Begin - Derbyshire Writing School Podcast

Episode 20 — How Can I Be More Productive?

THE WRITERS’ ROOM - How Can I Be More Productive?

In the Writers’ Room this week, Pete and Laura chat about productivity. How can you achieve more in less time? This is often a question we find ourselves asking.  But what does productivity mean for writers, and what systems ideas and methods can help? 

During the conversation, Laura mentions - The Checklist Manifesto and Pete Talks about - ‘Sane New World: Taming the Mind’ by Ruby Wax.

OUR CURRENT PROJECT UPDATES - What writing projects are we working on & what’s happened this week?

Laura is on the last stretch before publishing her Wedding Planning Book. Pete gets his latest work in progress - Rose-buds in Kerela - back from his editor, Alex Davis.

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

Reminding Pete this week is the power that comes from words. How words can help and heal. Laura has been researching Nielsen the ISBN database.

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. 

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

Pete surprises Laura with his reading of ‘The Corfu Trilogy’ by Gerald Durrell - remembering one of his all-time favourite books by the same author - ‘Rosy Is My Relative.’ 

Laura is excited before reading ‘The Thursday Murder Club,’ by Richard Osman.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT DERBYSHIRE WRITING SCHOOL THIS WEEK? 

Laura tells a little of two new projects she is working on - The 3% Club and The Prompt Box - creative writing prompt subscription. 

Send us a voice message - through Speakpipe.

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

We are really pleased to introduce Derbyshire author Dawn Brookes. 

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 -

1. Tell us about yourself and your journey. How did you get started with writing and self-publishing?
2. What is self-publishing? Or should we call it indie publishing? What's the difference?
3. Is it better to self-publish or work with a publisher? What are the benefits of self-publishing?
4. Where do you get your ideas from?
5. What advice would you give to someone starting out on their self-publishing journey?
6. What are some of the biggest or common mistakes you frequently see?
7. Do you have a solid plan and strict writing goals? Tell us about your process.
8. What's next for you? What projects are you working on?

Quick Fire Round:-

1. What's the best writing advice you've ever received?
2. What's a must-read book, you'd recommend?
3. What inspiration could you give to our listener?

You can find more out about Dawn on her website and on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. 

For more information on Dawn's books, you can find her Amazon author page here.

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

John is an author, journalist, and broadcaster. He is a writer of bestselling autobiographies, including I Love the Bones of You with Christopher Eccleston and Stronger with Gareth Thomas. John is a TV and film critic for BBC radio. 

John has run his own comedy club and has extensive interests in popular culture and entertainment. He lives in the Staffordshire Moorlands with his wife Steph and two children.

 Pete and Laura ask John:-

1. What is ghostwriting? And how did you get started? Tell us about your journey.
2. How can we capture voice, personality, and tone within ghostwritten work?
3. What do you wish you’d learnt sooner about ghostwriting?
4. What advice would you give to someone starting out on their ghostwriting journey?
5. What are some of the biggest or common mistakes you frequently see?
6. What can we learn from ghostwriting to bring into other forms of writing?
7. Can you tell us about your writing process? For example, do you have a set routine?
8. What’s next for you? 

You can find out more about John Woodhouse on his website and on Twitter.

Episode 17 - What Are The Benefits of Writing?

THE WRITERS’ ROOM - What Are The Benefits of Writing?

In the Writers’ Room this week, Pete and Laura chat about the joy they have found in writing, and the benefits it brings into their lives. They also tell a little about how their journey into writing started.

What are the benefits and joy you received from writing? Please write to [email protected] and let us know.

Laura talks about the benefit of documenting her life through writing, you can find out more about this here. 

OUR CURRENT PROJECT UPDATES - What writing projects are we working on & what’s happened this week?

Laura has sent her Wedding Planning Book to the proofreader. Pete feels relieved to have sent the draft of his travel memoir - Rose-buds in Kerela - to our editor Alex Davis.

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

Both Pete and Laura chat about how sometimes just completing something to the very end of the project is a lesson. 

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!

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

Pete has been listening to the Audiobook of Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott and a favourite for Laura as well. He also talks about the Storyville Documentary - Into the Storm: Surfing to Survive. 

Laura has been reading - Carry on, Warrior by Glennon Doyle. Two quotes she found inspiring are:

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

Laura tells us about the launch of Poetry for Fiction Writers Workshop and Poetry for Beginners Workshop.

Charlotte Lunn, Derbyshire based poet, workshop facilitator and bookseller leads these sessions. To find out more about Charlotte and how to get started with poetry, listen to her interview on the Derbyshire Writing School podcast.

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

We have a guest in The Writers' Room this week - Lauren Davison

Lauren Davison is a Creative and Professional Writing student, currently studying at the University of Derby and she answers the big question – What is a creative writing degree really like? 

Lauren developed a passion for writing at a young age and in an interesting place! She enjoys writing both fiction and non-fiction, and exploring new genres through the modules of her joint honours degree.

In this interview, Lauren talks about the benefits and struggles of completing her degree in the middle of a pandemic and some lessons she has learned along the way. 

In this episode, Lauren’s must-read book recommendation is:  Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg. 

Lauren has been a valued team member here at Derbyshire Writing School for quite a few months now. Lauren writes regular blog posts for our website and has lots of great advice to share. You can read Lauren's blog posts here. You can also find Lauren on Twitter.

THE WRITERS’ ROOM - How do I write a blog post?

In the Writers’ Room this week, we chat about a question we have received from Laura, who attended one of our Online Courses:

‘Hi Laura and Pete, I want to move ahead with my writing and start blogging. How do I write a blog post?’

