Pamela Cook
In this episode, Pamela Cook takes us through the process behind writing her novel All We Dream. We talked about the differences between traditional and independent publishing and Pam gave some fabulous tips on things like cover design and advertising and marketing. Pam also, very generously, ran through some of the before and after changes to the novel between its two editions and how those changes improved the novel. I was also really keen to talk to Pam about two writing craft aspects she is really knowledgeable about and actually teaches to other writers - how to write in deep point of view and how to, as she calls it, turn up the tension in your writing to keep your readers turning the page. We also discussed the importance of visiting the place you’re writing about if possible and how she works with her agent.
ABOUT THE NOVEL
A forgotten necklace. A family secret. Two women hiding from the truth.
When successful Sydney lawyer Miranda McIntyre searches for something old to go with her wedding dress, she remembers an antique necklace from her childhood. Her mother’s denial of its existence only deepens Miranda’s curiosity but the discovery of a faded wedding photo and an old newspaper clipping reveal long-buried family secrets.
Who is the woman in the photo? And why are these keepsakes hidden in her mother’s closet?
Miranda’s quest for the truth takes her on a road trip south to the idyllic seaside village of Pelican Point where she stumbles upon a secluded cliff-top cottage and the reclusive Esther Wilson. As Miranda begins to unravel the mystery, a tale of daring rescue, forbidden love and shocking betrayal unfolds.
Meeting enigmatic horse trainer Vincent Kennedy forces Miranda to question the life she has worked so hard to create, throwing into turmoil everything she thought she knew about the past and about herself.
A multi-generational story of family, hope and following your heart.
ABOUT PAMELA
Pamela Cook is an author, podcaster, writing teacher and mentor. Her best-selling debut novel Blackwattle Lake (2012) was published by Hachette Australia in 2012 followed by three rural fiction titles. Her latest releases Cross My Heart (2019) and All We Dream (2020) have taken her writing in an exciting new direction.
Pamela writes page-turning contemporary women’s fiction, delving deep into the psychology of her characters and the complexity of relationships in all their forms. She explores the impact of trauma, grief and generational conflict, drawing on the resilience and courage she finds in inspirational women. Her writing is imbued with a deep love of the natural world and its power to heal.
Producing and hosting Writes4Women, a weekly podcast that supports women writers and celebrates women’s writing, is one of Pamela’s not-so-guilty pleasures. She is also a Writer Ambassador for Room To Read, a not-for-profit organisation promoting literacy and gender equality in developing countries.
An experienced teacher, Pamela tutors at Writing NSW and the Australian Writers’ Centre and loves to mentor emerging authors. When she’s not writing or reading, she wastes as much time as possible riding her handsome quarter horse Rio, hanging out with her three adult daughters and menagerie of animals on her dream-come-true rural property in the beautiful Illawarra region of NSW, and dreaming of a road trip in Virginia, her vintage caravan.
Website: https://pamelacook.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamelaCookAuthor
Instagram: @pamelacookwrites
Twitter: @PamelaCookAU
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/pamelacookwrites/
LINKS TO RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE
Donald Maass - The Emotional Craft of Fiction
Lisa Hall-Wilson - Deep Point of View
Watch Pam talk with Lisa Hall-Wilson on Writes4Women podcast
Margie Lawson - Editing System (colour coded)
Turn Up the Tension - Course at Writing NSW (released soon)
WHERE TO LISTEN
You can listen and subscribe to the show now on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google or wherever you get your pods.