The Write Way

Teacher, podcaster and novelist, Kate Mildenhall, joined me to chat about her latest novel, ‘The Hiding Place’. We talked about: - The idea that started ‘The Hiding Place’ - or rather a real estate advert - and Kate’s own experience with her camping group. - Why some of us romanticise and yearn for a little slice of nature to call our own - from our youths and right through adulthood. - How sensib...

Writer and fellow podcaster, Madeleine Cleary, dropped in to talk about her debut novel, ‘The Butterfly Women’. Topics discussed included: The origins of ‘The Butterfly Women’ - including Madeleine’s great-great-great grandmother’s story. A pervasive attitude of ‘women remembering their place’ - and how it had impacted all women from all classes (i.e. the gilded cage, was still a cage). The import...

Author and screenwriter Christian White, joined me to talk about his latest novel, ‘The Long Night’. Topics discussed included: - The suitably spooky origins and scenario that lead to ‘The Long Night’. - Stone Tape Theory and how we are tethered by trauma and stories to certain physical places/spaces. - Seeing the world and a scenario through the eyes of a creative. Em with her horror buff lens, J...

Former journalist and writer, Michael Brissenden discussed his latest novel, ‘Dust’ with me on the show. Topics included: - How Dust came to be - its real-world, real location inspiration. - Communities turning on one another during a crisis - how the finger-pointing/blame-shifting can happen so quickly and how factions can form so easily. - The role media and media coverage plays, even in small,...

Writer, producer, and academic, Seth Robinson, joined me to discuss ‘Unfolded’ - the University of Melbourne’s new podcast that he co-hosts with writer and novelist, Tony Birch. Topics we talked about include: - How ‘Unfolded’ started with one unique idea - bringing a writer’s stories to life with actors - and interviewing the writers about their work and their reaction to this vision of their wor...

Writer, editor, actor, Laura McCluskey, joined me to discuss her debut novel, ‘The Wolf Tree’, Topics included: - What inspired ‘The Wolf Tree’ and how it went into crafting the fictional island setting of Eilean Eadar. - Trust in its many forms. - Tradition - what compels an individual and a people to uphold it. - Fear - how it features in different ways and dynamics in the novel. - And a ton mor...

Bestselling author Dervla McTiernan joined me to discuss her latest Cormac Reilly novel, 'The Unquiet Grave'. We talked about: - Origins of ‘The Unquiet Grave’ and bog bodies! - Returning to writing Cormac Reilly. Is it harder to write with an entirely new protagonist, or a recurring one beloved by fans? - The different examples of familial obligations found throughout the novel. - How is it that...

The first (and likely only) guest for 2025 is novelist Alicia Thompson! She joined me to discuss her second published novel, ‘Ex’. Topics we covered include: - The origins of ‘Ex’. - The freedoms and limitations imposed by writing such a unique novel. - Alicia’s exhaustive research process and how it informs her writing. - Memories, how they can change over time and how they can shape our life. -...

Musician, writer and author, Jack Ellis, joined me to talk about his 2nd novel, ‘Home And Other Hiding Places.’ Topics discussed include: - What inspired ‘Home And Other Hiding Places’. - How children's lives are shaped by what they are/aren’t told and how their imagination fills out the rest. - Children taking on the roles of protector and provider for parents. - Writing from a child’s perspectiv...

Writer and novelist, Hayley Scrivenor, dropped in to chat about her second novel, ‘Girl Falling’. Topics include: - The genesis of ‘Girl Falling’ - including the idyllic setting of the Blue Mountains. - The need (and total inability) to know what someone else - someone close to ourselves - is thinking. - How others sometimes, seemingly, know us even better than we do. - Book Two Syndrome - how did...

Writer, podcaster and novelist, Karen Viggers, joined me to discuss her latest novel, ‘Sidelines’. Topics include: - The origins of ‘Sidelines’. - How ultra-competitive parents can be drawn to highly-ranked clubs. - The insatiable at-all-costs need to win that drives some parents and (by extension) their children. - Passion being used as an excuse for toxic behaviour and how some people aren’t eve...

Journalist and novelist, Ali Lowe, joined me to discuss her latest novel, ‘The School Run’. Topics discussed include: - The real-world inspo for ‘The School Run’. - St Ignatius Boys’ School - what such an institution represents to these characters and how they can find themselves willing to do anything - anything at all - in order to secure a spot for their child in such a place. - The similaritie...

Award-winning journalist and novelist, Michael Brissenden, joined me to talk about his latest crime novel, ‘Smoke’. Topics discussed include: - The origins of ‘Smoke’. - Shifting writing stories set in Australia to the U.S. - the similarities and differences of the two countries and settings. - Journalists - the individuals that frequently risk both life and limb in the pursuit of the truth. - The...

