Do you love historical fiction? I have to admit to being a sucker for a different time and place – and both are on offer in Mary-Lou Stephens’ latest novel, The Hobart Hotel. In this episode, Mary-Lou discusses her unique approach to research and the challenges of writing about Uruguay in the 1940s, as well as why she loves writing historical fiction so much.

00:00 Welcome
06:03 Writers in the Wild
10:08 Writing tip: Find balance in your creative life
13:15 WIN!: The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives by Elizabeth Arnott
15:07 Word of the week: ’Patalous’
15:45 Writer in residence: Mary-Lou Stephens
17:19 Describing The Hobart Hotel
19:16 Inspiration and research
20:57 The dual timeline process
22:36 Capturing the Uruguay wartime vibe
27:24 Why Historical Fiction?
30:32 Mary-Lou’s ‘slow travel’ writing life
34:40 Writing while traveling
37:17 Memoir and meditation
43:10 What’s next?
44:58 Promoting her books
46:07 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

Do you love historical fiction? I have to admit to being a sucker for a different time and place &ndash; and both are on offer in Mary-Lou Stephens&rsquo; latest novel, The Hobart Hotel. In this episode, Mary-Lou discusses her unique approach to research and the challenges of writing about Uruguay in the 1940s, as well as why she loves writing historical fiction so much.
00:00 Welcome 06:03 Writers in the Wild 10:08 Writing tip: Find balance in your creative life 13:15 WIN!: The Secret Lives of Murderers&rsquo; Wives by Elizabeth Arnott 15:07 Word of the week: &rsquo;Patalous&rsquo; 15:45 Writer in residence: Mary-Lou Stephens 17:19 Describing The Hobart Hotel 19:16 Inspiration and research 20:57 The dual timeline process 22:36 Capturing the Uruguay wartime vibe 27:24 Why Historical Fiction? 30:32 Mary-Lou&rsquo;s &lsquo;slow travel&rsquo; writing life 34:40 Writing while traveling 37:17 Memoir and meditation 43:10 What&rsquo;s next? 44:58 Promoting her books 46:07 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-718/">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 718: Mary-Lou Stephens welcomes you to 'The Hobart Hotel'

OMG, I adored Katie Hoskins’ debut novel, When the Party’s Over! In so many ways, it’s the PERFECT book – nailing structure and narrative to tell a nuanced and contemporary story. In this episode, Katie talks about the path that took her from beginner to a two-book Pan Macmillan deal, including the AWC courses that helped her hone her structure, subplot, distinct voices and more. 

00:00 Welcome
09:33 Writing tip: Don’t avoid the tough scenes
11:43 WIN!: When Lemons Give You Life by Anna Johnston
14:12 Word of the week: ’Imprimatur’
14:45 Writer in residence: Katie Hoskins
16:12 Plot and inspiration for When the Party’s Over
20:23 Dreaming of being an author
21:16 From journalism to fiction
22:58 AWC courses that sparked the shift
25:01 Writing her novel
26:22 The usefulness of workshopping
27:11 Nailing story structure
29:57 Balancing subplot arcs
33:01 Distinct voices
36:06 Landing the book deal
39:30 Advice for aspiring writers
42:29 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

OMG, I adored Katie Hoskins&rsquo; debut novel, When the Party&rsquo;s Over! In so many ways, it&rsquo;s the PERFECT book &ndash; nailing structure and narrative to tell a nuanced and contemporary story. In this episode, Katie talks about the path that took her from beginner to a two-book Pan Macmillan deal, including the AWC courses that helped her hone her structure, subplot, distinct voices and more.&nbsp;
00:00 Welcome 09:33 Writing tip: Don&rsquo;t avoid the tough scenes 11:43 WIN!: When Lemons Give You Life by Anna Johnston 14:12 Word of the week: &rsquo;Imprimatur&rsquo; 14:45 Writer in residence: Katie Hoskins 16:12 Plot and inspiration for When the Party&rsquo;s Over 20:23 Dreaming of being an author 21:16 From journalism to fiction 22:58 AWC courses that sparked the shift 25:01 Writing her novel 26:22 The usefulness of workshopping 27:11 Nailing story structure 29:57 Balancing subplot arcs 33:01 Distinct voices 36:06 Landing the book deal 39:30 Advice for aspiring writers 42:29 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-717/">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 717: Katie Hoskins and her new book, 'When the Party’s Over'

Australian bestselling crime author Sarah Barrie has a dozen books to her name, with her latest standalone thriller Dark Sanctuary, exploring the nuanced world of mental health support, prisons and more. In this episode, Sarah shares the serendipitous inspiration for this novel, the research process and POV choices she made, as well as turning back the clock to give insights into her equally serendipitous start into the world of writing!

