How do you go about adapting a stage play into a compelling murder mystery novel? For acclaimed actor and playwright Toby Schmitz, this was his challenge in creating his debut, The Empress Murders – set on the high seas amid the glamour and clamour 1920s. In this episode, Toby shares his inspirations, aspirations and perspirations in bringing his story to the page.

00:00 Welcome
02:29 Writing tip: ‘Magazine apps to combat doomscrolling’
07:32 WIN!: Arcana Academy by Elise Kova
10:30 Word of the week: ‘Vicissitude’
11:11 The world of words: Tack vs. Tact
12:59 Writer in residence: Toby Schmitz
14:02 Toby describes The Empress Murders
16:06 Storytelling in the 1920s
18:11 Themes of colonialism
20:19 How the story started as a play
22:05 Defining what an Australian story is
26:17 The journey from play to novel
27:01 Finding freedom in novel writing
27:22 Crafting the story with index cards
28:13 Maintaining the playwright's touch
29:32 Exploring colonial guilt
30:30 Switching genres throughout
32:32 Inspirations for Toby
35:36 Navigating historical authenticity
37:16 The research process
39:11 The emotional experience of publishing
43:10 Reflections on feedback and notes
45:08 Hopes for the reader's experience
46:36 Acknowledging influences and support
49:19 Final thoughts

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When award-winning author Demet Divaroren decided to write a fantasy novel, she went down a completely different path first, before finally arriving at what would become Blood Moon Bride. In this discussion, Demet shares the inspiration for this YA fantasy novel, the creative freedom of writing in this genre and how motherhood changed her perspective on storytelling.

00:00 Welcome
04:51 Writing tip: ‘Tinder for writers’
08:45 WIN!: A Passion for Passion by Alice Fraser
11:53 Word of the week: ‘Kickshaw’
12:25 Writer in residence: Demet Divaroren
16:00 Starting with a different book
19:45 Creating a fantasy world
22:13 Writing for young adults
25:42 Balancing writing and life
26:12 How motherhood changed her writing
29:14 The publishing journey
32:07 The magic of writing
33:08 Promoting the book
35:16 Future projects
37:00 Demet shares a writing tip
38:05 Final thoughts

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Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

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When Toby Walsh wrote his first book on AI, he figured he’d said all he had to say. But just a handful of years later, this British computer scientist and current Chief Scientist at UNSW Sydney’s AI Institute is here to discuss his FIFTH book, The Shortest History of AI – how it came about and some of the challenges around explaining this subject to a general audience.

00:00 Welcome
10:05 Writing tip: ‘Just start writing’
12:52 WIN!: The Midnight Estate by Kelly Rimmer
14:39 Word of the week: ‘Psithurism’
15:09 Writer in residence: Toby Walsh
15:55 Explaining The Shortest History of AI
17:00 Deciding on the six ideas for the book
18:25 How Toby developed his writing voice
20:06 Balancing the academia and hysteria
22:37 The purpose of writing AI books
23:24 The challenges of writing for the public
25:00 On becoming an accidental science communicator
28:03 The secret circle of science communicators
29:58 Untimely deaths in the timeline of AI
30:30 Adding his expertise to the ‘Shortest’ series
32:20 On designing his book cover and subtitle
35:48 The role of great editors in writing
37:24 Toby’s late night writing process
38:55 His next book project
39:59 A pivot to writing fiction?
42:07 Toby’s tip for writers
43:23 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.