Creative Momentum with Meg

Maddy Tyers, actor, writer and producer

How do you keep creating when work, parenting and everyday life leave little spare time? Melbourne-based actor, writer and producer Maddy Tyers talks with Meg Dunley about making sketches and developing projects in the small pockets of time available, collaborating with her husband Jimmy, and finding creative inspiration in ordinary life. Maddy also shares how a personal story became a children’s book and why she believes we do not have to wait for permission to begin making things.

In this episode

·       Creative work around paid work and parenting

·       Collaboration and creative shorthand

·       The story behind Maddy’s children’s book

·       Finding comedy in everyday life

·       Taking the first step without waiting for permission

·       Rest, films and other ways to refill the creative cup

·       What home feels like on set with your people

Who should listen: Writers and creatives trying to make room for their work alongside the rest of life, anyone who has been waiting to begin, and anyone interested in collaborative creative practice.

Connect with Maddy

Maddy is a Melbourne-based actor, writer, producer and voiceover artist, and co-creator and producer of Win Win Productions. Credits include Neighbours, Back in Very Small Business, City Homicide, The Elephant Princess and Lego Masters Australia.

Website: maddytyers.com

Instagram: maddytyers/

Facebook: maddy.tyers

TikTok: maddytyers

YouTube: Win Win Productions

Podcast: Sonny Disposition

Read the full interview

https://megdunley.com/2026/10/14/maddy-tyers-interview/

Episode page

https://megdunley.substack.com/s/creative-momentum-with-meg-dunley

Subscribe

If you enjoy conversations about creativity, writing and the many ways people make things, subscribe to Creative Momentum with Meg so you don't miss future episodes.

Music

A special thank you to Yvonne Morton for the beautiful music that accompanies each episode. You can find Yvonne on Bandcamp and Instagram.

Amy Coomer: Writing, self-publishing and finding creative focus

In this episode of Creative Momentum with Meg, author Amy Coomer talks about writing around part-time work, finding a routine that suits her natural energy and learning to trust her creative process.

Amy shares her experience of self-publishing her debut novel, the unexpected success of a book trailer on TikTok and the importance of protecting your creative work from social media comparison.

We discuss

Writing as a night owl.

Being a pantser and finding structure.

Sharing work with a trusted editor.

Self-publishing and the changing publishing landscape.

Finding inspiration in everyday situations.

Writing in cafés.

Social media, comparison and AI.

The importance of human-made art.

Who should listen?

Writers at any stage who are looking for encouragement around creative routines, self-publishing, finding focus and protecting their attention.

Find Amy

Instagram: amycoomer

TikTok: amycoomerauthor

Website: www.amycoomer.com

Read the full interview

https://megdunley.com/https://megdunley.com/2026/09/30/interviews-with-creatives-amy-coomer/

Subscribe

If you enjoy conversations about creativity, writing and the many ways people make things, subscribe to Creative Momentum with Meg so you don't miss future episodes.

Music

Music for Creative Momentum with Meg by Yvonne Morton.

Season 2: The Home Season

Episode 28: Ingrid J. Adams

Author Ingrid J. Adams joins Meg to talk about finding your own creative rhythm, writing around family life and discovering a creative process that actually works for you.

Ingrid is the author of the four-book Descended series, a love story spanning lifetimes that explores reincarnation, fate, free will, soulmates and soul family.

In this conversation, Ingrid talks about moving from being a complete 'pantser' to a mixture of plotting and pantsing, writing from the heart while becoming more commercially aware, and what happens when the definition of success keeps changing.

We also talk about finding inspiration in the questions that have fascinated her since childhood, the importance of creative community and honest feedback, and the strange experience of finishing an eight-year series and having to say goodbye to characters who have become like family.

We talk about

- finding your natural writing rhythm- writing around family life- plotting and pantsing- writing from the heart- the commercial realities of publishing- defining and celebrating success- creative inspiration- books that stay with us- creative self-care- writing community and feedback- finishing a long-running series

Find Ingrid

Website: https://ingridjadams.com/

Instagram: @ingrid.j.adams

Substack: Ingrid J. Adams

Read the full interview

https://megdunley.com/2026/09/16/interviews-with-creatives-ingrid-j-adams/

Subscribe

If you enjoy conversations about creativity, writing and the many ways people make things, subscribe to Creative Momentum with Meg so you don't miss future episodes.

