So You Want to be a Writer

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.

So You Want to be a Writer is a arts podcast hosted by Australian Writers' Centre, with 730 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Australian Writers' Centre hosts So You Want to be a Writer, a arts show with 730 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  So You Want to be a Writer

  Writing Podcast Episode 730: Kate Forsyth goes behind the scenes of her new book, 'The Changeling'

  Aug 17, 20261h 6m

  Ever wanted a step-by-step insight into building a novel? Well, in this episode, you have access to bestselling author Kate Forsyth’s note-taking, research and writing process in the creation of her latest novel, The Changeling ! It’s a fascinating look into the actual nuts and bolts of crafting a story, from idea to finished edit – including mistakes made along the way! Kate generously shares her methods in this special episode and a bonus Q&A session, with a link to the video available in the show notes. 00:00 Welcome 05:44 Writers in the wild 06:56 WIN: Bad Neighbours by Joanna Jenkins 08:25 Word of the week: ‘Pyroclastic’ 09:22 Kate Forsyth: Behind the scenes of The Changeling 12:56 Beginnings 14:10 Stage one of the process 18:58 Timelines 23:00 Building the protagonist’s story 26:01 Relevance to today 27:00 Asking questions 30:32 Key dates and weaving the story into them 31:48 On location research 34:06 New beginnings 36:38 Narrative structure 40:00 Thematic structure 41:48 Building the word count 43:55 The editing process 48:03 Q&A 62:35 Final thoughts You can access a free video version of Kate’s session, go here . Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au |  ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  So You Want to be a Writer

  Writing Podcast Episode 729: Ilona Bannister discusses her darkly thrilling novel, 'Five'

  Aug 10, 202646 min

  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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  So You Want to be a Writer

  Writing Podcast Episode 728: Tom Rob Smith explores love and marriage in 'Twenty Years Together'

  Aug 3, 202658 min

  Same-sex couples fought long for marriage equality, but finally getting it didn’t necessarily equate to ‘happily ever after’. That’s the area UK-based bestselling author Tom Rob Smith explores in his new novel Twenty Years Together – inspired by how legalisation of gay marriage changed the psychology of long-term relationships. In this episode, Tom discusses the inspiration behind telling this nuanced love story and his own journey as a writer. 00:00 Welcome 04:24 Writing tip: Active vs. Reactive characters 10:04 WIN: The Warrumbar by William J. Byrne 11:48 Word of the Week: ‘Incrassate’ 12:37 Interview with: Tom Rob Smith 13:45 Twenty Years Together premise 15:24 Defining the genre 19:17 Plotting and outlining process 21:54 Finding the right ending 23:24 Queer love story influences 26:48 Midlife marriage thought experiment 31:50 Publishing his debut Child 44 35:45 Success and self doubt 39:02 Balancing books and TV 43:37 Disciplined writing routine 46:55 Connecting with readers 48:50 Tom shares a writing tip 51:33 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au |  ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  So You Want to be a Writer

  Writing Podcast Episode 727: Petronella McGovern relives her latest thriller, 'Every Time She Wakes'

  Jul 27, 202656 min

  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 Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au |  ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  So You Want to be a Writer

  Writing Podcast Episode 726: Michelle Wright shares her new book, 'Good Boy'

  Jul 20, 202647 min

  Do you believe in second chances? In this episode, author Michelle Wright discusses her new novel Good Boy – about a long-term prisoner who joins a dog rehabilitation program and is assigned a troubled pooch he renames ‘Good Boy’. Michelle talks about the story’s inspiration, reasons for setting it in its particular time period, the double meaning behind the title and more. 00:00 Welcome 07:55 Writing tip: Call yourself a writer! 11:15 Writers in the wild 13:59 WIN: Whistler by Ann Patchett 15:19 Word of the week: ‘Glabrous’ 16:16 Interview with: Michelle Wright 16:59 Overview of new book, Good Boy 18:08 Origins and prison research 21:10 Planning process 23:52 ‘Beat sheet’ method 25:27 Why set it in 1997? 27:56 Naming Good Boy ’ 30:36 Why short stories matter 33:33 Short vs. novel ideas 36:24 Michelle’s publishing breakthrough 38:09 Redefining writer success 39:44 Next novel plans 41:10 Tip: Find your own process 43:05 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au |  ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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