Writing Podcast Episode 736: Judith Katherine discusses being ‘Simply Beside Herself’

Scottish-Australian author and AWC grad Judith Katherine went from being crippled by fear about sharing her writing to publishing her debut novel, Simply Beside Herself. In this episode, Judith shares the lockdown routine that unlocked her new writing path, the courses that changed the game and some of the valuable lessons she learnt along the way. She also shares insights into her book’s theme of dissociation. 

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00:00 Welcome
13:30 Writing tip: Focus on the work
16:00 WIN: Secrets of the New Online Entrepreneurs  by Bernadette Schwerdt
19:02 Word of the week: ‘Onomastic’
19:44 Interview with: Judith Catherine
21:33 Describing Simply Beside Herself – themes and inspiration
23:55 Back story and finding writing
25:00 Discovering AWC courses
26:35 Judith’s writing breakthrough
30:30 The value of community and sharing work
32:28 Writing the novel – dissociation story hook
35:10 The timeline to publication
39:04 Editing lessons learned
42:16 Writing process chaos
44:35 Getting the book deal
47:04 Judith’s advice for writers
49:47 Reading recommendations
51:37 The book’s opening Rumi quote
54:03 What’s next?
55:23 Final thoughts

Links mentioned in this episode

Writer in residence: Judith Katherine

Judith Katherine writes predominantly on the back of envelopes in cafes. She has travelled more widely than intended, raising her family around the world while maintaining a hopeful curiosity. Her writing is laced with humour and compassion, focusing on the fragility of relationships affected by distance, adventure and neglect. Simply Beside Herself is her first novel.

You can also meet Judith on our blog.

Follow Affirm Press 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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