The Writers’ Gym Podcast

All Episodes (18)

From new to old

From new to old From old to new

1. 

   1. Music and Writing

   In this edition of the Writers' Gym Podcast with Rachel Knightley and Emily Inkpen we'll look at the relationship between music and writing.  We'll explore music as inspiration and motivation, music as a creator of moods and as an accompaniment to your work and books inspired by or suggested by music.  Artists mentioned in this podcast include Thomas BergersenMogwaiDavid BowieSigur Ros Allen Stroud and his soundtrack for The Dex legacy Pink Floyd The soundtracks to Fantasia, Lord of the Rings, H

   May 01,2024 53:47
2. 

   2. Character Building

   In this episode of the podcast we’ll be looking at the art of generating characters for your fiction.  We’ll look at the secrets of creating believable and authentic characters that can drive your story forward.  Emily and Rachel will talk about their own characters, the inspiration behind them and the ways in which they have shaped events in their fiction.  Join the Writers’ Gym and book your next writing workout at https://www.rachelknightley.com/the-writers-gym/ The Writers Gym Podcast is an

   Apr 24,2024 59:04
3. 

   3. Beating the Blank Page

   In this episode of the Writers’ Gym Podcast we will be thinking about starting to write.  Writing the opening  page of your story needn’t be a battle against that glaring white first page and all the psychological demons it implies.  Rachel and Emily offer tips, advice and hacks for starting to write and share examples and anecdotes from their own writing lives. Join the Writers’ Gym and book your next writing workout at https://www.rachelknightley.com/the-writers-gym/The Writers Gym Podcast is

   Apr 17,2024 39:52
4. 

   4. Write What You Know: A Discussion

   In this edition of the Writers’ Gym Podcast with Dr Rachel Knightley and Emily Inkpen we take a look at one of the most common pieces of advice offered to writers: “Write what you know”  We examine this advice to consider what it means for our writing and consider how it works in the worlds of science fiction and fantasy as well as in general fiction.  Join the Writers’ Gym and book your next writing workout at https://www.rachelknightley.com/the-writers-gym/ The Writers Gym Podcast is an Altern

   Apr 10,2024 41:44
5. 

   5. Unreliable Narrators

   In this episode Rachel and Emily look at unreliable narrators and how to create and use them in your writing.  With examples from literature we look at the ways in which unreliable narrators can give your stories depth, authenticity and a plot-twist or two to keep your readers guessing. The references in today’s episode include  Pale Fire by Vladimir NabokovThe other lives of Miss Emily White by AJ EllwoodThe Girl on the Train by Paula HawkinsGone Girl by Gillian FlynnJane Eyre by Charlotte Bron

   Apr 03,2024 39:48
6. 

   6. Layout and Formatting

   In this episode we look at the art and science of laying out and formatting your writing.  We ask when you should begin to format your work, how you should go about doing it and explore a few good reasons for starting the process early …or indeed later.  We look at some of the formatting skills and techniques you’ll need for getting your manuscript ready if you’re self-publishing including some thoughts on cover design and format.  Join the Writers’ Gym and book your next writing workout at http

   Mar 27,2024 43:34
7. 

   7. Worldbuilding

   In this episode Rachel Knightley and Emily Inkpen look at the process of worldbuilding for fiction writers.  Normally associated with science fiction and fantasy writers, world building skills can also be applied to real places adapted for fiction.   In our conversation we mentioned the map creation services of Dewi Hargreaves who you can follow on twitter  https://twitter.com/Dewiwrites Rachel’s map and prop were made in 2009 by Jude Claybourne, who these days can be found at Past Imperfect: th

   Mar 20,2024 38:54
8. 

   8. "What's your Wessex?": Place, setting and location in fiction

   In this episode Rachel Knightley and Emily Inkpen look at the role and influence of place in creative writing.  We look at the ways in which setting can influence you as writers and affect your characters. As usual, we offer creative writing challenges to help you consider the influence of place in your own work.  In this episode Rachel references “Three Wishes” by Liane Moriarty (Penguin 2003)  Join the Writers’ Gym and book your next writing workout at https://www.rachelknightley.com/the-write

   Mar 13,2024 41:42
9. 

   9. Editing 101

   In this podcast we’ll talk about the art and techniques of editing.  We’ll discuss approaches to editing, what you should take out and keep in and some of the best and worst editing advice we’ve received. Subscribe to The Writers’ Gym in your favourite podcast app to be notified of all new episodes as they are released.  New episodes will appear every WednesdayThe Writers Gym Podcast is an Alternative Stories production for The Writers' Gym.  Find out more about The Writers' Gym and Rachel Knigh

   Mar 06,2024 42:42
10. 

