Begin - Derbyshire Writing School Podcast

We are back in the writers’ room and we have a guest in our hot seat this week! The Derbyshire poet - Karey Lucas-Hughes.

Karey was born and grew up in north London in the 1960s. She studied French and English at Lancaster University before spending a few years living and working in Tokyo, Japan and Hamilton, Canada, with her husband Martin. 

They moved to the Peak District nearly 20 years ago, where they brought up their two children. Karey worked in secondary education for many years. In recent years, she has trained to teach Mindfulness Meditation. 

Karey loves the hills and dales of the Derbyshire countryside, where she walks and cycles.

Stories have always fascinated Karey and language: her own and other people’s, whether through reading or writing. From a young age, she has written journals and poetry. Last year, she won a prize in a poetry competition.  

More recently, she has written short stories, and now, having stepped back from full-time work, she has embarked upon her first novel. 

Karey found  Derbyshire Writing School online just when she was looking for inspiration and encouragement. She took part in the How To Write Your Novel course. 

The Aurora Prize for Writing is a national competition run by Writing East Midlands, in partnership with the Society of Authors.

In the category of Poetry – Best Writing From The East Midlands - Karey won the Aurora Prize for Writing 2020

Bathing

in peat water, by candle-light,

is immersion in the long, slow moments

of the deep enamel bath,

the quiet Scottish cottage,

the gloaming sky at the window.

Watching the small flame flicker,

neck deep in soft, brown fluid,

I am as peaceful as Ophelia,

in her ‘muddy death’

clutching her flowers of song

or as still as Lizzie Siddal

who posed for the painting

in a bathtub, silk dress billowing.

She caught a cold

when the water cooled.

So I top up the heat

and sink deeper in tea-water

complete with leaves,

watching steam rise

tenderly, like mist from a bog.

Now white legs and belly float,

glow like alabaster in moonlight

and I am smooth as Cleopatra

in her goat’s milk.

My body is steeping and steaming

and cleansing me of

all the heavy sorrows of a rotten year.

I infuse, far from home

until even my bones are bleached

by the thick dark heat

and I am ready to rise.

Karey Lucas-Hughes

—-

Thank you for being a part of our journey so far. We are glad you’re here and we are grateful or your support. We want to hear from you! info@derbyshirewritingschool.com

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THE WRITERS’ ROOM - Should You Focus On One Writing Idea At A Time?

There is a metaphor describing the delicate balance of holding many projects on the go at the same time - plate spinning. Like the circus act, with all the plates spinning, you work successfully with several things at once. Can you do that with writing projects? 

Pete and Laura chat about the reasons spinning projects could be a way of procrastination, and how focus brings results. 

Laura mentions author Ryan Holiday’s process of focus from his Instagram post storing information to write Courage Is Calling

Personal Projects

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

Laura explains more about Derbyshire Writing School’s 3% Club and her work this week in - working on theme based sessions created sessions for the course. 

Pete and Laura discuss the importance of book covers and book blurbs as Pete’s part travel/part memoir second edit is complete. 

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

Pete talks about his experiences of asking for permission for quotes in his book. He mentions two resources:

1 - Jane Friedman Sample Permission Letter

2 - PSL Clear

Laura explains why sometimes you can only see things with time.

Recommended Product of the Week - The Alliance of Independent Authors

Laura talks about how valuable she finds being a member of The Alliance of Independent Authors. 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?

Laura enjoyed the fiction story - They both die at the end: ​​Adam Silvera.

After watching Richard E. Grant BBC Series - Write Around The World - Pete embarks on the epic - The Neapolitan Novels #1,2,3 - now 4 - from Elena Ferrante Collection.

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

Laura talks through a fresh course led by Alex Davis, which is taking bookings now.

Our Editing Your Novel course is perfect if you’re looking to take your novel to the next level. With engaging and practical sessions, feedback on your work, plus advice from a working editor ­– this online course will help you learn how to edit your novel ready for publication.

PERSONAL UPDATES - What’s going on in our lives?

Pete is finding fun strumming his guitar again, and Laura reads a wonderful email from our listener Renata.

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

Send us a voice message.

Thanks for listening!

Episode 38 – The Writer’s Toolbox – The Tool of Life Documentation

In this episode, Pete and Laura take another delve into The Writer’s Toolbox and add the tool of life documentation as a writer. 

Creative writing has many benefits, but often it can be intimidating to start. One way to dive into creative writing is through documenting your memories. In doing so, you can treasure them forever. Even passing them on to family as your legacy. 

