The Write Place (formerly The Joined Up Writing Podcast)
Joined Up Writing is now The Write Place! A new name but the same great content - hundreds of interviews with writers giving the stories behind their books and paths to publication. Packed with advice, inspiration and tips and hosted by crime writer, producer and writing coach, Wayne Kelly, The Write Place is a regular podcast for writers and book lovers. Tuesdays on the Web, iTunes, Android and Spotify.
The Write Place (formerly The Joined Up Writing Podcast)
Sonya Walger: Writing, Acting and Identity
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This week on The Write Place Podcast, I’m joined by actress, podcaster and author Sonya Walger.
Many listeners will know Sonya from her roles in Lost, For All Mankind, FlashForward, The Catch and many more, but she is also the author of the acclaimed debut novel Lion and her latest book, Wifehouse.
In our conversation, Sonya talks about the idea behind Wifehouse, a novel about a woman who leaves her family, and why she wanted to explore that story without judgement. We discuss marriage, motherhood, identity, multiple points of view, and the difficult creative challenge of writing a character readers may not approve of but can still understand.
We also talk about Sonya’s move from acting into fiction, how years of inhabiting other characters have shaped her as a novelist, and why she finds writing so liberating after a career spent waiting for permission to play a part.
Along the way, Sonya shares her thoughts on rejection, creative fear, handwriting first drafts, journalling, writing on planes, and why reading is one of the most important ways we practise empathy.
And of course, we cover the usual Write Place favourites, including the Book That Saved Your Life, where Sonya chooses The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James and Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates.
A thoughtful, generous and wide-ranging conversation about writing, performance, creativity and the need to keep feeding the artist in you.
Links
Sonya’s website: https://sonya-walger.com/
Sonya on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonyawalgerofficial/
Bookish with Sonya Walger: https://bookishwithsonyawalger.com/
Buy Wifehouse: https://www.waterstones.com/book/wifehouse/sonya-walger/9781786586384
My book, Real Writers Never Quit: https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquit
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrkelly2u/