00:00 Welcome
07:35 Writing tip: Put your writing out there!
10:20 WIN!: The Couples Retreat by Mercedes Mercier
13:06 Word of the week: ’Crepuscular’
13:38 Writer in residence: Sarah Barrie
14:49 Dark Sanctuary overview
15:46 Inspiration and themes
17:59 Three POV structure
19:11 Podcast character angle
20:49 Setting and research
21:45 Prisons – psychology and programs
24:34 Research and the findings
25:30 Writing the detective character
27:47 Editing and deadlines
28:20 Farm life writing
30:07 Mental health themes
32:59 Sarah’s origin story
34:56 Publishing breakthrough
38:50 Advice for writers
40:16 What’s next?
41:29 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

Australian bestselling crime author Sarah Barrie has a dozen books to her name, with her latest standalone thriller Dark Sanctuary, exploring the nuanced world of mental health support, prisons and more. In this episode, Sarah shares the serendipitous inspiration for this novel, the research process and POV choices she made, as well as turning back the clock to give insights into her equally serendipitous start into the world of writing!
00:00 Welcome 07:35 Writing tip: Put your writing out there! 10:20 WIN!: The Couples Retreat by Mercedes Mercier 13:06 Word of the week: &rsquo;Crepuscular&rsquo; 13:38 Writer in residence: Sarah Barrie 14:49 Dark Sanctuary overview 15:46 Inspiration and themes 17:59 Three POV structure 19:11 Podcast character angle 20:49 Setting and research 21:45 Prisons &ndash; psychology and programs 24:34 Research and the findings 25:30 Writing the detective character 27:47 Editing and deadlines 28:20 Farm life writing 30:07 Mental health themes 32:59 Sarah&rsquo;s origin story 34:56 Publishing breakthrough 38:50 Advice for writers 40:16 What&rsquo;s next? 41:29 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-716/">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 716: Sarah Barrie invites you into her 'Dark Sanctuary'

British writer and librarian India-Rose Bower’s folk horror debut novel, We Call Them Witches explores the concept of ‘eldritch’ creatures in a surreal post-apocalyptic world. In this episode, India-Rose discusses her surprising inspirations for the novel, what ‘eldritch’ actually means and a unique writing tip we should all try!

00:00 Welcome
06:45 Writing tip: Don’t use AI for a pitch!
08:05 WIN!: The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon
9:57 Word of the week: ‘Mélange’
10:17 Writer in residence: India-Rose Bower
11:04 What is her book, We Call Them Witches about?
12:22 Origins of the story
15:02 Designing the eldritch ‘witches’
17:02 Creating the first draft
18:42 Entering a competition and securing an agent
21:07 Selling yourself and the book
22:21 Publicity and author life
23:35 Writing around work and health issues
25:29 Next book and research habits}
28:41 India-Rose’s unique writing tip
30:58 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

British writer and librarian India-Rose Bower&rsquo;s folk horror debut novel, We Call Them Witches explores the concept of &lsquo;eldritch&rsquo; creatures in a surreal post-apocalyptic world. In this episode, India-Rose discusses her surprising inspirations for the novel, what &lsquo;eldritch&rsquo; actually means and a unique writing tip we should all try!
00:00 Welcome 06:45 Writing tip: Don&rsquo;t use AI for a pitch! 08:05 WIN!: The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon 9:57 Word of the week: &lsquo;M&eacute;lange&rsquo; 10:17 Writer in residence: India-Rose Bower 11:04 What is her book, We Call Them Witches about? 12:22 Origins of the story 15:02 Designing the eldritch &lsquo;witches&rsquo; 17:02 Creating the first draft 18:42 Entering a competition and securing an agent 21:07 Selling yourself and the book 22:21 Publicity and author life 23:35 Writing around work and health issues 25:29 Next book and research habits} 28:41 India-Rose&rsquo;s unique writing tip 30:58 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-715/">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 718: Mary-Lou Stephens welcomes you to 'The Hobart Hotel'

So You Want to be a Writer

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