Alice Nelson—Losing the Key: Letting Go of Our Novels
Gosh, I have some amazing writers visit the attic! I get such joy out of reading the sometimes heartfelt, sometimes practical, but always different and always special pieces that authors pen for this series. Today, I'm thrilled to share another beautiful piece, this...
Varuna 2019
So I've returned home from Varuna, a writers' house in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains of NSW. I've spent time at Varuna before (see here and here), back in 2014 when I was the recipient of a residential fellowship, so I knew it was exactly what I needed at this point...
Annabel Smith: Finding (the Right) Reasons to Write
So very happy to have Annabel Smith grace the attic with her presence today. She was one of the first authors I met when I started writing and she has more wisdom about books, writing and publishing in her little finger than I'd hope to attain in a lifetime. Annabel...
12 Tips on Giving a Good Author Talk
As a published author, you're expected to speak at writers festivals, libraries, book clubs and to writing and community groups. But, if you're anything like me, the notion of public speaking might fill you with terror. I'm not, by nature, a public speaker. Speaking...
Kelly Van Nelson: From Blank Canvas to Colourful Dreams
Today, I welcome Western Australian poet and fiction writer, Kelly van Nelson, to the attic for a Q&A. Kelly's powerful poetry collection, Graffiti Lane, celebrates freedom of speech and the underdog rising against all odds. Her poetry and short stories have...
Lee Kofman: On Imperfection and Writing
As I read the first memoir penned by today's guest, I remember thinking, When I grow up, I want to write like this. I was underlining phrases and making notes in the margins, such was the beauty of the prose. But, even better, there was a searing honesty about her...
International Women’s Day 2019
I wrote these words in honour of International Women's Day. It's a passionate piece for which I make no apologies, because everything I've written here has been drawn from my experiences since girlhood. This is why we need International Women's Day, and why it's...
Laurie Steed: The Short Way Around
‘It’s as if short stories are love letters from the perennially shy. It’s as though these stories are quiet whispers that somehow echoed out into the world. As my lifeline and release, they enable me to be and love, and never grasp too tight for my place in the world.’
Rashida Murphy: Sesame, Lilies and Conquistadors
My guest in the attic this week is Rashida Murphy. Rashida is a Western Australian author whose writing I've admired since we first met at a writing course in 2012. At the time, we were both starting out and in throes of writing our début novels. Since then, our...
Three Things I Need Before I Can Write A Novel
At the end of last year, I wrote a post called The Trouble With Second Novels after I'd abandoned my second attempt at writing a second novel. At that time, I was trying to keep myself buoyant because I was feeling rather deflated—I'd hoped to have a...
Susan Midalia on Finding the Extraordinary in the Everyday
Writers in the Attic is back! I'm so excited to be hosting this again as I've really missed it. I already have some amazing writers lined up for future weeks, and more are coming, and I promise you that WITA 2.0 will be just as good as the first season. Without...
The Trouble With Second Novels
This afternoon while it was 38ºC outside, I sat at my desk and opened my current manuscript. It had been a while since I’d written and, although I've missed creating sentences, I'd needed the break. I've been working on my second novel for most of this year. So far,...
Win a Manuscript Assessment and Raise Money for Authors For Farmers
AUTHORS FOR FARMERS is an initiative started by the wonderful Australian author Josephine Moon, who's been working hard behind the scenes, banding together fellow authors from around the country to fundraise for drought-affected farmers. All...
Messages From Readers
I'm not sure if readers are aware of how much authors love hearing from them—it really does make our day! It's always a thrill to hear from people who've enjoyed reading your book, and it's even more special when they share their own stories and memories prompted...
Unworthiness: This is How It Starts
Earlier this year, my friend Denise Mills asked me if I'd write something for her blog about feeling 'unworthy'. The topic is something I've spent a lot of time thinking and writing about, having felt 'unworthy' for much of my life. I sent Denise a piece I wrote...
