Is food your love language? It certainly is for bestselling author and AWC graduate Anna Johnston – brought to life through her new novel, When Lemons Give You Life. In this episode, Anna dishes up the inspiration and character creation for this latest book and the challenges, strategies and superpowers of being an author with ADHD. She also shares how she deals with writing tough scenes, her writing workflow, and advice for writers.

00:00 Welcome
11:18 Writing tip: Cut the Starting Scene
13:24 Writers in the wild
14:51 WIN: The Bookshop of Buried Pasts by Sarah Clutton
16:42 Word of the week: Jakes
17:14 Writer in residence: Anna Johnston
18:16 Anna explains new book, When Lemons Give You Life
20:21 Story themes and origins
24:02 Research and authenticity
27:10 POV structure and flashbacks
29:22 Editing and deadlines
32:45 What she learned from AWC courses
35:20 ADHD writing strategies
38:06 Letting characters go
41:34 Organising notes and workflow
43:25 Balancing writing life
44:39 Publicity and events
46:40 Next book plans
47:26 Anna’s advice for writers
49:28 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

Is food your love language? It certainly is for bestselling author and AWC graduate Anna Johnston &ndash; brought to life through her new novel, When Lemons Give You Life. In this episode, Anna dishes up the inspiration and character creation for this latest book and the challenges, strategies and superpowers of being an author with ADHD. She also shares how she deals with writing tough scenes, her writing workflow, and advice for writers.
00:00 Welcome 11:18 Writing tip: Cut the Starting Scene 13:24 Writers in the wild 14:51 WIN: The Bookshop of Buried Pasts by Sarah Clutton 16:42 Word of the week: Jakes 17:14 Writer in residence: Anna Johnston 18:16 Anna explains new book, When Lemons Give You Life 20:21 Story themes and origins 24:02 Research and authenticity 27:10 POV structure and flashbacks 29:22 Editing and deadlines 32:45 What she learned from AWC courses 35:20 ADHD writing strategies 38:06 Letting characters go 41:34 Organising notes and workflow 43:25 Balancing writing life 44:39 Publicity and events 46:40 Next book plans 47:26 Anna&rsquo;s advice for writers 49:28 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-722/">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;