Speakeasy

Bright and early this morning, I attended a panel on researching for fiction, and listened to Garry Disher, Gabrielle Lord, Carrie Tiffany and Richard Flanagan.

Garry began the discussion, and described writing about the past, and about places he had never been. He suggests travellers diaries, photographs, and making sure to tie a description to the story by incorporating a character and their reactions to elements of your description. He then listed several things to be aware of when researching, including the reliability of your sources, making sure you double-check small details, and to always question whether this theme or incident is essential to your story. He also cautioned that too much research can blind you to your story, and that it is also easy for your story to sound like a textbook, so a good balance is important.

Gabrielle followed with her research techniques, which included extensive interviews and fact-checking with the police, and also police crime scene reports and videos. She mentioned that it is important for crime writers especially to stay abreast of new technology, and that while her police sources are sometimes gory, they are more often poignant for what they reveal about human lives and suffering.

Gabrielle and Garry both spoke about how important it is for a writer to acknowledge their own dark side, and exploring this can be a kind of research. In contrast to the well-structured, formulated research processes of Garry and Gabrielle, Carrie considered her research to be ‘noticing things’, and taking interest in everday aspects of life that other people might not notice. She recounted some of the random discoveries that influenced her book, and admitted that most of her research was in archived magazines and journals, for the language and lifestyle of the period in which her book is set. Carrie also read an extract from An Everyman’s Guide to Scientific Living.

Richard was the final speaker on the panel, and he admitted quite frankly that he almost never does any research, and wasn’t sure why he was there. He then proceeded to relate a story about the only book he ever did any research for, which was a ghostwritten tell-all for a con-man. He interviewed exhaustively with his subject, and soon realised that nothing this man told him remotely resembled the truth. All the research he did confirmed this, and in the end, he started making it up. The book then became the product of both research and lies, and Richard noted that this is often the case. He wondered why fiction has become something to be ashamed of, and compelled the audience to be proud of telling lies. After all, he said, there are no rules in fiction, and you should embrace whatever gets you there.

Earlier today, James Phelan chaired a discussion with crimewriters Gabrielle Lord and Michael Robotham, about how to create a kick-ass character. Top tips from Gabrielle included being aware that your audience wants drama, and an effective way to give it to them is to make your characters larger-than-life, to give them experiences and trauma that make them different from the average person. A good backstory that influences their actions will make them interesting, and add layers to your character. Gabrielle also recommends UST - unexpressed sexual tension, but admits that the moment the couple acts on their attraction and becomes a couple, it can be difficult to maintain the same levels of tension and conflict. In contrast, Michael revealed that he likes to take ordinary, relateable people, and place them in extraordinary situations. Their reactions, and the ‘true colours’ they show, can illustrate character development; examples he used included Oskar Schindler, from Schindler’s List, and Rick from Casablanca. He attributes his interest in ‘normal’ people to his years in journalism, where he saw ordinary people do amazing things. Gabrielle, Michael and James then discussed writing from the perspective of the opposite gender; each agreed that the best way to write from the perspective of the opposite sex was to ask them; to talk to a woman about how she might react in the hypothetical situation you want to put your female character in, or listen to a man talk about himself and others. Gabrielle and Michael also acknowledged that it’s important for your character to have a physical presence, and that the reader needs to be aware of their physical state. For example, one of Michael’s characters has early-onset Parkinson’s, and as he can no longer rely on his body, he focuses on sharpening his mind (and became more of a cerebral ass-kicker). The panel concluded with final comments and advice; Gabrielle finds a great deal of satisfaction in a good plot, and researches heavily so she can build a good, strong, rich story, and Michael chooses to write about stories and experiences that resonate with him. With much cheeky banter, these panellists offered great insights into how to create an engaging, readable, and, most importantly, kick-ass character.

Robert Dessaix, writer, essayist, translator and broadcaster, sat down with Ramona Koval to discuss writing and books on ABC radio, in what became one of the most charming, erudite discussions I have ever seen at a festival. They discussed the history of the ABC Books programs, and also the sense of intimacy that both the audience and the broadcaster experience with radio. At one point, Robert revealed that, while broadcasting, he often imagined he was talking to a close friend and everyone else was just listening in. When the conversation turned to reading, and Ms Koval asked Mr Dessaix whether he was interested in much Australian literature at the moment. He confessed he wasn’t, and also that he wasn’t reading much new writing at all. When Ms Koval asked him to explain, Mr Dessaix said: "When you get older, life becomes like a party you’ve been at for a long time. You’ve had lots of wonderful conversations; long, short, meaningful, shallow, funny. And when you look at your watch and realise it’s almost time to leave, you want to talk to your close friends before you go."

