Begin - Derbyshire Writing School Podcast

Episode 60 - Guest Interview Derbyshire Author - Dawn Brookes - What is a Literature Festival?

We are back in the writers’ room and we have a guest in our hot seat this week! 

We are really pleased to welcome back Derbyshire author Dawn Brookes.  Dawn has been on the podcast before, you can listen to her talk about self-publishing in episode 19.

Dawn Brookes is an international bestselling author whose books have hit the number one spot in the USA, UK and Canada. Dawn is also the founder of a local literature festival in Oakwood, Derby.

Dawn Brookes holds an MA in creative writing and is the author of the Rachel Prince Mystery series, combining a unique blend of murder, cruising and medicine with a touch of romance. Her latest venture is the Carlos Jacobi series. Carlos is a PI and his sidekick is Fiona Cook, a troubled, but likeable detective sergeant.

Dawn takes regular cruise holidays for research purposes! She brings these passions along with a love of clean crime to her writing.

Pete and Laura ask Dawn -

• What is a literary festival? And what should you expect when you attend?
• Tell us more about Oakwood Literature Festival.
• Why are these events good for authors? And writers?
• How can you make the most out of attending a literary festival?
• What about if one of our listeners wanted to plan an event like this? What advice would you have for them?
• What’s next for you? How’s your writing been going?
• What’s new with self-publishing?

For more information about Oakwood Literature Festival, and to book your tickets, head to their website.

Oakwood Literature Festival

You find out more about Dawn and here books on social media.

Facebook
Twitter
Tiktok

For more information on Dawn's books, you can find her Amazon author page . You can find more out about Dawn on her website 

Episode 59 - Guest Interview - Charlotte Lunn - Is Poetry Good For You?

We are back in the writers’ room and we have a guest in our hot seat this week! It’s Derbyshire Writing School’s very own guest poetry facilitator  – Charlotte Lunn.

Charlotte Lunn is a published poet, workshop facilitator and bookseller. 

After completing her creative writing degree at The University of Derby, Charlotte became the events co-ordinator at Scarthin Books and has regularly reviewed literature for BBC Radio Derby. 

Charlotte has performed across the midlands. Shottle Hall and Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site have also commissioned Charlotte’s work.

Charlotte's debut poetry collection, ‘Metamorphosis’, was published with Verve Poetry Press in May 2021.

In our chat with Charlotte she mentions, - The Butchers Dog Magazine - Butcher's Dog is a bi-annual poetry magazine founded and published in North East England. Charlotte features in episode 16. 

In this episode of the podcast, Charlotte reads her poem – The Language of Hands.

Pete and Laura ask Charlotte :

• How have you been? It’s been a while since you last visited the Writers’ Room, have you got poetry news you can share with us?
• We wanted to talk today about poetry and wellbeing, is it true poetry is good for us?
• How can we use poetry for self-exploration?
• Whilst you’re here, we couldn’t miss out on the chance for you to teach us a little more about poetry. Last time, we talked about poetry 101 and how to read poem. Today, let’s talk about metaphors in poetry. How does it work as a poetic tool? What advice can you give for someone trying to use them?
• Would you be happy to share a poem that shows this? Charlotte reads her poem - The Language of Hands.
• If our listener wanted to learn more about this topic, and work with you, can you tell them about your upcoming Writing The Self workshop?

Derbyshire Writing School - Writing The Self – Poetry Workshop 

Workshop Date: Monday 4th April 2022 – 7 pm–8:30 pm.

• Can poetry give you identity? 
• Can writing a poem help you discover who you are? 
• Can writing allow us to express ourselves? 

These are the questions we’ll explore in our poetry workshop with Charlotte Lunn.  This is an online workshop delivered live via Zoom.

Please get in touch with us, we’d love to hear from you – [email protected]

 Episode 58 - The Writer's Toolbox - How To Develop The Tool of a Writing Habit

Everyone is different and has different writing goals and values.

Gretchen Wilson says it well ...

