Michael Brissenden has worked for the ABC for more than thirty years. He has been a political journalist and foreign correspondent for the ABC since 1987. A two-time Walkley Award winner, Michael is now a reporter on the ABC’S 4 Corners. His debut novel THE LIST was published in 2018. DEAD LETTERS, his second novel was published in 2021.
Our conversation covers:
- Early journalism
- How playing music is like writing
- How to tell a good story and what he learned from journalism
- Corruption, Parliament House, the things that make us cross
- Protecting sources
- Old Farts writing group & Loose Lunches
- Managing workloads and energy shifts
Brissenden’s advice for other writers is:
Don’t talk about it, just do it.
His recommended debut book is: My War Gone By, I Miss It So by Anthony Loyd
The First Time podcast 
Listening to the interview yesterday I was struck by the thought that writing about politicians without having to deal with them or their media minders might actually be a relief for Michael.
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