The Write Way

The Write Way

By Samuel ElliottArts
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The Write Way episodes

  • Dani Vee Talks 'My EXTRAordinary Mum'
    Writer, interviewer, podcaster (of ‘Words & Nerds’ fame), novelist and now children’s author, Dani Vee, joined me on the program to discuss her debut published children’s picture book, ‘My EXTRAordinary Mum’.
    Topics discussed include:
    - The importance of self-expression in a mum - how that is conducive to a child becoming/embracing themselves and their own identity too.
    - The many different versions of extraordinary - how extraordinary is not just classified as being loud and colourful.
    - To thine own self be true - how crucial it is to be ourselves.
    - Important traits and qualities parents hope their kids inherit.
    - How it is okay to not be ok - segueing into anxiety in creatives, along with our own lived experiences.
    - And so much more!
    Thanks heaps to Dani for chatting with me on the show - grab your copy of ‘My EXTRAordinary Mum’ from Dani’s publisher, Larrikin House from here:
    https://larrikinhouse.com.au/products/my-extraordinary-mum
    58 min
  • Ashley Goldberg On 'Abomination'
    Writer Ashley Goldberg joined me on the program to discuss his debut novel, ‘Abomination’.
    Trigger warning - child sex abuse/instituional sex abuse was discussed (briefly).
    Topics discussed include:
    How faith can define us - either our own identity, our how we think others view us - how the two can differ greatly.
    Friendship - the core of the story - that of Erza and Yonatan. How friendships can endure, with the affinity of faith, or in spite of the schism of it.
    Why our identity can define our existence and how being part of a community, or outside of one, can define our existence too.
    And so much more!
    Thanks be to Ashley for talking with me on the show - get your copy of ‘Abomination’ this instant!
    53 min
  • Publisher Talk With Catherine Milne, Head Of Fiction At Harper Collins
    In the second instalment of TWW’s ‘Publisher Talk’ series, Catherine Milne, Head of Fiction at Harper Collins, joined me on the show to talk shop:
    Topics discussed include:
    - What changes the industry has undergone post pandemic.
    - Titles Catherine has/is looking for - what makes a title stand out.
    - Harper Collins’s Banjo Prize - the idea behind it and how it has launched careers since its inception.
    - Invaluable advice galore, for both writers looking to get published, to those wishing to work within the publishing industry.
    - And so much more!
    Thanks heaps to Catherine for chatting with me on the show - and for publishing epic Australian titles (looking at you ‘Boy Swallows Universe).
    36 min
  • Lyn McFarlane Discussing 'The Scarlet Cross'
    Former journalist, lawyer, writer and now novelist, Lyn McFarlane, joined me on the show to discuss her debut children's novel, ‘The Scarlet Cross’.
    TRIGGER WARNING: Topics discussed include schizophrenia, mental health/illnesses, self-harm, suicide.
    Topics discussed include:
    - The process of creating the fictional hospital - St. Jude Hospital - its backstory and architecture, its patients and doctors and their workplace culture and everything else that went into the immersive setting.
    - The robustness of the crime genre - the freedom it affords to write and weave in societal issues and histories, without detracting from a fast-paced, thrilling story.
    - The sister relationship at the core of the story - that of Meredith and Bella - how Lyn always wanted to write a unique care-giver story role.
    - The writing of Bella’s character - Lyn’s need to make her a fully dimensional and accomplished person in her own right - not someone singularly defined by their schizophrenia.
    - And so much more!
    Thanks heaps to Lyn for talking with me on the show. Grab a copy of ‘The Scarlet Cross’
    54 min
  • Maggie Jankuloska On 'The Rat - Catcher's Apprentice'
    Writer and now novelist, Maggie Jankuloska, joined me on the show to discuss her debut children's novel, ‘The Rat-Catcher’s Apprentice’.
    Topics discussed include:
    Bringing 17th century plague-ridden provincial France to life - creating the fictional township of Saint-Ophelie.
    The elements required in any good historical fiction novel in order to create a strong sense of place. How this differs for a younger/child audience.
    Marie the central character - the incorrigible dreamer and storyteller. How storytelling can keep us and others enduringly hopeful, even in the darkest and bleakest of settings and circumstances.
    How kind characters remain kind, even to those that are wicked and have wronged them - what that says about human nature.
    How we can form familial ties with those we meet through journeys and hardships.
    And so much more!
    Thanks heaps to Maggie for talking with me on the show. Grab a copy of ‘The Rat-Catcher’s Apprentice’ now!
    56 min
  • Live Event 'Dirt Town' Novel Launch With Hayley Scrivenor At BRTD Newtown
    In this very special episode, recorded live on location at Better Read Than Dead, I had a discussion with writer, former director of the Wollongong Writers Festival and now novelist, Hayley Scrivenor at the Sydney launch of her debut novel, ‘Dirt Town’.
