Death Of 1000 Cuts

In this episode I look at the first page of a listener's story and suggest ways to make it better. If you'd like to support the show drop me a few beans via my Ko-fi page: www.ko-fi.com/timclare And if you'd like to submit the first page of your story, click on the 'Contact Me' button via this link and send me no more than 250 words, plus a title: www.timclarepoet.co.uk

It's another writing ramble! Unscripted, unplanned, unedited - me talking about whatever is on my mind, writing-wise. Today, I talk about the writing community's romanticisation of crunch culture and unhealthy working practices. I hope you find it useful. If you'd like to support the show drop me a few beans via my Ko-fi page: www.ko-fi.com/timclare And if you'd like to submit the first page of yo...

In this episode, I chat about the weird valley between one project ending and another beginning, and I answer some questions suggested by listeners to the best of my ability, which, as we know from bitter experience, is seldom up to the task. This is a writing ramble episode, so it's unplanned, unscripted and unedited. If you'd like to support the show drop me a few beans via my Ko-fi page: www.ko...

In this episode I chat with Ted Hughes Award-winning poet and author Hollie McNish. We chat about writing poems on what you care about, mixing genres, dealing with critics and snobbery, and using poetry to make yourself feel better. Hardback (signed edition via Waterstones): https://t.co/QAomJ8R5rE?amp=1 Audiobook (via Google Play): https://t.co/rHH5fYE1Ng?amp=1 Twitter: @holliepoetry Website: htt...

In this episode I chat with writer and performer Salena Godden about her debut novel MRS DEATH MISSES DEATH. We talk about mortality and inspiration, giving voice to characters and using the poetic form in prose, messing with reader expectations and how juggling different projects can help productivity and motivation. Buy MRS DEATH MISSES DEATH here in hardback: https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Sale...

In this episode I chat with author Keiron Pim about how he wrote his biography of larger-than-life sixties underworld fixer and friend to the stars, David Litvinoff, JUMPIN' JACK FLASH. We talk about Keiron's background in journalism, approaching people for interviews, and how to use 'footstepping' to get a sense for your subject. You can grab a copy of JUMPIN' JACK FLASH HERE: https://www.amazon....

This is the 5th episode of my series where I try to write a book from first idea to final draft, and take you along for the ride. In this episode, I talk about making mistakes and first drafts, I then go onto to make some mistakes trying to come up with place names for my world, then I think 'stuff it' and go ahead and start plotting out the first quarter of my novel. By the end... I feel like I'v...

This is the 4th episode of my series where I try to write a book from first idea to final draft, and take you along for the ride. In this episode, I do a deep dive into the art of 'crunchy specificity'. Having struggled to zero in on a character through general traits, I try to follow Michael Moorcock's advice and come at it from the opposite direction - building characters from the sound of their...

In this episode I chat with author and neuroscientist Dean Burnett about writing about the brain, science and mental health, and his new book, PSYCHO-LOGICAL. We discuss the challenges of conveying complex ideas to a broad readership, reflecting the messiness of science, and current theories underpinning our understanding of conditions like depression. You can grab a copy of PSYCHO-LOGICAL: Why Me...

This episode I chat with author, poet, journalist and podcaster Musa Okwonga about the art of writing great essays, the power of words, how to open up your specialist subject to a wider audience, and the places where non-fiction, fiction and poetry blend in his work. Oh, and we talk football, poetry, hip-hop, politics, defining ourselves as artists, and how he comes up with a powerful opening prem...

This is the 3rd episode of my series where I try to write a book from first idea to final draft, and take you along for the ride. In this episode, I work on fleshing out a new antagonist from my list of archetypes, and I discuss how the ideology of a story can get away from you, and ponder if that's necessarily a problem. If you enjoy the show, please show your support via my Ko-fi page: www.ko-fi...

In this episode I chat with Fantasy novelist RJ Barker about his two trilogies, the process of taking a story from idea to finished book, pitching trilogies, worldbuilding, and his favourite novels. I've popped some links to the first books in his two trilogies below. AGE OF ASSASSINS: https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/RJ-Barker/Age-of-Assassins--The-Wounded-Kingdom-Book-1-To-catch-an-/20901956 THE B...

