How To Write a Book #2: Take Your Writing Seriously
Continuing with my series on 'How to Write a Book', this week I thought I’d write on another aspect I found particularly difficult to put into practice: Taking my writing seriously. I'm never comfortable giving advice—I prefer to write about my experiences in...
Susan Hawthorne: Dark Histories and the Wars Against Women
Today I welcome Susan Hawthorne into the attic. Susan's post is about her latest novel, Dark Matters, and how in writing it she's attempted to turn politics into poetry using Greek mythology and physics. Susan's novel is an important one, especially given the current...
Deborah Sessions: Am I A Writer?
Motherhood, especially in the early years, can be an all-encompassing identity. Your own dreams, wants and needs are put on hold indefinitely, often for years, and it's hard to remember, at times, the person you were pre-baby. That's why it's good to...
HOW TO WRITE A BOOK #1: Give Yourself Permission to be a Learner
I’m often asked questions about my book. Things like: What's it about? (Family, music, dreams) How long did it take to write? (Six years) What inspired it? (Many things—life, things I’m interested in, family stories) What made you want to write a book? (I wanted to...
Christine Eyres: Writing With Agnes
I'm thrilled to welcome such a multi-talented lady into the attic this week. Christine Eyres not only has a gift with words but is also a very accomplished artist. In this post, Christine tells the story of her Scottish great-grandmother, Agnes, a courageous...
Replenishing the Empty Well
Today I felt like journaling. It had been a few months since my last journal entry because I hadn't had much to say. But today I felt like writing again so, for a change, I decided to type my thoughts straight into a Word document. This is different to how I last...
Kirsty Dummin: The Imposter in the Attic
I've been itching to share this week's post! It's another of those searingly honest essays in which the writer opens up about how hard it is to actually sit down and write. Don't be fooled by the heading—it's not only about feeling like an imposter, but about...
Happy Birthday to Writers in the Attic!
A few days ago, on the first of August, Writers in the Attic turned one year old! Just over a year ago I tentatively approached a couple of writers and asked them to pen an essay about what being a writer meant to them. I certainly didn't expect it would still be...
Nicole McAlinden: A Strong Voice Spoken Quietly
Today, my friend Nicole McAlinden steps into the attic. I've known Nicole for a number of years through a writing group of which we are both members. I can vouch not only for her writing, but that she is, in person, a strong voice spoken quietly. 'I will keep on...
Camilla Hullick: My Happy Place
In the attic with me this week is Camilla Hullick. Camilla sent me this heartwarming story of how she returned to her 'happy place' after many years away from it. I related to Camilla's conflicting emotions of enjoying solitude and physical work and at the same...
Samantha House: How Reading Made Me A Writer
Western Australian writer and mother-of-four, Samantha House, has stepped into the attic today. She talks about how important reading is to her and what she hopes to give her own readers one day. I hope you'll enjoy her essay as much as I do—she's managed to...
Susan Dunn: My Reading and Writing Life
Perth writer, Susan Dunn, is my guest in the attic this week. Susan's essay takes us from her early reading through to her adult writing life, and I'm sure you'll enjoy reading about the books and people who have influenced her. 'I curled up in bed...
Anthea Hodgson: The Drifter’s Heart
I don't have the words to express how deeply this essay by Anthea Hodgson about her dad and his death from Alzheimer's affected me. All I can say is that it's beautiful and it made me cry. If you've never read a Writers in the Attic post before, today's the day...
Rebecca Freeman: Running Writing
I'm so proud to host of this series of essays and bring you a different insight into the writing life every week. Each essay is truly inspiring and thoughtful and really bolsters my spirits. They're all too special, really, not to be published more widely or in print,...
No More Edits and That’s a Promise.
Last week, I finished editing my novel and sent it back to Allen and Unwin. A few days later, one of my editors emailed to say: 'It has been such a pleasure to read the revised manuscript this week. I think you’ve tightened the pace of the novel and fleshed out the...
