Linda Strader: ‘Dear Diary …’
Although this series is open to any writer from anywhere, most of my guests have been Australian. Today, I'm thrilled to introduce an international guest, Linda Strader, who visits the attic from the USA. Read Linda's story about writing a memoir and getting it...
Karen Lee: If the Cloak Fits
A few weeks ago, after I shared this How to Write a Book post, a writer I didn't know emailed me. That writer's name was Karen Lee, and she told me that she'd read my post whilst at the hairdressers. It was the first time she'd visited a salon in the five years...
Fiona Robertson: Beginning Again
Every week I say I'm honoured to share the post for the attic and you're probably sick of reading that phrase. However, each week I am honoured to share the guest post, as well as humbled and a little thrilled that someone has written such a moving and thoughtful...
Tess Woods: What Makes a Real Writer?
Today I welcome Tess Woods into the attic. I'm so proud to share this essay because Tess is a dear friend of mine. It's written in her inimitable style and with her trademark length (she's never short for a word 😉 ). You won't regret taking the time to read it,...
Ruth Dawkins: The Best is Yet to Come
I'm excited because today's writer in the attic comes from one of my favourite places in the entire world, my old hometown of Hobart, Tasmania. All of the things she writes about Hobart in this piece are true, and her words brought back memories of things I miss about...
Alyssa Mackay: Me, Myself and Author
A couple of months' ago, I came across a hilarious blog post, First thoughts reading my first draft, on Alyssa Mackay's website. It had me in stitches, so I browsed Alyssa's other posts and saw she wasn't a one-hit wonder—there were other entertaining posts, like...
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...
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...
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...
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