Companion Pieces

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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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I have only 15 minutes to write, so I do 15 minutes of writing. (And invite you to spend 15 minutes on your own creative work.)

People and things mentioned:

Charlotte Durance, and her play sketchbook.

Poetry Unbound, with Pádraig Ó Tuama.

Maria Dahvana Headley’s translation of Beowulf.

Sound for the 15 minutes: the burn under the bridge. You may also hear a dipper (the UK’s only aquatic songbird!).

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 up to a word limit, versus cutting down to it, and spend 15 minutes writing some words that I can cut.

Sound for the 15 minutes: SUNSHINE!! (Wind and birds in the branches.)

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