The Write Way

Writer and novelist Angela O’Keeffe joined me on the show to talk about her latest (first published) novel, ‘Night Blue’. Topics we discussed include: - Writing from the perspective of a (seemingly) inanimate object, in this case Jackson’s Pollock’s iconic ‘Blue Poles’ painting – the formation of its voice, its perception, and its interaction with its environment and Alyssa (the novel’s other pers...

Writer and debut novelist Sally Bradfield appeared on the program, to discuss her debut novel, ‘Not Quite 30-Love’. Topics discussed include: - Sally’s own career within the world/behind-the-scenes of professional tennis. The decision to write the novel, and how she went about fictionalising it (in order to tell it). - The potential problems faced when blending fictional characters with real life,...

Best-selling author and novelist Maya Linnell dropped by on the program to discuss her latest novel, ‘Magpie’s Bend’: Topics discussed include: - The general store that the novel is centred around, how it is emblematic of the Australian small-town spirit. - How her own small-town upbringing and life informs and inspires her work. - How she went about creating the gorgeously realised and distinctly...

The winner of Allen & Unwin’s prestigious Vogel Award for 2021, Emma Batchelor, dropped by on the show to discuss her Vogel-winning novel, ‘Now That I See You’. TRIGGER WARNING: We touched on a great many topics and issues, including trans/non-binary transitioning, gender identity, use of pronouns, depression, suicide/suicidal ideation etc. Topics discussed include: - Emma’s real-life experience i...

Animator, teacher, former Sydney Harbour Bridge tour guide and now novelist, Bernard Gallate, joined the program to delve into his debut novel, ‘The Origin Of Me’. Topics discussed include: - The two different writing styles that the story is told with – from the book within a book (‘My One Redeeming Affliction), historical fiction tale, to that of the present-day setting of the central character,...

Contemporary Australian poet, dancer, actor and filmmaker and all-round prolific creative, Richard James Allen, appeared on the show to discuss his latest (and one of his largest) project(s) – starring as lead character, Hans, in a new delightfully weird independent Australian film – ‘Blood-Short Heart’. Topics discussed include: - ‘Blood-Shot Heart’ (briefly) dissected - its influences, from the...

Today, in yet another first for the program, I was joined by Rod Barton – a former high-ranking Australian Intelligence Officer. Rod appeared on the show to discuss his remarkable life and career that he has now committed to paper with, ‘The Life Of A Spy’. Topics discussed include: - Growing up in a small town with an intriguing Weapons Research Establishment – how that, along with his extensive...

Co-founder of publishing house, Busybird Publishing, Blaise Van Hecke, joined me on the program today. Topics discussed include: - A brief history and mission statement for Busybird Publishing, created with her husband. What inspired two photographers (and writers!) to become publishers. - How the COV-19 pandemic and consequent lockdown has affected, if at all, Busybird Publishing. - The ‘Untitled...

In an unprecedented first for the show - documentary filmmaker, criminologist and novelist, Cassandra Austin, chatted with me today, all the way from the U.S. of A., about her 3rd novel, ‘Like Mother’. Topics discussed include: - The novel’s setting, Bennelong, how a small township causes big problems with its treatment of its denizens. How the stain of a tragedy can affect oneself and their treat...

Author Anna George appeared on the program to discuss her third and latest novel, ‘Tipping’. Subjects discussed include: - The fictional (but unnervingly realistic) setting of Carmichael Grammar – how such a place can be a breeding ground for misogyny and assorted related behaviour leading to cases of sexting. - How parents might be becoming more informed (for good or ill) about the lives of their...

Writer, creative writing teacher and now novelist, Belinda Lyons-Lee, joined the program to discuss her debut novel, ‘Tussaud’. Topics discussed include: - Her fascination with the era and how it fuelled this daringly imaginative novel. - Writing a story with real-life historical figures, the basis for which her creativity catapulted from. - Research – including the exquisitely described building...