Other benefits include:

• Finding clarity and truth within your life. 
• Bringing closure and healing. 
• Finding value and meaning. 
• It’s rewarding. 
• Preserving your family history. 
• Rediscovering elements of your life. 

How can you use this tool to document your life?

We can almost see time passing when we write about it. Laura even wrote a book about it. Writing helps save your memories, but why not take it a step further and go from memories to write a whole memoir?

The word memoir is French it comes from the word memory, or reminisce. 

The dictionary tells us a memoir is: “A written record of a person’s knowledge of events or of a person’s own experiences.”

There are a few conventions that you need to follow in your writing to make it a memoir. 

1. Your memoir must be true. 
2. Your memoir should tell a story. In our Memories to Memoir course, we look at literary techniques to help you tell the story.
3. Your memoir must show change. 
4. You may base your memoir on a theme, a set time, or a specific event.

The tool of life documentation can help you find clarity, closure, and healing. 
It deepens a sense of gratitude about your past life. 
It preserves your past, and it creates a legacy for the future. 

We’d love to know how you got on with the tool of life documentation. Use the email below and tell us how you have used this tool in your writing. 

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

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Thanks for listening!

Episode 37 – The Writer’s Toolbox – The Tool of Motivation

In this episode, Pete and Laura take another delve into The Writer’s Toolbox and add the tool of motivation as a writer. 

How Do You Write When You Don’t Feel Like It?

There are days when we feel like we could write forever. When we know just what we want to type, when we reach a state of flow. Those are the days. 

But we can’t have those days every day. 

Don’t Feel Like Writing?

Check-in with yourself. How do you feel? 

• Are you tired, lazy, bored? 
• Burned out, emotional, or exhausted?
• Are you worried about something or are you procrastinating? 

You can check-in and ask yourself these questions or you can write about them. 

Are there times when we should write even when we don’t feel like it? 

YES!

There will be days when you will need to power on, to keep writing even though you don’t feel like it and just show up.

Steven Pressfield believed it’s in these moments where the work happens. 

You can read more about this in his book, Turning Pro. Turning up to write is our practice. As Seth Godin talks about this in his book The Practice, and he calls it the battleground. The place where we develop our craft and become the writer we’ve always wanted to be by showing up, even when we don’t feel like it. 

5 Tools To Help Motivate Us A Writers 

• Start small
• Know where you are going
• Have fun
• Work with a friend
• Finally, treat your writing like work

These five tips will help you power through on days when it feels hard.

We’d love to know how you got on with motivation as a writer. Use the email below and tell us how you have used this tool in your writing. 

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

Send us a voice message - through Speakpipe.

Thanks for listening!

We have a guest in The Writers’ Room this week - Alex Davis. Alex is an author and literature professional based in Derby. Today he joins Pete and Laura to talk about How To Write A Ghost Story.

As a writer, Alex has published a novel - THE LAST WAR - a science-fiction novel and a non-fiction book along with 50+ short stories and poems. Among them four short stories called - FIGHTING CATS AND DOGS.

Alex currently works as an Associate Lecturer in Creative and Professional Writing for the University of Derby, and is a freelance copy-editor, proofreader, and events organiser. 

Alex also works as Literature Officer for Derby's QUAD venue, where he organises a host of year-round writing activities.

Pete and Laura ask Alex:-

1. Where did your interest in reading and writing ghost stories start?

2. What are the key elements to writing ghost stories?

3. How can we create the tension and suspense that's needed in our writing?

4. How do you decide on a 'scare' level for the story?

5. Are there any specific books you'd recommend to listeners as 'classic' or must-read ghost stories? And how can reading these help to write ghost stories?

6. Setting is so important for these types of stories. Can you tell us more about how to choose a setting? And is it true that Derbyshire has an affinity for ghost stories?

7. We heard a rumour that you are hosting a UK-wide ghost story festival. Can you tell us more about this?

For information on the Ghost Story Festival 2021 - 

Read about the most recent festival.

Follow the Ghost Story Festival on Twitter

Contact Alex Davis

You can find more about Alex and the services he offers also at his website - Alex Davis Writing.

You can find Alex on Twitter at @AlexDavis1981 where you can find the details of his online courses.

If you enjoyed this episode with Alex, you’ll enjoy Episode 12 - Hot Seat Interview - Alex Davis - How To Self Edit Your Writing.

Episode 35 - How Do I Find Time To Write?

In THE WRITERS’ ROOM - How Do I Find Time To Write?

