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Suzanne Moore: Writing Mothers – Living in The Place Between
by Louise Allan | Apr 13, 2020 | WRITERS IN THE ATTIC | 8 Comments
Writers in the Attic is back for 2020! I was actually planning on taking a break while I finished my second novel, but Covid's thrown all our 2020 plans into disarray! Authors rely on book tours, writers' festivals, library talks, workshops and book clubs to help...

Goodbye to a Decade
by Louise Allan | Dec 31, 2019 | DIARY, MEMOIR | 2 Comments
I originally shared this post on Facebook, but I think it's worth sharing here on my blog, too. ~ It’s a new year and a new decade. (I won’t be a purist and mention that decades start at 1 and end at 10, because I accept we’re about to enter the 2020’s.) Ten years...

Joanna Nell: Confessions of an Introvert Writer—How I found my Quiet Tribe
by Louise Allan | Dec 16, 2019 | WRITERS IN THE ATTIC | 12 Comments
This is my last Writers in the Attic for 2019 and I'm delighted to end the year with this beautiful and insightful post from Joanna Nell. Everything Jo mentions in this piece, every single detail, resonates with me, as I'm sure it will with every other writer out...

Favel Parrett: When Fiction Becomes Truth
by Louise Allan | Dec 2, 2019 | WRITERS IN THE ATTIC | 8 Comments
We're into the final month of 2019, and I have two more guests in the attic to come before I take a break for summer. I feel incredibly lucky that so many wonderful writers have agreed to write for the attic this year and I hope you've enjoyed reading their words. I'm...

Yvette Walker: Pick a card, any card
by Louise Allan | Nov 11, 2019 | WRITERS IN THE ATTIC | 18 Comments
Anyone who's followed me for a while, knows that I rely on a mix of old and new technology when writing. I love the software programme, Scrivener, and the way it allows me to shuffle my chapters around and edit easily. I'm also a fan of the old-fashioned sticky note...

Heather Rose: A Few Thoughts About Writing
by Louise Allan | Nov 4, 2019 | WRITERS IN THE ATTIC | 18 Comments
Today's guest in the attic requires no introduction—she's one of Australia's best writers, as well as one of the kindest, most down-to-earth people you could ever meet. (That's how they breed them in Tasmania. 😉 ) I'm thrilled and honoured that Heather agreed to write...

Guest Post: Re-Discovering the Joy of Writing
by Louise Allan | Oct 21, 2019 | ON WRITING | 6 Comments
This week I popped over to Lee Kofman's wonderful blog and wrote a guest post. It only took me five drafts before I was able to articulate what I really wanted to say about the struggles of writing a second book compared to the joy of writing a first, and all the...

Holden Sheppard: Finding the Courage to be Visible
by Louise Allan | Oct 7, 2019 | WRITERS IN THE ATTIC | 16 Comments
Holden Sheppard is a dear friend of mine and I've long admired and respected his writing, so you've no idea how proud I am to share this post for Writers in the Attic. Although I had an inkling of Holden's journey and I've seen some of the ups and downs, this post was...

Morna Seres: The Process
by Louise Allan | Sep 23, 2019 | WRITERS IN THE ATTIC | 10 Comments
This week, another Varuna-housemate-now-lifelong-friend* joins me in the attic. Morna Seres has worked as an actor, actor's agent and even as a salesperson of virtual reality funerals. She fell into writing and in this post talks about managing the ups and downs of...

Jacqui Brown: Screw You, Mrs Bennett
by Louise Allan | Sep 9, 2019 | WRITERS IN THE ATTIC | 10 Comments
Today's guest in the attic, Jacqui Brown, is warm, vivacious and humorous, all of which is evident in her writing. Jacqui's one of the group of writers I met while at Varuna who helped make my stay so special. I hope you enjoy her post—there's nothing better than...

Claire Varley: Realistic Fortune Cookies for the Discerning Writer
by Louise Allan | Aug 26, 2019 | WRITERS IN THE ATTIC | 4 Comments
Varuna Writers House is possibly my favourite place to write. It's writerly history seems to shroud and uplift you as soon as you enter, and it's location in the Blue Mountains, with majestic views from every window and a national park on the doorstep, further aids...

Pam Cook: Finding the Courage to be Yourself
by Louise Allan | Aug 19, 2019 | WRITERS IN THE ATTIC | 14 Comments
I'm delighted to welcome well known and well loved Australian author, Pam Cook, to the attic today. Many of you will know Pam from her four published books, as well as the Writes 4 Women podcast she hosts with Kel Butler. Pam is about to publish her fifth book, but...

Michael Trant: Just Do It
by Louise Allan | Aug 5, 2019 | WRITERS IN THE ATTIC | 5 Comments
My friend and fellow Allen and Unwin stablemate, Michael Trant, joins me in the attic today. Mike's one of the most likeable, funny and down-to-earth people I know, and all of that comes across in his piece today. I love what he has to say about just getting the job...

Ashley Kalagian Blunt: Going Where the Writing Takes You
by Louise Allan | Jul 22, 2019 | WRITERS IN THE ATTIC | 13 Comments
One of the reasons I love hosting this series is because every writer is different — in the way they approach their craft, their sources of inspiration, how they set up their writing days and how they structure their writing lives. Certainly, there are common threads...

Robyn Cadwallader: The Angel Among the Chaos
by Louise Allan | Jul 8, 2019 | WRITERS IN THE ATTIC | 17 Comments
I'm always deeply grateful to the writers who contribute to Writers in the Attic. Their words never fail to give me something to think about, or bestow a nugget of wisdom or just make me feel less lonely on this torturous journey to a novel. Robyn's piece did all of...