Writer and author of 40+ books, Jack Heath, joined me to discuss his latest thriller, ‘Kill Your Husbands’. Topics discussed include: - The inspiration for ‘Kill Your Husbands’ - and its unique origins during the height of 50 Shades popularity. - The endurance of unlikely friendships - how shared experiences can sustain them - i.e. memories turning from tragedy to comedy. - Fear of losing a relati...

Writer and now novelist Maxine Fawcett joined me to talk about her debut novel, ‘Everything Is Perfect’. Topics discussed include: - What sparked ‘Everything Is Perfect’. - Deconstructing a ‘perfect’ marriage - tracing the history of a lifetime spent together with a partner - how it can be less a love story and more a life story. - The process (and importance) of ‘writing scared’. - Obsession - ho...

The first guest for 2024 is writer and novelist, Dinuka McKenzie! She joined me to discuss her latest novel, the 3rd in the Detective Kate Miles series - ‘Tipping Point’. Topics discussed include: - The inspiration for Tipping Point - the brother and sister dynamic and the decision to open the novel with a chapter not from Kate’s perspective - a series first! - The importance of family/the goings-...

Writer and novelist, Rae Cairns, joined me on the show to discuss her 2nd crime/thriller novel, ‘Dying To Know’. Topics discussed include: The origins of ‘Dying To Know’. The theme of belonging, the desire to belong to a group/family found in several characters throughout the novel. Rae’s boots-on-the-ground research into Sydney’s motorbike scene - from the social clubs to meeting ex-members of ou...

Professional communicator, writer and novelist, Michelle Prak, appeared on the show to talk about her debut crime novel, ‘The Rush’. Topics discussed include: - The genesis of ‘The Rush’ - including Michelle’s extensive travelling and road-tripping through some of the country’s remotest locations. - The importance of getting the setting right - including the ‘character’ of the rain/flood - how Mic...

Writer, producer, comedian and now novelist, Carolyn Swindell, joined me on the show (all the way from Korea!) to discuss her debut novel, ‘We Only Want What’s Best’. TRIGGER WARNING: There were brief mentions of child grooming and child abuse and citing a real-life case. If you are triggered by such subjects/themes - please reconsider listening to this episode. Topics discussed include: The inspi...

Writer and novelist, Mercedes Mercier joined me on the show to discuss her second novel, ‘Black Lies’. Topics discussed include: - The genesis of ‘Black Lies’ - how Mercedes work within the criminal justice system has inspired her novel(s). - The writing of interrogation/conversation scenes - where minute changes in facial expressions and body language are vital. The challenges such scenes present...

Journalist, editor, writer, poet and co-artistic director for Addi Road Writers Festival 2023, Mark Mordue, joined me on the show. Topics discussed include: A brief overview of Addi Road Writers Festival, and its pandemic/post-pandemic journey. The festival’s theme for the year - ‘inner worlds’. Festival highlights, including events and appearing guests. And so much more! Thanks to the festival’s...

Film director, Brandon Cronenberg, joined me on the show to discuss his latest science fiction/horror film, ‘Infinity Pool’, starring Alex Skarsgard, Mia Goth and Cleopatra Coleman. Topics discussed include: The themes of self-control and self-identity and their variations found in Brandon’s previous movie, ‘Possessor’ and ‘Infinity Pool’. What types of people are drawn to dangerous and exotic loc...

Speaker, podcast host, author and writer, Ashley Kalagian Blunt, appeared on the 1st episode of the show for 2023 - discussing her thriller novel, ‘Dark Mode’. Topics discussed include: The inspiration for ‘Dark Mode’ - Ashley’s research into infamous cases of stalking and murders, along with her own educational excursions onto the dark web. The era (2017) - the last time someone could get away wi...

Writer, podcast host, and now novelist, James McKenzie Watson, joined me to discuss his 2021 Penguin Literary Prize-winning debut novel, ‘Denizen’. Trigger Warning: Mental health/mental health issues were discussed. Topics discussed include: - The origins of ‘Denizen’ - an examination of family and friendship dynamics and mental health in small-town rural Australia. - The notion of ‘just be good’....

Screenwriter, filmmaker, documentarian, author and novelist Greg Woodland joined me on the show to talk about his latest novel, ‘The Carnival Is Over’. Topics discussed include: How the novel’s idea developed, with characters recurring from Greg’s first published novel, ‘The Night Whistler’. The joys and challenges of writing a new novel with established characters - ‘like going home and visiting...