Finding time to write feels impossible. There is always something else that seems more important. As they say, a writer’s house is never as clean as just before they sit down to write!  But in all seriousness, how do we find time to write? That’s the question we’re tackling in the Writer’s Room on this episode of the podcast.

We all like the feeling of having written, but sometimes having to write doesn’t come easy! It’s hard  - simply it takes discipline and habit and sometimes ‘life’ gets in the way. It is the same for everyone.

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

Pete talks about his new writing project on Substack  – The Art of Memorialising - The Art of Memorialising newsletter helps you learn the latest news about digital immortality, digital legacy, digital life curation, and all things #Deathtech. 

Laura talks about her new website - Laura Stroud Author

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

Pete talks about The Boron Letters by Gary Halbert, while Laura reflects on Glorious Rock Bottom by Bryony Gordon  – Non-fiction writing that reads like fiction.

Recommended Product of the Week – Audible

Laura and Pete have benefited from having an audiobook subscription with Audible.

Not tried ‘reading’ the latest books while out walking or doing a job around the house? Then try Audible for 30 days free by using our affiliate link - Audible - Derbyshire Writing School Not only will you have time to hear a book for free, but by using our link, it helps support the work of Derbyshire Writing School. Thanks!

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

The 3% Club – Online Writing Community

Do you struggle to find the time to write? Do you worry about how to move your novel forward? Do you wish someone would keep you accountable? If you said yes, The 3% Club is for you. An online writing community filled with practical and creative advice to help you finish your novel.

PERSONAL UPDATES – What’s going on in our lives?

Dad and daughter - Pete and Laura - are walking The Limestone Way together.

Thank you for being a part of our journey so far. We are glad you’re here and we are grateful for your support. We want to hear from you! info@derbyshirewritingschool.com

Send us a voice message - through Speakpipe.

Thanks for listening!

Episode 34 - Derbyshire Writing School – Happy 1st Birthday! 

Derbyshire Writing School is one-year-old!

Our aim has always been to create courses, workshops and resources that balanced the creative and the practical. 

Derbyshire Writing School — Creative writing taught the way it should be:

• Fun
• Heartfelt
• Practical

So how has Derbyshire Writing School faired in its first year?

It’s been a rollercoaster of a year. 

• 39 Blog posts
• 33 Podcast Episodes
• 1300 Podcast Downloads
• 10 Newsletters
• 100s of Writing Prompts
• 4 New Team Members
• 1000s of Website Visits
• 4 New Courses
• 6 New Workshops
• 1 New Group Programme
• 40 Prompt Boxes
• 25 Christmas Countdown Prompts

But most importantly, people from around the globe have joined us!  

So, What’s next for Derbyshire Writing School? 

• Our 1:1 coaching will launch. Our writing coaching will push you to answer the tough questions and challenge the blocks that are stopping you from creating your best work.
• Our 3% Club will launch. The 3% Club brings the practical elements to writing a book together with the creative. We believe you can’t have one without the other.
• Our Prompt Boxes will change from a subscription to one-off packages. This means you can buy them as gifts or as a treat for yourself, as and when you need some inspiration.
• Our workbooks will be ready for you to purchase, starting with our writing mindset workbook.
• Our Poetry courses start with our guest facilitator, Charlotte Lunn.
• And hopefully we will invite you to our very in person writing retreat!
• Our monthly newsletter will continue – Each month we share useful articles, free writing resources and tips to help you develop as a writer. You can sign up here and you’ll get 101 writing prompts to get you started.
• Our podcast will continue – Every Friday (from the 3rd of September) we’ll release a new episode of ‘Begin’, the podcast from Derbyshire Writing School. Each week, we answer your questions and share how you can get your book finished.
• Our weekly blog posts will continue – Each Tuesday we share detailed blog posts, bursting with ideas and tips. You’ll find a vast archive of advice on our website.
• Our alumni Facebook group will continue – we’ve created an exclusive Facebook group for everyone who attends one of our courses. It’s a great place to network and talk to fellow writers and it’s only available to those who have completed a course with us. 
• Our popular Memories to Memoir course will be running. Starting Tuesday 5th October, this will be the last time we run this course in 2021, so if you’ve been thinking of signing up, it’s time!

Thank you for being a part of our journey so far. We are glad you’re here and we are grateful or your support. We want to hear from you! info@derbyshirewritingschool.com

Send us a voice message

We have reached the last episode of season one! For 33 weeks we’ve shown up week in and week out and have lots of fun creating this podcast, but this isn’t goodbye, it’s see you soon. 