Music

Music for Creative Momentum with Meg by Yvonne Morton.

Season 2: The Home Season

Episode 27: Claire Zorn, author, artist and enthusiastic maker

IClaire Zorn is an Australian author and artist whose creative work moves between novels, picture books, drawing, painting, weaving and tapestry.

In this conversation, Claire talks about why she prefers to discover rather than over-plan her creative work, how music feeds her writing, her experience of synesthesia, and why small, achievable goals can make such a difference when creative time is limited.

We also talk about observation, journalling, getting out of familiar routines, travelling for research, and the pleasure of making something without immediately judging it.

We talk about

Writing novels from images, characters and atmosphere

Claire's approach to weaving and making

Music as a source of creative inspiration

Synesthesia and seeing colours and shapes in response to music

Small, achievable creative goals

Journalling and developing a writing voice

Observation and getting out of everyday routines

Finding creative material in unexpected places

Making without worrying whether the work is good yet

Who should listen?

This episode is for writers, artists and other creatives who are feeling stuck, curious about working across different creative forms, or needing a reminder that creative work doesn't have to be planned perfectly before you begin.

Guest links

Website: https://clairezorn.com/

Instagram: @claire_zorn

Substack: Don't Be Ridiculous By Claire Zorn

Read the full interview

https://megdunley.com/2026/09/02/claire-zorn-on-creativity-writing-and-making/

Listen to Creative Momentum with Meg: https://megdunley.substack.com/s/creative-momentum-with-meg-dunley

Subscribe

If you enjoy conversations about creativity, writing and the many ways people make things, subscribe to Creative Momentum with Meg so you don't miss future episodes.

Music

Music for Creative Momentum with Meg by Yvonne Morton.

Season 2: The Home Season

Episode 26: Elizabeth Barnett: painter, printmaker and multidisciplinary artist

In this episode of Creative Momentum with Meg, I talk with Victorian artist Elizabeth Barnett about building a creative life around family, the seasons and the everyday things that inspire her.

Elizabeth works from a studio in her home in the Macedon Ranges, where still life paintings are shaped by collected objects, flowers, branches and the changing landscape around her.

We talk about protecting creative time, the Bridge Letters she writes with artist Stacey McCall, Elizabeth's lifelong journalling practice, her recent decision to begin writing a novel, and why knitting has become part of her creative process.

We discuss

·       Creative routines and parenting

·       Making time for art

·       The Bridge Letters

·       Journalling and drawing

·       Painting from the landscape and seasons

·       Beginning a novel

·       Knitting and creative flow

·       Finding home in creative work

Guest links

Elizabeth Barnett: www.elizabethbarnett.com

Instagram: @elizabethbarnett

The Bridge Letters Creative Practice blog by Elizabeth Barnett and Stacey McCall: www.thebridgeletters.com.au

Flinders Lane Gallery: https://flg.com.au/pages/artists/elizabeth-barnett

Youtube video about her practice

Read the full interview https://megdunley.com/2026/08/26/interviews-with-creatives-elizabeth-barnett/

Listen to Creative Momentum with Meg: https://megdunley.substack.com/s/creative-momentum-with-meg-dunley

Subscribe

If you enjoy conversations about creativity, writing and the many ways people make things, subscribe to Creative Momentum with Meg so you don't miss future episodes.

Music

Music for Creative Momentum with Meg by Yvonne Morton.

Season 2: The Home Season

Episode 25: Tim Pilgrim, Gardener

Tim Pilgrim is a gardener and garden designer based in Castlemaine, central Victoria. His work focuses on naturalistic, plant-led gardens designed for their particular site and climate.

In this conversation, Tim talks about finding his way into horticulture, working at Wimbledon, developing his own garden maintenance business and eventually moving into garden design.

But this is also a conversation about creativity.

Tim describes gardens as works that are designed through time. Unlike a painting or a piece of writing, a garden continues to change after the designer has finished working on it. Plants grow, seasons change, weather intervenes and unexpected things happen.

We talk about why observation matters, how Tim works with clients, why he prefers focused blocks of time, and what gardening has taught him about adapting rather than trying to control every outcome.

