Writer's Routine

After working for years as a criminal barrister, Harriet Tyce gave up work when she had children and decided to write. A few attempts at getting novels published later, she realised she may need a little bit of help in tweaking, cutting and getting her foot in the door, so she enrolled in a Creative Writing course at University, to study how to become a better author.'Blood Orange' is her debut published novel, and already it's gathering speed, success and critical acclaim. It's about Alison, who has it all - a doting husband, adorable daughter and her first murder case to defend. But as the past catches up with her, it all starts slipping from her hands.Harriet talks about psychological thrillers and making her writing stand out on the shelf, also about creativity in law, and finding the right tone and style.There's a few of the writing tips that you've sent in to the show too, and if you want to be included next week, fire your advice over to [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HAPPY WORLD BOOK DAY.To celebrate one of the top 3 days of the year, here's a little treat. A mash-up of some of the best authors we've had on the podcast this last year.You'll hear the writing routines of Ian Rankin, Cecelia Ahern, Garrard Conley, Helen Fields, Tim Marshall, Bridget Collins and Mark Billingham.Give us 5 lovely stars on Apple Podcasts if you get a [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2017, Nuala Ellwood's debut thriller 'My Sister's Bones' received rave reviews and was hailed as the new 'The Girl on the Train'. It propelled her onto The Observer's list of 'New Faces in Fiction' and gained commercial success - now she's back with a second novel. 'Day of the Accident' tells the story of Maggie, who wakes up from a coma to find her daughter dead, and she is being blamed for the murder.Nuala talks about the how to cope with the pressure from such a successful debut, and how a writing tour around the UK gave her the idea for her new book, and how it revolves around the ridiculous notion that new mothers can't be creative.We've also got a top writing tip from one of the most prolific authors working [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With over 30 published books, Susan Lewis is a master-storyteller that moves through genres, styles and stories as easily as turning a page. She's lived all around the world, getting inspiration from towns in France (where she had a love affair with one of the FBI's Most Wanted) to hills in LA (where she was neighbours with George Clooney)Her new novel, 'One Minute Later', tells the story of Viv Shager, who on her 35th birthday suffers a heart attack which causes her life to change dramatically. Her life shrinks back to how it begun, she moves back home, and with time running out - decides to finally uncover one mysterious secret.Susan isn't much of a planner, gets consumed by her stories and publishes two novels a year. We talk about the pressure that heaps on an author's shoulders, and how she keeps up with it all, and still finds joy in words.If you've got any writing tips, send them over to me - I'll share them in future [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fiona Barton is an award-winning journalist, worked as a senior writer at the 'Mail on Sunday' and reported on many high profile cases. After covering crime for so long, she thought it time to invent some of her own.Her third book, 'The Suspect', details two 18 year old girls who go missing on a gap-year, which reminds journalist Kate Waters of her own son, who is off travelling, that hasn't been seen in 2 years. You can hear how Fiona came up with the idea, and what she immediately did when it came to her. Fiona rises when the sun tells her to, and straight away she'll get down to work - we talk about the secret to that, how she knows when to stop, and how her writing style has changed 3 novels in.We get a top writing tip that may change the way you work forever from one of the hottest authors of 2019, and there's news of a way you can get on the [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bridget Collins has published 7 Young Adult books, a few plays, and now her first full adult novel, 'The Binding', is due to be one of the biggest of 2019. It's been lauded as a 'genre defying fusion of history, magic and a powerful exploration of mental illness'. It tells the story of Emmett Farmer, a book binding apprentice, whose job is to help people forget their darkest secrets.We talk about why it's taken her years to finally write this book, and how volunteering at the Samaritans gave her the initial idea for the story. Also, you can hear why most of Bridget's writing day is spent in bed, and how she gets by without thorough planning.We get a top writing tip that may change the way you work forever from a sheep-farming-crime-author, and there's a way your story can be on the [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Oswald is a farmer for 12 hours of the day, then at night he'll head to his bespoke writing room atop his garage, and bash away at the keyboard.He's known for the 8 novels of the 'Inspector Tony McLean' series, and also his fantasy saga 'The Ballad of Sir Benfro', and you can hear what it's like to start a brand new series - 'Constance Fairchild'. She makes her first appearance in the new novel 'No Time to Cry', and we talk about why having the idea for her name pretty much gave him the rest of the story. We also talk about how comic books taught him to write, how research is overrated and why it's all about the journey over the destination.We'll get a top writing tip from Tim Marshall, the author of 'Prisoners of Geography', who brings something short, sweet and a bit [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Marshall worked for some years as the Diplomatic Editor for Sky News, travelling and living all over the world to get the stories. His book 'Shadowplay: The Overthrow of Slobodan Milosevic' is widely regarded as one of the best accounts of life in the former Yugoslavia. Tim reported in the field from Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia during the Balkan Wars of the 1990s, and has since found huge writing success for his book 'Prisoners of Geography'.'Prisoners of Geography' looks at how maps of the world can predict political situations, it's the first of a trilogy of books that discuss the affect of nationalism on identity politics - his others look at flags and walls.We talk about planning non-fiction, how to make big concepts and global theories relevant and accessible in writing, and why it's always nice to know the local baristas by name.You can get a top writing tip from Irish Book Award winner Liz Nugent, who wants to help you push past the tricky start.PLUS, help the 'Podcast All-Stars' take the UK's Christmas Number One with 'The Sounds of Christmas' - buy it online, and stream it here - https://open.spotify.com/album/4Er8EeydEoWMurO4vPx9NJ?si=U5zNccSgRf6iSdbrp3xRWw@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After working as a stage manager, running