I talk about what I’ve taken from the books I’ve been reading recently, and my wish to be a bit funnier in the book I’m writing. Then - as usual - there are 15 minutes of sound for you to do your creative work to, and then I come back and sum up.

Books mentioned: The Bone Clocks, by David Mitchell; The Catcher in the Rye, by J. D. Salinger; and The Wee Free Men, by Terry Pratchett.

Sound for the 15 minutes: wind in the cherry trees, with background cuckoo, sheep and farm traffic.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drawingfromtheinkwell.substack.com

I talk about writing ups and downs, give us 15 minutes to get some work done - in my case, correcting voice typing - and wonder whether voice typing is as good a way of moving from notebook to computer as I thought it’d be.

Podcast mentioned: Making Trouble with Molly Naylor: The Trouble with Time, featuring Ian McMillan.

Sound for the 15 minutes: evening garden noises, including a male pheasant strutting about cooing to himself (and some louder noises when he calls - don’t be alarmed).

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drawingfromtheinkwell.substack.com

Some particularly lovely sounds this week as spring springs round here (bees, lambs, all kinds of birds). Otherwise, me talking about a difficult writing week and giving myself (and you, if you need it) a pep-talk.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drawingfromtheinkwell.substack.com

I talk about quiet moments in books (scenes of lower conflict), my experience of re-reading a favourite childhood author, and making lists. But most importantly, I give you 15 minutes of gentle sound to do some creative work to.

Book mentioned: The Magicians of Caprona, by Diana Wynne Jones.

Podcast mentioned: Death of 1000 Cuts, hosted by Tim Clare.

Sound for the 15 minutes: the burn (stream) beside my studio.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drawingfromtheinkwell.substack.com

I talk about books I’ve been reading that have multiple main characters, and things I’ve learned from them - or haven’t. But mostly, as usual, this is 15 minutes of quiet time to get some work done.

Books mentioned: The Night Watch, by Sarah Waters, and The Golem and the Jinni, by Helene Wecker.

Sound for the 15 minutes: noises from the garden (including common gulls, sheep, and farm traffic).

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drawingfromtheinkwell.substack.com

As always, this is a podcast to ease you into doing 15 minutes of focused work, and then pat you on the back (aurally) once you’ve done it.

In this episode, I talk briefly about what needs to happen in acts I and II of a novel in the three-act structure, and spend a little time figuring out what to do with my 15 minutes. This episode is especially for you if you know you’d like to do some kind of creative work today, but haven’t quite figured out what.

Sound for the 15 minutes of focusing time: the stream beside my studio.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drawingfromtheinkwell.substack.com

I talk about diversity of mood, action, and setting. Then I go into more detail than you need on my research. I make a good start on a new scene. And finally I sum up.

Sound for the 15 minutes: wind in the trees, with common gulls, oystercatchers, linnets and chaffinches.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drawingfromtheinkwell.substack.com

I discuss the success and failure of different ways of getting myself to write, spend 15 minutes thinking of possible answers to a plot question (while you also work), then come back with a quick summing-up and a book recommendation.

Sound for the 15 minutes: birds in the breeze in the cherry tree (mostly linnets and chaffinches, I think).

Books mentioned: La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman, and The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drawingfromtheinkwell.substack.com

You know the drill: I talk while you prepare, I write while you write/draw/whatever, then I sum up and you pat yourself on the back for having done 15 minutes’ good work.

Sound in this episode: Sound in this episode: wind and birds in the beech hedge, including coal tits, a very assertive tree sparrow, and some passing jackdaws.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drawingfromtheinkwell.substack.com

I talk about linking plot and character. Then I write a first draft of my opening scene (!), while you have 15 minutes to do your own work. Afterwards, I discuss writing in the first person, and ways of cursing and wishing in Roman Britain.

Book mentioned: The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr.

Sound for the 15 minutes: birds in the cherry tree.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drawingfromtheinkwell.substack.com