So, What Is A Writing Habit?  

A habit is something you do often and regularly, sometimes without knowing that you’re doing it. So, it almost becomes a part of who you are. When we talk about a writing habit, this could be our regular writing routine, or our process, or practice, but it could also be things like a daily word count. 

 Why Do You Need A Writing Habit?

• You will become a better writer.
• You will feel less pressure and anxiety about your writing goals.
• You will feel more in control.
• You will become more productive as you build momentum within your work.
• You get to call yourself a writer when you write.

Developing a writing habit makes you a writer. This will also help you develop a writing mindset.

How To Develop A Writing Habit

#1 You need goals and targets
#2 Understand how habits are formed

For example, in his book Atomic Habits, James Clear states the best way to develop a new habit is to make the task as easy as possible. Someone can also form habits quickly if we stack them together. They call this habit stacking. You can read more about habit stacking here.

#3 Embrace the power of marginal gains
#4 Be kind to yourself     

Consistency is the most powerful tool you possess to help you develop a writing habit. If you want to develop a writing habit, it’s much better to write a small amount of words or for a minimal amount of time regularly, rather than enormous amounts intermittently. 

However, find your own way, and pick out the habits that will be best for you. 

We’d love to know how you get on with developing writing habits. Please get in touch and let us know!

Email us at info@ derbyshirewritingschool.com

Episode 57 - Three Books That Changed My Life

THE WRITERS’ ROOM - In this episode, Pete and Laura chat about three books that impacted their lives.

Pete's Books

• How I Raised Myself From Failure to Success in Selling – Frank Bettger
• The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey
• A Million Miles In A Thousand Years: What I Learned While I Was Editing My Life – Donald Miller. 

Laura's Books

• Present over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living – Shauna Niequist.
• Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead – Brené Brown
• The War of Art – Steven Pressfield.

PERSONAL PROJECTS – In this section, we share what we’ve been working on.

Laura has been busy as a freelancer writing for several clients.
Pete has been creating a Gratitude Journal for Gathering Rosebuds

LESSONS WE’VE LEARNED THIS WEEK - What have we learned about writing & publishing this week?

Pete's been watching YouTube videos on low content publishing and wasn’t aware so many people are using this as a format for writing.

Laura has been judging Flash Fiction at Derby Book Festival

Recommended Product of the Week - The Alliance of Independent Authors

Laura finds being a member of The Alliance of Independent Authors very helpful. The advice, supportive guidance, and the range of resources she has found within a welcoming community of authors, she finds, is worth exploring if you are an independent author. Not only can you join other developing writers if you become a member of The Alliance of Independent Authors, but by using our link, it helps support the work of Derbyshire Writing School. Thanks! 

BOOKS WE ARE READING AND RECOMMEND – What books are we reading this week?

Pete's been reading on Scribd - The Story of My Life, Helen Keller & the Audiobook – The Secret Talker, Geling Yan.

Laura's book has been reading – Four Thousand Weeks: Time and How to Spend it , Oliver Burkeman and listening to Will, Will Smith.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT DERBYSHIRE WRITING SCHOOL THIS WEEK? 

What Are Three Books That Changed Your Life?

We’d love to hear from you.

 Please let us know at [email protected]

In this episode, we're going to share eight truths we have learned about writing. 

Pete and Laura's List

• Write For Yourself
• Writing Will Always Be Hard
• Write Every Day
• If You Let It, Writing Will Give You Structure
• Write To Understand Yourself
• No-one Will Care About Your Book As Much As You Do.
• Write To Hit Publish.

OUR CURRENT PROJECT UPDATES - What writing projects are we working on & what’s happened this week?
Pete is excited at the return of the proof of Gathering Rosebuds - The Workbook.
Laura is working hard on book two in the series - Everyday Storytellers.

LESSONS WE’VE LEARNED THIS WEEK - What have we learned about writing & publishing this week?