This is the 2nd episode in my series where I try to write a book from first idea to final draft, and take you along for the ride. Today I'm looking at generating some secondary characters, some antagonists, to populate the world. If you enjoy the show, please show your support via my Ko-fi page: www.ko-fi.com/timclare You can get in touch with me via my website: www.timclarepoet.co.uk Listen to th...

The first part of a series in which I write a novel, from scratch, and talk you through my process. To kick things off, I consider the basics - what's this story about? Who's the protagonist? Since I'm trying to write a Fantasy adventure, I do some brainstorming about what powers my protag might have, and what limitations or costs those powers might be constrained by. I talk through Michael Moorco...

In this episode I look at the first page of a listener's novel and suggest ways they could make it better. Hooray! It's an old school creative writing editing episode. If you'd like to support the show, chuck me a few beans via my Ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/timclare Here's my website if you'd like to submit your first page for a future episode: www.timclarepoet.co.uk

In today's episode I talk about the Zeigarnik effect, the arc of a creative writing project, and how we can manage the tensions that arise from unfinished business. If you'd like to support the show, chuck me a few beans via my Ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/timclare I mention The Blindboy Podcast in today's episode. If you've never heard it, here's a couple of episodes you might like to get you st...

In this episode I chat with author Alexandra Rowland about writing, the power of stories, and faeries. We talk about Alex's early training as a writer, the benefits of National Novel Writing Month, and Alex's Fantasy novels A CONSPIRACY OF TRUTHS and A CHOIR OF LIES. We also talk about their new book, a kind of field guide to monsters in the modern world: FINDING FAERIES. Alex's website: https://w...

This episode I chat with writer, performer and children's author Laura Dockrill. We talk about our time on the performance poetry scene, how working with a live audience teaches you to edit, writing for children, and finally about the experiences that informed Laura's new book, WHAT HAVE I DONE? Laura talks frankly about her experience of becoming a mother - a traumatic birth, sleep deprivation an...

In this episode I talk about psychologist Daniel Kahneman's theory of the 'peak-end rule' and how we might apply it to our writing. This episode is brought to you by Arvon, the Home of Creative Writing. Keep writing this Autumn with Arvon At Home’s extensive digital programme of readings, classes and week-long writing courses. For more information click the links below: https://www.arvon.org/ http...

In this episode, I return to a favourite topic - writing when things go wrong, either in your own life, or in the world. How should we handle it? How do we make writing meaningful in difficult times? This is a writing ramble episode, so it's unscripted, unedited. Just me, talking about whatever comes to mind. I mention Susanna Clarke's PIRANESI - you can order a copy here: https://storysmithbooks....

In today's episode I chat with stand-up comedian Trevor Lock about comedy, making jokes, and what makes something funny. If you'd like to check out Trevor's work or sign up for his Joke Hospital, head to his website: http://www.trevorlock.co/

In this episode I chat with the writer, performer and poet Byron Vincent about identity, privilege and untold stories. We chat about his growing up around violence and moving round a lot, but also his experiences being told he had gifts - both creative and supernatural. We talk about his move into poetry, how you deal with performing at festivals when you've got an anxiety disorder, and the proces...

This is a writing ramble episode, meaning it's unscripted, unedited, unplanned. I talk about, well. Myself, mostly. What I've been feeling, what I've been up to. Making sense of stuff. If you'd like to support me you can grab my two novels THE HONOURS and THE ICE HOUSE (best read in that order). Due to stock shortages both links are to Amazon, but if you can grab them from your local bricks & mort...

In today's episode I chat with poet, writer and international rap battler Mark Grist. We talk about performance, audiences and community, success, who you choose to write for, how to write a poem for the stage, and share our worst gigs ever. It's a good chat! Here's Mark's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MontyGristo/ Website: http://www.markgrist.com/ Twitter: @montygristo If you'd like to...

In this episode I chat with Deepa Anappara about writing and her debut novel DJINN PATROL ON THE PURPLE LINE. We talk about her background in journalism, her embarrassment about pursuing fiction writing when it didn't seem like a 'proper' career, and how she became interested in how stories change depending on whose point of view you take. You can grab a copy of Deepa's book here: https://www.amaz...