Writer's Routine
By Dan Simpson
How do the best writers get to work?
In every episode, we'll chat to an author about what they do through a day. Where do they work? What time do they start? How do they plan their time and maximise their creativity, in order to plot and publish a bestseller?
Some are frantic night-owls, others roll out of bed into their desks, and a few lock themselves away in the woods - but none have a regular 9 to 5, and we'll find out how they've managed it.
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Latest episode
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Alex Pavesi, author of 'Ink Ribbon Red' - Thriller writer discusses why his characters will do what he wants, the routine that finally got him published, and murder mysteries
Alex Pavesi spent a long time writing many debut novels. He would write a few thousands words, get struck by a brilliant new idea, get bored, stop writing and the cycle would continue. Finally, he landed upon a way of storytelling that allowed him… -
Sarah Easter Collins, author of 'Things Don't Break on their Own' - Author and painter discusses showing and not telling, poetry focusing prose, and bringing themes together
Sarah Easter Collins is an all-round creative. Alongside being a painter, she's just published her debut, 'Things Don't Break on their Own'. It tells the story of Willa, whose life shattered into tiny pieces when her sister disappeared on the way … -
Louise Swanson, author of 'Lights Out' - Award-winning author discusses pseudonyms, being strict, and improving through rejections
Louise Swanson is the pen-name of bestselling and award-winning author, Louise Beech. Louise has 8 novels out, a memoir, and has picked up all sorts of prizes for her work. She has written the play based on her debut novel, 'How to be Brave', whic… -
Gareth Rubin, author of 'Holmes and Moriarty' - Mystery thriller writer discusses getting Sherlock Holmes right, playing with timelines, and getting bored of the craft
Gareth Rubin is back with one of the few Sherlock Holmes books officially authorised and certified by the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle estate. It's called 'Holmes and Moriarty', and tells the story of two of fiction's greatest adversaries being forced t… -
Molly Green, author of 'Courage for the Cabinet Girl' - Wartime novelist discusses starting early, honouring women, and building a train carriage
Molly Green writes wartime novels that celebrate the women who stayed home and served their country. Her new novel is 'Courage for the Cabinet Girl'. Set in 19412, with Britain in the throes of the Second World War, it's about Katharina Valentine … -
Jodi Picoult, author of 'By Any Other Name' - Forty Million Bestseller discusses writing for therapy, forgetting your readers, and learning through each book
Jodi Picoult is one of the world's most successful authors. She's written over 30 books, been translated into 34 languages, and has sold more than 40 MILLION books. Her novel, 'My Sister's Keeper', was turned into a huge film starring Cameron Diaz… -
Ciar Byrne, author of 'A Deadly Discovery' - Gardening journalist and author discusses balancing work, starting early, and a strange path to publication
Ciar Byrne has worked as a journalist for 25 years, usually as a gardening journalist, she's written for The Independent, The Guardian, Private Eye and many more. It turns out that all that experience, didn't make it easier to get published. -
Jack Strange, author of 'Look Up, Handsome' - Rom-com author discusses finding the right genre, representation, and being inspired by Hallmark movies
Jack Strange's debut is 'Look Up, Handsome'. It's a festive rom-com about bookshop owner Quinn, who is trying to save his business, only when romantic novelist Noah comes to town, he might provide an unwanted distraction.It's far from t… -
Catherine Gray, author of 'Versions of a Girl' - Award-winning journalist talks switching to fiction, giving characters flexibility, and why taking a break from alcohol boosts creativity
Catherine Gray is an award-winning journalist who has written for The Guardian, Stylist, The Telegraph, Grazia, and many more. She's published 4 non-fiction books, which have sold over a million copies and been translated into 9 languages. -
J.M. Hall, author of 'A Clock Stopped Dead' - Cosy Crime writer discusses working in long-hand, retirement changing things, and how working as a teacher helps tell stories
This week's guest is J.M. Hall, who has worked as a playwright, a primary school teacher, and is now a published novelist. Through lockdown he wrote 'A Spoonful of Murder', as a way to deal with a traumatic family situation, that was pu…
