonie Kelsall
9:56 Word of the week: ‘Parvenu’
10:22 Writer in residence: Molly O’Neill
10:57 Molly explains her new book, Nightshade and Oak
12:42 Landing on the point of view character
18:08 How Molly fits writing into her geologist life
21:53 Balancing science and creativity
23:04 The importance of accurate physics in writing
23:53 Molly’s prolific reading and reviewing pastime
25:44 Backing yourself as an author
26:40 Landing her first publishing deal
28:10 The pressure of writing under contract
30:19 Engaging with readers and book clubs
31:34 Upcoming projects and genre exploration
33:23 A writing tip on editing
34:26 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

Two thousand years ago in Britain, the historical figure of Boudicca famously revolted against the Roman Empire and carved a path across the land. This later sparked many myths and stories &ndash; including the new historical fantasy novel Nightshade and Oak by author Molly O&rsquo;Neill. In this episode, Molly discusses her inspirations for telling this story and the experience of writing and editing it. She also shares her take on blending science and creativity and the joys of writing under contract.&nbsp;
00:00 Welcome 06:18 Writing tip: Block in time for your writing 08:12 WIN!: The Ironbark Promise by L&eacute;onie Kelsall 9:56 Word of the week: &lsquo;Parvenu&rsquo; 10:22 Writer in residence: Molly O&rsquo;Neill 10:57 Molly explains her new book, Nightshade and Oak 12:42 Landing on the point of view character 18:08 How Molly fits writing into her geologist life 21:53 Balancing science and creativity 23:04 The importance of accurate physics in writing 23:53 Molly&rsquo;s prolific reading and reviewing pastime 25:44 Backing yourself as an author 26:40 Landing her first publishing deal 28:10 The pressure of writing under contract 30:19 Engaging with readers and book clubs 31:34 Upcoming projects and genre exploration 33:23 A writing tip on editing 34:26 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-703/">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 703: Molly O’Neill and her fantasy novel 'Nightshade and Oak'

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>

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 703: Molly O’Neill and her fantasy novel 'Nightshade and Oak'

So You Want to be a Writer

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