Guides
Let the Landscape Carry the Character’s FeelingsWeather and setting can do far more than establish where a scene takes place. They can echo a character’s private turmoil, sharpen a moment of joy, or create…Writing a Dual-Timeline Novel That Weaves Two Stories Into OneA dual-timeline novel moves between two periods, usually connecting a contemporary storyline with an earlier generation, historical event or buried family…A Writing Routine That Fits Real LifeWriting regularly sounds simple until work, family, commuting, appointments and unexpected responsibilities begin competing for attention. A dependable…Writing a Bildungsroman That Speaks to Modern ReadersA coming-of-age novel has always been concerned with change, but contemporary readers expect that change to feel complicated, uneven and recognisable. A young…Writing natural-looking exposition in dialogueDialogue carries far more than conversation. It can reveal a character’s history, explain a fictional system, establish relationships and guide readers through…Crafting a Mystery Readers Can Solve Before the RevealA satisfying mystery gives readers enough information to form a credible theory before the detective, narrator or final chapter confirms it. The pleasure comes…How to Navigate the Self-Publishing Process From Manuscript to MarketSelf-publishing gives Australian authors control over their writing, design, publishing schedule and relationship with readers. It also requires decisions that…Writing a Hopeful Dystopian Novel in an Age of AnxietyA dystopian novel begins with a difficult question: what happens when the systems people depend on stop protecting them? In an age shaped by climate anxiety,…Crafting Characters Through Archetypes Without Falling Into ClichéWriters reach for archetypes because they work. The mentor figure, the reluctant hero, the trickster with a hidden heart, the figure who holds the group…How to Write a Dark Comedy That Balances Laughs and PainDark comedy has always found a willing audience in Australia. From the biting satire of classic sketch shows to the deadpan storytelling filling Melbourne's…