Three Australian publishers - Annette Barlow (Allen & Unwin), Ivor Indyk (Giramondo) and Bernadette Foley (Hachette Livre) chatted to Varuna director Peter Bishop today about their process of sorting through manuscript submissions, what they’re looking for in new writers.

Annette Barlow refuted the common notion that Australian publishers are no longer supporting new writers or providing editorial development. She spoke passionately about her desire to work with an author get a book just right before publishing. She also talked about the excitement of finding talented new voices, such as Queensland writer, Kate Morton author of The Shifting Fog.

Ivor Indyk gave his perspective as an independent publisher. Giramondo is interested in quality literary fiction, and as a small publisher that only publishes 4-6 titles per year, they tend to be choosy about what they take on. Indyk said he was interested in the musicality of writing, the rhythmn, cadence and aesthetics of well-crafted prose.

Bernadette Foley empathised with writers who brave the frustrations of attempting to be published. She said she doesn’t know the magic answer to "what she is looking for" but is motivated by a good story and interesting writing. She recommended writers read widely and stay connected with what is being published by browsing in bookstores.

The weather is shiny at the Byron Bay Writers Festival where the AWMonline team are out in force to connect with AWM subscribers, writers and publishers. Over the next few days we’ll be blogging some of the key insights and gems of wisdom we pick up from festival presenters. More detailed content is available to AWM subscribers over at the Forums where we’ll be posting the Fast Five - quick 5-question interviews with authors posted live from the Green Room.

AWM Online will present a forum series live from the Byron Bay Writer’s Festival – The Fast Five; Live from the Greenroom series of mini forums have been shaping up fantastically.

Many of the esteemed BBWF guests that we invited have agreed to answer five questions live from the festival greenroom. Throughout the course of the weekend login to our forum pages and look out for the likes of Jennifer Byrne, Charles Firth, Dr Anita Heiss, Marieke Hardy, Garry Disher, Alice Garner, Juliette Schultz, Annette Barlow, Kali Wendorf, Cate Kennedy, David Marr , Miles Merrill, Gideon Haigh and more…

Guests will answer five questions based on a theme and post them to the forum from the festival site. Also look out for news, views and reviews of the Festival right here on Speakeasy throughout the weekend!

Are you interested in memoir, biography or life stories? Then DO NOT MISS our free special event forum with Sally Collings, author of Sophie’s Journey, the story of Sophie Delezio. This incredible forum discussion will be FREE to all participants for one day only.

When it comes to insider knowledge about writing and publishing non-fiction, Sally Collings is the definitive expert. Currently a publishing consultant, writer and editor, she has more than 20 years experience in trade publishing. She is a former associate publisher (non-fiction) with HarperCollins Australia and editorial director of Amber Books in the UK. Sally has had responsibility for running publishing programs of over 80 titles a year, as well as editing individual titles. Particular subject areas of interest include biography, memoirs, motivation, parenting and spirituality.

Recently, Sally has brought her talents and experience to bear on a very special book: Sophie’s Journey.

AWM Online is proud to present this special event forum – Writing Non-fiction: the Story and the Journey – at 12:00pm on Wednesday, 18 July. What makes this forum extra special, apart from its extraordinary subject matter and high-level guest, is that we are opening it FREE to all participants. We want to share Sally’s experiences writing this book with as many readers and writers as possible and we’d like to introduce those who may not already be subscribers to our fantastic up-close-and-personal live events with authors, publishers and agents.

Join the forum to ask Sally about the transition of publisher to writer, about how to get non-fiction books published in Australia, her experience with the book’s current promotional trail and the emotional impact of the subject matter when working with such heartrending content.

Go to www.awmonline.com.au on the morning of Wednesday, 18 July for registration instructions. Free forum access for non-subscribers will be offered for 24 hours to participate in the forum and view past live event discussions.

With the reign of Miss Snark finally at an end, a Sydney-based literary agent has decided to step in and take up the slack, posting as ‘Agent Sydney’ on the blog Call My Agent! Sydney "hopes to shed light on the sometimes shadow-shrouded world of publishing", and freely admits to taking inspiration from Miss Snark.

Although only up since May, Call My Agent! is already fielding heaps of questions; check out her answers here.