
Death Of 1000 Cuts
Death Of 1000 Cuts is a podcast for fiction writers, full of motivational rants, writing exercises, interviews with authors, and detailed critiques of first pages submitted by you, the listeners. Everything you need to write more and better, and love it. Presented by Tim Clare, author of The Honours, The Ice House and We Can't All Be Astronauts, and stand-up poet.
Support the podcast at: https://ko-fi.com/B0B17913
Latest episodes

May 4, 2021 • 53min
S4E26 - Hard at Work by Ross
In this episode I look at the first page of a listener's story and suggest ways to make it better.
If you'd like to support the show drop me a few beans via my Ko-fi page: www.ko-fi.com/timclare
And if you'd like to submit the first page of your story, click on the 'Contact Me' button via this link and send me no more than 250 words, plus a title: www.timclarepoet.co.uk

Apr 27, 2021 • 1h 19min
S4E25 - Hard Work (Writing Ramble)
It's another writing ramble! Unscripted, unplanned, unedited - me talking about whatever is on my mind, writing-wise. Today, I talk about the writing community's romanticisation of crunch culture and unhealthy working practices. I hope you find it useful.
If you'd like to support the show drop me a few beans via my Ko-fi page: www.ko-fi.com/timclare
And if you'd like to submit the first page of your story, click on the 'Contact Me' button via this link and send me no more than 250 words, plus a title: www.timclarepoet.co.uk

Apr 22, 2021 • 1h 14min
S4E24 - Answering Your Questions (Writing Ramble)
In this episode, I chat about the weird valley between one project ending and another beginning, and I answer some questions suggested by listeners to the best of my ability, which, as we know from bitter experience, is seldom up to the task. This is a writing ramble episode, so it's unplanned, unscripted and unedited.
If you'd like to support the show drop me a few beans via my Ko-fi page: www.ko-fi.com/timclare
And if you'd like to submit the first page of your story, click on the 'Contact Me' button via this link and send me no more than 250 words, plus a title: www.timclarepoet.co.uk

Apr 15, 2021 • 1h 27min
S4E23 - Chatting With Hollie McNish
In this episode I chat with Ted Hughes Award-winning poet and author Hollie McNish. We chat about writing poems on what you care about, mixing genres, dealing with critics and snobbery, and using poetry to make yourself feel better.
Hardback (signed edition via Waterstones): https://t.co/QAomJ8R5rE?amp=1
Audiobook (via Google Play): https://t.co/rHH5fYE1Ng?amp=1
Twitter: @holliepoetry
Website: https://t.co/TKg0tuikyH?amp=1
If you'd like to support the show drop me a few beans via my Ko-fi page: www.ko-fi.com/timclare

Apr 5, 2021 • 1h 17min
S4E22 - Chatting With Salena Godden
In this episode I chat with writer and performer Salena Godden about her debut novel MRS DEATH MISSES DEATH. We talk about mortality and inspiration, giving voice to characters and using the poetic form in prose, messing with reader expectations and how juggling different projects can help productivity and motivation.
Buy MRS DEATH MISSES DEATH here in hardback: https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Salena-Godden/Mrs-Death-Misses-Death/25330558
Or as an ebook: https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Salena-Godden/Mrs-Death-Misses-Death/25655278
Or the audiobook: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Mrs-Death-Misses-Death-Audiobook/1838851216
Here's Salena's website: http://www.salenagodden.co.uk/
And if you'd like to help the podcast keep going you can drop me a bean or two here: www.ko-fi.com/timclare

Mar 29, 2021 • 1h 32min
S4E21 - Chatting With Keiron Pim
In this episode I chat with author Keiron Pim about how he wrote his biography of larger-than-life sixties underworld fixer and friend to the stars, David Litvinoff, JUMPIN' JACK FLASH. We talk about Keiron's background in journalism, approaching people for interviews, and how to use 'footstepping' to get a sense for your subject.
You can grab a copy of JUMPIN' JACK FLASH HERE: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jumpin-Jack-Flash-Litvinoff-Underworld/dp/0099584441/
If you'd like to support the show, thank you, and you can drop me some beans here: www.ko-fi.com/timclare

Mar 25, 2021 • 1h 14min
S4E20 - Writing a Novel Pt5
This is the 5th episode of my series where I try to write a book from first idea to final draft, and take you along for the ride. In this episode, I talk about making mistakes and first drafts, I then go onto to make some mistakes trying to come up with place names for my world, then I think 'stuff it' and go ahead and start plotting out the first quarter of my novel. By the end... I feel like I've got somewhere? Oh, and I discuss the importance of strong verbs in quests.
If you enjoy the show, please show your support via my Ko-fi page: www.ko-fi.com/timclare
You can get in touch with me via my website: www.timclarepoet.co.uk
Listen to the first episode in this series here: https://soundcloud.com/timclare/s4e13-writing-a-novel-pt1

Mar 15, 2021 • 56min
S4E19 - Writing a Novel Pt4
This is the 4th episode of my series where I try to write a book from first idea to final draft, and take you along for the ride. In this episode, I do a deep dive into the art of 'crunchy specificity'. Having struggled to zero in on a character through general traits, I try to follow Michael Moorcock's advice and come at it from the opposite direction - building characters from the sound of their names alone.
If you enjoy the show, please show your support via my Ko-fi page: www.ko-fi.com/timclare
You can get in touch with me via my website: www.timclarepoet.co.uk
Listen to the first episode in this series here: https://soundcloud.com/timclare/s4e13-writing-a-novel-pt1

Mar 11, 2021 • 1h 37min
S4E18 - Chatting With Dean Burnett
In this episode I chat with author and neuroscientist Dean Burnett about writing about the brain, science and mental health, and his new book, PSYCHO-LOGICAL. We discuss the challenges of conveying complex ideas to a broad readership, reflecting the messiness of science, and current theories underpinning our understanding of conditions like depression.
You can grab a copy of PSYCHO-LOGICAL: Why Mental Health Goes Wrong and How We Can Make Sense Of It here: https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Dean-Burnett/Psycho-Logical--Why-Mental-Health-Goes-Wrong---and-How-to-Make-Sense-of-It/25440016
And here's THE IDIOT BRAIN: https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Dean-Burnett/The-Idiot-Brain--A-Neuroscientist-Explains-What-Your-Head-is-Really-Up-To/20508227
If you enjoy the show, please consider dropping me a few beans via my Ko-fi page: www.ko-fi.com/timclare
And you can drop me a line via my website: www.timclarepoet.co.uk

Mar 4, 2021 • 1h 40min
S4E17 - Chatting With Musa Okwonga
This episode I chat with author, poet, journalist and podcaster Musa Okwonga about the art of writing great essays, the power of words, how to open up your specialist subject to a wider audience, and the places where non-fiction, fiction and poetry blend in his work. Oh, and we talk football, poetry, hip-hop, politics, defining ourselves as artists, and how he comes up with a powerful opening premise to kick off a persuasive essay.
IN THE END, IT WAS ALL ABOUT LOVE: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Musa-Okwonga-End-About-Love
Musa's Eton memoir, ONE OF THEM: https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Them-Eton-College-Memoir/dp/1783529679/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Okwonga
If you enjoy the show, please consider dropping me a few beans via my Ko-fi page: www.ko-fi.com/timclare
And you can drop me a line via my website: www.timclarepoet.co.uk