Tag: Sydney Writers Festival
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That story has been told a million times! It’s time to get original

Yes, I’m afraid it probably has. It’s been done before. It will most likely be done again. Does anyone bother to wonder why on earth we keep reading stories if they are, in fact, all the same? Here’s the thing: they are and they’re not. Shall I explain? Plot and…
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Get serious, it’s only romance

Romance writers and avid romance readers are used to criticism. When naysayers are being polite, they suggest romance is fluffy make believe. Harsher critics will go for the jugular and claim that romance is simple, trite and adds nothing meaningful to the literary world. Well, ask a publisher and they…
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The exhilaration of terror: tips for creating tension and suspense

This week I return to the Sydney Writers’ Festival for my wrap up of the session on Tension and Suspense, where authors Caroline Overington, Hannah Richell and Julienne van Loon revealed their tips on how to keep readers turning the pages. And they should know – take a look at…
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Sydney Writers’ Festival: Monkeys and Typewriters

Weren’t able to make the Sydney Writer’s Festival? Not to worry, I braved the cold and rain (yes, it does rain from time to time in the harbour city) and was excited to see a a very talented array of writers discussing their craft. Over the next couple of weeks,…

