Writing Podcast Episode 662: A.L. Tait and her latest book, ‘Willow Bright’s Secret Plot’

Just how different is it in the city compared to the country? Former co-host Allison Tait returns to discuss capturing that feeling in her latest middle-grade novel, Willow Bright’s Secret Plot (writing as A.L.Tait) – as well as teasing some of her other books coming out and how she balances it all!

You can listen to the episode below, on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or add the podcast RSS feed manually to your favourite podcast app.  

00:00 Welcome
08:02 Writing tip: Be proud of your own work
10:12 WIN!: I Want Everything by Dominic Amerena
12:02 Word of the week: ‘Lagniappe’
15:24 Writer in residence: A.L Tait
16:01 Recap on Allison’s life lately
21:53 Defining middle grade
24:55 Her latest book, Willow Bright’s Secret Plot
26:35 Inspiration behind the story
29:48 The ideas file – the ‘wows’ and ‘whys’
36:47 Upcoming projects and writing rhythm
37:56 Danger Road – a middle-grade crime novel
45:59 Allison’s drafting process
47:30 Hiding clues through books without plotting
48:45 A third secret book on the way
52:20 Why ‘A.L.Tait’ and not ‘Allison Tait’?
53:58 The ‘Your Kids Next Read’ podcast
54:45 Final thoughts

Links mentioned in this episode

Writer in residence: Al Tait

Allison Tait (A.L. Tait) is the internationally published bestselling author of middle-grade adventure series The Mapmaker Chronicles the Ateban Cipher novels, and the Maven & Reeve Mysteries.

A multi-genre writer, creative writing teacher and speaker with many years’ experience in magazines, newspapers and online publishing, Allison is co-host of the top-rating Your Kid’s Next Read podcast and former co-host of the So You Want To Be A Writer podcast.

She lives on the south coast of NSW (Australia) with her family.

Follow Al on Twitter and Instagram.

Follow Scholastic Australia on Twitter and Instagram.

 

This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers' Centre and our course Creative Writing Stage 1.

 

Find out more about your host, Valerie Khoo (@valeriekhoo on Twitter and @valeriekhoo on Instagram).

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