all over the place in a theatre, then being shackled to the desk writing for soap operas, Liz Nugent became bored with dull, desk-driven office work, and became an author. Well... became an author over 6 years of writing her first book 'Unravelling Oliver'. It won an Irish Book Award, became a bestseller and gave her a career of being a proper writer.She's back with her third novel 'Skin Deep', all about an enigmatic, alluring and alarming socialite, and the body she finds in her apartment. We talk about how her writing day has changed 3 books in, why she needs to know characters inside-out before she starts, and which song gave her the idea for a whole novel.You can also get a top writing tip from Ben Schott, of 'Schott's Miscellany and Almanac', who has dived into the world of PG Wodehouse, and wants you to start reading aloud.PLUS, your LAST CHANCE to get 20% off Scrivener - type the code ROUTINE when checking out over at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben Schott designed 'Schott's Original Miscellany' as a whimsical Christmas present to his closest friends, and after much pushing and prodding, finally published it to the world. Over the next few years, he had created a series of bestselling works providing an entertaining and informative analysis of the year's events.He's releasing his debut novel 'Jeeves and the King of Clubs', an homage to PG Wodehouse - a writer many see as the greatest comedic novelist of the 20th Century, perhaps even of all time. We talk about how he braced himself to write for the characters of such a legendary literary icon, and how he designed the best chance to do him justice. Also, we learn about how Ben dealt with the language and plot that Wodehouse dealt with so creatively, why there's no perfect writing day, and how the initial idea for his story came on a long train journey, while musing about Donald Trump.We'll get a top writing tip from one of the most successful authors still working today AND you can win $2000 worth of book marketing.PLUS... save 20% on Scrivener, the writing software that makes telling your story soooo much [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since publishing her debut novel when she was 21, Cecelia Ahern has written, pretty much, a book a year. That debut went on to become a blockbuster film, and she's one of the biggest, and bestselling authors around today. Her new book 'Roar' comprises 30 short stories about 30 different women. You can hear why a script-meeting in Los Angeles gave her the idea for the book, and how she developed that whilst on a family holiday.We talk about why she needs an office to write in, what she does to combat writer's block and whether your debut novel shooting you to such success really changes a writer.There's a top writing tip in the show from 2 publishers who teamed up to write, and you've also got a chance to win $2000 worth of book marketing prizes.Also, to save 20% on the writing software Scrivener, head to literatureandlatte.com, and use the code [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elizabeth Foley and Beth Coates both work in publishing as editors, and when they had one idea too good to give away, they hurried to the office on Saturdays to write it themselves. That became 'Homework for Grown-ups', and since they have written many other works of novelty non-fiction. Their latest is 'What Would Boudicca Do? Everyday Problems Solved by History's Most Remarkable Women'. It looks at what heroines of the past would do about, self-confidence and taking the perfect selfie.We talk about how they've aligned their schedules to work efficiently through the day, how they decided who, what and when to research, and whether as publishers, they found it easier getting published.This week's top writing tip that could change the way you work forever is from bestselling crime author Ian Rankin, and there's a way you can win $2000 of book marketing!Remember, you can make your writing day SO MUCH EASIER, with 20% off Scrivener (AKA the best writing software there is) just use ROUTINE when you check-out over at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Ian Rankin is one of the biggest selling crime authors in history. His most famous character 'Detective John Rebus' has transcended novels, and is an icon of literature. He's appeared in TV shows, radio plays, and now his 22nd book, 'In a House of Lies'.As a teenager, Ian found himself being thrust into a life of economics and accountancy, but after time (and some poor maths exam results) he started writing, and 30 years later is a crime-literature institution. We talk about the very first Rebus idea he had, how his writing routine has changed over time, and what makes him carry on telling stories. You can find out how Ian manages and organises his creativity, why he needs to get away from everything to focus occasionally, and how most of the time he has no clue who his killer will be.You can get 20% off the excellent writing software Scrivener, by using the code ROUTINE over at literatureandlatte.com - I guarantee this will make your writing day SO much easier.Also, to enter 'The Writer's Block Virtual Book Festival', and win $2000 worth of book marketing, find @TheNovelette on Twitter - you could even be interviewed on this [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gabriel Tallent was working full-time in a restaurant, whilst doing some pretty serious mountain climbing on the side, when he felt the compulsion to tell this story. He would lie on his floor, as soon as he got home from work, fill himself with coffee and try to write 30,000 words a week.'My Absolute Darling' started off as something else, what he describes as a 'brainy, environmental novel', until he realised that the peripheral Turtle Alveston needed to be the protagonist. It needed to be her story, about the abuse she was subject to by her father. When Gabriel had that realisation, he immediately stopped writing, believing this was a tale too big for him to tell.The novel is a Sunday Times Bestseller, it made The Times and Metro's 'Books of the 2017', he made the shortlist for Swansea University's 'International Dylan Thomas Prize', and Stephen King described it as 'masterpiece' and a work that will 'stand the test of time'.It's quite a deep, philosophical chat about why we tell stories, and the right to get down your idea. Also Gabriel chats about making his characters utterly believable, what he thinks about critical reaction to his book, and how much he thought about the story's language.Also, we get a top writing tip from a debut author who wants you to pay more attention to the world around [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keith Anthony has waited some time before finally penning his debut novel, although he always knew he would write, and indeed the room in which he would work. It took a cruise-trip with his Mum, and a week away in a silent retreat to finally give him the focus and idea for 'Times and Places'The story stars Fergus, who escapes on a cruise to come to terms with the death of his