In this episode I look at the first page of a listener's novel and suggest ways they could make it better. Hooray! It's an old school creative writing editing episode. If you'd like to support the show, chuck me a few beans via my Ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/timclare Here's my website if you'd like to submit your first page for a future episode: www.timclarepoet.co.uk

In today's episode I talk about the Zeigarnik effect, the arc of a creative writing project, and how we can manage the tensions that arise from unfinished business. If you'd like to support the show, chuck me a few beans via my Ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/timclare I mention The Blindboy Podcast in today's episode. If you've never heard it, here's a couple of episodes you might like to get you started: https://play.acast.com/s/blindboy/explodingkingsandgestaltpsychology https://play.acast.com/s/blindboy/fantahammer

In this episode I chat with author Alexandra Rowland about writing, the power of stories, and faeries. We talk about Alex's early training as a writer, the benefits of National Novel Writing Month, and Alex's Fantasy novels A CONSPIRACY OF TRUTHS and A CHOIR OF LIES. We also talk about their new book, a kind of field guide to monsters in the modern world: FINDING FAERIES. Alex's website: https://www.alexandrarowland.net/ Alex on Twitter: @_alexrowland Alex's books via bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/shop/alexandrarowland And hey - want to support the show? Drop me a few beans via my ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/timclare

This episode I chat with writer, performer and children's author Laura Dockrill. We talk about our time on the performance poetry scene, how working with a live audience teaches you to edit, writing for children, and finally about the experiences that informed Laura's new book, WHAT HAVE I DONE? Laura talks frankly about her experience of becoming a mother - a traumatic birth, sleep deprivation and ultimately, post-partum psychosis, that led to her being separated from her child and placed on a psychiatric ward. You can pick up a copy of WHAT HAVE I DONE? here: https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Laura-Dockrill/What-Have-I-Done--2020s-must-read-memoir-about-motherhood-and-mental-health/24731333 For children, SEQUIN & STITCH (8+): https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Laura-Dockrill/Sequin-and-Stitch/24616882 LORALI (12+): https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Laura-Dockrill/Lorali/17378198 ANGRY COOKIE (picture book): https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Laura-Dockrill/Angry-Cookie/22334089 If you'd like to support the show, here's my Ko-fi page: www.ko-fi.com/timclare And my novels. THE HONOURS by Tim Clare: https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Tim-Clare/The-Honours/24362898 THE ICE HOUSE by Tim Clare: https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Tim-Clare/The-Ice-House/24364506

In this episode I talk about psychologist Daniel Kahneman's theory of the 'peak-end rule' and how we might apply it to our writing. This episode is brought to you by Arvon, the Home of Creative Writing. Keep writing this Autumn with Arvon At Home’s extensive digital programme of readings, classes and week-long writing courses. For more information click the links below: https://www.arvon.org/ https://www.arvon.org/arvon-at-home/

In this episode, I return to a favourite topic - writing when things go wrong, either in your own life, or in the world. How should we handle it? How do we make writing meaningful in difficult times? This is a writing ramble episode, so it's unscripted, unedited. Just me, talking about whatever comes to mind. I mention Susanna Clarke's PIRANESI - you can order a copy here: https://storysmithbooks.com/product/piranesi-susanna-clarke/ If you'd like to support me you can grab my two novels THE HONOURS and THE ICE HOUSE (best read in that order). Due to stock shortages both links are to Amazon, but if you can grab them from your local bricks & mortar stores that would be dandy: THE HONOURS: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Honours-Tim-Clare/dp/1782114793/ THE ICE HOUSE: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ice-House-Tim-Clare/dp/1786894823 And you can support this podcast and help me make more free content for writers by dropping me something here: https://ko-fi.com/timclare

In today's episode I chat with stand-up comedian Trevor Lock about comedy, making jokes, and what makes something funny. If you'd like to check out Trevor's work or sign up for his Joke Hospital, head to his website: http://www.trevorlock.co/

In this episode I chat with the writer, performer and poet Byron Vincent about identity, privilege and untold stories. We chat about his growing up around violence and moving round a lot, but also his experiences being told he had gifts - both creative and supernatural. We talk about his move into poetry, how you deal with performing at festivals when you've got an anxiety disorder, and the process of talking about parts of history for the first time as he writes his memoir. This episode is sponsored by Arvon, the UK's leading provider of creative writing residential courses. Please click on the link to check out their programme of Arvon at Home events, including guest writers, masterclasses, and online writing weeks: https://www.arvon.org/arvon-at-home/ If you'd like to support me you can grab my two novels THE HONOURS and THE ICE HOUSE (best read in that order). Due to stock shortages both links are to Amazon, but if you can grab them from your local bricks & mortar stores that would be dandy: THE HONOURS: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Honours-Tim-Clare/dp/1782114793/ THE ICE HOUSE: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ice-House-Tim-Clare/dp/1786894823 And you can support this podcast and help me make more free content for writers by dropping me something here: https://ko-fi.com/timclare

This is a writing ramble episode, meaning it's unscripted, unedited, unplanned. I talk about, well. Myself, mostly. What I've been feeling, what I've been up to. Making sense of stuff. If you'd like to support me you can grab my two novels THE HONOURS and THE ICE HOUSE (best read in that order). Due to stock shortages both links are to Amazon, but if you can grab them from your local bricks & mortar stores that would be dandy: THE HONOURS: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Honours-Tim-Clare/dp/1782114793/ THE ICE HOUSE: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ice-House-Tim-Clare/dp/1786894823 And you can support this podcast and help me make more free content for writers by dropping me something here: https://ko-fi.com/timclare

In today's episode I chat with poet, writer and international rap battler Mark Grist. We talk about performance, audiences and community, success, who you choose to write for, how to write a poem for the stage, and share our worst gigs ever. It's a good chat! Here's Mark's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MontyGristo/ Website: http://www.markgrist.com/ Twitter: @montygristo If you'd like to support me you can grab my two novels THE HONOURS and THE ICE HOUSE (best read in that order). Due to stock shortages both links are to Amazon, but if you can grab them from your local bricks & mortar stores that would be dandy: THE HONOURS: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Honours-Tim-Clare/dp/1782114793/ THE ICE HOUSE: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ice-House-Tim-Clare/dp/1786894823 And you can support this podcast and help me make more free content for writers by dropping me something here: https://ko-fi.com/timclare