In the second episode of , 2020 Emerging Writers' Competition winner, Alana Hicks speaks about what it takes to make your story stand out in the crowd.
Melissa Lukashenko, one of our 2020 competition judges, calls , "a fierce blow struck in self defence against casual racism."
And fellow 2020 judge Benjamin Law says that Hicks is "an important new voice in Australian writing," describing her submission as, "a self-contained gut punch of a story offering hard won wisdom, strength and perspective."
Hicks reveals that when she heard Law's feedback, she melted.
"I was like 'Oh shut up, he's talking about someone else, surely!'"
But Hicks' win was no accident. She set herself up for success by recognising that she had something important to contribute in writing about her experience of growing up in diverse Australia.
"Each person who experience that duality of identity or that conflict of belonging - you know, to what? to whom? To where do I belong? - needs to sort of reconcile that within themselves. I think only after that work is done; can you write about it."
For Hicks, reflecting on and confronting the way in which a 'white lens' had shaped her own worldview, was central to her ability to write her story. But she reminds other writers that it's not an easy thing to do.
"It's like being put on a cold table and just asking someone to examine your naked body or something."
Hicks advises that writers should take extra care when writing from a place of vulnerability.
"You must protect yourself. Especially in the early stages. I think it is fair to say that early work should be for special people to look at and give you positive, constructive feedback because if you get crushed too early in the writing journey I think that it can eliminate any hope for coming back."
I think it is fair to say that early work should be for special people to look at and give you positive, constructive feedback because if you get crushed too early in the writing journey I think that it can eliminate any hope for coming back
Hicks acknowledges that opportunities like the Emerging Writers Competition can help motivate aspiring writers to reach their goals.
"For this particular piece, as soon as the announcement came out, I thought, 'I get that. This is relevant to my lived experience and I'm going to write a piece for that.'"
However, the piece that won Hicks the competition underwent several edits before she felt she was ready to submit it.
"I think that one thing that I've learnt about writing over time is don't be afraid of drafts. I think that drafting is one of the critical parts of it."
Hicks had a few other tips for writers entering this year's competition.
"Don't compare yourself with others," she says, "I do that, it sucks."
Don't compare yourself with others," she says, "I do that, it sucks.
Finally, she reminds people that you don't have to think of yourself as a writer to be able to write.
"Sometimes people go to school to go to be a writer but that's not the only pathway. I sometimes think that great writing comes from actually going out and living a life and then reflecting on that life in your own words."
SBS wants to hear your story...because there's a writer in all of us. Submit your story of 1000-2000 words that speaks to the beauty and/or challenges of being Between Two Worlds in diverse Australia and you could win up to $5000 and kickstart your career. Entries are open from August 16-September 16. Go to for more information and register to enter.
Listen to SBS Voices' new podcast, The New Writer’s Room, in the , , , , or wherever you listen to podcasts.
