A lot of writing sites start with stuff about said author’s writing. But for me, I’m a reader first and foremost. I was born with a book in my hand. Thankfully for mum, not literally, but I’ve loved books since before I can remember. As a child, mum read to me every night and my punishment,  if ever I deserved one, was no book before bed. Devastating! So thanks, Mum, for the books and for my love of writing. It’s all because of  you.

Writing my own stories started sometime in primary school and that’s when I first felt ‘the calling’. That inexplicable need to put words on paper, and the joyous state that one enters when doing so that only other writers understand. I mean, writing? What a strange hobby. Hours alone with the imaginary people who live in your head. Weirdo. I sincerely hope my daughter takes up a sport rather than this thankless task. But therein lies the problem – I don’t believe I chose writing, I just have no choice but to write or experience extreme and ongoing irritability. So, I write.

My first short story was published in Girlfriend magazine when I was 15. It was easy. I wrote a story, sent it to my favourite teen mag, they asked me to make it longer by 500 words, I did and they published it.  I wrote another two stories for Girlfriend before their format changed and they stopped publishing short stories. That’s when I got my reality check. Publication elsewhere was near-on impossible, and as I was in year 12, I stopped trying in order to focus on getting into uni. I started an Arts degree, then added Law to that. Fast forward several years and I was a miserable lawyer with no time for writing.

Eventually, I made a career change utilising my Law and Arts degrees to enter the policy field and again I had time for writing. But this time, I wanted to do it properly. So, here’s what I’ve done over the years to learn my craft and become a ‘real writer’:

Samantha Bond – Writing CV

Relevant experience

In 2014, after more than 20 years honing my craft as a writer, I completed the Advanced Diploma in Professional Writing through TAFE, winning the award for Highest Overall Achievement. I then undertook a Certificate IV Adult Assessment and Training so I could teach in this course that I loved so much. I have since developed a half-day workshop on plotting in fiction and a full-day workshop to train TAFE staff to write effective Ministerial Briefings. I have replicated this Briefing training in my SA government workplace to teach other professionals this skill. Now, I’m a mentor in the AC Arts Professional Writing course and supervise students writing novels and short stories. I also write freelance business content for The Content Partners who service numerous financial, corporate and accounting firms, and I write  reviews for Indaily and Glam Adelaide.

Awards

• In 2015, I was awarded Highest Overall Achievement in Professional Writing through TAFE, AC Arts
• Just Sleeping (novel)- shortlisted for the Olvar Wood fellowship award 2010

Publications

• Leaving Princess Kate – published in Autumn Leaves anthology 2015
• Copper Bling – winner in the Perilous Adventures writing competition 2011: http://www.perilousadventures.net/1101/bond.html
• Your Gift (Seaview Press, Goodnight, Goodnight anthology 2009)
• Pink Shorts (Positive Words, 2008)
• Just Sleeping (Page Seventeen, 2007)
• How To Keep A Secret (Girlfriend Magazine, 1993)
• The Art of Love (Girlfriend Magazine, 1993)
• The Girl In The Blue Dress (Girlfriend Magazine, 1992)
• Over 200 Arts reviews published in both Indaily and Glam Adelaide. Review examples:
• http://indaily.com.au/arts-and-culture/2014/04/16/bridget-jones-mad-boy/
• http://www.glamadelaide.com.au/main/fringe-review-limbo-2/

Education

• Certificate IV Adult Assessment and Training 2014
• Advanced Diploma of Arts (Professional Writing) 2008-2014 (AC Arts, TAFE)
• Bachelor of Laws, Adelaide University, 1999
• Bachelor of Arts, Adelaide University, 1997

Professional Development examples

• 2014-present – Tutor/mentor in AC Arts Professional Writing course
• 2015-present – freelance content writer for The Content Partners
• 2008-present – freelance reviewer for Indaily and Glam Adelaide
• 2004-present- various senior policy and project roles in SA Government
• 2014:Fiona McIntosh master class (5 day intensive in commercial fiction writing)
• 2014: PD (Phillipa) Martin mentorship (Dead Selfish- novel)
• 2013: 4 day Fiction writing bootcamp – SA Writers’Centre 2013
• 2013: Nick Earls characters workshop – SA Writers Centre
• 2012: Manuscript editing mentorship Robb Grindstaff (Selfish Idol – novel)
• 2009-2010: Jane Turner Goldsmith mentorship (Just Sleeping – novel)
• 2009: Carol Lefevre Writer’s Cafe 6 week workshop (Just Sleeping)
• 2008: Maximising Opportunities Group – SA Writers Centre

 

Employment

• 2014-present – Tutor/mentor in AC Arts Professional Writing course
• 2015-present – freelance content writer for The Content Partners
• 2008-present – freelance reviewer for Indaily and Glam Adelaide
• 2004-present- various senior policy and project roles in SA Government

 

Writing is fun and frustrating and wonderful and awful.  I know all too well the morale destroying effects of a rejection or “constructive criticism”. It’s hard slog to put your work out there and not be adored instantly, but I persist because I love it and I love books. If other writers gave up, there’d be no books and that’s a world I don’t want to live in. I expect that if I’m lucky enough to die an old lady in my bed, I will literally die with a book in my hand. After all, I managed to get through five hours of labour before I put my book away!