Train platforms are fascinating people-watching locations. And if you’ve ever sat and imagined the lives of the strangers standing next to you, UK-based author Ilona Bannister’s new psychological thriller Five may be for you. In this podcast episode, Ilona discusses her inspiration for the book and her own path to writing, along with insights into her daily writing practice.

00:00 Welcome
03:09 Writing tip: Hobbies help you write better
07:38 Writers in the wild
09:06 WIN: Nutcote: Home of May Gibbs by Fiona Starr
11:45 Word of the week: ‘Irredentism’
12:42 Interview with: Ilona Bannister
13:16 The premise of Five
15:56 Why a train platform?
18:15 Building the five characters
20:20 Creating a strong narrative voice
23:30 Morally ‘grey’ characters
24:52 Writing for readers
26:33 London versus New York
28:20 Finding the ending
30:21 Ilona’s path from lawyer to novelist
36:09 Publishing during lockdown
38:10 Writing routines as a parent
39:48 Networking and its benefits
43:10 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

Train platforms are fascinating people-watching locations. And if you&rsquo;ve ever sat and imagined the lives of the strangers standing next to you, UK-based author Ilona Bannister&rsquo;s new psychological thriller Five may be for you. In this podcast episode, Ilona discusses her inspiration for the book and her own path to writing, along with insights into her daily writing practice.
00:00 Welcome 03:09 Writing tip: Hobbies help you write better 07:38 Writers in the wild 09:06 WIN: Nutcote: Home of May Gibbs by Fiona Starr 11:45 Word of the week: &lsquo;Irredentism&rsquo; 12:42 Interview with: Ilona Bannister 13:16 The premise of Five 15:56 Why a train platform? 18:15 Building the five characters 20:20 Creating a strong narrative voice 23:30 Morally &lsquo;grey&rsquo; characters 24:52 Writing for readers 26:33 London versus New York 28:20 Finding the ending 30:21 Ilona&rsquo;s path from lawyer to novelist 36:09 Publishing during lockdown 38:10 Writing routines as a parent 39:48 Networking and its benefits 43:10 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-729/">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;