How to navigate the challenges that often emerge towards the end of the year. Valerie also discusses her own personal career reinvention from accountant to writer. An interview with leading Australian crime author Chris Hammer, where Chris discusses his latest best-selling novel, The Seven, and his approach to telling stories through multiple timelines. Chris also shares insights into his writing process and advice for aspiring authors.
00:00 Introduction and welcome 00:16 Recommendation: Pamela Hart’s ‘The Fatal Crossing' 01:39 Guest introduction and writing tip discussion 03:13 Writing organisation tips and tools 11:34 Win ‘The Broken Wave' by Matthew Ryan Davies 13:53 Word of the week segment 14:20 Interview with Writer in Residence: Alli Parker 21:04 Writing journey and inspiration 21:13 Transition from screenwriting to novel writing 22:22 Breaking into the screenwriting industry 24:17 Decision to write a novel 26:33 Pathway to novel writing 28:05 Getting published and media coverage 30:11 Planning the story arc 39:31 Future writing projects 40:36 Advice for aspiring writers 43:08 Fun fact: what is the origin of the word “dubious”
Chris Hammer is a leading Australian crime fiction novelist, author of the internationally bestselling Martin Scarsden series: Scrublands, Silver and Trust.
Chris’s current award-winning series features homicide detectives Nell Buchanan and Ivan Lucic: Treasure & Dirt/ Opal Country; The Tilt/Dead Man’s Creek; and now The Seven/Cover The Bones.
All of Chris’s books have atmospheric Australian settings, a range of colourful characters, intricate plots, descriptive language and emotional depth.
Before turning to fiction, Chris was a journalist for more than thirty years. He reported from more than 30 countries on six continents for SBS TV. In Canberra, roles included chief political correspondent for The Bulletin, senior writer for The Age and Online Political Editor for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.
Chris has written two non-fiction books The River (2010) – winner of the ACT Book of the Year – and The Coast (2012), published by Melbourne University Press.
He has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Charles Sturt University and a master’s degree in International Relations from the Australian National University. He lives in Canberra, Australia.
