Information, inspiration and insights into the writing life
Welcome to our monthly brag about our Writers Victoria community members who have won awards, been shortlisted or longlisted for writing prizes or received industry recognition.
The Writing Life
Opportunity for a woman writer facing barriers to participation in the literary industry
Writers Victoria is delighted to announce a new opportunity for an emerging or established Victorian woman writer to join us as a Digital Writer in Residence in 2018.
The residency will provide paid writing and subsidised professional development opportunities including, but not limited to:
A. S. Patrić is the author of two short story collections, 'Las Vegas for Vegans' and 'The Rattler and Other Stories'. His debut novel 'Black Rock White Cit'y was published to critical acclaim in 2015 and won the Miles Franklin Award in 2016. He talks to Writers Victoria about writing his recent novel 'Atlantic Black'.
The Writers Victoria Disadvantaged Writers Fund aims to increase opportunities for writers who experience financial and social barriers to developing their writing skills and connecting with the writing and publishing community.
Donations to the Fund will help provide free or heavily subsidised professional development opportunities for emerging writers throughout the state of Victoria experiencing difficulties arising from financial hardship.
In writing memoir, "we can escape the messiness of 'real' dialogue," says tutor Luke Ryan. Ahead of his upcoming workshop, we talked to Luke about why rich character development and dialogue are essential in memoir.
"With writing internal conflict," says tutor Marija Peričić, "observing myself, others and the world, either through reading, or just through life, and reflecting upon that is a very important source of inspiration for me." Ahead of her upcoming workshop, we talked to Marija about how to plan and write compelling conflict.
“A romantic story is boring if the potential couple are a perfect match straight away,” says tutor Alli Sinclair. Ahead of her upcoming workshop, we talked to Alli about what appeals in romance writing and how to write compelling, memorable romance characters.
Ally means partner, or so I’ve heard. Someone who cares, who'll be there when the walls fall down. Ally is an action, an alliance you build, not something you identify as. Ally is meant to mean something, like a marriage, because that's how marriage started too.
"The longer you can leave a work before editing, the better," says tutor Paddy O'Reilly. Ahead of her upcoming workshop, we talked to Paddy about some tips and tricks of the editing process.
"Whilst style and story craft are still major assessment points," says tutor Fran Berry, "in non-fiction and memoir we are first drawn to the subject, issue or unique perspective that the writer brings to their subject." Ahead of her upcoming workshop, we talked to Fran about strategies for pitching memoir and non-fiction.