Joanna Morrison: Writing and Rewriting The Ghost of Gracie Flynn
This post could also be called: Anatomy of Writing a Novel. When writing a novel, the hard work really only begins once the story's written down. Most novels require heavy editing in order to make them publishable, and by heavy editing we're talking discarding tens of...
Nigel Featherstone: My Heart is a Little Wild Thing
I've been eagerly awaiting this post from one of my favourite writers, Nigel Featherstone. Nigel's latest novel, 'My Heart is a Little Wild Thing' has been described as, 'Powerful, tender, visceral and sublime–a must-read piece of Australian literature.’ (Holden...
Sharron Booth: The Myth of ‘Follow Your Dream’
I loved this gorgeously wise post by WA début author, Sharron Booth. I know writers, and readers, will love it too, as we all resonate with the struggles of writing a book and getting published. It's never straightforward and Sharron’s post, with its truth and honesty...
David Whish-Wilson: Research Moments in Bars
Writers in the Attic is now in its seventh year and over that time more than 130 writers have generously given us an insight into their writing process. Every single one of those processes has been unique and today, I bring you another great writer with another...
Sara Foster: Rewriting the Maternal Voice in Fiction
My friend and much-loved Western Australian author, Sara Foster, visits the attic today. After writing six bestselling psychological suspense novels, Sara's latest book, The Hush, is a near-future thriller that has been garnering critical acclaim around the...
Portland Jones: Turning Family History into Historical Fiction
It's with great joy I welcome Portland Jones back to the attic today. She visited back in 2019 – read that post here – but our friendship goes back to 2014, when we were both shortlisted for the City of Fremantle – TAG Hungerford Award. Portland has just published her...
Dinuka McKenzie: Just an Everyday Woman
I'm thrilled to welcome crime writer, Dinuka McKenzie, to the attic this week. Dinuka's crime-fiction novel, The Torrent, won the 2020 Banjo Prize, and its publication was much-awaited. She's recently signed with Harper Collins for a further two novels, so we'll be...
Fiona Robertson: Walking Away for Inspiration
It gives me more pleasure than you can possibly imagine to welcome Fiona into the attic. It's not the first time she's visited (read her first post from 2017) and these days Fi is an almost daily visitor to the attic, as I am to her office, when we write together with...
Maria Papas: Lessons from ten year old me: how to tell a difficult story
Welcome to Writers in the Attic for 2022! I have some wonderful authors lined up already, and I'm looking forward to bringing you their stories from behind-the-scenes. I don't know about you, but over this past two years, books have become a touchstone for me –...
Karen Herbert: Mount Stupid Again
Please welcome Karen Herbert to the attic this week. Karen and I have crossed paths a few times over the years, as fellow members of the WASO chorus and as hockey mums, so I'm thrilled to have her in the attic as a début novelist. Her crime thriller, The River Mouth,...
David Allan-Petale: From Fact to Fiction
Well, I could say the locusts have taken over the attic this week: David Allan-Petale has come in to talk about his book, Locust Summer, and his metamorphosis from journalist to author. On the face of it, the two seem similar – both are writing, both tell stories –...
Zoë Deleuil: The Accidental Novel
I'm excited to welcome Zoe Deleuil, to the attic this week. Zoë is from Perth, Western Australia, but now lives in Berlin with her family. I remember running into Zoe at the Perth Writers Festival a few years ago (in the women’s loos, of course!), and chatting at...
Emma Young: Confessions of a Hopeless Book Nerd
I'm thrilled to welcome Emma Young to the attic this week. Emma's novel, The Last Bookshop, was recently published by Fremantle Press. Having worked in a bookshop and as an avid reader herself, it's only fitting her post is about books. I remember chatting to a...
Polly Phillips: Writing As Therapy
I'm so excited to introduce this week's writer in the attic, début author, Polly Phillips, as we recently spent a balmy Perth evening together, along with another couple of Perth authors, talking writing and books and life. Polly’s post today continues those themes...
Irma Gold: The Ideas Tree
I have a little story about this post: About three years ago, I asked Irma if she'd like to write a post for the attic. She said words to the effect of: 'I'd love to, but would you mind waiting until my novel is published?' It's been a long time but I'm thrilled to...