Bridget Collins has published 7 Young Adult books, a few plays, and now her first full adult novel, 'The Binding', is due to be one of the biggest of 2019. It's been lauded as a 'genre defying fusion of history, magic and a powerful exploration of mental illness'. It tells the story of Emmett Farmer, a book binding apprentice, whose job is to help people forget their darkest secrets.We talk about why it's taken her years to finally write this book, and how volunteering at the Samaritans gave her the initial idea for the story. Also, you can hear why most of Bridget's writing day is spent in bed, and how she gets by without thorough planning.We get a top writing tip that may change the way you work forever from a sheep-farming-crime-author, and there's a way your story can be on the show.@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Oswald is a farmer for 12 hours of the day, then at night he'll head to his bespoke writing room atop his garage, and bash away at the keyboard.He's known for the 8 novels of the 'Inspector Tony McLean' series, and also his fantasy saga 'The Ballad of Sir Benfro', and you can hear what it's like to start a brand new series - 'Constance Fairchild'. She makes her first appearance in the new novel 'No Time to Cry', and we talk about why having the idea for her name pretty much gave him the rest of the story. We also talk about how comic books taught him to write, how research is overrated and why it's all about the journey over the destination.We'll get a top writing tip from Tim Marshall, the author of 'Prisoners of Geography', who brings something short, sweet and a bit sweary.@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Marshall worked for some years as the Diplomatic Editor for Sky News, travelling and living all over the world to get the stories. His book 'Shadowplay: The Overthrow of Slobodan Milosevic' is widely regarded as one of the best accounts of life in the former Yugoslavia. Tim reported in the field from Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia during the Balkan Wars of the 1990s, and has since found huge writing success for his book 'Prisoners of Geography'.'Prisoners of Geography' looks at how maps of the world can predict political situations, it's the first of a trilogy of books that discuss the affect of nationalism on identity politics - his others look at flags and walls.We talk about planning non-fiction, how to make big concepts and global theories relevant and accessible in writing, and why it's always nice to know the local baristas by name.You can get a top writing tip from Irish Book Award winner Liz Nugent, who wants to help you push past the tricky start.PLUS, help the 'Podcast All-Stars' take the UK's Christmas Number One with 'The Sounds of Christmas' - buy it online, and stream it here - https://open.spotify.com/album/4Er8EeydEoWMurO4vPx9NJ?si=U5zNccSgRf6iSdbrp3xRWw@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After working as a stage manager, running all over the place in a theatre, then being shackled to the desk writing for soap operas, Liz Nugent became bored with dull, desk-driven office work, and became an author. Well... became an author over 6 years of writing her first book 'Unravelling Oliver'. It won an Irish Book Award, became a bestseller and gave her a career of being a proper writer.She's back with her third novel 'Skin Deep', all about an enigmatic, alluring and alarming socialite, and the body she finds in her apartment. We talk about how her writing day has changed 3 books in, why she needs to know characters inside-out before she starts, and which song gave her the idea for a whole novel.You can also get a top writing tip from Ben Schott, of 'Schott's Miscellany and Almanac', who has dived into the world of PG Wodehouse, and wants you to start reading aloud.PLUS, your LAST CHANCE to get 20% off Scrivener - type the code ROUTINE when checking out over at literatureandlatte.com.@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben Schott designed 'Schott's Original Miscellany' as a whimsical Christmas present to his closest friends, and after much pushing and prodding, finally published it to the world. Over the next few years, he had created a series of bestselling works providing an entertaining and informative analysis of the year's events.He's releasing his debut novel 'Jeeves and the King of Clubs', an homage to PG Wodehouse - a writer many see as the greatest comedic novelist of the 20th Century, perhaps even of all time. We talk about how he braced himself to write for the characters of such a legendary literary icon, and how he designed the best chance to do him justice. Also, we learn about how Ben dealt with the language and plot that Wodehouse dealt with so creatively, why there's no perfect writing day, and how the initial idea for his story came on a long train journey, while musing about Donald Trump.We'll get a top writing tip from one of the most successful authors still working today AND you can win $2000 worth of book marketing.PLUS... save 20% on Scrivener, the writing software that makes telling your story soooo much easier.