We talk about

- Finding a career in horticulture

- Working at Wimbledon

- Moving from gardening into garden design

- Gardening as an artistic practice

- Creating focused blocks of time

- Designing a garden from a client's brief

- Working with plants and climate

- The role of observation

- Designing gardens through time

- Learning from happy accidents

- Australian garden design and native plants

- What fills Tim's creative cup

- Finding your own voice

- Why you should garden before you design

Who should listen

This conversation is for gardeners, designers and anyone interested in the creative process.

You don't need to be a gardener to enjoy Tim's ideas about observation, experimentation, adaptation and allowing creative work to evolve.

Guest links

Tim Pilgrim: https://www.tpgardens.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/t.p_gardens/

Book 'Wild by Design': https://www.murdochbooks.com/browse/book/Tim-Pilgrim-Wild-by-Design-9781761500411

Read the full interview https://megdunley.com/2026/08/18/interviews-with-creatives-tim-pilgrim-gardener/

Listen to Creative Momentum with Meg: https://megdunley.substack.com/s/creative-momentum-with-meg-dunley

Subscribe

If you enjoy conversations about creativity, writing and the many ways people make things, subscribe to Creative Momentum with Meg so you don't miss future episodes.

Music

Music for Creative Momentum with Meg by Yvonne Morton.

Season 2: The Home Season

Episode 24: Megan Dalla-Camina

Megan Dalla-Camina is an author of four books, a PhD researcher in women's spirituality and feminine wisdom, and the founder of Women Rising. Her creative life began with dance, acting, poetry and writing, was interrupted by 18 years in corporate America, and later flourished through writing books and creating work that supports women.

In this conversation, Megan talks about the relationship between creativity and stillness, why she doesn't follow a fixed creative routine, and how her spiritual practice has changed the way she works.

In this interview we talk about

- Creativity as something deeper than productivity

- Why Megan allows ideas to gestate before turning them into projects

- Her process for writing four books

- How her creative process has changed over time

- The connection between dance, acting and writing

- Where she finds creative inspiration

- The inner critic and the difficulty of beginning

- Finding the next right action when you're stuck

- Why Megan believes we need to trust and protect our creative ideas

- Meditation, walking, reading and stillness as part of creative practice

- Why she says truth feels like home

Who should listen

This episode is for writers and creatives who:

- Feel pressure to be more productive

- Struggle with the inner critic before beginning

- Have an idea but aren't sure what to do with it

- Feel stuck in the middle of a creative project

- Want to develop greater trust in their creative process

- Are curious about the relationship between creativity, stillness and inner listening

Connect with Megan Dalla-Camina

Megan Dalla-Camina's website https://megandallacamina.com/

Women Rising: https://megandallacamina.com/women-rising/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/megandallacamina/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megandallacamina/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megandallacamina/

Read the full interview: https://megdunley.com/2026/08/11/interviews-with-creatives-megan-dalla-camina/

Find Creative Momentum with Meg: https://megdunley.substack.com/s/creative-momentum-with-meg-dunley

Subscribe to Musings with Meg: https://megdunley.substack.com/

A special thanks to Yvonne Morton for the music accompanying this episode.

You can find Yvonne on Bandcamp and Instagram.

Season 2: The Home Season

Episode 23: Samantha WL Lee, Author

Samantha Lee is the author of the historical novel Bound, as well as a poet, essayist and former English teacher. In this conversation she shares how a decade of waking before sunrise became the foundation of her writing life, why curiosity drives every story she tells, and what she's learned about trusting both the creative process and her own brain.

Meg and Samantha talk about:

Building a 5am writing practice around work and motherhood

Why consistency matters more than waiting for inspiration

Beginning with curiosity rather than plot

The joys and frustrations of being a "pantser"

What teaching English revealed about creativity and audience

Trusting your subconscious to solve story problems

Filling your creative cup through galleries, books and journalling

The rituals that tell her brain it's time to write

Whether you're trying to build a sustainable creative practice, write around a busy life, or simply keep showing up to the page, this conversation is full of practical wisdom and quiet encouragement.

