Writers Aloud: The RLF Podcast

Poetry Break: Karin Altenberg and Julia Copus discuss two poems by Tomas Tranströmer. Karin Altenberg and our host Julia Copus discuss ‘Face to Face’ and ‘Solitude (I)’ by the late Swedish poet Tomas Tranströmer, both translated by Robin Robertson. The post Poetry Break with Karin Altenberg appeared first on Royal Literary Fund .

In ‘How I Write’, RLF writers reveal how they try and fail to beat distraction. In this installment of 'How I Write', Royal Literary Fund writers discuss how they cope with the urge to procrastinate, touching on issues such as background noise, the usefulness of deadlines and the perils of having room with a view. The post How I Write, part 5 appeared first on Royal Literary Fund .

Martyn Waites tells Doug Johnstone how he became a crime writer. Martyn Waites speaks with Doug Johnstone about learning crime writing on the job, adopting a female pseudonym and the joys of writing daleks. The post Martyn Waites appeared first on Royal Literary Fund .

CD Rose tells Ann Morgan about the joys and challenges of blurring fact and fiction. CD Rose speaks with Ann Morgan about blurring the lines between fact and fiction, being persuaded to write a book and finding ways to commemorate geniuses whose work is never discovered. The post CD Rose appeared first on Royal Literary Fund .

Lesley Glaister talks to Caroline Sanderson about the mysteries of the creative process, and the blend of dark and light in her fiction. Lesley Glaister speaks with Caroline Sanderson about the mystery of why some of her characters roar into life while others don’t; pays tribute to Hilary Mantel as a friend and mentor of her work; and argues that the heart of her fiction doesn’t only lie in darkne...

In ‘How I Write’, RLF writers discuss their favourite places to work. In this installment of 'How I Write', we hear from Royal Literary Fund fellows about their favourite places to write, taking in everything from garden sheds to trains and foreign hotel rooms. The post How I Write, part 4 appeared first on Royal Literary Fund .

Jamie Lee Searle speaks with Ann Morgan about translation and how it feeds into her other writing. Jamie Lee Searle speaks with Ann Morgan about unpicking books layer by layer, overcoming the fear of writing and the practicalities of the creative life. The post Jamie Lee Searle appeared first on Royal Literary Fund .

Alan Jenkins speaks with John Greening about his career as an award-winning poet and critic. Alan Jenkins speaks with John Greening about winning the Forward Prize, the moment he knew he would spend his life writing poetry, and the role of loss and death in his work. The post Alan Jenkins appeared first on Royal Literary Fund .

Michaela Morgan speaks with Ann Morgan about her experience as a poet and children’s writer. Michaela Morgan speaks with Ann Morgan about becoming a reader by accident, writing for reluctant readers, using stories to unlock people and the importance of not writing down to children. The post Michaela Morgan appeared first on Royal Literary Fund .

In ‘How I Write’, RLF writers explore the age-old question of where ideas come from and how they get transformed into stories. In this installment of 'How I Write', Royal Literary Fund writers discuss the mysterious mechanism by which stories, plays and poems are born, taking in everything from the arrival of the idea and the slog of the drafting process to the joys of editing. The post How I Writ...

Jeremy Treglown speaks with Ann Morgan about his career as a literary biographer and critic. Jeremy Treglown speaks with Ann Morgan about choosing biographical subjects, the fallibility of memory, trying to tell real-life stories fairly and the experience of being a critic as well as an author. The post Jeremy Treglown appeared first on Royal Literary Fund .

Poetry Break: Emily Berry and Julia Copus discuss ‘I’ll Come When Thou Art Saddest’ by Emily Brontë. Emily Berry and our host Julia Copus discuss the often overlooked poetry of Wuthering Heights author Emily Brontë, focusing on ‘I’ll Come When Thou Art Saddest’, in 'Poetry Break'. The post Poetry Break with Emily Berry appeared first on Royal Literary Fund .

Lottie Moggach speaks with Catherine O’Flynn about the joys and challenges of writing novels. Lottie Moggach speaks with Catherine O’Flynn about following in the footsteps of a novelist parent, the joys of plot and research, the experience of diving into writing historical fiction, and how to answer when someone asks you what you do. The post Lottie Moggach appeared first on Royal Literary Fund .

