About The Art of Writing

‘Do what you love,’ they said. But where to start? After a long career in radio and television news, I was accustomed to writing clean, factual texts as a journalist. I didn’t see myself as a creative writer. How could I make the switch to writing a memoir, creative non-fiction and novels?

My journey started with a scholarship to the Australian, Film, TV and Radio School. I reported for 2GB News and Kiis FM and eventually I corresponded from Italy for the ABC, 2UE and the American Radio News Network. Then came television news as a reporter and ultimately Associate Producer of Australia’s Channel 10 National Late News.

I wrote my first book– Walking Sydney, A Guide to 25 of Sydney’s Best Walks. Then took the leap, and my first book was followed by three more –The Promise, Naples: A Way of Love, Death in the Mountains. I'm proud to say the latter won me the Victorian Premier's award for Writing About Italians. Naples a Way of Love won The Australian Illustrated Book of the Year.

pictured: Accepting the Victorian Premier's Literary Award

That being said, I’ve been where you are. When I was writing my memoir and a creative non-fiction historical, I remember wishing there was a comprehensive, in-person course that would teach me how to transition my skills into all genres, but also how to engage my reader on the deepest level.

How do I build a plot that leaves the reader hooked? How do I make my reader fall in love with my characters? I wanted my readers to lie in bed thinking just one more page.

I also needed a community of writers, a place to turn to when I needed support.

I am proud that The Art of Writing has become a global centre for creatives. We are committed to helping you with your writing, no matter what genre or form your words might take right now. We are a judgement-free community that welcomes all writing creatives with open arms.

After four decades of living in and writing about Italy, I decided it was time to bring The Art of Writing back to Australia. Now I share what I have learned in Europe by helping Aussie writers achieve their dreams.

The Art of Writing programs run in the Italian summer, and the Australian summer. They are for beginner, emerging and established writers whose ideas have stalled. I’d love to meet you in either Florence or Brisbane. Maybe even both! Let The Art of Writing team help take your idea from heart to page. I really hope to write with you!

Learn more about Lisa's books

  • The Promise: An Italian Romance by Lisa Clifford

    Lisa Clifford was sixteen when she arrived in Florence for the first time, keen to experience life beyond her Australian convent-school and work out what she wanted to do with her future. Falling in love with a local called Paolo was not part of the plan...

    Buy here 

  • Death in the Mountains: The Story of a Tuscan Murder by Lisa Clifford

    This is the true story of the murder of Artemio Bruni, a peasant farmer in the mountains of Casentino, north-eastern Tuscany, in the winter of 1907. Artemio was my husband's great-grandfather. For reasons not understood by my husband's family, Grandpa Artemio's death was never investigated.

    Buy here 

  • Naples: A Way of Love by Lisa Clifford and Carla Coulson

    Winner of Australian Illustrated Book of the Year. Photographer Carla Coulson and writer Lisa Clifford know this dazzling, magical city intimately: in this book they take you on a journey through the Naples most tourists never see. Walk with them down hidden cobblestone alleyways lit by shrines to the saints and into ancient...

    Read more about the book 

  • Death in the Mountains: The Story of a Tuscan Murder by Lisa Clifford

    After winning the Victorian Premier's Award, publisher's Pan Macmillan released the second edition of this book.

    Read more about the award