daughter. Whilst there, in the tension-filled floating hotel of no escape, simmering stress reaches boiling point as historic truth and present situations meet. It's an observational piece of literary fiction, much in the comedic style of Jonathan Coe.Keith shares his daily routine, which involves iffy guitar playing, note compiling and, in time, complete immersion in the story. Also, we talk about what he has learned to help him write a second novel, how the edit was much trickier than he imagined, and whether his debut lived up to expectations.Also, we get a top writing tip that may change the way you work forever from a creative-writing tutor, who wants to help you work on your [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One Christmas, Eve Makis went home-made for her Dad's present. She bought a notebook and along with her friend Anthony, a fellow creative-writing teacher, she filled it with prompts and exercises to encourage her Father to write down the stories of his life that he was unable to express with words. When that went well, they took it to a publisher, and a few years later 'The Accidental Memoir' is out!Today, we hear the story of how they wrote it. How they would meet for 3 hours a day in a local library, bounce ideas around and gradually whittle down their collective creative-writing knowledge, into a book full of prompts and tips that will steer you towards your own memoir.We talk about why it took 3 attempts of drafting to get it perfect, what it's like working as a duo for a project like this, and how Eve's dad took a starring role in the book's [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thriller author Jacqui Rose talks us through the story of how her brand new urban gangland story, 'Toxic' got written!Jacqui has written many books in a huge range of genres, and she's back with new thrillers to add to the 6 already published, that have sold over 100,000 copies. She plans almost nothing. Jacqui simply has a tiny idea, a little flicker of a character, and she'll sit down to write. We talk about this slightly casual way of novel-writing during the show. Also, you can find out why she wanders around the house many times an hour when she's deep into writing. And, you can hear about how she deals with the expectations of a fan-base who know EXACTLY what they want from a Jacqui Rose novel, and why she listens to their reviews the most.Chuck us a review on iTunes if you [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mindfulness coach, teacher, writer and warrior in spirit, Jay Tepley brings us this week's 'Writer's Routine'!For Jay, everything in the world is energy, and because of this, everything is interconnected and the realisation of this can give humans the closest thing to superpowers. It allows her to see through time, talk to the dead, interact with the inanimate, and she teaches these tricks of extended perception in her 'Ariya Mind Training' programme.Her book 'The Lightwatch Chronicles: The Guardians', is a book designed to awaken these powers within those who have them. It's a fantasy epic, in line with The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars, about a group of 'Stars' searching for a lost member of their team and becoming stranded on Earth in the chase. We talk about how the story just appeared to her and be commanded to be put down on paper. Also you can hear the mental blueprint that she made to get it published, and how she packed such grand ideas about the Universe into a 200-odd page fantasy novel.And, we get a top writing tip from Garrard Conley about how the secret to telling a good story, is reading more of them.NB - Levels are a bit off during the actual interview, can't be helped I'm afraid, the recording was a bit too quiet. MY [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we take a skim through the daily diary of Garrard Conley!Garrard's memoir 'Boy Erased' has just been released in the UK, it's critically acclaimed in the USA and will be released as a film starring Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe later in 2018. It tells the story of how he escaped gay conversion therapy, after being outed to his Baptist parents and given an ultimatum to change, or to leave.It's an incredible conversation as Garrard, thankfully, completely gets and is fascinated by the whole point of the show! We talk about how he relived those harrowing experiences to write it down in memoir, how he knew which parts of his past to exploit for the audience, and the curious focusing tasks he uses to get in the 'writing zone'.We've done something different with this show too. Normally I will, quite forensically, edit our chats with authors, but it just seemed wrong for this. Who was I to decide which part of Garrard's story we should hear? It's all mind-blowing, shocking and - most importantly for us - full of top tips to help you get [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thirty Four, let's get some more.This week, we're hearing Marianne Kavanagh's Writer's Routine! She has just published her 3rd novel, 'Should You Ask Me', which is a story of mystery, of murder and of history. In this episode I describe it as 'villainous Countryfile' - which in the best way, tells you everything you need to know.Marianne has worked around words for a long time, writing novels, columns and working as a journalist, and she thinks very careful about the words on her page. We talk a lot about language, about the tone of the time she's set the story in, and how much research went into it.'Should You Ask Me', tells the story of 86 year old Mary, who in the early 1940's in the midst of World War II, commits to a decades-old crime. It's about her finally revealing story, taking great pride in doing it, and how it affects the young Policeman that hears it, that will keep you turning the page.If you fancy, leave us a review on the iTunes Podcast Store [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thirty Three, have a look see.This week's author, sharing the intricacies and eccentricities of her working day, is Natasha Scripture. Natasha has worked as a journalist, a humanitarian worker, and she's been on a lot of dates too. Finally, after being sick of hearing her Mum say she needed to find a man, Natasha decided to go on an international adventure to find out if that was true. What was originally meant to be a sassy, fun guide to the dating detox, turned into a globe-trotting transformational memoir, which asks what love is and whether we really need it at all?We talk about how you plan and plot a memoir, what it's like to open up your life to such emotional scrutiny, and why she always has the best ideas in the most annoying places. Also, how she worked was influenced by, and stands apart from, the classic 'Eat Pray Love', and what she learned from her adventure of self-discovery.Our top writing tip that may change the way you work forever is from one of the UK's most successful crime authors, who wants to put you in the most comfortable pair of pyjamas you can [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thirty-Two, this