The Story Behind the Story: My Great-Grandmother
In the lead-up to publication of my novel, I want to write a few posts about the inspiration for my story. Last year, I wrote about my grandfather in ‘The Story Behind the Story’. In that post, I talked about how as soon I started writing my novel, my...
Robyne Young: A Life of Writing Prompts
Joining me in the attic today is Albury writer, Robyne Young. As you’ll discover when you read on, Robyne’s always been a writer as a journalist across a number of media, but the itch to write creatively has always been there, too. I won’t write much...
Writing is Rewriting
Back in 2013, when I finished a first draft of ‘The Sisters’ Song’ (which was called ‘Ida’s Children’ then—I’m still getting used to calling my child by a different name), I had no idea how much editing and rewriting...
Rae Hilhorst: Why I Write
I have another of my writing friends in the attic today: Rae Hilhorst. Here’s the serious, factual bio for Rae: Rae lives in Perth Western Australia and is a married mother of two adult daughters. Her blog is her hobby, a means to explore creative writing. When...
Conor Duggan: Writing Far From Home
This is the week for firsts: not only is Conor Duggan my first male guest for writers in the attic, he’s also my first Irish guest, first backpacker, first geologist, first slam-poet, first writer not to use a desk, and a whole heap of other firsts you’ll...
I’ve Been Editing …
My apologies for being so quiet on my blog lately. As most of you would already know, I’ve been doing the structural edits on my novel. They’re notoriously hard—just ask any author—and I had only one month in which to complete them. That month also...
Deb Wain: A Circuitous Pathway to Writing
I have yet another gorgeous essay for Writers in the Attic this week, this time from Deb Wain. Deb’s tale of how she came to writing really resonated with me. In fact, parts of it are eerily similar to an essay I wrote for the Writing the Dream anthology last...
Glenda Janes: The Saving Grace of Writing
Every week, I say how honoured/thrilled/excited I am to host this week’s Writer in the Attic. I know I’m repeating myself and sounding clichéd, but it’s true: every week, I am truly honoured, thrilled and excited to post each story. As I read...
Jessica Gately: What I Enjoy Most About Writing
A few weeks’ ago, I put a call out for essays for Writers in the Attic to a Facebook group for Australian writers. I was a little nervous and had no idea if anyone would want to write for this little attic, but, as always, my fellow writers rose to the occasion....
Vikki Holstein: On Writing Alternative Romance
Welcome to the second week of Writers in the Attic for 2017. Today, another interstate guest joins me—Vikki Holstein. Vikki is a romance writer, but of romance with a twist. I admire her ‘I’ll show them’ attitude, and that she’s prepared to...