Pete is exploring writing by dictation by experimenting with:

• Just Press Record
• Otter.AI

Recommended Product of the Week - Audible
Laura and Pete have benefited from having an audiobook subscription with Audible.
Why not try Audible for FREE for 30 days by using our affiliate link - Audible - Derbyshire Writing School. Not only will you have time to hear a book for free, but using our link, helps support the work of Derbyshire Writing School. Thanks!

BOOKS WE ARE READING AND RECOMMEND - What books are we reading this week?

• Stand Before Kings – Lord Robert Edmiston
• The Greatest Salesman In The World– Og Mandino
• Unfollow: A Memoir of Loving and Leaving the Westboro Baptist Church - Megan Phelps-Roper

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT DERBYSHIRE WRITING SCHOOL THIS WEEK? - How are we building the business this week?

• Derby Book Festival - has invited Laura to judge the Flash Fiction Competition.
• Derbyshire Writing School is having its first 'In-Person' event - The Creative Writing Gym at – Oakwood Literature Festival. Organised by Dawn Brookes, a guest of the podcast. You can listen to her episode here.

What Do You Believe Is A Truth About Writing?
We’d love to hear if your truths about writing. Please let us know at [email protected]

 Episode 55 - The Writer's Toolbox - The Tool of Writing Sprints 

Do you want to write faster, more efficiently and with fewer errors? 

If so, the answer is simple: start writing in sprints.

In this episode, we tell you more about how you can add the tool of writing sprints to your writer’s toolbox.
 
Sprinting is the art of writing as fast as possible for a set amount of time without editing, refining, or re-reading the words. 

We cover:

1 - What Is A Writing Sprint?
2 - Why Use Writing Sprints?
3 - How To Plan A Writing Sprint?

How To Plan A Writing Sprint 

• Prepare the place.
• Prepare the session.
• Prepare your mind.

On your marks - get set - GO!

It Takes Practice and Persistence To Run Fast! So the same with writing sprints - it takes practice to make them effective.

- Writing sprints will allow you to write faster than you normally would.

- Writing sprints will help you develop the skill of writing.

- Writing sprints will help you finish your work faster and more accurately.

- Writing sprints will help you get your work out of your head and onto the page.

If you’d like to join our newsletter, we’d love to write to you once a month with free resources and writing tips like this - Join here.

We’d love to hear if you’ve started an email list. Please let us know at [email protected]

In this episode, Pete and Laura chat about the tool of writing a newsletter.

It’s easy to get your words published and have some engaging content of yours out into the world in a few minutes. It might just look a little different from what you’ve imagined.

Starting a free newsletter on Substack gives you three powerful reasons to help you grow as a writer and builds the tools you have as a writer.

In this episode, Pete and Laura ask:

• Why write a regular newsletter?
• Why is finding your niche critical?
• How often should you write your newsletter?
• What does writing a newsletter have to do with being an author?
• Why should I consider using Substack?

Pete's newsletter on Substack is - The Art of Memorialising

If you’d like to join our newsletter, we’d love to write to you once a month with free resources and writing tips. Join here.

Writing a newsletter is a great way to practise publishing your writing frequently, promote your online portfolio, and build your email subscriber list.

Writing a newsletter isn’t a one-time thing. It takes time and effort to grow your newsletter, so don’t give up if you don’t see immediate results.

Hit the publish button! We know you may fear putting your work into the world, but take courage and begin.

We’d love to hear if you’ve started an email list. Please let us know at [email protected]

Episode 53 – Guest Interview – Fiona Thomas

We are back in the writers’ room and we have a guest in our hot seat this week!

Fiona Thomas – from Fionalikestoblog.com

Fiona Thomas is an author and freelance writer with work published in iPaper, Grazia, Happiful Magazine and Huffington Post. Her most recent book Out of Office: Ditch the 9-5 and Be Your Own Boss. They have featured Fiona in Stylist, Forbes, Daily Mail and shortlisted her for a Business Book Award.