is an incredible treat for you.This week's guest is one of the UK's bestselling crime-authors, Mark Billingham. In June 2018, Mark will publish his 18th novel, his 15th in the incredibly successful 'Thorne' series. This time copper Tom Thorne gets involved in a case that takes much inspiration from a real-life crime and mystery that still hasn't been solved today.We talk about how Mark's writing style and method has changed in the 17-or-so years since he published his first novel 'Sleepyhead', which was later made into a TV show starring David Morrissey, and we find out if seeing his hero on the screen affected his view of story-telling too. You can find out how being a obsessive crime-fiction fan turned him into one of the genre's best, and why the name of this fine podcast gives him the shivers.Also, we'll get a top writing tip from a debut romantic-comedy author who wants you to put down your pen, rest your fingers, and just tell your [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WE'RE AN AWARD WINNING PODCAST! On Saturday, in a ceremony alongside BBC Radio 2, Radio 4, Radio X and countless other titans of broadcasting, we managed to bag SILVER in 'Best Culture' at the British Podcast Awards. Thank you. Thank every single one of you. Even if you were going to download this but have been put off by this sycophantic blurb - THANK YOU.Sophie Jenkins is our guest this week, sharing the Writer's Routine which helped get her debut novel published! It's a romantic comedy, 'The Forgotten Guide to Happiness', which stars Lara and the unusual living situation which a lonely 80 year old writer who helps find her love.It's not the sole work of a debutant though, Sophie has been around words most of her life: working as a journalist, as a writer-in-residence, and even studying it as a Masters - so she knows how to tell a good story. Although, it was almost a completely different story. Sophie wrote a whole other draft, handed it to her agent and was told, 'to get it sold, you're going to need to make changes'... those changes ended up being about 90% of the book. Sophie was fine with that though, and you can hear why in the show.Also, you can find out how she gets to know her characters, whether they could exist independently of the story or indeed, each other. And we talk about why comedian and worrier Jon Richardson helped her imagine the perfect hero for the story.We get a top writing tip that may change the way you work forever from a thriller author who wants to COMPLETELY DISAGREE with every romantic notion of novel writing [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dirty Thirty! (no swearing in the pod though)It's the Pearl Anniversary of our very first podcast! Debut thriller writer James Buckler brings us the details, crevices and crannies of his working day, with his Writer's Routine.James' debut 'Last Stop Tokyo' tells the story of Alex, an Englishman on the run in Japan, and his adventure with the the alluring and illusive Naoko, as we discover the who, what and why of his chasers. It's a thriller without anything not of the ordinary. You'll find no gadgets, no car-chases and no secret agents, but James hopes you'll turn the pages quicker than ever before.Working in film and TV has taken James all around the world, from the US to Canada, before finally settling in Japan for a year. A situation whilst heading through customs in Tokyo Airport became the first chapter of his story, and a conversation with a Japanese student while he was there sparked an idea that became the rest of the plot.We talk about how he splits his time between writing and freelance film production, the three things he needs to know before he starts work, and what he's learned penning his first book and how he may change things moving to his second.Our top writing tip that may change the way you work forever is from a mystery author and could massively affect your mindset starting work each [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29, feeling fine...ish. Ok, we're barely keeping it together. This book isn't what I thought it would be and so far my writing process is changing the cork-board colour on Scrivener. If this is you, you've in the right place.Mystery-writer Barbara Nadel brings us this week Writer's Routine. This year, 2018, she will publish her 29th and 30th novels. She's only been putting them out there for 19 years - we'll try and get to the bottom of that incredibly prolific work-rate in the next 30 minutes. Barbara is best known for her 'Inspector Ikmen Mysteries', set in Istanbul which blends the geography, politics and romance of Turkey with one victim's grisly end - 'no matter where you are in the world, there's always a murder-mystery to be solved'. She has also published crime and thriller mysteries around the East End of London, we talk about the differences in writing her different settings.Also, we talk about the 3 things she needs to know before she starts typing, what she thinks about 'guilty pleasures', and the twist of fate that helped her first book get published. Our writing tip that may change the way you work forever is all about names, and the creative ways you can find them for your characters.If this show has helped you finally get a story down, I'd love to hear the story of that. Let me know in the comment box of the iTunes Podcast Store Review section, and tell me which author from the series has given you the inspiration to get things done.Finally, we're up for a British Podcast Award! We're one of 6 up for 'Best Culture' at the end of May, which you can't help us win. BUT, you can vote for us in the 'Listener's Choice' Category over at britishpodcastawards.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28, tell a mate. Please. We could do with the listeners.Crime-writing revenge weaver Sarah Ward runs us through her working day! Sarah has published 3 books in the 'DC Childs Series', all thrillers with long-brooded over passion at their heart, and set in the Derbyshire Peaks. We talk about why her most productive hours are in the morning, what she uses to write on trains, and the idea she needs at the core of her story to even contemplate writing it.If you have a minute, please do leave us a review over on the iTunes Podcast Store, drop us a vote in the British Podcast Awards (britishpodcastawards.com) and TELL A FRIEND. As I say, listeners always [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27, dear Lord in Heaven. Suitably, if you're of the praying persuasion then I could really do with the Big Man's help... we've been nominated for a British Podcast Award for Best Culture, and EVERY LITTLE HELPS. You can marvel at this unexpected turn of events over at britishpodcastawards.com.This week, domestic-noir author Julia Crouch shares her writer's routine! She's published 5 books, all focused on the terrible things we do to one another in the name of love. We talk about how her varied and ranging career has always involved telling stories, whether that's with a pen as an author, or with a pencil as an illustrator. Also, you