First Graft Podcast

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In this episode I talk about time; theory, experience, the novel, death, ageing, New Years Resolutions and writing. Pretty basic then. 

I am indebted to the incredible website, http://www.exactlywhatistime.com
for all the information I discuss on theories and philosophies of time and I recommend you check it out if it interests you; and it should!!

I also talk about:
From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell
Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace
The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
Nabokov's Dream Diary
Innocents and Others by Dana Spiotta

Let me know how you're doing and how you write time... 

Happy New Year, you gorgeous bunch!

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Hey...
In Chapter nine I talk about...

Books
Anne Fine - Raking the Ashes

Fleur Jaeggy - Sweet Days of Discipline

David Seabrook - All the Devils are Here

Podcast
This Podcast Will Kill You

And a soup... Recipe below (I swear it makes you glow like the Ready Brek kid)

Plus I share a couple of monologues I wrote from two character points of view and discuss how these exercises can help get under the skin of your characters (ouch).

Get in touch and tell me about your reading and writing, and have a very darling festive season.

Coconut lentil soup

you need:
Split red lentils (handful or two)
Can of coconut milk
turmeric (teaspoon)
ginger (I use the powder kind... it's fine)
lime juice (a good squirt)
Sesame oil
Veg stock (about as much as the coconut milk)
chilli (dried flakes)
garlic (3 cloves)
spinach leaves

Chuck it all in, boil it, simmer it till the lentils have softened and dissolved... 

Trust me. It's delicious, and I can't cook.

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In this chapter I talk about class, writing difficult, unlikeable characters and process.

In Ketchup I chat about:

Olivia Sudjic's book, Exposure

Dead Ink's collection of essays, Know Your Place

And

The TV adaptation of Elena Ferrante's My Brilliant Friend.

If you have any suggestions for my character's name, give me a shout on twitter or the First Graft facebook page!

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Join us as we chat about point of view, class, our favourite books, Rebekah's new novel and how to win a copy of the Somesuch anthology.

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Short and sweet one today... I talk about fear, being silenced and the launch of Somesuch Stories anthology which features the writing of Daisy Johnson, Sophie Mackintosh, Octavia Bright and me... as well as many more. 

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In this chapter I talk to award winning author Ben Myers (The Gallows Pole, Beastings, Pig Iron, Under the Rock...) about his latest novel, witchcraft, weasels, language, staying true to your ideas and much more... join us.

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This chapter I'm talking about creative slumps, reaching out, feeling grateful for the generosity of the writing community and point of view... something that I wrestle with in the beginning of all my stories. We talk about the brilliance of James Wood, Virginia Woolf, Rose Tremain, Graham Greene and Deborah Levy. 

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In this chapter I talk to novelist and lecturer, Ariel Kahn about his wonderful novel, Raising Sparks published earlier this year by Bluemoose Books. We talk about cats, being haunted by characters, buying peppers, silencing the inner critic and giving yourself permission to write (and procrastination). Join us!

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In this chapter we talk about characters, truth, and not being a genius! Listeners share their procrastination tactics and I share a couple of extracts from The Sound Mirror. Join us!

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Talking about making the mess, getting started, procrastination and reading a sneak peek of The Sound Mirror. Simone de Beauvoir and Susan Griffin get a mention (worshipped) and I confess my one of my fears.