    Topics discussed include:
    The origins of the novel, its writing process and how it differed greatly from the writing of short stories.
    The ‘voices’ that tell the story, how they defined the story, how they shaped it, how Hayley corralled them all into the finished version of ‘Dirt Town’.
    The authenticity of voice with the writing of children's perspectives.
    The fictional setting of Durton, how Hayley crafted such a strong sense of place.
    And so much more!
    Thanks so much to Hayley for chatting with me on the show, get your copy of ‘Dirt Town’ now.
    40 min
  • Nigel Featherstone On 'My Heart Is A Little Wild Thing'
    Writer, essayist, playwright, novelist and dramatague Nigel Featherstone chatted with me on the show, discussing his latest novel - ‘My heart is a little wild thing’.
    Topics discussed include:
    Landscapes - our ties to them - how they can shape us and define us. How we feel such strong, ineffable ties to them. How the other living beings that inhabit them (from birds to trees and everything else in between) also serve to shape our perception and feelings about the land and about life.
    How people we know and love can remain a mystery to us, even after decades. (Even touched on Sumner Locke Elliott a bit - I felt very special picking up the reference).
    Caring for aging parents - how it is much more a privilege than an obligation. How this relationship in the story can be viewed as our generation caring for the environment - and what the cataclysmic cost could be if we fail to do so.
    And so, so much more!
    Thanks so much to Nigel for chatting with me on the show, get your copy of ‘My heart is a little wild thing’ now.
    1 hr 8 min
  • John Purcell Talks 'The Lessons'
    Former bookshop owner/seller and director of books at Booktopia, John Purcell, joined me to discuss his latest novel, ‘The Lessons’.
    Topics discussed include:
    The origins of ‘The Lessons’ stemming from an idea from an unfinished novel twenty years ago - to unexpected arrival of the the voice of Harry, launching what would become the completed novel.
    The change in process of the novel (pantser) - how it differed greatly to John’s other works and the challenges it presented.
    The study in contrasts in characters - from their understanding of themselves and others - the masculinity/femininity (real or imagined) some characters might feel they have or lack and how that is perceived by others.
    How we as people can struggle to accept the people we know and love can change - the desire to want them to be ‘that’ version as we cherish and remember. The problems this can cause and how people can dedicate their lives to pursuing ‘that’ version of someone.
    How writers can often have the hardest time trying to articulate themselves to others when speaking - the power of the written word/form.
    And so much more!
    Thanks so much to John for talking to me on the program, get your copy of ‘The Lessons’ now!
    56 min
  • Robert Lukins Talks 'Loveland' And Writing
    Writer and novelist, Robert Lukins, joined me on the show to discuss his second and latest novel, ‘Loveland’.
    Topics discussed include:
    Crafting the Nebraska that May visits, capturing its essence and making the fictional township of Loveland come alive - right down to the Goyle tours and the time capsule.
    Why people obsess over previous generations and eras - how everything is gilded with nostalgia, particularly when you didn’t live in that previous generation/era.
    Water - what draws us to bodies of water - even poisoned lakes.
    Robert’s writerly journey - from writing novels he deleted the instant he finished, to now releasing two published novels of his own.
    The best of conversation trajectories - describing the writing process and pursuit and everything in between.
    And so much more!
    Thanks so much to @ for having such an epic and earnest chat with me - especially about the writing. I loved the way that conversation went.
    53 min
  • Maryrose Cuskelly On 'The Cane'
    Writer of both fiction and non-fiction works and novelist, Maryrose Cuskelly, joined me on the show to discuss her novel, ‘The Cane’.
    Topics discussed include:
    The inspiration for the novel, including several high-profile cases of abductions and murders of young Queenslander girls that occurred during Maryrose’s own childhood.
    The setting - the township of Quala & Kaliope - surrounded by the titular cane. A place with a strong sense of community, but tensions and injustices easily noticeable, burbling under the surface.
    How a community rallies together in times of crises, such as a young local girl’s disappearance - but then just as easily transforms and turns in on itself when faced with the likelihood that the killer could be ‘one of theirs’ - including a willingness to single out anyone remotely different.
    And so much more!
    Thanks so much to Maryrose for chatting with me on the program - you can pick up a copy of ‘The Cane’ from her publisher, Allen and Unwin, now!
    53 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.