@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since publishing her debut novel when she was 21, Cecelia Ahern has written, pretty much, a book a year. That debut went on to become a blockbuster film, and she's one of the biggest, and bestselling authors around today. Her new book 'Roar' comprises 30 short stories about 30 different women. You can hear why a script-meeting in Los Angeles gave her the idea for the book, and how she developed that whilst on a family holiday.We talk about why she needs an office to write in, what she does to combat writer's block and whether your debut novel shooting you to such success really changes a writer.There's a top writing tip in the show from 2 publishers who teamed up to write, and you've also got a chance to win $2000 worth of book marketing prizes.Also, to save 20% on the writing software Scrivener, head to literatureandlatte.com, and use the code ROUTINE.@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elizabeth Foley and Beth Coates both work in publishing as editors, and when they had one idea too good to give away, they hurried to the office on Saturdays to write it themselves. That became 'Homework for Grown-ups', and since they have written many other works of novelty non-fiction. Their latest is 'What Would Boudicca Do? Everyday Problems Solved by History's Most Remarkable Women'. It looks at what heroines of the past would do about, self-confidence and taking the perfect selfie.We talk about how they've aligned their schedules to work efficiently through the day, how they decided who, what and when to research, and whether as publishers, they found it easier getting published.This week's top writing tip that could change the way you work forever is from bestselling crime author Ian Rankin, and there's a way you can win $2000 of book marketing!Remember, you can make your writing day SO MUCH EASIER, with 20% off Scrivener (AKA the best writing software there is) just use ROUTINE when you check-out over at literatureandlatte.com@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Ian Rankin is one of the biggest selling crime authors in history. His most famous character 'Detective John Rebus' has transcended novels, and is an icon of literature. He's appeared in TV shows, radio plays, and now his 22nd book, 'In a House of Lies'.As a teenager, Ian found himself being thrust into a life of economics and accountancy, but after time (and some poor maths exam results) he started writing, and 30 years later is a crime-literature institution. We talk about the very first Rebus idea he had, how his writing routine has changed over time, and what makes him carry on telling stories. You can find out how Ian manages and organises his creativity, why he needs to get away from everything to focus occasionally, and how most of the time he has no clue who his killer will be.You can get 20% off the excellent writing software Scrivener, by using the code ROUTINE over at literatureandlatte.com - I guarantee this will make your writing day SO much easier.Also, to enter 'The Writer's Block Virtual Book Festival', and win $2000 worth of book marketing, find @TheNovelette on Twitter - you could even be interviewed on this show!@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gabriel Tallent was working full-time in a restaurant, whilst doing some pretty serious mountain climbing on the side, when he felt the compulsion to tell this story. He would lie on his floor, as soon as he got home from work, fill himself with coffee and try to write 30,000 words a week.'My Absolute Darling' started off as something else, what he describes as a 'brainy, environmental novel', until he realised that the peripheral Turtle Alveston needed to be the protagonist. It needed to be her story, about the abuse she was subject to by her father. When Gabriel had that realisation, he immediately stopped writing, believing this was a tale too big for him to tell.The novel is a Sunday Times Bestseller, it made The Times and Metro's 'Books of the 2017', he made the shortlist for Swansea University's 'International Dylan Thomas Prize', and Stephen King described it as 'masterpiece' and a work that will 'stand the test of time'.It's quite a deep, philosophical chat about why we tell stories, and the right to get down your idea. Also Gabriel chats about making his characters utterly believable, what he thinks about critical reaction to his book, and how much he thought about the story's language.Also, we get a top writing tip from a debut author who wants you to pay more attention to the world around you.@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keith Anthony has waited some time before finally penning his debut novel, although he always knew he would write, and indeed the room in which he would work. It took a cruise-trip with his Mum, and a week away in a silent retreat to finally give him the focus and idea for 'Times and Places'The story stars Fergus, who escapes on a cruise to come to terms with the death of his daughter. Whilst there, in the tension-filled floating hotel of no escape, simmering stress reaches boiling point as historic truth and present situations meet. It's an observational piece of literary fiction, much in the comedic style of Jonathan Coe.Keith shares his daily routine, which involves iffy guitar playing, note compiling and, in time, complete immersion in the story. Also, we talk about what he has learned to help him write a second novel, how the edit was much trickier than he imagined, and whether his debut lived up to expectations.Also, we get a top writing tip that may change the way you work forever from a creative-writing tutor, who wants to help you work on your memoir.@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.