Emily Schultz new novel, 'Little Threats', follows twin sisters in the 1990s, in an age of rebellion, when a night of partying goes very wrong, and one of them ends up under suspicion for murder... and she can't remember whether she did it or not.We talk about how she got into the 90s mindset with music, how she tackles the first draft, and whether she's fine with being it sloppy at the start. Initially, the book started as a work of literary fiction, but when Emily figured if she brought the mystery to the fore it would become a thriller, she didn't look back. We chat about that decision, how much she thinks about genre, and to what extent she keeps the reader in her mind when she's writing.In this episode we also chat to the founder of 'Script Sirens', Scarlett Kefford. They're a female and non-binary script-writing group from the West Midlands, UK, and have just released a brand new six-part horror audio series called, 'Siren Screams'. Scarlett tells us more about the project, and why she set up the group. You can listen to the series in most good podcast places, and if you'd like to join the group, head here - https://scriptsirens.wordpress.com/.You can grab a copy of Emily's new book, 'Little Threats' here - https://amzn.to/2XF34WDPlease do support us at patreon.com/writersroutine, and leave us a review on Apple if you can.@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rosie Nixon is busy. She is the Editor-in-Chief of HELLO! Magazine, she's worked as a journalist for many years, she's a mum of two, and has just published her third novel, 'Just Between Friends'. We discuss how she splits up her time wearing many different work hats, and why she loves to escape to tell stories.You can hear what editing a national media brand has taught her about novel-writing, and how working as a journalist has made her determined to beat the deadlines.'Just Between Friends' is about Aisha and Lucy, expectant mothers who meet at a baby group, and shared secrets cause chaos. We talk about how she got the idea, why she wanted to mix things up a bit for her third book, and how she got to know the characters so well.You can get a copy of the book here - https://amzn.to/3ns1gL0This episode is supported by Script Sirens, a female and non-binary writing group from West Midlands, UK. There new audio series 'Siren Screams' is out now, listen to it where you get your podcasts, and find out more here - https://scriptsirens.wordpress.com/@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ross Sutherland is a jack of all writing trades. He is a poet, a playwright, has written for radio, TV and film, and is now an award-winning podcaster. His experimental storytelling podcast 'Imaginary Advice' won gold at the British Podcast Awards in 2018, and his new series is 'The Golden House'. It's a 6 part puzzle of a podcast, presented as a corporate show for a fictional tech company, in which the presenter is trying to reveal some of the firm's darkest secrets without them realising.We chat about why he wanted the podcast to promote collaboration across the internet, how much he knew about the show before he started, and how he layered up clues and puzzles within the episodes. You can hear how he controls his rampant creativity, and why he believes rules can change the game.Ross talks about why his working style differs depending on what he's writing, why podcasting intrigues him so much, and why he loves editing.You can listen to the show here - https://www.the-golden-house-podcast.com/Support us on Patreon here - patreon.com/writersroutine.MERRY CHRISTMAS, I'LL SEE YOU IN 2021!@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sibéal Pounder's debut 'Witch Wars' was shortlisted for the Sainsbury's Children's Book Award and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize. She then wrote 'The Bad Mermaids' series which was a World Book Day 2019 title and a Sunday Times Bestseller and has been optioned by Sony Animation.Her newest novel is 'Tinsel: The Girls Who Invented Christmas', which figures out if Santa might be a bit different to the person everyone thinks they are. We talk about writing for kids and capturing the magic of Christmas with words. You can hear why she had the idea for this book for a while, before finally being allowed to write it. We also discuss how she feels publishing a book with a limited selling life every year, but why even with this, the character of Blanche made her need to tell the story.Before writing novels, she worked as a journalist, writing for publications including The Guardian and Vogue online and was a philanthropy columnist for the Financial Times. We chat about the difference in writing journalism and novels, and why she took a writing course before getting started on books.You can get a copy of the book here - https://amzn.to/3gB0oljPlease do support us on Patreon.com/writersroutine, and subscribe on your pod place!@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CJ Cooke is a poet, a successful horror and suspense author, and a senior lecturer in creative writing at the University of Glasgow. She's been published in 23 countries, and her new novel is 'The Nesting'.It's set in the fjords and forests of Norway, where down on her luck Lexi becomes a nanny in a strange, high-concept house, and peculiar things start happening. We talk about why it's set there, and how CJ worked on getting the chilling atmosphere right.You can hear how the tone and pacing of gothic sets it apart from horror and psychological suspense, and how to try and plan a day to be as creative as possible.As a poet, CJ’s prizes for writing include a Northern Writers Award, an Eric Gregory Award, a Tyrone Guthrie prize, and she has twice received a K Blundell award from the Society of Authors.You can get a copy of 'The Nesting' here - https://amzn.to/3lA5bVePlease do support the show at patreon.com/writersroutine, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts!@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sareeta Domingo has an incredibly busy working. She works as an editor for Mills and Boon, helping other writers construct and improve their work. In order to do that and tell her own stories, she wakes up early and goes to bed late, sandwiching writing-time around work and family life.She has published 5 books, a story-story collection, a series of erotic short stories, and her novel, 'If I Don't Have You', is now an audio-book from Audible.Through 3 acts it tells the story of Ren and Kayla who are thrown together in the strange world of showbiz.We talk about how she stops herself procrastinating, why sexy music helps her write, and how she balances full-time work and her passion for writing.To get a copy of 'If I Don't Have You' as a book, click here - https://amzn.to/3q4LmIYTo get a copy of 'If I Don't Have You' as an audiobook, click here - https://amzn.to/2KHttjoThis show is sponsored by the brilliant new book from Caroline Lawrence, 'How to Write a Great Story'. To get a copy, click here - https://amzn.to/2VaUbTfPlease do support us on patreon.com/writersroutine, and you can leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Watson is a hugely successful comedian, known for his marathon shows in which he'll perform for over 24 hours at a time. He's just published his 6th novel, 'Contacts', all about how technology and social media could perhaps save a life. It's almost in direct contrast to a lot of the tech narrative you hear the moment, the story is about the joys and wonder of the possibilities of the internet.We talk about why Mark loves getting fully absorbed in writing, taking time anywhere to get to his story. You can hear why he needs hustle and bustle when he's writing, and doesn't do well locked away in a quiet place to tell stories. We discuss the difference between joke and story writing, and how one can affect the other.You can hear about his staunch font opinions, why he likes to give the story a 'good going over' before he begins writing, and how 'Contacts' came to him pretty much fully formed.You can grab a copy of the book here - https://amzn.to/2IWiH8dPlease support the show at patreon.com/writersroutine, and you can leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sally Gardner has sold over 2 MILLION books. She is a Costa Kids Book Award winner, a Carnegie Medal winner, and she's back with her 3rd adult novel, 'The Snow Song'.We talk about why stories are the most important thing to everyone's life, and how she keeps that at the front of her mind always. You can hear about why her visual imagination lets her know when she's off-track with her plotting, and why she's the patron saint of reluctant readers.'The Snow Song' is about Edith, who lives alone with her alcoholic father who is forcing her to marry the village butcher. But she is in love with a shepherd who promised to return to her. As the village becomes isolated in a sea of snow, Edith loses her power of speech. And it is this enchantment that will have far-reaching consequences, not only for Edith but for the whole village.It's about women being silenced, magic and adventure. We chat about why the idea was given to her, and why she wrote this one for adults and not kids... but how ultimately, Sally believes any idea can be figured out for any audience.You can get a copy of 'The Snow Song' here - https://amzn.to/2UnlTfsThis episode is sponsored by 'The Last Human' by Robin Foale. If you want to read about Alice and her adventure through a strange, unknown world filled with robots and anthropomorphic animals, click here - https://amzn.to/36uYa2n. (It's under £3! What a steal!)Please do support us on patreon.com/writersroutine@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gillian McAllister is a Sunday Times Top 10 bestselling author, who has just published her 5th novel, 'How to Disappear'. It's a romantic psychological thriller set in witness protection. It's about Lauren whose daughter Zara sees a terrible crime, and together they must disappear and leave everything behind... including the man Lauren loves.It comes off the back of phenomenal success for her other novels, 'Everything But The Truth', 'Anything You Do Say', 'No Further Questions' and 'The Evidence Against You'.We chat about how you research the witness protection scheme, which quite rightly by its very nature is hard to find out about. You can hear why she likes to get the first draft done quickly, how she mixes plotting and pantsing, and how her background as a lawyer really helps out from time to time.You can grab a copy of the book here - https://amzn.to/3l3VKOuPlease do leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and support the show on Patreon - patreon.com/writersroutine@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alastair Humphreys is one of the country's greatest adventurers. As well as expeditions like cycling around the world, walking across India and rowing the Atlantic, Alastair was named as a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year for his pioneering work on the concept of 'microadventures', encouraging people to get outside and out of their comfort-zone.He has written ten books about his adventures. During this episode, we talk about 'My Midsummer Morning', his journey busking across Spain with a violin, little musical talent, and inspiration from Laurie Lee.We chat about his strange methods of editing, why he's quite routined and regimented, and why deep down... he hates writing.You can grab a copy of 'My Midsummer Morning', here - https://amzn.to/35Ewec0Also, listen to Alastair's fantastic podcasts, here - https://alastairhumphreys.com/living-adventurously-podcast-an-introduction/Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, if you can, and support us on Patreon - patreon.com/writersroutine@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.