Taking 9 weeks off for summer, we will work hard to plan and create the best podcast episodes about writing. We are writers and we want to share what we’re learning to help you grow as a writer too. 

So we will be back on September 3rd for more interviews, toolbox episodes and dad and daughter chats.

In this episode, Pete and Laura chat about the podcast season one. They decide on their favourite podcast episodes and top moments from season one. 

Oh, and have some laughs along the way!

Pete mentions Ann Handley’s Newsletter Tips

Everybody Writes Writing Tip of the Fortnight

Write four drafts to everything:

• The Ugly First Draft. Barf it up! Get it out!
• The chainsaw edit. Move the big chunks around. Is it starting to take shape?
•  Surgical-tool edit. Finer editing. Each word must earn its keep.
•  Read it out loud. Does it sound like writing? If so, revisit #3. Repeat.

Recommended Product of the Week - Audible

Laura and Pete have benefited from having an audiobook subscription with Audible.

Have you tried ‘reading’ the latest books while out walking or doing a job around the house? 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 Mentioned:-

Think Big: Take Small Steps and Build the Future You Want – Dr Grace Lordan

Lifespan: Why We Age – and Why We Don’t Have To – Dr David A. Sinclair

During the summer Pete is starting a newsletter on Substack. It’s called The Art of Memorialising - you can sign up HERE.

We will be back in September.

We would love to hear from you! - info@derbyshirewritingschool.com

Send us a voice message - through Speakpipe.

Thanks for listening!

Episode 32- How To Review Writing Goals

Pete and Laura are back in the writers’ room. Back in January we shared an episode about writing goals (Episode 10). We looked at how to set writing goals and how to measure them, but 6 months into the year where are we with these goals? 

Join us this week as we talk about the mid-year check-in and how we can assess where we are with our goals as we reach the halfway point of 2021.

• Why should we review goals?
• How do we review goals?
• What happens if goals have gone to pot?
• What are your goals for the next 6 months?

Recommended Product of the Week - The Prompt Box

You don’t need to worry about finding those ideas anymore because our monthly writing prompt subscription box is here to help. Each month you’ll get a collection of bespoke and unique creative writing prompts delivered to your door, to get you unblocked and writing again. And just like how no person or story is the same, no box of ideas is the same either.

Laura is reading - Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most - Greg McKeown

Peter is reading and very enthusiastic about - Successful Aging: A Neuroscientist Explores the Power and Potential of Our Lives - Daniel J. Levitin

The 3% Club

Did you know there is a vicious rumour circulating online? It dares to state that 97% of writers never finish their manuscripts! Shocking, right? Well, we’re not standing for it. Let’s beat the odds. We are working on bringing our 3% Club to life.

• By developing a regular writing routine,
• By surrounding yourself with the right people,
• By continuing to learn and develop your craft, you’ll reach the elusive 3%.

The 3% Club is a monthly subscription membership. Each month members will have access to:

• Daily writing prompts (themed for each month).
• A themed creative writing workshop.
• Plus one 60-minute masterclass workshop. Examples of potential topics: Structuring your novel, develop a writing routine, creating characters, pacing, getting agent ready and so much more!
• Access to a private Facebook group (for support, setting goals, accountability, meeting others).

For more information on The 3% Club sign up for the waiting list.

We’d love to know how you got on reviewing your goals. Use the email below and tell us how you are doing.

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

Send us a voice message - through Speakpipe.

Thanks for listening!

Episode 31 - Guest Interview - Lucy Thorpe - How Do I Become A Freelance Writer?

Lucy Thorpe is a freelance writer who works with brands and publications in health, lifestyle, beauty and marketing. Lucy writes content, copy, editorial and provides marketing services to businesses around the world.

For more information, visit - www.lucythorpecontent.com

In this episode of the podcast, Laura and Pete chat with Lucy about the highs and lows, benefits and challenges of being a full-time freelance writer. 

Laura and Pete ask Lucy:

• Tell us about yourself and your journey. How did you get started with freelance writing?
• What do we mean by a freelance writer? What work do you do?
• What advice would you give to someone starting out on their journey into freelance writing?
• What advice have you got for pitching for writing work?
• Do you have a solid plan and strict writing goals? Tell us about your writing process.
• What’s next for you? What projects are you working on?

Lucy recommends the book – You’re the Business: How to Build a Successful Career When You Strike Out Alone by Anna Codrea-Rado 

For more information and to get in touch with Lucy, visit -  www.lucythorpecontent.com