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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
Thursday Jan 28, 2021
Kate Worsley on the value of mentoring & the challenges of Covid-19
Thursday Jan 28, 2021
Thursday Jan 28, 2021
We're very pleased to finally have Kate Worsley guest on the pod, author of She Rises, discussing her route to publication, her time on our Escalator talent development scheme, how she has benefited from mentoring and the impact of Covid-19 on her work.
Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna.
Donate to the 2021 Escalator scheme: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/escalator-donations-2020/
Join our Discord community chat: https://discord.gg/3G39dRW
More about what we do: http://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/
Music by Bennet Maples.
Wednesday Jan 20, 2021
Nicola Upson on why books are more vital than ever
Wednesday Jan 20, 2021
Wednesday Jan 20, 2021
"The world of the imagination is being diminished by the day, with theatres dark, cinemas closed, and actors and musicians encouraged to retrain in more ‘viable’ professions, so books are more vital than ever, bringing us together safely at a time when we have never felt more isolated." The wonderful Nicola Upson returns to the podcast to talk about her early career, finding her confidence and how the Escalator talent development scheme helped to demystify the publishing industry.
We're currently fundraising for Escalator so that we can help as many new writers as possible. To find out more and donate head over here: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/escalator-donations-2020/
Find out more about our Start Writing Crime Fiction course and join the waiting list: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/introduction-to-crime-fiction/
Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna.
Music by Bennet Maples.
Wednesday Jan 13, 2021
Owen Nicholls on his first novel & the Escalator scheme
Wednesday Jan 13, 2021
Wednesday Jan 13, 2021
Escalator needs your help! Our talent development scheme has helped 10 writers every year since 2004 but austerity and funding challenges means we can only fund 6 places in 2021. If you'd like to donate to help us help more writers, visit https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/escalator-donations-2020/
On the podcast is previous Escalator participant Owen Nicholls, whose debut novel was published in 2019. Owen talks about shifting from screenwriting to novels, how he completed his first book and how Escalator helped him on the road to creating Love, Unscripted. Simon also talks to Owen about surreptitiously enjoying the film Garden State.
Meanwhile, Steph and Simon are joined by the inimitable Vicki Maitland to talk about Chrysalis, a fantastic mini-festival created by the Lit from the Inside group of young arts professionals. Find out more: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/chrysalis/
More on what we do: http://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/
Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe!
Music by Bennet Maples.
Wednesday Jan 06, 2021
World building using narrative voice - with Abi Daré
Wednesday Jan 06, 2021
Wednesday Jan 06, 2021
Happy New Year! We begin 2021 with a conversation with Desmond Elliott Prize shortlisted Abi Daré, whose debut The Girl With The Louding Voice caught everyone's attention last year. Abi talks about her approach to world building and how she used the narrative voice in the book to explore its setting. Asking the questions is novelist Sarah Bower.
Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna, who start the episode by celebrating that it's not 2020 anymore.
If you like this episode don't forget to subscribe!
Get more free resources on world building: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/5-world-building/
Find out about our Early Career Awards, including the Desmond Elliott Prize: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/early-career-awards/
Check out our online courses: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/creative-writing-online/
More on what we do: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/
Made possible with support from Arts Council England.
Music by Bennet Maples.