The Write Way

The Write Way

By Samuel ElliottArts
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The Write Way episodes

  • Mercedes Mercier Talks 'Black Lies'
    Writer and novelist, Mercedes Mercier joined me on the show to discuss her second novel, ‘Black Lies’.
    Topics discussed include:
    - The genesis of ‘Black Lies’ - how Mercedes work within the criminal justice system has inspired her novel(s).
    - The writing of interrogation/conversation scenes - where minute changes in facial expressions and body language are vital. The challenges such scenes present and the fun Mercedes’ had writing them.
    - MC Criminal Psychologist Laura Fleming’s incredible talent for connecting with others (from chatting with cold-blooded killers about their love of dogs, to talking babies with the wives of motorcycle gang leaders) - how it serves as the basis and drive for some scenes.
    - The disparate nature of the work as a criminal psychologist - speaking with offenders and suspects of all types.
    - And so much more!
    Thanks to Mercedes for chatting all things ‘Black Lies’ with me on the program. Get your copy now!
    40 min
  • Addi Road Writers Festival 2023 Preview With Artistic Co-Director Mark Mordue
    Journalist, editor, writer, poet and co-artistic director for Addi Road Writers Festival 2023, Mark Mordue, joined me on the show.
    Topics discussed include:
    A brief overview of Addi Road Writers Festival, and its pandemic/post-pandemic journey.
    The festival’s theme for the year - ‘inner worlds’.
    Festival highlights, including events and appearing guests.
    And so much more!
    Thanks to the festival’s artistic directors Mark Mordue and Sheila Ngọc Phạm, along with Addi Road CEO Rosanna Barbero and all others involved in putting on such an epic and important local writers' festival!
    The gorgeous illustration of this post is by Peter Bainbridge.
    So, get your tix to attend the festival on (next) Saturday, May 20th here:
    https://addiroad.org.au/writers-festival/#
    24 min
  • Brandon Cronenberg Talks 'Infinity Pool'
    Film director, Brandon Cronenberg, joined me on the show to discuss his latest science fiction/horror film, ‘Infinity Pool’, starring Alex Skarsgard, Mia Goth and Cleopatra Coleman.
    Topics discussed include:
    The themes of self-control and self-identity and their variations found in Brandon’s previous movie, ‘Possessor’ and ‘Infinity Pool’.
    What types of people are drawn to dangerous and exotic locations.
    The demarcation between those that commit transgressions and are remorseful, and those that aren’t.
    Subverting/trivialising punishment - when punishment without true or lasting repercussions becomes tokenistic and what can arise from that both within the offender and for the society they inhabit.
    Strength and cowardice - what constitutes both - what both are seen as by characters in ‘Infinity Pool’.
    And so much more!
    Big thanks to Brandon for chatting with me on the show. ‘INFINITY POOL’ is in cinemas May 11 - go and see it!
    19 min
  • Ashley Kalagian Blunt On 'Dark Mode'
    Speaker, podcast host, author and writer, Ashley Kalagian Blunt, appeared on the 1st episode of the show for 2023 - discussing her thriller novel, ‘Dark Mode’.
    Topics discussed include:
    The inspiration for ‘Dark Mode’ - Ashley’s research into infamous cases of stalking and murders, along with her own educational excursions onto the dark web.
    The era (2017) - the last time someone could get away without having a smartphone, along with Donald Trump’s comments embodying a new online misogynistic movement.
    Enmore/Inner-West - writing a psychological thriller set in the location Ashley first wrote about, very differently, in ‘How To Be Australian’.
    The unshakable presence of “the other” - knowing they would/could be anywhere and everywhere - how this can detrimentally alter and define a victim’s life.
    How contemporary life and society make it almost impossible for an individual to be ‘off-the-grid’ i.e. no smartphone, no social media accounts.
    The terrifying reality of how technology has enabled unprecedented access to, and power over, an individual - i.e. deepfake technology, invasion/control over finances/assets/entire life.
    Ashley’s experiences with long-form writing with her C.F.S. (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome).
    And so much more!
    Thanks again to Ashley for talking all things ‘Dark Mode’ with me. What a brilliant guest to kick off the show’s 2023!
    Get your copy of ‘Dark Mode’ now!
    41 min
  • James McKenzie Watson Talking 'Denizen'
    Writer, podcast host, and now novelist, James McKenzie Watson, joined me to discuss his 2021 Penguin Literary Prize-winning debut novel, ‘Denizen’.
    Trigger Warning: Mental health/mental health issues were discussed.
    Topics discussed include:
    - The origins of ‘Denizen’ - an examination of family and friendship dynamics and mental health in small-town rural Australia.
    - The notion of ‘just be good’.
    - The cycle of ‘tension’ endemic to rural Australia.
    - The importance of writing the story as earnestly and unflinchingly as possible. How to tone it down, or to otherwise make it more palatable would be a disservice to the real-life issues/subject matter.
    - Writing for self vs an audience.
    - And so much more!
    Thanks again to James for discussing all things ‘Denizen’ and writing with me on the show. What a superb guest to close out the year!
    Get your copy of ‘Denizen’ now!
    58 min
  • Greg Woodland Talks 'The Carnival Is Over'
    Screenwriter, filmmaker, documentarian, author and novelist Greg Woodland
    joined me on the show to talk about his latest novel, ‘The Carnival Is Over’.
    Topics discussed include:
