On today's show I chat to poet, playwright and storyteller Inua Ellams about myths, gods and how stories build people. Inua talks about the mentors who shaped and inspired him when he was growing up, his love of story and poetry, and how he turned that into a creative career performing on stage and writing for others. We discuss his new book, THE HALF-GOD OF RAINFALL, the story of a basketball-playing demigod and his mother, generational trauma and revenge. This is a great episode to listen to if you want to know: - how can I use myth in my fiction? - what's the difference between theme and subject matter? - how can I tell stories with poetry? - why tell stories? I loved recording this one. I really hope you enjoy it and get as much of a bang out of it as I did. Ah but of course you'd like to read Inua Ellams' book, THE HALF-GOD OF RAINFALL. Here it is with free delivery: https://wordery.com/the-half-god-of-rainfall-inua-ellams-9780008324773#oid=1908_1 THE HALF-GOD OF RAINFALL hits the stage in April and May. You can get tickets to see it in London here: https://kilntheatre.com/whats-on/the-half-god-of-rainfall/ Or in Birmingham in April here: https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/the-half-god-of-rainfall.html If you'd like to support me, the podcast and all the things I'm putting out into the world, if you like what I do and would like me to do more of it, and if you'd like to be the first to read my brand new novel, please help me by pre-ordering a copy of THE ICE HOUSE. It's got an old lady pulled out of retirement for one last job, a 400-year-old forensic pathologist field medic battle nun looking to bring down an empire, psychedelics, dungeon crawls, jungle adventures, a locked-room murder mystery, intrigue, romance, minotaurs, a secret testing facility, giant sentient beetles, immortal mutant aristocrats, knife fights, an angel, larceny and ancient menaces rising from the depths. You're going to dig it and it helps me so much. Here are some places you can order now: Mr B's Emporium are an indie bookstore who deliver worldwide - I'll sign all pre-ordered copies from here: mrbsemporium.com/shop/books/the-ice-house/ Wordery: https://wordery.com/the-ice-house-tim-clare-9781786894816#oid=1908_1 Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ice-House-Tim-Clare/dp/1786894815/ Or ask at your local bricks and mortar bookshop. If you'd like to read a story about a 13 year old girl investigating a secret society in 1930s Norfolk, grab a copy of my novel, THE HONOURS: https://wordery.com/the-honours-tim-clare-9781782114765#oid=1908_1 If you'd like to sign up to my free Weekly Writing Workout, here's the sign up form: eepurl.com/gbmfcP Here's my author page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/timclarepoet/ Here's my Twitter page: twitter.com/TimClarePoet And here's my website where you can submit your first pages or just get in touch and say hello: www.timclarepoet.co.uk And if you'd like to support the podcast, here's my Ko-fi page: www.ko-fi.com/timclare