Vivienne Wynter is a journalist, publisher and creative writer. She started her journalism career as an arts reporter with ABC Radio National, then read the news on commercial radio for a few years before escaping to be a media officer with the Australian Democrats in their heyday. Vivienne went on to teach journalism at Griffith University for 20 years. In 2023, she launched her own constructive journalism platform, a digital news magazine called The Pineapple which she uses to elevate Queensland voices, stories and creative writing. She lives with her husband on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia.
Sunny is set to be released August 2027.
What inspired you to be a writer?
My uncle Philip Wynter was a highly regarded war correspondent for Fairfax newspapers, so that's the family inspo. Watching Mary Tyler Moore working in a newsroom in her 1970s TV show also inspired me to be a journalist. As a child I watched all the films about journalists with fascination, because I like to know what's going on in the world and share that with others in a way that's helpful to their lives.
After twenty years in radio and print journalism I decided to try my hand at creative writing because reading fiction is how I always made sense of my life and the world in general.
What prompted you to write 'Sunny'?
My story of leaving your family and keeping them at the same time has not been told before. I believe I have an original story to tell: one of holding your parents accountable and finding a way to really be your authentic self in your family without selling yourself out to a false narrative. Telling the truth to your parents, or carers, or any family member about how they affected your life is very hard to do and that's what my book is about.
Do you have any more books in the pipeline?
I'm considering writing two satirical novellas: one poking fun at old school journalism and one poking fun at political parties. Both books would draw on my experienced working in newsrooms and in politics for The Greens and The Democrats. I saw some things!
What is your professional background?
For the past thirty years I have worked as a radio journalist and newsreader and as a feature writer for most capital city newspapers in Australia. I taught journalism and writing at Griffith University for twenty years and I had a ball working as a media adviser for The Democrats in their heyday.
Any advice you’d like to give to aspiring writers?
It takes a long time to become a good writer. Don't expect to get it right the first or twentieth time. Give it time and study the writers you love. Read their books once for the story and a second time to dissect the writing into its component parts: plot, narrative, pace, style and tone. Most importantly, be open to and grateful for feedback from writers and readers you respect. No good writer got that way without input from others.
Who/what inspires you?
Jeanette Winterson, author of Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit is my favourite writer because she writes about heavy subjects with a light hand. Evelyn Waugh's biting satires are an inspiration. I love the way Kate Grenville tells gripping stories about important events in history from several perspectives, as she does in The Secret River.
What are your hobbies, interests and favourite books?
My nickname is Vivienne the Amphibian because I must swim in the ocean, a swimming pool, a creek or any body of water a few times a week.
My favourite books are Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Secret River and In Cold Blood. They are my favourite books because they are gorgeously written and because they are about my favourite theme: justice.
How can readers contact you?
I publish an independent digital news platform called The Pineapple where we publish constructive news and creative writing and readers can contact me through the About Page or by email vwynter@bigpond.com or on Facebook.