    10. How Not to Give Feedback

    In this episode Rachel Knightley and Emily Inkpen discuss the art of giving and receiving feedback.  We’ll have advice on how and who to ask for feedback, when feedback will be useful and how you should use feedback as part of your creative process.Subscribe to The Writers’ Gym in your favourite podcast app to be notified of all new episodes as they are released.  New episodes will appear every WednesdayThe Writers Gym Podcast is an Alternative Stories production for The Writers' Gym.  Find out

    Mar 06,2024 45:16
11. 

    11. The Writers' Gym Trailer

    This is our trailer for The Writers' Gym Podcast.  We'll be releasing episodes weekly each Wednesday from 6th March and we'll cover topics such as How not to give feedbackEditing 101Unreliable narrators World building"What's Your Wessex" : A guide to place in fictionLayout"Write what you know" : A discussionEach episode features Rachel Knightley, Emily Inkpen and Chris Gregory The Writers Gym Podcast is an Alternative Stories production for The Writers' Gym.   Find out more about The Writers' Gy

    Mar 04,2024 01:23
12. 

    12. Nigel Planer and Friends

    Acclaimed actor, poet and novelist Nigel Planer joins Dr Rachel Knightley for a very special, between-series episode of The Writers’ Gym podcast. From writers’ geographical landscapes to the love of flares and the influence of Pratchett on their lives and works, this is a sneak preview of Nigel Planer and Friends, featuring Nigel, Rachel and filmmaker and debut novelist Simon Rumley, at Riverside Studios Tuesday 30 January at 7pm.Book tickets at https://riversidestudios.co.uk/see-and-do/nigel-pl

    Jan 26,2024 34:36
13. 

    13. The Horror Muse and the Freelance Life – with Trevor Kennedy, Big Hits Radio UK

    Ahead of the launch of Twisted Branches (coming Oct 2023 from Black Shuck Books), Rachel Knightley talks to Trevor Kennedy of Big Hits Radio UK for his horror spot on the Sunday Service. In return, Trevor come to the Writers' Gym to talk about his freelance writing life and how confidence in our voices is only ever half the story of what it feels like to be a professional writer. Big thanks to Big Hits Radio UK for the interview material. Sadly we cannot attach the songs of choice: You Want It D

    Aug 14,2023 01:14:08
14. 

    14. Writing Lives: with Maura McHugh

    What does full-time writing look like? It depends on the writer – and what we create in our lives off the page depends directly on what we imagine.Today's Personal Training at the Writers' Gym takes in the spaces between what goes on the page, and how to work with our feelings about ourselves and the world to create the work lives as well as the art we want.Rachel Knightley's guest is Maura McHugh. Maura was born in the USA, but raised in Ireland, where she developed a love of mythology, horror

    Jul 03,2023 45:48
15. 

    15. Connection Through Imperfection

    Internationally best-selling author, artist, journalist and speaker John-Paul Flintoff trained in improvisation with Keith Johnstone. He designs today's word-count workout alongside Rachel Knightley as they discuss the benefits of stagecraft on communication, and how performance provides 'factory conditions' for understanding your own character motivation offstage as much as on it.John-Paul's books include the internationally bestselling How to Change the World, and A Modest Book on How to Make

    Jun 03,2023 51:57
16. 

    16. Not Writing Every Day: Being a Writer Every Day.

    "What writing advice really pisses you off?" was one of my favourite questions to ask award-winning author and editor Dan Coxon.At the time (an interview for the Business of Writing module I convene at Roehampton University), his answer was one of the most prolific – and apparently innocuous – answers out there. Maybe you've heard it. Dan's the first to say if it works for you, great. But what are the potential issues behind it...?In this episode of the Writers' Gym, all exercises and discussion

    May 07,2023 53:38
17. 

    17. The Political Is The Personal: Mike Jones on Memoir, Poetry and Songwriting

    One thing that becomes clear the more accomplished we get in any area of writing (or of anything else): the kind of writing somebody else is doing still looks to us more like "real" writing...Dr Mike Jones is a rock lyricist (notably for Latin Quarter, including their Top 20 hit Radio Africa), reader and lecturer in music at Liverpool University. His work includes an MA programmes in partnership with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and another in the Beatles: Music Industry and Heritage. He wro

    Mar 31,2023 42:25
18. 

    18. Rachel Knightley talks to Jennifer Steil

    A painter doesn't need permission to mix any colours they like. Yet, as writers, our memories, imagination, observations and questions about the world and ourselves come with "not supposed to go there" stamped all over them. How can we give ourselves permission to beat those blocks?Multi-award-winning author Jennifer Steil joins Rachel Knightley to talk about about what kept her writing through kidnap, cancer treatment and everyday life in the three countries she calls home.

    Feb 26,2023 51:56