This episode I speak to bestselling author Jonathan Stroud about finding stories, developing characters, and channelling demons. Jonathan Stroud is the author of the 4-book BARTIMAEUS series - about an alternate London run by magicians, and the demons who serve them - which is published in 35 languages and has sold over 6 million copies. He also wrote the LOCKWOOD & CO series, about a plague of ghosts haunting Great Britain and the child agents sent to tackle them. We talk about his start in publishing, how he writes and how the challenges differ from book to book. We also talk about the value of walks for the creative process. This is a great episode to listen to if you want to know: - how can I find the voice of a character? - how can I raise my chances of being struck by a flash of inspiration? - what are good ways of thinking about conflict in a story? - how can I make sure my plot is progressing? Here are the first 3 books in Jonathan Stroud's Bartimaeus series. I urge you, mortal, DO NOT BE SILLY, buy these books immediately. They are so great and you will have a wonderful time! THE AMULET OF SAMARKAND: https://wordery.com/the-amulet-of-samarkand-jonathan-stroud-9780786852550#oid=1908_1 THE GOLEM'S EYE: https://wordery.com/the-bartimaeus-trilogy-golems-eye-bk-2-jonathan-stroud-9780786836543#oid=1908_1 PTOLEMY'S GATE: https://wordery.com/the-golems-eye-jonathan-stroud-9780552562812#oid=1908_1 And here's the first in the Lockwood & Co sequence, LOCKWOOD & CO: THE SCREAMING STAIRCASE: https://wordery.com/lockwood-co-the-screaming-staircase-jonathan-stroud-9780552566780#oid=1908_1 Oh? You fancy reading something... by *me*? Well then, friend, try THE HONOURS: https://wordery.com/the-honours-tim-clare-9781782114765#oid=1908_1 And ah yes, if you'd like to chuck me something towards the podcast's running costs, I have a page here where you can do that in a couple of clicks: ko-fi.com/timclare