In this episode I chat with author and creative writing teacher Andrew Cowan about writing fiction, finding details, perfectionism and helping bring others' stories to life. Andrew talks switching from pottery to fiction, finding his own voice, ways round perfectionism and self-doubt, and his career in teaching creative writing on residential courses and at the University of East Anglia. He shares some of his favourite creative writing exercises, including ones that helped him break through serious blocks and get the words flowing again. We also talk about the novels he's written so far, how he's researched topics from pig-rearing to eugenics, and the authors and mentors who inspired him. This is a great episode to listen to if you want to know: - how can I get myself going again after my writing grinds to a halt? - what are the best ways to research my novel? - how can I get over perfectionism in my writing? - what is the best creative writing exercise? - can creative writing be taught? - what's it like going on a creative writing course? - what's the most common mistake writers make? Get Andrew Cowan's comprehensive course on how to write fiction, THE ART OF WRITING FICTION: https://wordery.com/the-art-of-writing-fiction-andrew-cowan-9781408248348#oid=1908_1 And I really recommend trying one of his novels. PIG: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pig-Andrew-Cowan/dp/0340824123 COMMON GROUND: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Common-Ground-Andrew-Cowan/dp/1444760734 CRUSTACEANS: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crustaceans-Andrew-Cowan/dp/0312312172 WHAT I KNOW: https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-I-Know-Andrew-Cowan/dp/0340713070 WORTHLESS MEN: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Worthless-Men-Andrew-Cowan/dp/1444759426 And of course if you'd care to support me and my career, please treat yourself or a friend to my novel THE HONOURS: https://wordery.com/the-honours-tim-clare-9781782114765#oid=1908_1 If you enjoy the podcast and you'd like to help me cover the costs of running it, hosting the audio and the website, you can chuck a few beans into my upturned hat in a couple of clicks here: ko-fi.com/timclare Thank you!