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Struggling to write a story that hooks readers? Feeling unsure about how to balance plot, character, and big ideas?
This week on Writes4Women with Pamela Cook, Vanessa McCausland shares the secrets behind her latest novel, The Last Illusion of Paige White, and how she overcame the exact challenges you might be facing as a writer.
Here’s how listening can help YOU:
Tighten your plot: Vanessa breaks down how she crafted a twist so good her first reader (her husband, a plot genius) didn’t see it coming. Learn how to set up red herrings and keep readers guessing without losing the heart of your story.
Make your characters unforgettable: Discover how she layered emotional depth into her characters, giving them flaws, secrets, and complexity that resonate.
Get unstuck: Vanessa shares how she overcame self-doubt, followed her instincts, and pushed through creative risks to write her most ambitious book yet.
Navigate the writing process: From messy first drafts to revisions that matter, this episode is packed with practical tips to keep your project on track.
Whether you’re just starting out or deep in the trenches of a draft, this episode will give you fresh ideas, clarity, and the encouragement you need to write a story that stands out.
Get Inspired. Get Encouraged. Get Writing.
SHOW NOTES:
Writes4Women
www.writes4women.com
Facebook @writes4women
Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast
Vanessa McCausland
Website : click here
Facebook: click here
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Pamela Cook
www.pamelacook.com.au
Facebook: click here
Twitter: click here
Instagram: click here
This episode produced by Pamela Cook for Writes4Women on unceded Dharawal land.
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=true
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ever wanted to know how to edit a first draft?
In this week’s solo episode Pamela Cook focuses on the craft of editing, sharing all of her insider tips–from structural elements, point of view, voice and more. With resources and insights galore, this episode is like a free mentoring session with one of Australia’s best-love writing coaches.
SHOWNOTES:
Writes4Women
www.writes4women.com
Facebook @writes4women
Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast
W4W Patreon
https://www.writes4women.com/support-us-on-patreon
Sandy Barker
Website: click here
Facebook: click here
Instagram: click here
Buy Someone Like You here
Pamela Cook
www.pamelacook.com.au
Facebook @pamelacookauthor
Twitter @PamelaCookAU
This episode produced by Pamela Cook for Writes4Women and recorded on unceded Dharawal land.
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=true
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Join us for a fascinating chat with Sandy Barker, an Australian author known for her travel-inspired romance and rom-com novels.
With 12 books under her belt, Sandy shares insights into navigating the publishing industry, the importance of determination and resilience, as well as tips on keeping the joy of writing alive.
We discuss her latest books, writing schedules, the balance of travel and writing, and her unique approach to story planning. Plus, discover special content for Writes4Women Substack subscribers!
SHOWNOTES:
Writes4Women
www.writes4women.com
Facebook @writes4women
Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast
W4W Patreon
https://www.writes4women.com/support-us-on-patreon
Sandy Barker
Website: click here
Facebook: click here
Instagram: click here
Buy Someone Like You here
Pamela Cook
www.pamelacook.com.au
Facebook @pamelacookauthor
Twitter @PamelaCookAU
This episode produced by Pamela Cook for Writes4Women and recorded on unceded Dharawal land.
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=true
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jump into the latest episode of Writes4Women where Pamela Cook chats with international bestselling author Joanne Fedler about her enchanting new book, 'The Whale's Last Song.'
Joanne and Pamela share deep discussions on the writing process, the transformative power of words, and the inspiration drawn from the sea. Get a sneak peek into Jo's journey from law to literature, her raw reflections on grief, and the magic behind her storytelling.
AND paid Substack subscribers get an exclusive 15-minute bonus with must-hear writing tips!
SHOWNOTES:
Writes4Women
www.writes4women.com
Facebook @writes4women
Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast
W4W Patreon
https://www.writes4women.com/support-us-on-patreon
Joanne Fedler
Website: click here
Facebook: click here
Instagram: click here
Buy The Whale's Last song here
Pamela Cook
www.pamelacook.com.au
Facebook @pamelacookauthor
Twitter @PamelaCookAU
This episode produced by Pamela Cook for Writes4Women and recorded on unceded Dharawal land.
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=true
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Summary:
Join us in this week's episode as guest host Laura Boon chats with Gillian Wills about her new novel, Big Music! Discover how Gillian pours her rich background in music into her writing, creating a riveting tale that intertwines passion, politics, and power plays within the world of classical music. Learn about her transition from a musician to an author, the challenges of writing fiction, and her advice to aspiring writers.
https://pod.link/1275851144
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
01:50 Pamela’s Personal Update
03:01 Upcoming Webinars and Substack Bonuses
04:01 Listener Survey and Writing Prompts
08:04 Upcoming Podcast Episodes and Guests
09:30 Laura Boon Interviews Gillian Wills
32:14 The Sacrifices of a Musician's Life
32:40 Challenges Faced by Musicians
33:17 The Importance of Acoustics in Music
36:14 Publishing Journey and Rejections
39:57 Inspiration Behind 'Big Music'
42:20 Writing Process and Craft
53:39 Advice for Aspiring Writers
SHOW NOTES:
Writes4Women
www.writes4women.com
Facebook @writes4women
Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast
W4W Patreon
https://www.writes4women.com/support-us-on-patreon
Gillian Wills
Website: click here
Instagram: click here
Facebook: click here
Buy Big Music here
Laura Boon
Website: click here
Instagram: click here
Facebook: click here
Buy Tips From an Insider Insider here
Pamela Cook
www.pamelacook.com.au
Facebook: click here
Twitter: click here
Instagram: click here
This episode produced by Pamela Cook for Writes4Women.
