Listen to or download the podcast
Subscribe in iTunes
Subscribe to the podcast RSS feed
In this episode of the Write for Your Life podcast, the first of 2012, I talk about some of the life trials and tribulations I’ve experienced in the last few weeks and how I’ve tried to maintain a sense of perspective. I go on to relate that way of thinking to writing and look at why it’s important to try and keep your head together at all times!
Listen to or download the podcast
Subscribe in iTunes
Subscribe to the podcast RSS feed
This episode comes to you from my local supermarket.
I’ve been feeling bad about not having time to write recently. But with a huge house move underway, lots of high-pressure projects on at work and a wife with a gall stone operation on the horizon, maybe I shouldn’t be so hard on myself.
And maybe, if you’ve got a lot going on in your non-writing life too, you shouldn’t be either.
Listen to or download the podcast
Subscribe in iTunes
Subscribe to the podcast RSS feed
We all lead such busy lives that we never get chance to think or be bored. In this episode, I suggest using your commute to switch off and let your thoughts run wild. Or to get stuck into some serious reading.
Listen to or download the podcast
Subscribe in iTunes
Subscribe to the podcast RSS feed
In this episode I’m joined by the marvellous Rob Mills to discuss the perils of writing motivation (or lack thereof). Fortunately, we’ve both had plenty of experience in the area, so there’s plenty to talk about.
Brilliantly, we had to record the end bit twice, so look out for a seamless piece of audio editing. You can barely tell it’s been edited at all. All feedback welcome in the comments.
Listen to or download the podcast
Subscribe in iTunes
Subscribe to the podcast RSS feed
We all have have the occasional lapse in confidence, but it’s important to keep writing with intent and conviction. It’s just like cycling with cleated pedals. Honestly, it’s exactly the same.
Don’t forget, you can leave a preferably positive review of the Write for Your Life podcast in iTunes and make me a happier, more successful human being. I will love you temporarily.
Listen to or download the podcast
Subscribe in iTunes
Subscribe to the podcast RSS feed
Writing, I’m afraid to say, is pretty much a process of constant disappointment. It comes in many forms and from a wide range of sources, but it’s something you have to learn to deal with.
In this episode I talk about the inevitable ins and outs of writing and being disappointed. Don’t worry. It isn’t all bad news.
Listen to or download the podcast
Subscribe in iTunes
Subscribe to the podcast RSS feed
I recently spoke to a bunch of design students about social media and the opportunities it brings when you’re looking to build a career. I was surprised by how few of them were active online.
The things I said to those students apply to us writers too. For example, you don’t need to be on Twitter to get published or shift copies, but what an opportunity. Why would you not take it?
Enjoy the episode and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
Listen to or download the podcast
Subscribe in iTunes
Subscribe to the podcast RSS feed
It’s easy to think that when you have a good idea for a piece of writing, that’s your job done. But most great pieces of work have two ideas. In this episode of the podcast I talk about this concept and attempt to use my own novel as an example. Spoiler alert.
Listen to or download the podcast
Subscribe in iTunes
Subscribe to the podcast RSS feed
Sometimes you just want to dictate an awesome idea, sometimes you want to publish your thoughts to the world. Dropvox and Audioboo provide two excellent ways of doing those very things.
Dropvox links up to your Dropbox account and gives you a great way to access your audio recordings from all your techno devices. Audioboo is simply the easiest way to get your own podcast up and running. I can highly recommend both.
Don’t forget, you can leave a review of the Write for Your Life podcast in iTunes. Say nice things and I will love you forever.
Listen to or download the podcast
Subscribe in iTunes
Subscribe to the podcast RSS feed
In this episode of the podcast I talk about what it takes to get a writing job.
Basically, professional experience and good qualifications are fine, but it’s what you do outside of those things that will catch an employer’s eye.
Why are you different to all the other candidates? What do you do simply because you choose to do it? What have you created that no one else has?
These are the things that will make a difference and get you noticed.
Listen to or download the podcast
Subscribe in iTunes
Subscribe to the podcast RSS feed
A few thoughts on productivity for you.