In this episode, we ask Fiona:

1. Can you tell us about your writing journey?
2. What advice do you have for someone who wants to make a living from writing?
3. Can you provide three tips or techniques to help our listener find new clients/ or pitch for work?
4. What challenges have you faced working as a freelance writer? How have you overcome these?
5. Can you tell us more about your book ‘Out of Office’? How did you approach an agent and get your book deal?
6. Your website ‘Fiona likes to blog’ gives a clue about how your writing journey started, but I’d love your thoughts about blogging now? Is blogging dead?
7. What advice would you give to our listener if they wanted to blog?

You can find more about Fiona at:

• Fiona Thomas
• The 'Typo' Newsletter
• Instagram
• Twitter

You can buy Fiona’s books on Amazon:

• Depression in a Digital Age: The Highs and Lows of Perfectionism. 
• Out of Office: Ditch the 9-5 and Be Your Own Boss

If you liked this episode, we want to hear from you, email info@derbyshirewritingschool.com or send us a voice message.

Thanks for listening!

Episode 52 - The Writer’s Toolbox  - The Writing Workshop

In this episode, Pete and Laura chat about the tool of a writing workshop.

• What Is A Writing Workshop?
• How Does A Writing Workshop Run?
• What Is The Aim Of a Writing Workshop?
• Why Is A Writing Workshop Useful For People Who Want To Write? 
• What feedback we should expect from a writing workshop?
• How Can Derbyshire Writing School Help?

At Derbyshire Writing School, we run courses, workshops, and retreats to help you develop your work. We are planning some exciting writing workshops centred around critique and development of your creative work and events that simple celebrate time to write. To find out more, sign up to our monthly newsletter. 

Inspiration to writers from Steven Pressfield

Stephen King writes in his book On Writing – “Writing is a lonely job. Having someone who believes in you makes a lot of difference. They don’t have to make speeches. Just believing is usually enough.”

Send someone you know a note of encouragement today.

We want to hear from you! info@derbyshirewritingschool.com

Send us a voice message.

Thanks for listening!

THE WRITERS’ ROOM - Formatting Your Writing.

This week in the Writers’ Room, Pete and Laura talk about how to format your work. 

When formatting your work, there are a couple of different things to consider.

1. How you layout your writing in a document on the page.
2. How your format your work for printing (we could also call this typesetting). 

Tools to help you format your work: 

Pete has been using Atticus writing and formatting software and is finding it helpful with his Gathering Rosebuds project.

• Atticus – Create professional print books and eBooks easily with the all-in-one book writing software.
• Scrivener – Scrivener won’t tell you how to write—it simply provides everything you need to write and keep writing.
• Vellum – Create ebooks for every platform: Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, and more.
• Free tools to help you format your work – Callibre, Reedsy, and KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing). 

PERSONAL PROJECTS – In this section, we share what we’ve been working on.

• Laura is writing new posts on Derbyshire Writing School Blog.
• Pete is working on what keywords to upload for his new books. Answer The Public - Discover what people are asking about on web searches. 

LESSONS LEARNT – In this section, we share what we are learning about writing and publishing, as it never stops! 

Laura: Anna Codrea-Rado Freelancing Newsletter - 

RECCOMMENDED PRODUCT – Vellum 

To format her book - Everyday Storytellers: A step-by-step guide to writing about your travels, adventures & life – Laura used Vellum. This is a software program that creates beautiful books from your manuscript. It then allows you to upload them, ready for sale. Once you have created your book in Vellum, it’s ready for print. Page numbers. Margins. Headers. Font. Line spacing. All the setup that can take hours elsewhere happens automatically with every book you create.

By using this link, you can buy a tool to publish your books, and it helps support the work of Derbyshire Writing School.

BOOKS WE ARE READING AND RECOMMEND – What books are we reading this week?

Pete speaks about Optimism by Helen Keller

Laura is about to read Short sentences about writing – Verlyn Klinkenborg

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT DERBYSHIRE WRITING SCHOOL THIS WEEK? 

We talked about our latest course – Memories to Memoir. <