Begin - Derbyshire Writing School Podcast Laura Stroud & Peter Billingham

In this episode, Pete and Laura head over to The Writers’ Room for A Centennial Celebration! 
In this special 100th episode, Pete and Laura commemorate a significant milestone in their podcast journey. Join them as they reflect on the evolution of the Begin podcast, the lessons they’ve learned, and the many ways writing has enriched their lives and those of the listeners over 100 episodes of Begin.
In this season:
18 Episodes 9 Guest Interviews 2 Toolbox Editions505 minutes and 65 seconds (8 hours and 42 minutes)
or 9, 227.5 dad jokes and cliches!

Pete and Laura delve into the significance of exploring the joy, and challenges encountered along the way over this season. Which episodes were the most downloaded? They share personal experiences and milestones, and talk about the making of a podcast dedicated to the love of writing.
A Look Back

Laura reflects on the themes, the ‘highs and lows’ and guest interviews that shaped the season the most for her. She finds the ‘Glass Ball Theory’ by Nora Roberts helpful when thinking about the challenges of balancing so many projects.
The key to juggling is to know that some of the balls you have in the air are made of plastic and some are made of glass. And if you drop a plastic ball, it bounces, no harm done.
Pete highlights the episodes that resonated most with him and why. Also, how meeting listeners and writers at local events, such as the Derby Book Festival, made such a difference to him. 
Personal Projects: Writing and Beyond

In this inspiring section, Pete talks about his memoir ghostwriting endeavours, sharing insights into his research process and storytelling. Laura discusses her ongoing PhD in creative writing, emphasising the importance of academic exploration in the craft of writing. 
Book Update: From Storytelling to Scholarly Insights

Pete and Laura dive into their current reads, sharing their thoughts and takeaways. Pete discusses how different research methods have captivated him recently. Laura talks about - Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.

Looking Forward: The Future of Begin and Our Writing

Pete and Laura look forward to what the future holds for the Begin podcast and their personal writing projects, share their aspirations and invite you to continue this wonderful journey with them.

Whether you’ve been with Pete and Laura since episode one or just joining in, there’s inspiration and camaraderie to be found in the celebration of writing. 
Let’s embark on the next hundred episodes together!

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Episode 99: Embracing the Writer Within - "Episode 99: Why We Write–A Deep Dive into the Writer's Mind.

Welcome back to Begin, the Derbyshire Writing School podcast!

In this heartfelt episode, co-hosts and father-daughter duo Pete Billingham and Laura Stroud explore the essence of writing. Join us as we unravel what drives us to put pen to paper, and how writing shapes our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Why We Write: An Introspective Journey

"We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect." - Anais Nin
In this segment, we ponder this poignant quote by Anais Nin. Pete and Laura share their personal reasons for writing, reflecting on how capturing life's moments through writing allows us to experience them more deeply. This discussion is an invitation to listeners to contemplate their own writing motivations.

The Writer's Room: Exploring Our Writing Identities

"I write because it means I can call myself a writer." - Laura, paraphrasing Arianna Huffington on Pablo Picasso. Here, Laura shares her thoughts on writing as an identity, inspired by Arianna Huffington's interpretation of Pablo Picasso's creative life. This conversation encourages writers to own their craft, regardless of external achievements.

Personal Projects: Celebrating Our Writing Endeavors

Pete discusses his recent endeavors as a celebrant and eulogy writer, highlighting the meaningful impact of his work on others. Laura shares her exciting journey into a PhD in creative writing, aiming to create safe spaces in the world of writing education. This segment showcases the diverse paths and purposes writing can take.

Lessons Learned: Growing as Writers

In this insightful section, we discuss the continuous learning journey of a writer. Pete delves into Amazon ads for book marketing, while Laura shares her learning experiences from her PhD program. This segment is a testament to the never-ending growth and evolution in the writing journey.