can hear why wasting hours on social media is actually perfectly normal for a writer, it's almost the freelancer's watercooler, and we chat about the 2 things that really get her exciting while working on a story.Also, we get a top writing tip that may change the way you work forever from a screen-writer, who co-wrote the huge hit film, 'The Death of Stalin'[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26, get your kicks. Peter Fellows co-wrote the hit film 'The Death of Stalin', alongside David Schneider, Ian Martin and Armando Iannucci. It's another success on Iannucci's, one of the UK's biggest comedy writers, Wikipedia page - along with Alan Partridge, 'The Thick of It' and 'Veep', which Peter has also co-written for.The film stars Jason Isaacs, Steve Buscemi, Jeffrey Tambor, Andrea Riseborough and Peter talks about what it's like writing jokes to come out of their mouths, and what it's like pitching Hollywood actors a gag whilst on set. Also, we chat about how a tiny, elevator-pitch-of-an-idea gets fleshed out over countless emails, until it's finally ready to play in cinemas. And, you can find out the type of joke Peter never really wants to tell.It's a sweary episode, as that's what happens when you stick a comedy-writer in front of a microphone for more than 5 minutes, so BE WARNED. It's not excessive, but it's there.Also, we get a top writing tip that may change the way you work forever from a thriller [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the quadranscentennial episode of the podcast, the debut crime writer and children's story-telling hero MJ Ford brings us his Writer's Routine!Michael has just published his first thriller for adults, 'Hold My Hand'. It starts with a boy snatched by a clown, and picks up the story 30 years later as the police find what may be the kid's body in the woods. The last few years have seen something of a zeitgeist for 'killer clowns', what with Stephen King's IT being remade into a movie, and kids in America thinking it's funny to terrorise neighbours dressed as them, so we chat about whether it's ever good to tag your story onto a zeitgeist in the hope it sells.He's be around words for most of his career, working as an editor, in a collaborative writers room, and as a children's novelist - both being commissioned to write to spec for a publishing house, and as a ghostwriter for celebrities on their kids books.We talk about the mystical 5 act structure, what it's like to toss around story ideas with other authors, and how much say a writer has in the process of publication.You can get one tip that may change the way you write forever from the YA author Cass Green, and she'll reveal the long-running controversial comedy that has helped the way she [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All-round word junkie Cass Green brings us today's Writer's Routine!Cass has written for just about every place where you can read a word. She's penned Young Adult books, worked as a journalist on broadsheets and glossy mags, she teaches creative writing, and has just published her second full-blown adult thriller, 'In A Cottage In A Wood'.We talk about why her planning method seems to change every time she sat down to write something new, one piece of advice that changed the way she works forever, and her favourite place to write.Also, we get one tip that could change the way you tell emotion in your stories from Helen Fields, the author of the 'D.I Callanach' [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TV presenter and workaholic author Fern Britton gives us our 23rd Writer's Routine!Fern has just published her 8th novel, Coming Home. It tells the story of a woman returning to her Cornish hometown after many years away, and how she fixes the relationships that have been broken through time. Fern's books are mostly all set in her beloved Cornwall, in fictitious villages that treat you the same way as a hot-water bottle. They're warming, comfy but have that odd element of mysterious danger.Making her name on 'Ready, Steady, Cook', 'This Morning' and 'Strictly Come Dancing', Fern now spends most of her time gazing over farmland and a blank Word Document from her cottage-study. We talk about how a huge filing cabinet helps her plan stories, why her listeners forced her hand in continuing a finished tale, and how she makes her characters 3 [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crime-writer writer Helen Fields dives into the depths of her diary to bring us tips and advice from her writing routine!Helen has just published the third of her 'D.I Callanach' thrillers, 'Perfect Death'. It's all about murders, with a gruesome, ingenious twist, and after working in Law with police, social services and Doctors for many years, Helen has a peculiarly accurate insight into the crimes she writes. She's also told stories using every method available to her, running a film production company and even self-publishing two fantasy books before signing up to the big leagues.We talk about how naming your characters is one of the most tricky parts of the process, why she thinks some authors think the job's too easy, and how self-publishing led her to finally getting signed up by a proper house.Also, the author of one of the most hotly-anticipated books of the year, AJ Finn gives us one writing tip that will change the way you work forever - and it's so easy, you may not even have thought of [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AJ Finn explores the minutely insignificant but weirdly wonderful details of his writing routine!AJ has just published 'The Woman in the Window', and it's set to be the biggest psychological thriller since 'Gone Girl' and 'The Girl on the Train'. It has sold in 38 territories - the most of a debut ever, entered the New York Times Bestseller list at No.1 - the first time a debut novel has done that in over 11 years, and its film rights have already been bought by Fox 2000!While working in publishing, the film-noir and crime obsessed AJ thought of a single idea for a story: that of an agoraphobic woman spying a terrible crime through a window, and trying to convince the world of what she saw. It took a further 3 years to flesh out the narrative, and 12 more months to write. AJ has an interesting way of drafting his work too, in that he doesn't do it conventionally. We talk about how he made sure every single one of his 100 chapters was perfect during the show.Also, we chat about getting into the mind of a 38 year old addict who never leaves the house, and how AJ made sure he could write as his lead character truthfully. There's talk of language, and how the actual placing of words was a surprisingly tough part of the job, and what pressure he feels starting his second novel off the back of one of the most hotly anticipated thrillers in years.We've got something BRAND NEW as well, where one of the country's best authors reveals one tip that may change the way you work [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the UK's most prolific and loved authors, Anthony Horowitz takes us through