Every day we experience ‘sliding doors moments’ – those decisions we make that unwittingly affect the future. In this episode, bestselling author Petronella McGovern explores this concept through her own life and via the plot of her latest novel, Every Time She Wakes. As well as sharing the inspiration and research into this story, she also shares the evolution of her life as a writer and advice for writers wanting to grow their wordcount.

00:00 Welcome
09:04 Writing tip: Stop thinking, start writing
11:20 Writers in the wild
14:26 WIN: When the Party’s Over by Katie Hoskins
15:56 Word of the Week: ‘Futz’
16:51 Interview with: Petronella McGovern
18:57 Elevator pitch for Every Time She Wakes
20:44 Inspiration for the novel
22:54 Bushfire setting 
26:45 Structure and research
29:38 The mind-bending rules of time travel
30:37 Suze’s identity
34:54 Editing a time loop story
36:01 Evolving as a writer
38:58 Personal sliding doors moments
41:48 Early reading and writing influences
44:41 Petronella’s writing routine
47:08 Craft tip to beat perfectionism
49:01 Book recommendations and one last question
52:14 Final thoughts

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

Every day we experience &lsquo;sliding doors moments&rsquo; &ndash; those decisions we make that unwittingly affect the future. In this episode, bestselling author Petronella McGovern explores this concept through her own life and via the plot of her latest novel, Every Time She Wakes. As well as sharing the inspiration and research into this story, she also shares the evolution of her life as a writer and advice for writers wanting to grow their wordcount.
00:00 Welcome 09:04 Writing tip: Stop thinking, start writing 11:20 Writers in the wild 14:26 WIN: When the Party&rsquo;s Over by Katie Hoskins 15:56 Word of the Week: &lsquo;Futz&rsquo; 16:51 Interview with: Petronella McGovern 18:57 Elevator pitch for Every Time She Wakes 20:44 Inspiration for the novel 22:54 Bushfire setting 26:45 Structure and research 29:38 The mind-bending rules of time travel 30:37 Suze&rsquo;s identity 34:54 Editing a time loop story 36:01 Evolving as a writer 38:58 Personal sliding doors moments 41:48 Early reading and writing influences 44:41 Petronella&rsquo;s writing routine 47:08 Craft tip to beat perfectionism 49:01 Book recommendations and one last question 52:14 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-727/">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;