Rashida Murphy is the author of the novel, The Historian’s Daughter (UWA Publishing, 2016) and a book of short stories titled The Bonesetter’s Fee & Other Stories, (Spineless Wonders, 2021), which was both a runner-up in the Carmel Bird Literary Award and shortlisted in the NSW Premier’s Multicultural Award. Rashida’s stories, poems and essays are widely anthologised. She has judged several literary awards including the WA Premier’s Literary Awards, the Hungerford Award and the 20/40 Publishing Prize. Rashida mentors emerging writers and lives in Boorloo/Perth with a multilingual cat and a monolingual husband. Information about her writing and the organisation she runs can be found here and here.
Over the next 4 months, Rashida will be running an Online Feedback Clinic for Short Stories. Each month, you can submit 4 different stories or the same story multiple times for deep, developmental feedback. Rashida will provide targeted, individual feedback to improve your writing.
Ahead of the Clinic kicking off later in March, Rashida answered a few questions about writing, routine and learning craft through reading.
Our members often say their biggest challenge is finding the time to write. How do you fit writing into your life?
I have found it very hard to fit writing into my life over the past few months. There are several reasons; I’m in the middle of organising a writers’ festival in Perth, I’m mentoring four young writers over a six-month period and I’m managing a new organisation called The Writers’ Collective. I’m great at telling people how to fit writing into their lives though. And when I follow my own advice, it’s usually, ‘write for 20 minutes each day for a week until it becomes a habit.’
What great essays/short stories/novels/poems do you recommend people read to learn more about craft?
This changes from year to year. Sara Saleh’s The Flirtation of Girls and Noor Hindi’s Dear God, Dear Bones, Dear Yellow were sensational. I read poetry to clear my mind and go deep into my own writing. Barbara Turner Vesselago’s Freefall books are always useful when I’m stuck. Essays by Helen Garner and Melissa Lucashenko, short stories by Kamila Shamsie and Kate Atkinson who are also superb novelists, and Dusk by Robbie Arnott have been hugely satisfying to read.
What is some of the best advice you’ve received that’s helped you as a writer?
Write what you want to read.
Without spoiling your upcoming clinic, what advice would you give to writers who want to write short stories?
Short stories are a treat to write and read. They force you to focus your mind on particularities. You don’t have time for grand scene setting. And when you least expect it, a story will surprise you, and this helps in structuring a novel so that a longer work doesn’t sag in the middle.
How has Writers Victoria helped you as a writer?
Reading the work of other writers as they hone their skills has been the best thing about these courses I’ve run for Writers Victoria. I’ve had the privilege to see work in progress that has been polished and published and that’s helped me in my own work.
Can you share something about what you’re currently working on?
I’ve just had a novelette, Old Ghosts, shortlisted in a competition. It’s part of a bigger work of fiction that critiques privilege and class. At this stage, I don’t know if I’ll ever write the novel or content myself with short stories that rise out of it.
Want to work with Rashida on your short stories? Places are still available for her Short Story Online Feedback Clinic where you can receive concrete and specific feedback from Rashida over the next 4 months. Members of Writers Victoria receive up to 37% off the full price of all clinics, workshops, seminars and courses. Writers experiencing financial and social barriers to developing their skills are encouraged to apply to The Writers Victoria Fund for subsidised attendance at workshops and clinics.