the daily routine which has lifted him to huge success!Which works as a title. Not entirely true though. Anthony doesn't so much have a routine that he fits his writing into, it's more trying to find a time when he can tear himself away from his work. Story-telling for Anthony is a compulsion, it's work he immerses himself into.His 'Alex Rider' series launched him to national attention in the early 2000's, with school-kids all over the world being transfixed by the heroic, reluctant teenage spy. He has also written extensively across every story-telling method available to him. Working in theatre, film, and you'll often see his name in the credits for TV shows such as 'Poirot', 'Foyle's War' and 'Midsomer Murders'.More recently, he's moved into adult fiction, with his murder mystery and horror stories frequently filling the best-seller list. He's used his passion to tell tales with other writer's characters too. His 'Sherlock Holmes' and 'James Bond' novels being some of the only 'new' stories ratified by both the Conan-Doyle, and Ian Fleming estates.We talk about the moment that changed the way he wrote novels forever, how he loves the process of naming his characters, and also the slightly selfish reason he returns to his old characters.It's a good one. If you've enjoyed it, give us a subscribe and drop us a review on the iTunes Podcast Store. [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Murder mystery author Derek Farrell explains his Writer's Routine!Derek writes the 'Danny Bird Mysteries', a series of books that focus on a barman-cum-amateur-detective, and the cases he stumbles upon through the sleazy streets of London. Finally writing and getting these stories published has not been as plain-sailing as finding a bright light in the West-End though. After finishing one story which ended up cosy and alone in his top drawer - for his birthday, friends bought him a writing course, and it was a simple, standard character development exercise that gave him the idea for his Soho-sleuth.We chat about finally getting that publishing deal, how he manages to write and on a train to and from work, and also why he had to completely rewrite an entire novel on a 7 hour flight home.You can buy his 'Danny Bird Mysteries', which are 'Death of a Diva', 'Death of a Nobody' and 'Death of a Devil', on his website: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crime and Thriller writer Mark Edwards brings us our first Writer's Routine of 2018!With 7 solo-books to his name, and 6 co-written works, a few years ago Mark finally turned into a full-time writer. His novels have a dedicated following, who crave stories packed with suspense, mystery and the frequent feeling that something supernatural may turn up.Mark is in the mould of Ruth Rendell or Stephen King, and like many full-time writers, has to squeeze his work between the hours the kids are at school! We talk about what he thinks his characteristic style is, how his story-scheduling changes from one book to the next, and also how, very occasionally, a whole planned out plot will just appear in his head. His solo work includes the bestselling 'The Magpies', 'Because She Loves Me' and 'Follow You Home'.Also, we get 10 top writing tips from some of the 10 greatest writers in history.writersroutine.com@[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's our last Writer's Routine of 2017! So now, for something a little bit different. Artist, illustrator and writer Richard Graham brings us his daily ritual!Richard upcycles old junk, furniture and other bric-a-brac to make 3D pieces of character art. With this, he then imagines a story involving the pieces, and writes picture books for kids! His first 'The Cranky Caterpillar' is a tale of an insect stuck in a piano, moodily beating the keys, until a girl finds him, and sings some colour into his life.I went down to Richard's 'Cranky Caterpillar Museum' in Kings Cross, where he makes actual art, writes stories and trudges through proper admin. We talk about the difference between art styles and why some creators choose these methods, also why writing a short and concise story is sometimes horrendously tough, and how sometimes it's best just to put down the pen and switch off for a while. You can look at more of Richard's work at mrmake.co.uk.Our Distinguished Diary today features the weird and wonderful writing routine of Sir Tom Stoppard, who received an Academy Award for his screenplay of 'Shakespeare in Love'.Make sure you subscribe to the show on your favourite podcast place, and you'll get some brand new routines and inspiration in 2018!writersroutine.com@writerspod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crime-writer Mark Hill tells us how he goes about his day!Radio-producer Mark Hill has a life-long love of crime fiction, and spotting the tricks and traits of the genre forced his hand to write a book of his own!'Two O'Clock Boy' tells the story of a killer seemingly getting revenge on everyone in a children's home many years ago. It's the first of his 'Drake and Crowley' thriller series, and it's gone so well, that you can expect a second very shortly. In the show, we talk about what planning a series of books is like, after initially having a great idea for just the first. Also, we talk about how working as a radio producer has helped him talk to an audience, and how having a massive white-board and a few coloured post-it notes really helps the plotting.Our Distinguished Diary features the weird and wonderful writing routine of Arthur Miller, one of the 20th century's greatest playwrights - and we'll find out the reckless manner that helped him pen 'A View from the Bridge', 'Death of a Salesman' and 'The Crucible'[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Co-author of 'Sleeping Beauties', Owen King tells us this week's writer's routine!In writing terms, Owen King could not have found himself in a better place. His dad, Stephen King, is one of the world's most successful authors, publishing over 50 books across horror and fantasy, he has sold over 350 million copies, and he's co-written the brand new 'Sleeping Beauties' with his son, Owen!So, if you're here to get writing tips from the best, this week's guest has learned his craft from the absolute master.'Sleeping Beauties' is a story about the aftermath of every woman on the world falling asleep, seemingly forever. No one knows why, or where they may have gone, and we find out how many different sets of characters react to the mystery, and what that means for modern gender politics. Owen talks about where the idea came from, why it was originally meant to be on the TV, and what the pressure of writing for a Stephen King level of fanbase is really like. Also, you can find out the only real struggle Owen and his dad had along the way, was who would hand in the final manuscript!Our Distinguished Diary today is the weird and wonderful writing routine of WH Auden, and we'll find out exactly what helped him sleep for barely more than 6 hours, and still work for 10 hours a day - he did love his routine, but there's