Writer's Routine

Dan Simpson
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How do the best writers get to work? In every episode, we'll chat to an author about what they do through a day. Where do they work? What time do they start? How do they plan their time and maximise their creativity, in order to plot and publish a bestseller? Some are frantic night-owls, others roll out of bed into their desks, and a few lock themselves away in the woods - but none have a regular 9 to 5, and we'll find out how they've managed it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Patrick Syms, author of 'Am I The A*****e?' - Debut author discusses self-promotion, white label releases, and making a point with your prose

    Patrick Syms started work trying to be a screenwriter, and he got ever so close, before life got in the way. He took a job in advertising, which became a 25 year long career in communications. In 2020, he gave it up to write again. This time, he took it seriously. Being accepted in to the Curtis Brown 'Writing Your Novel' course, he's just finished 'Am I The Asshole?', which is out to query as I type. It's all about entrepreneur Richard Whitecross, who invents what he thinks is a piece of world-changing technology. But when it malfunctions and he becomes the target of a social media pile-on, he must learn to face all the facts of his situation, not just the convenient ones, before he loses his family, his livelihood and his sanity. It was inspired by an interview Patrick saw with a celebrity on TV, and being dumbfounded by the terrible way they were presenting themselves. As the manuscript goes out to agents, Patrick has taken some unique steps of his own... and is releasing a limited batch of books, in order to spread the word and make some noise. He's printed a select set of white label books, inspired by independent record companies. He runs through the process of making that work - what's gone well and what's been trickier than imagined. You can hear what he felt when he was trying too hard to make a point with his prose, also why he's always playing catch up, and the 5 questions that he asks in every scene. You can find out more at patricksyms.com, and find his instagram in the show notes. If you're getting a book for christmas, think about doing it on our Bookshop.org page - uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine Support the show - patreon.com/writersroutine ko-fi.com/writersroutine @writerspod writersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 3m

  2. 7 NOV

    Tom Cox, author of 'Everything Will Swallow You' - Uniquely creative award-winner discusses making your own genre, insisting on clarity, and inspirational walks

    Tom Cox has had a long and varied writing career. Over the last 25 years he has been The Guardian's youngest ever music critic, a record dealer, a golf and nature memoirist, and a unique creative writer. He's said to have 'one of the most fabulous and anarchic imaginations in literature'. Tom finds finds magic in the everyday, from country ramblings and folklore to melancholic cats and oddball corners of the country. He's published the golf memoir, 'Bring Me The Head of Sergio Garcia', also nature books, '21st Century Yokel', and many books about cats. He's a Sunday Times Bestseller, won a Shirley Jackson Horror Writing Award, and was longlisted for the Wainwright Prize. He also banned himself from writing journalism again. He chose to post all his writings online, and then crowd-funded a book, which did very well, very quickly. It's been a sticky year or so, as 'Unbounded' went out of business, and it's forced Tom to go back to traditional publishing. Tom has just released the novel, 'Everything Will Swallow You', which tells the story of Eric and his confidante Carl. Their friendship is the only constant in an ever-changing world, but there's something about Carl that you'd never believe. We discuss how he tries to keep it fun, why so much of his inspiration comes from walking, and why parts of his career have brought out the worst in social media. You can hear why he's in a genre of one, what caused him to give up journalism, and the rule he keeps in mind when editing. Get a copy of the book - uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine Support the show - patreon.com/writersroutine ko-fi.com/writersroutine writersroutine.com @writerspod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min

  3. 31 OCT

    Hazel Barkworth, author of 'The Drownings' - Writer of dark, suspense discusses taking it seriously, going back to school, and a working balance

    Hazel Barkworth is creative consultant, who graduated from Oxford with an English Degree, and when she decided she'd try and write fiction... she went back to school. She enrolled in the Curtis Brown Creative Novel Writing Course, and published her debut, 'Heatstroke', to rave reviews in The Guardian and the Evening Standard. Hazel's newest novel is 'The Drownings'. It tells the story of Serena, who grew up dreaming of being an olympic swimmer. When a brutal training injury wrecks those chances, she heads to University. One dark night, she saves a students life, and the process leads her to learn about a dark, twisted history unseen through the campus. We discuss why Hazel was desperate to write a Campus novel, and how she managed to pull together so many ideas and themes into one book, with one ending. You can hear about the break Hazel took between novels, and what she learned in those 4 years, also about the balance of writing and working freelance, and why her plotting technique is based on vibes. This week's episode is supported by the 'Quick Book Reviews' podcast, and by Fleur MacDonald's brand new novel, 'The Missing'. Support the show - patreon.com/writersroutine ko-fi.com/writersroutine Get a copy of the book - uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine @writerspod writersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min

  4. 24 OCT

    A. L Brody/ Jason Pinter, author of 'Dating and Dismemberment' - Monster rom-com award-nominee discusses paths to publication, getting the tone right, and improving the first draft

    A.L. Brody is the author of the novel, 'Dating and Dismemberment'. It's monster rom-com inspired by Star Wars and The Sopranos. A.L. Brody is also Jason Pinter, a multi-award nominated, bestselling writer. Jason has published thrillers, crime novels, YA books and stuff for younger kids. He's been nominated for the Thriller Award, the Barry Away, the RT Reviewers Choice Award, and many more. His path to publication has been a winding one, going traditional, then independent, and now traditional again. We discuss how it's all worked, and what he's learn from the different forms along the way. You can hear about the singular idea for 'Dating and Dismemberment', why it gave him opportunities to be more creative than perhaps is normal, and how he got the tone right for the target audience. We discuss how he's improved his first drafts, how he works without the muse striking, and how he's cracked marketing himself. You can get a copy of the book at uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine This week's episode is sponsored by the 'Quick Book Reviews Podcast', search wherever you get your shows. Also, by Fleur McDonald's new novel, 'The Missing'. Find out more at fleurmcdonald.com Support the show at - patreon.com/writersroutine ko-fi.com/writersroutine @writerspod writersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min

