We often talk about persistence in the journey of an aspiring author, and for podcaster Sam Elliott, his 20 years of working towards publication had many twists and turns. Now finally with his debut crime/thriller novel Haze under his belt, in this episode Sam shares the turning points that got him to this stage – including completing a particular AWC course – and the inspiration for telling this particular story. He also shares advice for other aspiring writers and the importance of a writing community.

00:00 Welcome
03:45 Writing tip: Check your Notes app
07:41 WIN!: The Violin Maker’s Secret by Evie Woods
09:07 Word of the week: ‘Ditheism’
10:41 Writer in residence: Sam Elliott
11:55 Sam describes his debut crime thriller, Haze
14:00 Sam’s history of writing
16:45 The inspirations for the bushfire storyline
18:03 Creating and developing characters
19:02 Writing about cults
20:55 The experience of completing the AWC course
22:20 Finding a last writing community
24:29 Advice for aspiring writers
25:54 Making peace with the publishing journey 
27:40 Writing the book and securing an agent
30:30 Getting the offer and how surreal it was
32:53 Research for this book
36:44 The best and worst part of writing the book
38:10 Being on the other side of interviews
39:55 Balancing writing with life
41:37 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

We often talk about persistence in the journey of an aspiring author, and for podcaster Sam Elliott, his 20 years of working towards publication had many twists and turns. Now finally with his debut crime/thriller novel Haze under his belt, in this episode Sam shares the turning points that got him to this stage &ndash; including completing a particular AWC course &ndash; and the inspiration for telling this particular story. He also shares advice for other aspiring writers and the importance of a writing community.
00:00 Welcome 03:45 Writing tip: Check your Notes app 07:41 WIN!: The Violin Maker&rsquo;s Secret by Evie Woods 09:07 Word of the week: &lsquo;Ditheism&rsquo; 10:41 Writer in residence: Sam Elliott 11:55 Sam describes his debut crime thriller, Haze 14:00 Sam&rsquo;s history of writing 16:45 The inspirations for the bushfire storyline 18:03 Creating and developing characters 19:02 Writing about cults 20:55 The experience of completing the AWC course 22:20 Finding a last writing community 24:29 Advice for aspiring writers 25:54 Making peace with the publishing journey 27:40 Writing the book and securing an agent 30:30 Getting the offer and how surreal it was 32:53 Research for this book 36:44 The best and worst part of writing the book 38:10 Being on the other side of interviews 39:55 Balancing writing with life 41:37 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-705/">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;