something... else in play [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Broadcaster, writer and award-winning podcaster Simon Mayo shows us how an extremely busy person fits in a writing routine!Simon presents the drive-time show on BBC Radio 2, one of Europe's most popular radio stations. He is one half of 'Kermode and Mayo's Film Review' on BBC Radio 5 Live (Hello to Jason Isaacs), and used to present one of the most prestigious shows on the air, as the host of the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show. In amongst all this, he's found the time to publish 4 novels!His 'Itch' trilogy tells the story of Itchingham Lofte, an element hunter and unlikely hero, and it's a series that places science at the heart of the tale. His most recent book 'Blame', explores the idea that children are punished for the crimes of their parents. We talk about how plotting a series is wildly different from a standalone novel, how it takes a lot of reworking, and how he only really picked up. a pen to give his son something to read.There's also mention of his writing shed, how his 'radio voice' is different from his written one, and why he gets ideas from gravestones.Our Distinguished Diary brings us the weird and wonderful writing routine of John Milton, civil servant and poet, who in 1667 published the 10,000 line magnum opus 'Paradise Lost' WHILE HE WAS BLIND. Compare that to what you did today, ey?writersroutine.com@[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thriller-author, satirist and journalist Paul Burston digs deep in his writer's routine!One of the founding editors of 'Attitude' Magazine, Paul published his first fiction book, 'Shameless', back in 2001. It detailed a single man's life in the Soho clubbing scene. So naturally, he had to partake in much research as a single man in the Soho clubbing scene. 2016 was a big year for Paul, he was featured in the British Council’s #FiveFilms4Freedom Global List, celebrating '33 visionary people who are promoting freedom, equality and LGBT rights around the world', and moved into thriller-writing. His first of these 'The Black Path' tells the story of a small, angry army-town, and the lives of the people who live there. Paul also actually teaches actual writing! His literary salon 'Polari' tours the country with top authors giving advice and tips on making your work better. HE IS THE PERFECT GUEST FOR THIS SHOW.Our Distinguished Diary today features the weird and wonderful writing routine of Stephen King, we find out why the world's most successful horror author likes everything in exactly the same place, every day. writersroutine.com@[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Man of Mercia' James Wilde shares the secrets of writing historical fiction!In the most polite way possible, James Wilde seems like a man of another time. He lives in a family home in the forest, takes long walks across the fells, and camps in the black, barren night whilst dreaming of ideas. He also reads all them, and he always has. He reads tales of fantasy, tales of fact, and he dreamed of marrying the two in a historical fiction series.He did just that with his best selling 'Hereward' Series, charting one freedom fighter's quest through the 11th century to claim the throne. James has just started a brand new historical series 'Pendragon', which tackles one of the most famous British legend, King Arthur.Wilde writes a wide range of fiction under 'Mark Chadbourn', has been a journalist and a screenwriter too, so expect loads of chat about how writing styles different across genres. Our Distinguished Diary today features Sylvia Plath, and there's news of EVEN MORE WAYS TO FOLLOW WRITER'S ROUTINE.writersroutine.com@writersroutine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonnie Scot Gerry Rose shares his Writer's Routine!After spending a lifetime adoring books and stories, but limiting his bubbling creativity to bedtime stories to his kids, Gerry finally did something he was almost embarrassed to do - get his ideas down on to paper and write a book.He has just released the second book in his 'Elliot' series, a trilogy of thriller books that look at one detective's life across three different eras. 'Rinsed' focuses on 2 weeks in summer 2005, when London was in olympic euphoria and terrorist devastation. Gerry claims this story is set in a time that could 'change the world forever'. It's a series of intertwining stories, where everyone is influencing everything.Gerry also writes for kids! His Mole Man stories are 2 books deep already, and working in schools gave him the idea for his latest children's novel, 'Guitar Box Jorge'.We chat about curiosity, holidays in Spain, and Urban Dictionary.For Distinguished Diaries, we learn about the weird and wonderful writing routine of one of the biggest literary figures of the 20th century, Gertrude Stein, and her love of the farmyard.writersroutine.com@[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedy writer and now bonafide author Paul A. Mendelson tells us his working day.Paul has written for everything, pretty much. Starting in advertising, he has scripted radio drama, movies, TV drama, and is the creator of BBC's 'My Hero'. You know, with Ardal O'Hanlon off Father Ted, Hugh Dennis and that moody receptionist.This year he has dived into novels, releasing an adults book, 'In the Matter of Isabel', and his first children's novel 'Losing Arthur' has just been published. The latter is the story of a boy whose infuriated mother posts his imaginary friend to Scotland, and devastated at missing his best mate Arthur, Zack goes on an adventure to get him back. The ep features top writing tips like how to work on your 'vomit draft', why writing broadly is harder than you'd believe, and where the perfect Costa Coffee is.Our Distinguished Diary this week features Truman Capote, the writer of 'In Cold Blood' and 'Breakfast at Tiffany's', who enjoyed a nice lie [email protected]@writerspod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crime-writing extraordinaire and gruesome guru DM Mark is this week's guest!DM is David. David is DM. After his 'McAvoy' crime series are bestsellers and critically acclaimed, David became bored of murders in the 21st century and took a dive back in time, travelling to the 1800s. Hull is ravaged by cholera, you can barely walk along the streets for the dying, and the grass over graves is hardly sealed when it gets broken again for another corpse. It is into this already bleak world, that David has thrown a serial killer. Because, crime novels, right?'The Zealot's Bones' tells this gory, sorry tale, and in this episode you can hear why David chose the past, how he researched the 1800s thoroughly and why he thinks it's a time that probably suited him more than now.Kurt Vonnegut gives us our 'Distinguished Diary, there's Harry Potter mentions finally, and you can hear what the car-park of a Liverpudlian Travellodge really sounds [email protected]@writerspod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An ex-copper turned crime author give us today's writing