  5. 16 OCT

    Antonia Hodgson, author of 'The Raven Scholar' - Fantasy writer discusses shifting the day, switching genre, and researching your own world

    Antonia Hodgson is a novelist, screenwriter, former publisher and now, fantasy author. She made her name writing historical crime. Her debut, 'The Devil in Marshalsea', won the CWA Historical Dagger Award in 2014 and was shortlisted for Theakston's Crime Novel of the Year, it was a Richand and Judy, and Waterstone's Book Club pick. All in all, a huge debut. Now, she's returning to her first love, with a brand new fantasy trilogy. 'The Raven Scholar', tells the story of Bersun the Brusque, Emperor of Orrun, who is bringing his reign to an end after 24 years on the throne. It looks at the 7 contenders to replace him... who soon become 6. It's up to Neema Kraa to investigate the killer before the Empire falls. We discuss the tricks and tropes of fantasy, and how much you can possibly research the world you're creating. Also, you an hear why fantasy is all about asking strange questions, how much she knows about the future of the series, and how much planning can go into a sprawling, epic saga. You can get a copy of the book at uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine Support the show - patreon.com/writersroutine ko-fi.com/writersroutine @writerspod writersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min

  6. 9 OCT

    Nicholas Binge, author of 'Extremity' - Speculative Fiction writer discusses whether the idea dictates the form, the tricky switch to being full-time, and his path to publication

    Nicholas Binge has lectured in creative writing, co-hosts the 'Binge Reading Book Club' podcast, and has just published his 4th book. It's called 'Extremity'. It follows up the success of 'Professor Everywhere', which won the Proverse Prize for Literature, 'Dissolution', and the bestselling, 'Ascension'. 'Extremity' is a time-travelling police procedural. It follows Julia Torgrimsen, brought out of retirement to investigate the murder of a billionaire she once worked with. When she finds the body... there's an identical one right next to it. We discuss how this book came to be a novella - does the idea dictate the form? Also, you can hear why he found it tricky becoming a full-time writer, why he always tries to celebrate the small wins, and about his winding path to publication. This episode is sponsored by IngramSpark. Try it now at ingramspark.com/learnmore Support the show at - patreon.com/writersroutine ko-fi.com/writersroutine Get a copy of the book - uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine Get the newsletter - writersroutine.substack.com @writerspod writersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr

  7. 2 OCT

    Kelly Mullen, author of 'This Is Not a Game' - Hollywood Producer and Writer discusses tricking yourself to write, reinventing the wheel, and getting characters to your end

    Kelly Mullen is a creative powerhouse who has just released her debut novel, 'This Is Not a Game'. Previously, Kelly has produced in Hollywood, working on the movie 'Trumbo', and the series 'Dads' for Apple TV+. She works as a marketing consultant, helping brands achieve their creative potential, and now she's trying to realise her own. She's been named by Cosmopolitan, The Bookseller, and the Daily Mail as 'One to Watch', and the rights to her new novel have already been snapped up in the USA and Germany. 'This Is Not a Game' is about the hard-drinking, crossword solving Mimi, who enlists her stranged granddaughter Addie to help solve a murder. It was inspired by a summer taking care of her own grandma, and dreaming of the strange scrapes they could get into. We talk about why she wasn't trying to reinvent the wheel, what she learned from working in Hollywood, and how she made sure her characters got to her ending. You can hear Kelly's path to publication, what she's taken from her writing career so far, and whether she's taking on too much. Get a copy of the book, and NOW find ebooks to support your local independent book store, at uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine Support the show - patreon.com/writersroutine ko-fi.com/writersroutine This week's episode is sponsored by IngramSpark, who let you publish like a pro. Try it for free at ingramspark.com/learnmore @writerspod writersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min

  8. 25 SEPT

    Kate Kemp, author of 'The Grapevine' - Debut author discusses preparing for disappointment, trusting the process, and her winding path to publication

    This week we're joined by Kate Kemp, occupational therapist, psychotherapist and now, author. Her debut novel, 'The Grapevine', is out now. It started life as a manuscript called 'Warrah Place', which won the Stylist Prize for Feminist Fiction, and landed her a publishing deal. It's a gripping mystery set in 1970s Australia, about a murder in a close-kint community, and the rumours that spread like wildfire afterwards. We discuss why her bed is so crucial for her work, and how she edits on the move. Also, you can hear how pressured she feels to make time to write when she's not really feeling it, why you should be prepared for the disappointments along the way, and her winding path to publication. This week's episode is sponsored by IngramSpark, who let you publish like a pro. Also, this week's episode is sponsored by Quick Book Reviews Podcast. You can support the show - patreon.com/writersroutine ko-fi.com/writersroutine Get a copy of the book - uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine @writerspod writersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min
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About

How do the best writers get to work? In every episode, we'll chat to an author about what they do through a day. Where do they work? What time do they start? How do they plan their time and maximise their creativity, in order to plot and publish a bestseller? Some are frantic night-owls, others roll out of bed into their desks, and a few lock themselves away in the woods - but none have a regular 9 to 5, and we'll find out how they've managed it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Dan Simpson
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    380
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dan Simpson
  • Show Website
    Writer's Routine

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