Journalist and author Shannon Molloy joined the program to discuss his truly devastating memoir, ‘Fourteen’. Please be aware that this episode delved into some traumatic and confronting issues. TRIGGER WARNING: suicide, self-harm, homophobia, violence. Topics discussed include: - Yeppoon – the town setting of the story – its masculine ecosystem, what can cause its young males to go angry and what...

Founder, producer, host and all-round brilliant human, Dani Vee, of the ‘Words And Nerds Podcast’ discussed with me her incredible, hundreds-episodes-strong program and related accomplishments. Topics we delved into include: - What drew us to podcasting and interviewing, what did we want to focus on, thematically, with our shows? - Funny stories with guests/interviewees encountered along the way....

Sydney Writers’ Festival’s new artistic director, Michael Williams, appeared on the program to discuss the upcoming 2021 Sydney Writers’ Festival, with its timely theme ‘Within Reach’. Topics covered include: - His appointment to the position in the midst of COV-19 lockdown, how that shaped his start to the role and ultimately the organising of the festival. - This year’s theme, ‘Within Reach’ and...

Writer, editor and now novelist Seth Robinson joined the program to talk about his debut novel, ‘Welcome To Bellevue’. Topics touched on (among others) include: - Creating the titular town – from the detailed geography to the prodigious cast of colourful characters and the challenge imposed with the weaving of the two. - His broad and eclectic mix of influences – can Bellevue be interpreted as pur...

Writer, editor, journalist, Mark Mordue appeared on the program to discuss his biography of iconic musician Nick Cave – The Young Nick Cave ‘Boy On Fire’. Topics discussed include: - Mark’s original John Milton/Paradise Lost framework for the biography, what caused him to pare it back into a more conventional biography and how he went about doing so - The decision to create the ‘immersive’ experie...

Sydney-based film director Tom Danger joined the show today to discuss his 2nd (and latest) feature, ‘Sweethurt’. Topics discussed include: - His collaboration with fellow director Logan Webster and taking the plunge with a coming-of-age comedy after a horror debut. - The hurdles and challenges faced during the making of this movie – including being denied essential lenses right before shooting. -...

Canadian/Armenian/Australian writer, essayist and novelist, Ashley Kalagian Blunt joins the program to discuss her latest creative non-fiction book, ‘How To Be Australian: An Outsider’s View On Life & Love Down Under’. Some topics we discussed include: - Her original culture shock experience of living in Inner-West Sydney, from people walking around barefoot, to cockroaches, funny coffee names and...

Former journo turned media consultant, Dan Kaufman, joins the program to discuss his debut published novel, ‘Drowning In The Shallows’. Some topics covered include: - Authenticity of voice, ‘writing what you know’ – how your lived experience can serve as a fine springboard to write a substantial fictional story, and where does one then draw the line (if ever?). - How the humour prevalent throughou...

This episode has thriller writer, J.P. Pomare, talking about his new, veritable page-turner, ‘Tell Me Lies’. Topics discussed include (Trigger Warning): - Psychology and the tightrope balance of a psychologist’s keeping professional duty and personal well-being/safety in check. - Contemporary issues woven into the story and novel – such as the new and inherently traumatic job of a Social Media Con...

Sydney-based filmmaker/editor/poet/writer Anthony J. Langford appears on the program to talk about his latest novel, ‘Lone Wolf World’. This is an episode that delves into some of the darker depths of contemporary society and the human condition. Though violence and confronting matters are not discussed in graphic detail, listener caution is still advised. Topics discussed include: - The process o...

This episode welcomes international bestselling author Fiona McIntosh, as she discusses her latest novel – ‘The Champagne War’. Topics covered with Fiona include: delving into her exhaustive research process and how she goes about weaving her prodigious amount of research into a lean, character-driven narrative, along with difficulties she faced with depicting war and its many atrocities and her s...

Best-selling Australian novelist Monica McInerney joins the program to discuss her latest novel, ‘The Godmothers’. We delve into all things familial, from how those lost are remembered by those that remain, to how lies are sometimes kept to spare us from devastating truths and much more. Monica also shares a story about a recent trial in her writing career.