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We’re a podcast for anyone who writes. Every week we talk to writers about their writing journeys and techniques, from early career debuts to self-publishers and narrative designers. We’ve featured Margaret Atwood, Jackie Kay, Sara Collins, Antti Tuomainen, Val McDermid, Sarah Perry, Elif Shafak and many more! The Writing Life is produced by the National Centre for Writing at Dragon Hall in Norwich.
Episodes

Wednesday Jan 30, 2019
#30 How to be a productive writer with Tim Clare
Wednesday Jan 30, 2019
Wednesday Jan 30, 2019
You'll be hard-pressed to find someone who is more passionate and driven about writing than Tim Clare. We talk about Tim's Weekly Writing Workout newsletter, his Couch to 80k Writing Bootcamp as well as his novels The Honours and forthcoming The Ice House. Plus, of course, we discuss the word count required for reaching the optimum point of neuroplasticity, what Tim learned while talking to the Institute for Procrastination Research and how the same part of your brain is used for processing fiction and reality. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Links: Tim talks to the Institute for Procrastination Research: http://www.timclarepoet.co.uk/death-of-1000-cuts-season-2-episode-37-chatting-with-tim-pychyl/ Couch to 80k Bootcamp: http://www.timclarepoet.co.uk/couchto80kwritingbootcamp/ Weekly Writing Workout: http://www.timclarepoet.co.uk/tim-clares-weekly-writing-workout/ Events: Agent Insight with Eve White: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/agent-insights-with-eve-white/ Dragon Hall Salon: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/dragon-hall-salon-3/ All upcoming events: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

Wednesday Jan 23, 2019
#29 Constructing a book series with Roz Watins
Wednesday Jan 23, 2019
Wednesday Jan 23, 2019
We talk to Roz Watkins about techniques for constructing a book series, how to develop a lead detective characters over multiple novels, and how plans can change from book-to-book. Interview by Elspeth Latimer, made possible by CHASE (Consortium of the Humanities and Arts South-East England). Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Links: Noirwich: https://noirwich.co.uk Roz's blog piece; https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/on-the-edge-of-knowledge/ Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

Wednesday Jan 16, 2019
#28 Inventing new digital forms with Tom Abba
Wednesday Jan 16, 2019
Wednesday Jan 16, 2019
This week we catch up with Tom Abba, one of the minds behind storytelling innovation lab Ambient Literature. Tom has been exploring how digital technology can influence storytelling and in this episode we dive into his experiments and how they intersect with literature, gaming and immersive theatre. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Links: Ambient Literature: http://ambientlit.com Tom on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tomabba Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

Tuesday Jan 08, 2019
#27 Death In Paradise creator Robert Thorogood
Tuesday Jan 08, 2019
Tuesday Jan 08, 2019
Season 8 of the massive BBC television crime drama Death in Paradise starts this week. Robert Thorogood was here at Dragon Hall last year for the Noirwich Crime Writing Festival, and today's episode is a recording of the conversation he had with Nina Nannar, Arts Editor for ITV News. Robert talks about everything from getting his unlikely break into prime time TV, why he set the show in the Caribbean and how Death in Paradise has impacted representation on British screens. **Do note that there are some spoilers in here for earlier seasons of the show** Links: Creating Writing Online: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/online-courses/