They say there’s a book in all of us. But not everyone puts pen to paper or taps away at the keyboard until it’s done. Even fewer commit to a Master of Creative Writing to hone their craft. But, for award-winning author Rebecca Fraser, who graduated in 2016, the decision to undertake her master’s at Macquarie University gave her the confidence to realise her dream of running creative writing workshops and, most importantly, complete her first novel-length work. And yes, it was commercially published. So, what are you waiting for?

Many people dream of writing a book, but a lack of time or experience can hold them back. A degree in creative writing at Macquarie University can help you master your skills and build your confidence, but still, it’s reassuring to know that even the most capable, published authors doubt themselves at times too. "I don’t think imposter syndrome ever really goes away!" admits Rebecca Fraser from her home office on the Mornington Peninsula, where she carves out time to do something ‘writerly’ every day.

"Everyone has it," she continues, emphasising that it most often occurs when submitting your hard-fought work into the "seeming black hole" that is the enormous slush pile of unsolicited manuscripts publishers receive, and which you need to rise above to be published. "I’ve had two novels picked up this way, so it does happen, but you need to have a really big suit of armour because the default is rejection!"

Like most things, it’s all about perspective. "A friend calls rejections badges of honour, which is a really cool way of looking at it," says Ms Fraser. "The theory is, you should wear your rejections with pride because it means you’re doing what you’re supposed to as an author – you’re getting your work out there; you’re submitting it to publishers. Some people never get that far."

And it’s true. While we can’t all see our work in bookshops, for those who burn with something to say, something to share with the world, the desire to be published is like a tide pulling them toward the shore. "I’ve always loved reading and just knew I wanted to write," muses Ms Fraser, who says, from a young age, words just seemed to come naturally.

"I loved fantasy books and C.S. Lewis, and my dad was an avid reader who encouraged me to read widely, including the masters of horror from the turn of the last century. But it was in my teens, when I discovered Stephen King, that the wheels really started to turn in my mind.

"I realised there was a lot more to King’s writing than horror, and started reading his work both more broadly and more forensically. I wondered, how are you making me feel this way, and what is it about how you write that’s doing that? It was a light-bulb moment for me when I understood it was his characters – you’d cheer for them and you’d fear for them, and that’s what moves you through the story."

Indeed, exploring what it means to be human has been a running theme throughout Ms Fraser’s work, which she describes as genre-mashing. "From a publisher’s perspective, I suspect I’m a bit of a branding nightmare!" she laughs. "A few years ago, I was probably best known for my speculative fiction – science fiction, fantasy and horror – but I don’t like to pigeonhole myself purely as a writer of adult dark fiction, as I do write across a variety of genres and readerships, and I try to play against expectations."

Indeed, in recent years, Ms Fraser has ventured into the world of children’s literature. "While I write picture books, junior fiction and young adult books, I have a particular fondness for middle-grade fiction for 8- to 12-year-olds and write everything from contemporary Australian fiction to fantasy and eco-survival thrillers," she explains, referring to a novel she’s written about a young girl in the Tasmanian wilderness trying to prove the Tassie tiger still exists.

"I put so much into it, but it’s yet to find its home with a publisher," she says. "It was such a timely and topical issue with research coming out of Melbourne University on how to bring the thylacine back to life using DNA, and it explores interesting themes for children, such as just because we can do something, should we? But it just hasn’t got any traction yet."

Still, she won’t give up on this one, and says the best approach is to just keep writing and always have a few projects on the go. Indeed, Ms Fraser’s most commercially successful children’s novel so far, Sea Glass, was what she calls a procrastination project.

"I remember I was working on a huge science fiction/western/space opera-type novel during Melbourne’s lockdowns. My creativity just wasn’t there, so I’d go beachcombing within my five kilometre radius and the characters and plot for Sea Glass just came to me."

Exploring intergenerational themes in the story of an estranged grandfather who reconnects with his granddaughter, Sea Glass has since been short and longlisted for awards, selected for three state Premier’s Reading Lists and embraced by book clubs, teachers and librarians alike. "It’s had a really great ride," says Ms Fraser, who unsurprisingly has two more books due for release next year with the same publisher, Wombat Books.

Meanwhile, earlier this year, Jonty’s Unicorn – a fantasy adventure about friendship, loyalty, bravery and animal rights – was published by IFWG Publishing. It’s been a busy time for sure, but it would seem Ms Fraser has found her niche, writing for the middle grades and exploring weighty issues with heart. "When writing for children, I feel a responsibility to write stories that allow kids to see themselves represented no matter their family structure, their ability, their ethnicity, spirituality, gender or sexuality," she says.

"The current middle-grade landscape in Australia is alive with fiction that explores these very issues, and kids are not only seeing themselves reflected in these stories, they’re learning from the own-voiced experience of marginalised cultures – it’s a wonderful thing."

Of course, with a list of published books growing by the year, it’s easy to forget those early days when being published was just a dream. "I remember in 2007, when I had my first professional sale – a gothic horror short story called Uncle Alex Gargoyle – receiving that validation was such an important step. It was the first time I thought, maybe this is more than a dream, maybe I can do this and should back myself."

