Australian noir has become a huge sub-genre in the world of fiction and UK-based author Emma Styles brings it to the beaches of Western Australia in her latest novel, The Shark. In this episode, Emma shares her inspiration for writing the book, the pressure of completing her latest adult novel and the process of putting the dual (sometimes unreliable, sometimes unlikeable) narratives together. She also explores the publishing journey and shares a top tip for writers.

00:00 Welcome
05:33 Writing tip: Don’t put off your writing dream
08:28 WIN!: The Writers Retreat by Victoria Brownlee
11:15 Word of the week: ‘Shallop’
13:04 Writer in residence: Emma Styles
14:42 Inspiration for the book
18:00 Crafting characters
21:21 Writing unlikable women
24:30 Complex crime characters
25:19 Why two young women?
28:02 Alternating POV method
29:22 Planning vs pantsing
32:22 Adult crime not YA
34:18 Landing The Shark book deal
36:11 The supportive publishing world
37:39 Writing about Australia from UK
40:38 The setting for her next book
43:10 Trusting your instincts
44:16 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

Australian noir has become a huge sub-genre in the world of fiction and UK-based author Emma Styles brings it to the beaches of Western Australia in her latest novel, The Shark. In this episode, Emma shares her inspiration for writing the book, the pressure of completing her latest adult novel and the process of putting the dual (sometimes unreliable, sometimes unlikeable) narratives together. She also explores the publishing journey and shares a top tip for writers.
00:00 Welcome 05:33 Writing tip: Don&rsquo;t put off your writing dream 08:28 WIN!: The Writers Retreat by Victoria Brownlee 11:15 Word of the week: &lsquo;Shallop&rsquo; 13:04 Writer in residence: Emma Styles 14:42 Inspiration for the book 18:00 Crafting characters 21:21 Writing unlikable women 24:30 Complex crime characters 25:19 Why two young women? 28:02 Alternating POV method 29:22 Planning vs pantsing 32:22 Adult crime not YA 34:18 Landing The Shark book deal 36:11 The supportive publishing world 37:39 Writing about Australia from UK 40:38 The setting for her next book 43:10 Trusting your instincts 44:16 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-711/">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;