    How the novel’s idea developed, with characters recurring from Greg’s first published novel, ‘The Night Whistler’. The joys and challenges of writing a new novel with established characters - ‘like going home and visiting old friends again.’
    How we can feel that the mistakes of our past can determine our future, as exemplified by the recurring character of Hal.
    Writing full-realised characters. Characters that refuse to be victims - replete with agency. First Nation’s character, Allie - and the origins of her character.
    Greg’s writerly journey - from venturing into long-form writing because the screenplays were stuck in development hell - to now working on green-lit screenplays of his long-form work.
    And so much more!
    Big thanks to Greg for chatting with us on the program. Get your hands on ‘The Carnival Is Over’ from the good folks at Text now!
    51 min
  • Victoria Brookman On 'Burnt Out'
    Writer, academic, researcher and now published novelist Victoria Brookman appeared on the show to discuss her debut published novel, ‘Burnt Out’.
    Topics discussed include:
    - The Blue Mountains. The very real threat of fires in the region and the lasting devastation they can cause on the locals, such as the unprecedented 2019/20 Black Summer Fires.
    - Victoria’s own experiences with living in the region and having to be ready for such conditions. How such experiences and the questions that arose from them shaped what became ‘Burnt Out’.
    - The innate struggle writers face with writing the dreaded second book. What problems that can cause and what such problems caused Cali, the novel’s central character, to do.
    - The powers and perils of becoming an influencer and/or author of a hashtag.
    - Compromise and its various forms, how they are similar/different.
    - An individual’s moral/ethical compass. How vital it is to obtain/retain one’s own agency.
    - And so much more!
    Huge thanks to Victoria for chatting with me on the show. Grab your copy of ‘Burnt Out’ from Harper Collins Australia now!
    39 min
  • Rae Cairns Discussing 'The Good Mother'
    Former youth worker turned crime writer, Rae Cairns, joined me to talk about her Ned Kelly award nominated debut novel, ‘The Good Mother’.
    Topics discussed include:
    The origins of the novel, including Rae’s time spent as a youth worker in Northern Ireland - learning about ‘The Troubles’.
    A mother’s protecton of her children - how a mother can prevail over terror and threats, even revisiting sites of trauma or placing oneself in mortal peril in order to protect her child[ren].
    Believing in a cause - how this greater unifier can benefit/detrimentially impact the individual specifically and humanity overall.
    A mother’s intuition - how it can lead a mother and/or lead a mother astray.
    How an eye for an eye leaves the world blind. What it is to ‘move on’/‘move forward’ in life.
    And so much more!
    Big thanks to Rae for appearing on the show. Get your copy of ‘The Good Mother’ now!
    40 min
  • Publisher Talk With Martin Hughes CEO/Publishing Director Of Affirm Press
    The show returns after a brief mid-year break with the next instalment in the ‘Publisher talk’ series - with Martin Hughes, CEO and publishing director at Affirm Press.
    Topics discussed include:
    - Changes that Martin/Affirm Press have experienced with the industry and role of a publisher, post-pandemic.
    - The importance of authors and publishers establishing a long-term relationship. How a shared vision for the future can ensure that early challenges (i.e. one title being a tough sell for a debut novelist) are conquered and ultimately a strong working relationship can be forged.
    - As always - the most priceless of advice about what an aspiring author can do to ensure their manuscript really shines and stands out. ‘Don’t be afraid to fail’ - advice that extends to those also looking to take the plunge into publishing too. How a surplus of passion can guide you - up until you find that person(s) to collaborate with.
    - Finding unique/original voices through working closely with writing groups/organisations - i.e. SweatShop.
    - And so much more!
    Huge thanks to Martin for chatting with us on the program. Check out all the titles Affirm Press have:
    https://affirmpress.com.au/books/
    39 min
  • Tara Moss On 'The Ghosts Of Paris'
    Advocate, documentary host, interviewer, writer and novelist Tara Moss appeared on the program to discuss her latest novel, ‘The Ghosts of Paris’.
    Topics discussed include:
    - The inclusion of real-life historical characters within a fictional novel/novel series, why they can be included and the respectful balance required to include them.
    - Weaving in the societal sensibilities and attitudes of the era - how they serve to fully realise a historical fiction setting.
    - How physical places can be imbued with such strong memories, traumatic or joyful, how we/Billie feels this (i.e. returning to Europe still reeling from war).
    - The powerful need to find the truth - even when it can damage or harm us - how this drives Billie in ‘The Ghosts Of Paris’.
    - And so much more!
    Thanks so much to Tara for joining me - all the way from Canada! Get your copy of ‘The Ghosts of Paris’ now!
    37 min

About The Write Way

From the publisher's feed

A program founded and hosted by author and interviewer Samuel Elliott, that features a broad and disparate range of writer folk guests, ranging from international best-selling authors, to debut novelists or those as-yet unpublished writers. Regardless of what stage of their career they might be at, all of them are united by a love of writing, as well as having overcome some brutal challenges to get to where they are. This program will discuss not only each guest’s latest and greatest work or project, but also delve into what they’ve faced and conquered along their way to inevitable success.