Connect with Samantha W.L. Lee

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samanthawllee

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthawllee

Website https://www.samanthawllee.com.au/

Book: Bound https://www.westwords.com.au/product/bound/

Essay ‘How it feels when someone scrunches up their face at Chinese food’ https://www.sbs.com.au/voices/article/how-it-feels-when-someone-scrunches-up-their-face-at-chinese-food/mq53dll4i

Poems:

‘China Doll White’ https://femasiamagazine.com/china-doll-white/

‘Neiman Marcus Cookies’ https://femasiamagazine.com/neiman-marcus-cookies/

Read the full interview: https://megdunley.com/2026/08/05/interviews-with-creatives-samantha-wl-lee-bound/

Find all Creative Momentum with Meg show notes and interviews: https://megdunley.substack.com/s/creative-momentum-with-meg-dunley

A special thanks to Yvonne Morton for the music accompanying this episode. You can find Yvonne on Bandcamp and Instagram.

Get full access to Musings with Meg: megdunley.substack.com/subscribe

Season 2: The Home Season

The second season of Creative Momentum with Meg, The Home Season, features interviews with Australian writers and artists where I explore how and why people do their creative work.

Episode 22: Lynsey McDonnell, Author

Lynsey McDonnell is a Perth-based CFO, mother of teenagers and debut author whose novel Bailey Street was published by Hawkeye Publishing on 23 July 2026. Born in the UK to Irish parents and raised above a pub in northern England before emigrating to Western Australia, she wrote every word of this novel in the stolen spaces of a life that already had a full-time job and two teenagers in it. This is a conversation about how she did it, and why she is completely certain that when the story is right, the magic finds a way.

In this interview Meg and Lynsey talk about:

– Writing retreats with two trusted friends, and why they gave her half the book and months of momentum each time

– Why she never had writer’s block, only a block on her time

– Two years of research and craft study before a single word went on the page

– The notebook scene that arrived fully formed years before she started, and still exists near the end of the published book

– The mid-draft realisation she was telling the wrong character’s story

– What the Curtis Brown Write Your Novel course gave her, and why she kept polishing through every rejection

– Why home is wherever her people are, and how that became the quiet theme of both her novels without her ever planning it

– Whether you are writing in the cracks of a very full life, wondering how long to sit with an idea before you start, or trying to understand why some stories feel like magic and others don’t, this episode will speak directly to you.

This conversation with Lynsey is a completely honest look at what it takes to write a novel around a full life.

Connect with Lynsey McDonnell

Instagram

Website

Book: Bailey Street

Read the full interview: https://megdunley.com/2026/07/28/interviews-with-creatives-author-lynsey-mcdonnell/

Find all Creative Momentum with Meg show notes and interviews: https://megdunley.substack.com/s/creative-momentum-with-meg-dunley

A special thanks to Yvonne Morton for the music accompanying this episode. You can find Yvonne on Bandcamp and Instagram.

Get full access to Musings with Meg: megdunley.substack.com/subscribe

Season 2: The Home Season

The second season of Creative Momentum with Meg, The Home Season, features interviews with Australian writers and artists where I explore how and why people do their creative work.

Episode 21: Anna Woods, Author

Anna Woods is an Auckland-based author whose debut literary suspense novel LIT was published by Echo Publishing in June 2026. Anna has won the Sargeson Prize and been shortlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize for her short fiction, completed a Master of Creative Writing, and spent years writing novels that didn’t get published before landing on the process and the story that finally did. This is a conversation about what that process looks like from the inside and why she has no intention of stopping. While Anna is not strictly Australian, she’s from New Zealand and has deep connections here.

In this conversation, we chat about:

Anna’s distinctive drafting ritual

Why the liminal space between waking and sleeping is where her best writing happens

How she types up her longhand the next day as a first-pass edit

How she builds a reverse outline in Scrivener and uses Excel

Why she came from short fiction

Where the idea of LIT came from

Why reading memoir author-narrated audiobooks fills her creative cup

Why getting out into the world is essential

Whether you are trying to find your drafting rhythm, wondering whether your process is the right one, or just needing to hear again that the writers who break through are simply the ones who did not stop, this episode will give you both the practical and the motivational. Anna is warm, precise and completely clear-eyed about what it takes to see it through.

Connect with Anna Woods

Instagram

TikTok

Website

Book: LIT

Read the full interview: https://megdunley.com/2026/07/21/interviews-with-creatives-author-anna-woods/

Find all Creative Momentum with Meg show notes and interviews: https://megdunley.substack.com/s/creative-momentum-with-meg-dunley

A special thanks to Yvonne Morton for the music accompanying this episode. You can find Yvonne on Bandcamp and Instagram.

Get full access to Musings with Meg: megdunley.substack.com/subscribe