And that’s exactly what she did, writing and submitting her ideas while working as a copywriter and editor, and becoming fully immersed in her local writing community, of course. With her confidence increasing, she serendipitously came across an ad in the newsletter of the writers’ centre she belonged to.

"Macquarie University was inviting people to apply for the Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Creative Writing, or the Master in Creative Writing," she recalls. "The timing was right. I’d had several short stories published and wanted to start running creative writing workshops, so was looking for recognised credentials. I was aware of Macquarie’s reputation, and wanted to accomplish something personally as well, so applied.

"As a result, Dr Jane Messer contacted me and, given I’d had a few publishing credits up my sleeve, recommended I leapfrog the bachelor’s degree and move straight onto my master’s. It was my first experience with tertiary education, and I remember being anxious because I was very late to being a tertiary student!"

Nothing like that imposter syndrome to rear its head when taking on something new, but also, there’s nothing quite like not letting these normal concerns get the better of you and pursuing your dreams with everything you’ve got. And, even though she was an external student in the days before Zoom, Ms Fraser says, "I gained so much from my MQ experience and by being part of a cohort of students and professors who were as excited about creative writing as I was!

"Dr Jane Messer was respectful and thoughtful, with a keen ability to challenge our writing and opinions while encouraging us to extend ourselves. And I learned a lot from the creative non-fiction unit with Dr Rebecca Griggs – injecting yourself into your writing was new to me, and I found that quite raw, actually, but enjoyed writing from a different place of creativity.

"Overall, the units I undertook, the assignments I produced and the conversations I contributed to all challenged the way I thought – they shaped and broadened my understanding of literary theory and, I believe, made me a better writer.

"I’m also more acutely aware now of how everyone receives a text differently because it’s viewed through the lens and filter of their own lived experience, their cultural or socioeconomic background, and I’ve tried to keep that in mind when I write."

As part of her master’s, Ms Fraser opted to undertake the Manuscript Development Program and worked on the first draft of a young adult urban fantasy novel. "Dr Elizabeth Claire Alberts writes in the young adult space and was my mentor, guiding me and offering different ways of looking at things structurally – she was terrific."

After reworking the draft in alignment with feedback from Dr Alberts and one of the evaluators from Allen and Unwin, which she says was invaluable, the draft went on to be published by IFWG Publishing as Curtis Creed and the Lore of the Ocean in 2018. "It was my first novel-length work to be accepted and was a real milestone, giving me the assurance to forge ahead with my writing."

Completing her master’s in 2016 also gave Ms Fraser the confidence to create a business running workshops for aspiring writers of every age and ability. "I’m passionate about sharing my skills and knowledge, and after several years of mentoring beginner writers and helping emerging writers achieve their creative dreams, I started StoryCraft Creative Writing Workshops the year after I graduated."

Ms Fraser runs her workshops in various locations, from festivals, libraries, community centres and schools to home-school settings, bookstores and online. "My workshops are inclusive, nurturing small-group environments focusing on the craft of writing.

"I’m also fascinated by the psychology of writing and run workshops to help people find and follow their creativity, explore their why, and learn how to achieve a sustainable writing practice that aligns with their unique ambitions. The creativity is always sitting there," she affirms, "it’s just some people don’t know how to tap into it because of what they, or other people, have told them.

"My advice is to simply write the stories you want to tell," concludes Ms Fraser. "Your stories will be so much more authentic for it and, when it comes down to it, what better reason is there to write than for the joy of it?"

No doubt. Though we still hope the novels she has in her desk drawer, or a folder on her computer, come to light. Especially the story about the girl searching for the Tasmanian tiger.

Rebecca Fraser's bio

Rebecca Fraser graduated from Macquarie University in 2016 with a Master of Creative Writing. Living on Bunurong Land on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, which she finds a deep well of natural inspiration, Ms Fraser writes genre-mashing fiction for children and adults.

Her work has won, been short and longlisted for and honourably mentioned in numerous awards, including Adaptable: Turning Page to Screen, The 2023 Readings Children’s Prize, the Aurealis Awards, the Australian Shadows Awards, Ditmars, and the Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor’s Writing Award.

Ms Fraser has written four middle-grade novels, including the successful Sea Glass. Published by Wombat Books, it’s inspired by her life on the Mornington Peninsula. She has also written a short fiction collection and over sixty short stories, poems and articles in various anthologies, journals and magazines. Forthcoming publications include a junior fiction novel and a young adult novel.

She also operates StoryCraft Creative Writing Workshops, and chairs and participates in panels at festivals and facilitates author In Conversations at libraries. Ms Fraser has served as a convenor and on the judging panel of nationally recognised literary competitions, and is a proud ambassador for Australia Reads and participant in the Australian Author Pen Pals program.

Master of Creative Writing course

If you love writing and reading literature and want to challenge yourself to develop your craft and technique, a Master of Creative Writing at Macquarie University is your pathway to honing your non-fiction and creative writing skills. Find out more now.