Laura suggests to:

1. Take some time to conduct a bit of research. Looking at blogs that you enjoy reading. Then decide what sort of blog you’d like to write, spend time to identify its purpose.
2. t's important to think about your audience, who might read these posts and how might your writing style be influenced by your intended audience? Knowing who you are writing for can help you focus the tone and style of the pieces. 
3. Start planning some posts and have fun with the writing. The key to a good blog post is that it's got a clear purpose and audience, but also that it has a solid structure. Ideally, you need a clear introduction, middle and nice summary at the end.

OUR CURRENT PROJECT UPDATES - What writing projects are we working on & what’s happened this week?

Laura is working through the long process of editing the Wedding Planning Book. And after the podcast episode with the editor Alex Davis, Pete is spending more time checking the draft of his travel memoir before sending it for the first edit. 

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

Pete has been reading Consider This: Moments in My Writing Life After Which Everything Was Different by Chuck Palahniuk.

Recommended Product of the Week - 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 has been reading lots on the impact of sugar in our food. Interested how one author facing a problem turned the way he solved that problem into a series of books. 
• From the many books Laura read while having a few days off, she chooses Calypso by David Sedaris as the book she talked about this week. 

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

Laura tells us some feedback from one course and then the inspiration from one listener who sent us their writing wins. 

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

But both Pete and Laura feel as many do how important it is to keep positive through the lockdown, focusing on what makes them feel grateful. 

Send us a voice message - through Speakpipe.

Episode 14 - The Writer’s Toolbox - What is creative play?

In this episode, Pete and Laura take another delve into The Writer’s Toolbox and add the tool of creative play. 

When you write, does it feel like all work or play? What if taking your writing opportunities too seriously stifled your creative writing, rather than unleashing heaps of energy to change the world through your words?

There is a tool for every specific purpose - using the right tool to get the work done makes the task easier, more effective and if the truth be told, more fun! It’s the same with writing tools. Knowing which tool to use at the right time helps every writer.

What could you do to play with your creative writing today?

1. Why not try some writing that is entirely new to you? Could you try a new genre or a new form? Set a timer for fifteen minutes and don’t stop writing until it goes off.
2. Have fun with this free story generator, see where the characters and plot take you.
3. Spend five minutes writing a Haiku. (Here’s how to write a Haiku).
4. Try writing with a friend. One person starts a story, and you take turns writing chapters and characters.
5. Journal every day for one week and see what happens.

We’d love to know how you got on. Use the email below and tell us how you have brought play into your creative writing.

You get your very own free e-book with 101 writing prompts to inspire you by joining our newsletter. 

We want to hear from you! Please send your questions and ideas for tools you need to add to your writing toolbox - [email protected]

Send us a voice message - through Speakpipe.

Thanks for listening!

Episode 13 - Guest Interview - Charlotte Lunn - How Do I Get Started With Poetry?

We have a guest in The Writers’ Room this week - the Derbyshire Poet, 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’ is due for publication with Verve Poetry Press in May 2021.

Pete and Laura ask Charlotte:-

• What is poetry? Why did you start writing poetry? Who is your favourite poet?
• How can someone get started writing poems?
• What can we learn from poetry to bring into other writing?
• What advice do you have for reading poems? Why is it important to consider how we read poetry?
• What are some of the biggest or common mistakes you frequently see when people write poetry?
• How did you get your book deal? What was the process like? Do you have any advice for other writers?
• What do you wish you’d learnt sooner about writing poetry?

You can find more about Charlotte at Twitter - Verve Poetry Press - Scarthin Books

In this episode, we also announce that Charlotte will be joining our team! Charlotte is joining Derbyshire Writing School as a guest facilitator and she’ll be delivering poetry workshops later on this year. If you’d like to be the first to hear about these workshops, email us at: [email protected], and we’ll add you to the waitlist. 

Episode 12 - Guest Interview - Alex Davis - How To Self Edit Your Writing

We have a guest in The Writers’ Room this week - Alex Davis. Alex is an author and literature professional based in Derby.

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:-

• What is self-editing? Why is this skill so important to develop as a writer?
• What tools help us self-edit our work effectively?
• What top three things should we look for in our writing when we self-edit?
• How can we write to make editing easier?
• What are some of the biggest or common mistakes you frequently see?
• What process can we follow to ensure our writing is ready to send to an editor or agent?
• What single editing lesson do you wish you’d learnt sooner?

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

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

Alex's books - The Last War: A Novel of the Noukari and Fighting Cats and Dogs: And other animal tales can be found at Amazon.co.uk

Episode 11 - The Writer’s Toolbox

In this episode we take a delve into The Writer’s Toolbox

Pete and Laura introduce an occasional format of the podcast they will visit from time to time - The Writer’s Toolbox. 

“To the man who only has a hammer, everything he encounters begins to look like a nail.” ― Abraham Maslow

This quote by the father of understanding the hierarchy of needs puts Pete in an awkward place as Laura reveals the list of tools Pete, her father, owns!

There is a tool for every specific purpose - using the right tool to get the work done makes the task easier, more effective and if the truth be told, more fun! It’s the same with writing tools. Knowing which tool to use at the right time helps every writer. 

This episode’s tool is most important of all - The Writer’s Mindset.

“If you can change your mind, you can change your life.” – William James.

• What is a writer’s mindset?
• How does this affect our craft as writers?
• What are the benefits of a positive growth mindset as a writer?
• What steps can we take to develop our writer’s mindset?

Book a place on the next - What is a writing mindset course here.

We want to hear from you! Please send your questions and ideas for tool you need to add to your writing toolbox - [email protected]

Send us a voice message - through Speakpipe.

Thanks for listening!