routine!Paul Finch used to work for the Greater Manchester Police, and upon leaving found that everything the force taught him and the stories he saw along the way might have another use.First, Paul wrote for 'The Bill', and has since gone on to write may scripts across film, TV and animation. He pens horror fiction, loads of sci-fi too and has even given his ideas to the Doctor's (Doctor Who? Doctor Who!) universe.It's with crime fiction that he's found most success. He's six novels in to his 'Heck' novels about DS Mark Heckenberg, and release's the second in his 'PC Lucy Clayburn' series, 'Shadows', is out on the 19th October.Paul's writing routine is... unusual. It's not the humdrum sit down in front of a laptop and get irate when a masterpiece doesn't flow from your fingertips; it involves a tape recorder, a dog, and a landscape of Lancashirian hills.Our 'Distinguished Diary' today features not only a weird and wonderful writing routine from history, but also 11 commandments of creativity to help you along the way - you can hear how Henry Miller got his books down on paper during the show.AND WE HAVE A WEBSITE. I know, 21st Century right? Tell your friends about this thing called the internet... if they can't find it, look out for our AOL keyword in Ask Jeeves.writersroutine.com@[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The author of a brand new book on gender equality shares his writing routine!David deVire has had a busy life. He's been an armed policer officer, worked with the University of Oxford on exams, and went from being a property millionaire to homeless... almost overnight.He's always had a fascination with people, the relationships between everyone and how we can learn more about the role of men and women in history. So, with all the free time that he had because of the homeless thing I mentioned earlier, he wrote about it.David interviewed hundreds of women from different backgrounds, class and ethnicity to find out what they really thought about gender equality, to write an informative look on what everyone's view is different. His book 'Tail of the Tigress' is just that. It covers everyone from Queen Victoria to the Pankhursts. It talks about the difference in the brains of men and women, and even how gender-stereotyped degree courses usually end up with a widely different salary.For today's Distinguished Diary, we get the wierd and wonderful writing routine of 'Catch-22' author, Joseph Heller.And if you love your music to be befitting of a coffee shop in southern Paris, and in a particularly jazzy style... what an intro track you've got on the way.@[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bestselling thriller writer Simon Toyne explores his writing routine! In 2007, bored in a job and dreaming of telling stories, Simon quit to finally get one down. Only, he didn't do things by halves. Simon moved his whole family across the channel for a French adventure with the idea that in 7 months, he would finish his first book. The slight issue was... he had no idea what it would be about. Cue a stormy sea crossing, a last-minute hotel booking to get any sleep they could manage, the spindly spire of a cathedral, and an image of a story that he would dedicate the next year to writing. His novel 'Sanctus' was the bestselling debut thriller of 2011, and has been translated into over 20 languages. It's the tale of an old religious order, a secret that could change the world, and a race against time to discover it. Simon talks about how his writing style has changed over the years, how he analysed other books to make sure his sold well, and how he planned his new series 'Solomon Creed' in a completely different way. Our Distinguished Diary today is the weird and wonderful writing routine of Charles Dickens, where we learn how one of the greatest authors in history energised his imagination. And you've just tucked into your second pain au chocolat of the day, while someone is screaming Edith Piaf lyrics into your ears, although you're desperately trying to listen to the random, coffee-shop jazz that's slowly floating from the speakers in the corner. @writerspod [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Publishing editor and now published author Phoebe Morgan explores her writing routine!After years of working as an editor in a publishing house, making other writer's work better, Phoebe sat down to tell her own story. Her debut novel, 'The Doll House' is a psychological thriller about 2 sisters who, after just losing their much-loved father, find their life disturbed and intruded upon by someone seeking revenge. It's inspired by a doll house she used to played with, and the story has been bubbling away since childhood. Phoebe chats about how her agent helped the book take shape, if working for a publisher and looking at books everyday affected her story, and what her ultimate aim is as an author.Literary legend and the funniest writer EVER P.G Wodehouse is the subject of our Distinguished Diaries this week (and for those who like to imagine him as a languid lover of cocktails and all things British, it doesn't disappoint) so we'll get his writing routine too.Musically, we've got as far as Dijon this week. So, expect a feast of scatty, French-coffee-shop jazz, and mustard with weird seedy things in it. You know that thing you can do where you review the show on iTunes and give it 5 stars and tell all your mates to do the same? DO IT NOW@[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hay 30 list-making author Jaroslav Kalfar shares his writing routine! In 2017, to celebrate their 30th birthday the Hay Festival selected 30 people they think will shape the world in the next 30 years, and today's Czech debutant made the cut! Jaroslav's acclaimed novel 'Spaceman of Bohemia' gives us a Czech astronaut who, while sent on a mission he will probably never return from, sees his marriage break-down, starts to go insane, and meets a gigantic alien spider with an obsession for bacon. It's a philosophical sci-fi tale of isolation, love and self-discovery When Jaroslav was 15, he moved to Florida with a tiny, glimmer of an idea. Over the next year he turned this into a short story, before enrolling in New York University with the sole aim of turning it into a full novel - now it's published, and critics love it. Still in the States, he is most creative while working in manic, fanciful writing bursts overnight, while partying with friends in the day. There's a fantastic book recommendation in here too, and if you're struggling with an idea yourself, it will really help you get it down on paper. Our Distinguished Diary this week is social activist, producer, director, actress and writer Maya Angelou - we'll talk about where she jotted down her SEVEN AUTOBIOGRAPHIES. Music-wise, we're further south than Paris today. We've arrived in Auxerre and stopped at a quirky, boutique hotel to rest for the night - where you'll find the jazz in the reception hall sounds remarkably similar. [email protected] @writerspod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.