Book Update: Diving into Diverse Reads

"The Miniaturist" and "Writing About Your Life: A Journey into the Past" by William Zinser Pete shares his thoughts on "The Miniaturist" and his current read, William Zinser's memoir and writing guide. Laura discusses "Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation" by Anne Helen Peterson, noting its insightful take on the millennial experience.

Closing Thoughts: Our Writing Lives

In this heartfelt conclusion, Pete and Laura reflect on their recent experiences, from walks and dog antics to academic pursuits and the every day balancing act of life and writing. This segment is a reminder of the joy and challenge of weaving writing into the fabric of our daily lives.

Join us in this episode for a warm, inviting exploration of what it means to be a writer. Whether you're a seasoned author or just starting your journey, there's something here for everyone. Let's celebrate the art of writing together!

Episode 98—A Writers Toolkit Episode: Unfinished Business: Breaking Through Fear, Doubts, and Excuses to Finish Your Novel
Do you have a story in your heart, a manuscript in progress, but somehow find yourself unable to reach 'the end'? In this episode, we delve into the all-too-common struggle of leaving novels unfinished. But fear not! We're not just identifying the problems; we're providing solutions, and we have a special programme designed to guide you to completion.
This Episode's Insights: From Idea to Finished Book
Join Laura, Pete, and the Derbyshire Writing School team as they explore:
The common reasons why writers struggle to finish their books.Solutions to overcome fear, boredom, and self-doubt.The importance of committing to your writing and creating movement in your story.How finishing your book can be an incredible achievement, teaching you more than any course or book ever could.Finish Your Book – Online Group Programme: Your Path to Completion
If this episode resonates with you, our new group programme, Finish Your Book, might be just what you need. Designed specifically for writers who are passionate but stuck, this programme offers motivation, practical support, and a writing community ready to cheer you on.
Programme Highlights:
Dates and Time: Six live Zoom sessions, starting Wednesday 8 November 2023, from 7:30 pm – 8:45 pm.Price: from £115Interactive Learning: Writing sprints, peer feedback, personalised solutions, and more.Achievements: Complete writing sprints, gain feedback, create an action plan, and join a wonderful group of writers.Course Overview: [Detailed Overview Here]
Why This Programme Is for You
Craft Your Story Together: Write together with focused and guided creative time.Edit Like a Pro: Learn to edit your novel or non-fiction book.Solve Your Writing Problems: Address your unique challenges.Achieve Real Progress: Make tangible progress on your writing journey.Ready to Join Finish Your Book?
Don't let your ideas sit in a draft folder. Seize this opportunity to tell the world, "I wrote a book!" Enroll in our Finish Your Book programme and turn the insights from this episode into real progress on your writing journey.
Enroll Now
Keep writing, it will all work out. Let this episode and our Finish Your Book programme be your catalyst to success.
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We want to hear from you! info@derbyshirewritingschool.com
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Episode 97—The Pen Behind the Posts: Celebrating Staff Blog Writer Lauren’s 3-Year Anniversary
In this episode, Pete and Laura head over to The Writers’ Room for a very special episode. Today we chat with staff blog writer Lauren Davison. 
We are reaching three years of Derbyshire Writing School, so we thought it would be nice to talk to some people that have been around from the beginning. One of those is Lauren Davison, our in-house staff blogger. 
Lauren has been an important part of the Derbyshire Writing School team and she creates lots of the useful blog posts you’ll find on our website.
 Pete and Laura ask Lauren:
What three things have you learnt since being a part of Derbyshire Writing School?What does Derbyshire Writing School mean to you?What are you most proud of creating in your time here at Derbyshire Writing School?Can you talk to us through your blog writing process? What’s your step-by-step guide?What advice could you share for our listener if they wanted to write blog posts?Have you got a book you’re working on? What’s next in your writing career? What are your writing goals?You can find all of Lauren’s helpful blogs at https://www.derbyshirewritingschool.com/blog
We want to hear from you! info@derbyshirewritingschool.com
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Thanks for listening!

