Where Do Writers Get Their Ideas? Festival Panel Lifts the Lid on Creative Inspiration

Where do stories come from?

That question will take centre stage at the 2026 Whitsundays Writers Festival when three accomplished regional authors come together for an entertaining and insightful panel discussion exploring the origins of creativity.

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Where Do You Get Your Story Ideas From? will reveal the surprising, strange, and often mundane everyday moments that spark books, characters, and stories, offering audiences a glimpse into the minds of working writers.

The afternoon session forms part of the Whitsundays Writers Festival on Sunday 13 September 2026 at the Whitsunday Marine Club, Cannonvale.

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Festival Director Richard Evans said the panel would appeal to readers and aspiring writers alike.

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“People often assume writers are waiting for lightning to strike, but inspiration can come from a conversation overheard in a café, a childhood memory, a newspaper article, a road trip, or a simple ‘what if?’ question,” Richard said.  

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“This discussion explores the many ways stories begin and how writers transform everyday experiences into something readers connect with.”

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The panel brings together three authors whose work spans personal development, adventure memoir, and crime fiction.

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Krissy Regan

Children’s Author & Adult Personal Development

After decades of travel and delivering projects for clients around the world, Krissy Regan embarked on a creative journey of her own, publishing her first book in 2020 and quickly following it with five more titles. A passionate storyteller, Krissy writes for children and adults, creating meaningful, values-based content designed to inspire and encourage. She is also a regular contributor to family publications including Kiddipedia and other print and online media.

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Gary Wood

Adventure Memoir

Award-winning author, travel writer, and motorcycle adventurer Gary Wood finds inspiration on the back roads of regional Australia. Through his books Gun Fights, Ghosts and Goannas and Red Dust and Rainforests, as well as his popular website Digital Swaggie, Gary documents the people, landscapes, and forgotten places that continue to shape Australia’s identity. His storytelling combines history, observation, humour, and a deep appreciation for the practical wisdom found in regional and remote communities.

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Veronica Lando

Crime Fiction

North Queensland author Veronica Lando grew up above her parents’ Melbourne bookshop, surrounded by stories from an early age. Her debut novel The Whispering won the 2021 Banjo Prize for Fiction and was shortlisted for the Queensland Literary Awards Courier-Mail People’s Choice Book of the Year and Sisters in Crime Scarlet Stiletto Award. She has since secured multiple publishing contracts and established herself as a rising voice in Australian crime fiction. Drawing inspiration from North Queensland’s uniquely harsh and sometimes dangerous landscapes, Veronica creates atmospheric stories that blur the line between beauty and menace.

The discussion forms part of a full day of literary events celebrating local authors, regional stories, and community connection.

The 2026 festival programme also includes the prestigious From the Heart keynote by multi-award-winning romance author Rachel Armstrong, the presentation of the Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards, and Stories by the Sea — a free community event featuring more than 20 regional authors, book sales and swaps, live music, art demonstrations, children’s activities, and a gold coin BBQ.  

Tickets and full programme details are available via the festival website: https://www.whitsundayswriters.com/2026-programme-speakers/

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What: Whitsundays Writers Festival  

When: Sunday 13 September 2026

Where: Whitsunday Marine Club, 7 Altmann Avenue, Cannonvale

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