If you feel like you’re always losing time, it’s probably not hours or days, it’s the minutes you spend on unnecessary tasks. It’s your meddling with nonsense. The fiddling about. The waiting for something to happen.
Much better to think about work, life and the space in between. Then figure out which bits are most important. It’s the first two, by the way.
Listen to or download the podcast
Subscribe in iTunes
Subscribe to the podcast RSS feed
Write for Your Life has a new look, a new philosophy and now a new approach to the podcast.
I would love to host a half-hour weekly show about writing with a load of literary superstars. But right now, I don’t have the time or resources. So I’m trying something different. I hope you like it.
In this episode I talk about that, but I also cover the terrible act of using a double space following a full stop. Just typing those words sends a shiver down my spine.
Listen to or download the podcast
Subscribe in iTunes
Subscribe to the podcast RSS feed
In this episode I’m joined by Myke Hurley, who records several times a week for his own various podcasting ventures. Together, we talk about the benefits of starting your own podcast and, more importantly, how to do it.
From microphones to headphones, Garageband to getting your episodes on the web, we take you through the process of setting up a podcast. While there is some technical talk, we’ve tried to make it as easy to understand as possible.
If you need more information, below you can find all manner of useful links to help you get going. Most of the products and articles listed refer to things we talked about on the show.
Any items on Amazon will be affiliate links, which means if you decide to buy one of the products, I’ll get a few dollars for sending you their way. Just so you know.
If you have any questions, I can heartily recommend Myke’s website, The Podcasting Project. You can even ask him questions direct, if you like. Imagine!
If you’re enjoying your time here on Write for Your Life, why not subscribe for free and get new posts delivered straight to your email inbox? Or if you’d prefer updates via your RSS reader, that’s totally cool beans too.
Listen to or download the podcast
Subscribe in iTunes
Subscribe to the podcast RSS feed
In this week’s episode I’m joined by Tom Evans from The Bookwright. Tom is an author’s mentor who specialises in helping writers think clearly and unblock their blockages. We had a fascinating chat and covered all sorts of subjects, from how the muse works to understanding what success and failure is.
Listen in and enjoy! Feedback and comments welcome as always.
Show notes
Writers, abandon your muses – they’re a work of fiction! | Write for Your Life
Tom Evans on Twitter
Author’s Block | The Bookwright
Getting in the Zone | Tom Evans
Quietening Your Mind | Tom Evans
If you’re enjoying your time here on Write for Your Life, why not subscribe for free and get new posts delivered straight to your email inbox? Or if you’d prefer updates via your RSS reader, that’s totally cool beans too.
Listen to or download the podcast
Subscribe in iTunes
Subscribe to the podcast RSS feed
On this week’s episode of the Write for Your Life podcast I’m joined by Joe Rose, musician, singer and the songwriter behind the marvellous, Native and the Name. We talk about writing songs and how the process has some similarities with writing fiction. Who’d have thought?
If you listen to the end, and I can think of no reason why you shouldn’t, then you can also hear one of Joe’s songs, Rage of Light (a live version can also be found here). Big thanks to Joe for his time, now pop your headphones on and get stuck in.
If you’re enjoying your time here on Write for Your Life, why not subscribe for free and get new posts delivered straight to your email inbox? Or if you’d prefer updates via your RSS reader, that’s totally cool beans too.
Listen to or download the podcast
Subscribe in iTunes
Subscribe to the podcast RSS feed
This week I’m joined by Robert Mills, studio manager and copywriter at Bluegg, a design agency in Newport, South Wales.
We talk about writing to a set structure, which is handy because Rob has just written Designing the Invisible, a book published by Five Simple Steps. The book is broken down into five sections, each containing five chapters.
I also wrote to a set structure when I began my novel. I decided (stupidly, on reflection) that each chapter would begin with a letter of the alphabet, which meant that there would be, obviously, 26 chapters. Needless to say, I ended up in a bit of a tangle.
In ‘My favourite thing’ I talk about the Kindle Cloud Reader, which was announced this week, while Rob goes for The Atlantic. There is talk of a shark.
