To be a writer you've got to observe the world around you.
Damien Wilkins

Novelist Damien Wilkins and poet Frances Samuel discuss what inspired them to become writers; influences in their writing; how poetry can open up ways of experiencing language; the dangers of thinking about an audience as you write; giving and responding to criticism in a workshop environment. Both writers read from their work.

All fiction is fantasy.
Elizabeth Knox

Fantasy writers Vicki Jones and Elizabeth Knox discuss ideas such as the difference between fantasy and ‘realistic' fiction; how they go about crafting fantasy worlds; books and writers that inspired them to write; the writer's relationship with editors and the editing process of their novels; how they use research in their work and how they create their characters' names.

Journalists are naturally nosy, interested in people and what's going on in their world.
Sean Plunket

Top journalists Lane Nichols and Sean Plunket discuss the ethics of journalism and respecting your subjects; the pathway to becoming a journalist; the ‘dangers' of the job; the thrill of breaking a news story and making deadlines; practicing writing and ways to get started while you're still at school; journalism as a vocation.

There is nothing as magic as one actor on an empty stage creating a multitude of
characters with nothing but her bare voice.
Lynda Chanwai-Earle

Playwrights Lynda Chanwai-Earle and Briar Grace-Smith discuss what makes a good play; where they find their inspiration; how they got started; the writing process; finding structure in a script; how they get funding for their productions; ways for students to get their own plays produced; key ideas in entertaining people and the importance of the opening scene. Both playwrights read from their work.

Poetry is about seeing.
Glenn Colquhoun

Poets Jenny Bornholdt and Glenn Colquhoun discuss how they got started as poets; what inspires and influences them in their writing; how they use personal experience in writing; the responsibility of writing about real people; favourite writing topics and how their work finds its form. Both poets read from their work.

As a reviewer you feel like you're a part of a worldwide discussion on art.
Nick Bollinger

Reviewer Nick Bollinger and reviewer and teen fiction writer David Hill discuss how being a practitioner of an art form helps them to review that art form; the problems of reviewing in a small country; being honest and fair in a review; how they got started as reviewers; the difference between reviewing for print and for radio; what they look for in the music or books they're reviewing. Both writers read from their work.

When you read Janet Frame you discover the English language is a marvellous machine.
Gregory O'Brien

Poet and editor Gregory O'Brien and Janet's niece Pamela Gordon discuss why Janet Frame holds such an important place in New Zealand writing; recurring themes in her work; humour and optimism in her writing; the importance of detail and observation in her work; her use of specific New Zealand places and voices and her choice not to publish work. Greg and Pamela read favourite pieces from Janet Frame's writing.

You characters should transcend cultural boundaries and speak to a wide audience.
Lynda Chanwai-Earle

Poet Tusiata Avia and playwright and poet Lynda Chanwai-Earle discuss how politics affect their writing; how they got started as writers; what drives their work; how they feel about always being introduced as a ‘Samoan writer' or a ‘Chinese writer'; other writers that inspire them. They give tips for aspiring writers, and both writers read from their work.

It's important that a young adult writer remembers what it was like to be a teenager.
Eirlys Hunter

Teen fiction writers Fleur Beale and Eirlys Hunter discuss what constitutes 'young adult' fiction; how they got started as writers; how they craft their stories; the challenges of writing for a young adult audience; why they choose to write for a young adult audience, and offer tips for aspiring writers. Both writers read from their work.

I think writers tend to engage imaginatively with the world, so while we are talking to people we are thinking, is this a good story?
Paula Boock

Kate and Paula discuss their inspiration for writing fiction; their favourite themes and characters; the writing process and trusting your instincts; how they overcome writer's block; their idols and influences; the difference between Young Adult fiction and ‘adult' fiction; and how they react when they get a bad review.

If you are a really nosy person, this is the perfect career for you!
Julie Hill

Arts journalist and broadcaster Lynn Freeman and journalist and script-writer Julie Hill chat with students about how to get into journalism in New Zealand; their favourite things about the job; how to deal with reluctant interviewees; how to research a story; and how to write a good headline.

Don't let ideas or inspiration bully you or leave you feeling bereft.
Hinemoana Baker

James Brown and Hinemoana Baker explain poetic license; and talk about their inspiration; their favourite poets; and their favourite lines from their own work. They also discuss maintaining rhythm; give advice about that essential first line, and Hinemoana reads some of her poetry.

Creative non-fiction is a piece of writing of a non-fiction kind that you'd want to read more than once ... that isn't exhausted by one reading.
Harry Ricketts

Poet and non-fiction writer David Eggelton and critic and writing teacher Harry Ricketts discuss how to write a review, what creative non-fiction is, whether there is anything you cannot write about, how to silence your inner critic, some of the responses to their reviews, how long they research for a book, and what happens when you miss a deadline.

You have to imagine a 3D reality inside your head, and see it, before you can write it.
Fiona Samuel

Scriptwriter and TV producer James Griffin and playwright and actress Fiona Samuel discuss keeping it real, creating character, how to get into script and playwriting, how NZ writers are regarded internationally, the reflection of culture in scripts, and how to keep those dark characters from getting under your skin.

Set of five 2007 DVDs, including Fiction, Journalism, Poetry, Reviewing and Creative Non-fiction, and Scripting and Playwriting 2007