Episode - 96—I Want To Say A Few Words: Crafting a Heartfelt Eulogy with Confidence - Book Launch

In this episode, Pete and Laura head over to The Writers’ Room for a very special episode. Today Pete launches his latest book. 

I Want to Say a Few Words: How To Craft a Heartfelt Eulogy for a Loved One’s Funeral: A Simple Step-by-Step Process, Packed with Eulogy Writing Ideas, Help & Advice from a Professional Eulogy Writer is the latest book launched by Pete.

“I Want to Say A Few Words: How To Craft a Heartfelt Eulogy for a Loved One’s Funeral” serves as a compassionate companion in the important journey of writing a eulogy. It’s something you may not want to think about today. We understand. But someday, someone you know may need a resource that crafts the words to say at a funeral.

This workbook is far more than a ‘fill in the blanks eulogy template’ process. It’s not about rushing through to a finished eulogy. Pete’s wish is to offer the reader a thoughtful, measured approach to writing a eulogy for your loved one’s funeral that is as unique as the life it celebrates.

What’s included in this book:


✓ An invitation to reflect, remember, and write from the heart.
✓ A four-step process and sixteen practical worksheets to help you craft a memorable eulogy.
✓ A compassionate professional eulogy writer who has crafted over 700 eulogies to guide you.
✓ An empathetic approach to writing a eulogy.
✓ 169 pages - A4 size workbook with lots of space for making notes and capturing memories.

Writing a heartfelt eulogy that honours the life of your loved one starts with this book.

Special Launch Offer Prices.

As a launch offer, the book in various formats will have a significant price reduction for 5 days from 28th July - 1st August. 

What versions are available?
eBook with 34 page PDF download - 0.99p - on Amazon
High Quality PDF Download including extra worksheets - £5.99 via Pete’s Website
169 large format A4 page paperback - £9.99 on Amazon
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We want to hear from you! info@derbyshirewritingschool.com
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Thanks for listening!

Episode 95—From the Author's Voice: A Live Book Reading of 'Everyday Storytellers Write Non-Fiction.' by Laura Stroud
In this episode, Pete and Laura head over to The Writers’ Room for a very special episode. 
Everyday Storytellers Write Non-Fiction: A Step-By-Step Guide to Noticing Your Life and Turning It Into Stories, is the latest book in the Everyday Storytellers Series by Laura.
Hear Laura read a section of her new book.
Are you ready to uncover the power of your own story and share it with the world?
Your stories matter. It’s time you started sharing them.
Maybe you’ve started to jot down your memories, thinking one day you’ll turn them into stories, or perhaps you’ve started journaling, or even just started to think more about documenting your life. But what’s really stopping you from writing? Structure? Voice? Editing? Are you worried about sharing your words?
You have a story to tell, and this book will help you tell it.
Through practical advice and lots of creative activities, this book will show you how to shape real-life stories into a narrative that flows and engages readers.
Through this step-by-step approach, you’ll learn:
What non-fiction writing is and how to write compelling stories.Where to start with your storytelling so you feel confident in beginning.Why noticing your life is the key to always having something to write about.How to structure your story so your readers want to turn the page.When to share your life stories and when to hold back.For memoir writers, bloggers, or people who want to take their travel stories to the next level, this book is for you. Filling you with confidence and skills to get your story told.
The book also includes:
A secret-revealing chapter about finding your writing voice.A breakdown of the essential four stages of editing.A writing toolkit to skyrocket your storytelling.A friendly pep talk to motivate and encourage you!This book will help you write about your life and help you share it with the world.
Notice your life.
Save the special moments.
Share your words.
So why wait? It’s time to unlock the power of your words and share your unique perspective with the world. Don’t let your stories go untold any longer. Start writing TODAY.We would love to hear from you. Please let us know about your self-publishing questions, problems or ideas. We want to hear from you! info@derbyshirewritingschool.com
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Thanks for listening!