Show notes
A Practical Guide to Designing the Invisible, by Robert Mills
Kindle Cloud Reader
Remembering Bruce, the mechanical shark in Jaws | The Atlantic
If you’re enjoying your time here on Write for Your Life, why not subscribe for free and get new posts delivered straight to your email inbox? Or if you’d prefer updates via your RSS reader, that’s totally cool beans too.
Listen to or download the podcast
Subscribe in iTunes
Subscribe to the podcast RSS feed
In what will be Manuela’s last podcast for a while, we discuss and disagree on the big seven-week book debate prompted by my post on the subject earlier this week. The good news is that we remain friends.
Other topics include the Booker longlist, which was announced last week and features four novels published by independent presses. In ‘My favourite thing’ Manuela talks about Tony Parsons’ appointment as writer-in-residence at Heathrow airport.
Finally, I talk about the upcoming Write for Your Life shop, which will feature handmade cases for both iPad and Kindle. They’re really lovely. Can’t wait to show you.
Listen up and enjoy!
If you’re enjoying your time here on Write for Your Life, why not subscribe for free and get new posts delivered straight to your email inbox? Or if you’d prefer updates via your RSS reader, that’s totally cool beans too.
Listen to or download the podcast
Subscribe in iTunes
Subscribe to the podcast RSS feed
In this episode of the Write for Your Life podcast I chat with Manuela Boyle about why we write and what motivates people to start scribbling. I have to add that I do take the conversation into a discussion about self-publishing, and I’m not sure I explain my points very clearly, but I promise you I always mean well!
Big thanks to our contributions from Twitter too, where various people offered their thoughts on what motivates them to write. Kudos to: @oliminnwrite @amahnke @matthew_mella @b3n3llis @davecaolo @smarterbits @bubblecow @revhappiness @imyke @cptnrandy @patrickrhone.
Finally, Manuela talked about her favourite thing this week, which is poet Heather Christie who has offered potential buyers the chance to phone her up and get a poem read over the telewaves! Marvellous.
Have a listen, see what you think and leave a comment below.
Notes
The Trees, The Trees
Poet creates ‘buzz’ around work by reading over phone to potential buyers
If you’re enjoying your time here on Write for Your Life, why not subscribe for free and get new posts delivered straight to your email inbox? Or if you’d prefer updates via your RSS reader, that’s totally cool beans too.
Listen to or download the podcast
Subscribe in iTunes
Subscribe to the podcast RSS feed
Hooray – the podcast is back again! Sadly, no Manuela this week, so you’re stuck with me on a solo mission to tell the world about rhythm and meter and how they have as much to do with prose and fiction as they do poetry. I even read an extract from my novel. Can you imagine? I know, it’s exciting stuff.
Seriously though, I reckon rhythm is what separates the wheat from the writerly chaff, so have a listen and tell me if you agree. I also talk about the suspension of the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize for 2011, and Ben Johncock’s fabulous attempt to get us all crowdfunding.
Leave your feedback and comments in the, erm, comments section!
Listen to or download the podcast
Subscribe in iTunes
Subscribe to the podcast RSS feed
The Write for Your Life podcast returns as I’m joined once again by Manuela Boyle for a good old writing-related natter.
First we talk about what it’s like to start a new, large-scale writing project. To be fair, it kind of turns into me talking about starting my second novel. Hopefully, you’ll find it interesting and useful.
Next up, Manuela covers the recent announcement that there will be a poetry festival attached to the Olympics in London next year. It’s an interesting idea, especially if done correctly and in schools and communities across the world.
Finally, we look at a new site/project/publishing venture called Unbound. It’s great to see this sort of innovation and we’ll be keeping tabs on its progress over the coming months.
That’s it! All feedback and contributions welcome in the comments section below. Happy listening.
Notes
UK’s largest ever poetry festival planned for Olympics
Unbound (check out the video on the homepage for a quick overview)
If you’re enjoying your time here on Write for Your Life, why not subscribe for free and get new posts delivered straight to your email inbox? Or if you’d prefer updates via your RSS reader, that’s totally cool beans too.
