5 Writers 5 Minutes
Five best-selling kids' authors in a five-minute masterclass. Every week, Deborah Abela, Tristan Bancks, Sarah Armstrong, Lian Tanner and Zanni Louise share their writing and editing secrets, reveal how their books developed and give tips on how to write your own story. Find this as a podcast or on YouTube by searching 5 Writers 5 Minutes.
Episodes
48 episodes
2.28 Accepting Criticism
It's never a great feeling to be told your story isn't working or that your writing needs work. But we're here to remind you that feedback is important to make your story the best it can possibly be! So don't worry—even established writers get ...
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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11:40
2.27 Creating Baddies Readers Love to Hate
The hero of every story needs a baddie. They can come in the form of a nemesis or sometimes, the hero's own struggle is the baddie of the book! But how do you write a good baddie? Thanks so much to Nathan Luff for hanging out with ...
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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9:58
2.26 How To Keep Going When You Lose Confidence
"My story isn't good enough.""I am a terrible writer.""No one will like my book." Every writer has had these thoughts swirling through their minds. And it's ok. We're all human, right? In this episode, the team cha...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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8:53
2.25 Showing Characters' Emotions
How do you convey emotion in your story? What does your character do with their hands when they are sad? Where do they feel fear in their body? And how can you write these emotions in a way that isn't cliché? Thanks so much to Nath...
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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9:11
2.24 Opening Lines
Hey friends!I It's so good to be back. 😊 Today we have Nathan Luff joining us as we discuss the opening lines of our books. Finding the perfect words at the VERY start of your story can be daunting so we hope this episode helps....
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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7:47
2.23 Plotter or Pantser?
Hey folks! Welcome back to 5 Writers 5 Minutes. Tristan Bancks is busy at the moment so Sue Whiting has been kind enough to sit in for a few episodes. Thanks Sue! This week, the team chat about ...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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8:20
2.22 Adverbs and Adjectives: Friend or Enemy?
Welcome back to 5 Writers 5 Minutes! In this episode, the team chat about adverbs and adjectives, which can sound good... but say very little, while not moving your story forward! It's all about making all your words work really h...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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9:26
2.21 Making Magic Real
Writing stories filled with magic is fun.... but definitely not as easy as people think! There are lots of rules to creating a world with magic and these rules can't be broken or else the magic doesn't feel real. And if there are no limitations...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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10:29
2.20 Avoiding The Dreaded Info Dump
Have you heard of the saying, "Show—don't tell?"In this episode, the writers talk about info-dumps—boring blocks of text with backstory or other information writers think their readers need to know. But the question is, do ...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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7:50
2.19 Every Writer is Different
Hey pals, welcome back. It's so easy to compare yourself to others, isn't it? In this episode, Zanni, Lian, Sarah, and Deb talk about how they make sure they stay focused on their own unique voice!
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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8:12
2.18 Deep Dive Into Magic Awry by Sarah Armstrong
Hello friends! As you can see, Tristan is still not back so we are still 4 writers. Come back soon, Tristan!This week Sarah answers some questions about Magic Awry, the second book in her amazing Big Magic duology.Do you ha...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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8:54
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2.17 Convincing Character: Dialogue
Hey hey, friends! This week, Tristan couldn't make it but he says hello to you all and he'll be back for the next round!In this episode, we discuss how to write dialogue that feels real while propelling the story forward. Can y...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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9:14
2.16 Brainstorming A Story
Happy Tuesday, pals! Thanks so much for hanging out with us today. In this episode, the team brainstorm the beginning of a mystery involving a missing parent, a rollerskating rink, and corruption! Oooooooh! If you're inspi...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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8:25
2.15 The Unconscious Mind
Hello friends, and welcome back to 5 Writers 5 Minutes. This week, the team chats about connecting and trusting the unconscious mind— the part of you that uses intuition to create a story. How do you connect to your uncons...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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8:49
2.14 Your Typical Writing Day
Welcome back to 5 Writers 5 Minutes, friends! This week, the team chat about their typical writing day and are surprised to find out how similar their daily practices are! Any night-time writers out there? We'd love to...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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8:12
2.13 Deep Dive: Cora Seen and Heard by Zanni Louise
Welcome back friends! This week we get Zanni in the hot seat and as her lots of questions about her wonderful new book, Cora Seen and Heard. Have you read it yet? Let us know your thoughts!
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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6:13
2.12 Writing Personal Stories
Today, the team chat about how important it is for them to put themselves—even in the smallest of ways—into their stories.It may not be as obvious as a character that looks like you, but it could be writing a character that believes in the ...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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8:40
2.11 Deep Dive: The Kindness Project by Deborah Abela
Welcome back! In this episode, we ask Deb Abela some burning questions about her latest book, The Kindness Project. Have you read it? What did you think? Feel free to ask your burning questions of your own over on our
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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7:05
2.10 What To Do When Writing Is Hard
Welcome back to 5 Writers 5 Minutes. In our 30th episode, we want to let you know that seasoned writers sometimes find it hard to write too! You are not alone! But here are a few things we do to try to move our stories forward.&n...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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6:52
2.9 Build That Set
How do you create realistic locations that your readers can see (and, more importantly, FEEL) as they read your story? In this episode, the writers share techniques to build sets that are as important as the characters!
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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8:08
2.8 Writing Stuff That Matters
Welcome back to 5 Writers 5 Minutes!In this episode, the team chat about how important it is to write about the things that matter to you, because that's when your writing improves, and story really shines.
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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8:42
2.7 Deep Dive: Fledgewitch by Lian Tanner
Hello friends! This episode is a little bit different. Today, we spend some time talking about Lian's brand new book, Fledgewitch, Book 2 of the Dragons of Hallow series!Do you have any questions for Lian? Feel free to leave a ...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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7:31
2.6 Sparking The Action
In this episode, the 5 Writers talk about inciting incidents—that big life-changing event that takes the main character on their journey! Think of your favourite movies or stories. What's your favourite inciting incident?
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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8:49
2.5 Making Rewriting Fun
Welcome back! In this episode, the gang chats about collecting other sources of inspiration to help them as they dig deeper into their stories. What do you do? Do you create a soundtrack for your story? Do you have a vision board? Are you extra...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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8:42