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=true
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, guest host Mary-Lou Stevens chats with bestselling author Maryanne O'Connor about her delightful new historical Christmas novel, MARY CHRISTMAS.
Discover how this fun and festive romance came about while also getting insights into the writing journeys of both Mary-Lou and Maryanne.
Plus, hear about exciting updates from Writes4Women and find holiday cheer with special giveaways and more!
SHOW NOTES:
Writes4Women
www.writes4women.com
Facebook @writes4women
Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast
W4W Patreon
https://www.writes4women.com/support-us-on-patreon
Maryanne O'Connor
Website: click here
Instagram: click here
Mary Lou Stephens
Website: click here
Instagram: click here
Facebook: click here
Twitter: click here
Pamela Cook
www.pamelacook.com.au
Facebook: click here
Twitter: click here
Instagram: click here
This episode produced by Pamela Cook for Writes4Women on unceded Dharawal country.
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=true
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Guest host Jo Riccioni chats with fantasy author Madeleine Te Whiu about her Assassin trilogy's final instalment, crafting complex characters, balancing a vet nursing career with writing, and insights into her creative journey.
Madeline's passion for books began when she was growing up in rural South Australia. Her youngest memory of books is sitting on the lounge room floor while her mum read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. She was shortlisted for the WA Premier’s Prize for Emerging Writers 2023 and her Assassin series she creates an unforgettable world rife with grave secrets and suspenseful romance. The last book in the trilogy, The Queen's Thief will be released on October 31st 2024.
Expect world-building wonders, fan experiences, and the evolution of her dark fantasy series!
SHOW NOTES:
Writes4Women
www.writes4women.com
Facebook @writes4women
Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast
W4W Patreon
https://www.writes4women.com/support-us-on-patreon
Madeline Te Whiu
Website: click here
Instagram: click here
Tik Tok: click here
Jo Riccioni
Website: click here
Instagram: click here
Facebook: click here
Pamela Cook
www.pamelacook.com.au
Facebook: click here
Twitter: click here
Instagram: click here
This episode produced by Pamela Cook for Writes4Women on unceded Dharawal land.
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=true
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Unlock the secrets of radical confidence, take steps to silence that inner critic and learn the profound distinction between the Hero’s and Heroine’s Journey in this week’s bumper episode with Megan Dalla-Camina, author of WOMEN RISING.
Megan Dalla-Camina is the Founder and CEO of Women Rising and a world leading expert in women’s leadership. A celebrated coach, influential writer, researcher and advocate for change, Megan is known for her brave and refreshing approach to women’s empowerment, wellbeing and leadership.
This conversation is jam-packed with aha moments about recognising and dealing with our inner critic, battling imposter syndrome and finding a way out of the internalised structures of patriarchy we don't even know we've absorbed.
SHOW NOTES:
Writes4Women
www.writes4women.com
Facebook @writes4women
Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast
Nikki Gemmell
Website: click here
Instagram: click here
Twitter: click here
Pamela Cook
www.pamelacook.com.au
Facebook: click here
Twitter: click here
Instagram: click here
This episode produced by Pamela Cook for Writes4Women on unceded Dharawal country.
https://megandallacamina.com/women-rising/#program
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=true
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this 'From the Archives' episode of Writes for Women, host Pamela Cook sits down with award-winning author and mentor Lisa Hall-Wilson, author of 'Method Acting for Writers', to explore the craft of writing in deep point of view (DPOV).
Pam and Lisa chat about the nuances that distinguish DPOV from limited third-person narrative, the flexibility it offers in storytelling, and its popularity in genres like romance and fantasy. Lisa shares insights on using DPOV to achieve emotional depth and character immersion, touching on subjects like trauma representation and avoiding author intrusion.
The episode offers valuable tips and anecdotes for writers striving to deepen their narrative technique and engage readers through a vivid, character-driven perspective.
SHOW NOTES:
Writes4Women
www.writes4women.com
Facebook @writes4women
Instagram @w4wpodcast
W4W Substack
https://writes4women.substack.com/
Lisa Hall-Wilson
Website : click here
Facebook: click here
Pinterest: click here
Pamela Cook
www.pamelacook.com.au
Facebook: click here
Twitter: click here
Instagram: click here
This episode produced by Pamela Cook on unceded Dharawal country.
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=true
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Did you see Pam and some of the Writes4Women gang at the Northern Beaches Readers Festival last weekend?
In this week’s episode Pam gives you her top takeaways after spending a weekend with amazingly talented writers and shares her exciting news!
SHOWNOTES:
Writes4Women
www.writes4women.com
Facebook @writes4women
Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast
W4W Patreon
https://www.writes4women.com/support-us-on-patreon
Pamela Cook
www.pamelacook.com.au
Facebook @pamelacookauthor
Twitter @PamelaCookAU
Buy A Country Farm Christmas here
This episode produced by Pamela Cook for Writes4Women and recorded on unceded Dharawal land.
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=true
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the publisher's feed