In ‘How I Write’, RLF writers discuss the different tools and technologies that help them produce their work. In this installment of 'How I Write', Royal Literary Fund fellows discuss the relative merits of pen versus computer, the role stationery can play in planning, and some of the pros and cons of writing software. The post How I Write, part 2 appeared first on Royal Literary Fund .

Brian Clegg speaks with Caroline Sanderson about the joys and challenges of writing about science. Brian Clegg speaks with Caroline Sanderson about how he brought together his parallel passions for writing and for science; explains why we can all claim to be descended from royalty; and describes the sense of wonder that he believes is integral to science writing. The post Brian Clegg appeared firs...

Rosalind Harvey speaks with Ann Morgan about how translating helps her reimagine her relationship with words. Rosalind Harvey speaks with Ann Morgan about learning another language so well you dream in it, the process of finding the voice for other writers’ characters, and the link between writing and translating. The post Rosalind Harvey appeared first on Royal Literary Fund .

Syd Moore talks about the influence of the Occult on her work and the problems of writing about Covid-19. Syd Moore speaks with Doug Johnstone about Essex witches and their influence on her books, her new project exploring the Occult in World War Two, and the dilemma of whether to address or ignore the Covid-19 pandemic in an ongoing book series. The post Syd Moore, part 2 appeared first on Royal...

Syd Moore speaks with Doug Johnstone about the doubts and stereotypes she battled early in her writing career. Syd Moore speaks with Doug Johnstone about her early writing life and the inclusive inspiration of seminal 80s and 90s culture, unexpectedly becoming a tv presenter on Channel 4, the self-doubt she experienced on not getting published, and the problematic Essex Girl stereotype. The post S...

In ‘How I Write’, RLF writers explain how they structure their writing days. In this installment of 'How I Write', Royal Literary Fund fellows discuss the tips, tricks and rituals they use to structure their writing days, with approaches including everything from going for a good walk to the Pomodoro technique. The post How I Write, part 1 appeared first on Royal Literary Fund .

Juliet Gilkes Romero speaks with Ann Morgan about her career so far and her experience as writer in residence of the UK’s National Theatre. Juliet Gilkes Romero speaks with Ann Morgan about telling history’s forgotten stories, writing about intersectionality, chasing down inconvenient truths, and the experience of taking up a writing residency at one of the UK’s most revered theatres. The post Jul...

Juliet Gilkes Romero speaks with Ann Morgan about her journey into playwriting. Juliet Gilkes Romero speaks with Ann Morgan about childhood influences, developing a love of storytelling and how a career in journalism led to shaping narratives for the stage. The post Juliet Gilkes Romero, part 1 appeared first on Royal Literary Fund .

Jamie Lee Searle reflects on her fiction-writing practice and Chris Simms explores the tricky art of research. Jamie Lee Searle reflects on the experience of building a fiction-writing practice fifteen years into a translating career. Chris Simms explains why research is his favourite part of writing, considers the advantages of talking with real people when seeking realism in fiction, and his own...

In ‘My Favourite Book’, RLF writers explain what their favourite books have taught them about the craft of writing. In this installment of 'My Favourite Book', Royal Literary Fund fellows share what books they love have taught them about craft, the role of the writer in a text and the tricky art of blurring poetry and prose. The post My Favourite Book, part 4 appeared first on Royal Literary Fund...

Sara Wheeler speaks with Caroline Sanderson about inspiration, the future of travel writing and celebrating the human spirit’s endurance. Sara Wheeler speaks with Caroline Sanderson about the sources of her inspirations as a travel writer and biographer, why the future of travel writing is bright and why the writer’s job is to find hope and celebrate the individual human spirit’s survival. The pos...

Poetry Break: Rebecca Watts and Julia Copus discuss a romantic poem by Hart Crane. Rebecca Watts and our host Julia Copus discuss ‘My Grandmother’s Love Letters’ by twentieth century American poet Hart Crane, in Poetry Break. The post Poetry Break with Rebecca Watts appeared first on Royal Literary Fund .