Death Of 1000 Cuts

On today's show I chat to poet, playwright and storyteller Inua Ellams about myths, gods and how stories build people. Inua talks about the mentors who shaped and inspired him when he was growing up, his love of story and poetry, and how he turned that into a creative career performing on stage and writing for others. We discuss his new book, THE HALF-GOD OF RAINFALL, the story of a basketball-playing demigod and his mother, generational trauma and revenge. This is a great episode to listen to if you want to know: - how can I use myth in my fiction? - what's the difference between theme and subject matter? - how can I tell stories with poetry? - why tell stories? I loved recording this one. I really hope you enjoy it and get as much of a bang out of it as I did. Ah but of course you'd like to read Inua Ellams' book, THE HALF-GOD OF RAINFALL. Here it is with free delivery: https://wordery.com/the-half-god-of-rainfall-inua-ellams-9780008324773#oid=1908_1 THE HALF-GOD OF RAINFALL hits the stage in April and

What's the point of writing when there's so much suffering in the world? When there might not even *be* a world in not so many years time? Is it indulgent? Pointless? A form of denial? Why write at the end of the world? This is an unscripted, unplanned 'writing ramble' episode where I just talk about what's on my mind. I've been struggling a bit, and so I talk about that, in the context of how horrendous the world seems at the moment. Don't expect any neat conclusions in this one. I'm just working through some difficult things, and relating them to writing, which I'm finding it hard to do. I try to be honest, probably at the expense of brevity or crisp rhetorical flourishes, so if this doesn't sound like your cup of tea, don't worry! Plenty of lighter episodes to engage with. If you'd like to support me, the podcast and all the things I'm putting out into the world, if you like what I do and would like me to do more of it, and if you'd like to be the first to read my brand new novel, please help me by pre

Today I chat with Martin Lotze, neuroscientist at the University of Greifswald, about his research into the brains of writers. Martin has researched how the minds of writers and non-writers operate, using fMRI scans to observe which areas of the brain are activated during the writing process. His fascinating work demonstrates that wholly different parts of the brain are used by experienced writers and novices when undertaking creative writing. I ask him about how he came to study this area, discover many of my assumptions are wrong, and ask him the implications of his findings for writers like us. This is a great episode to listen to if you want to know: - can writing be taught? - what happens in our brains when we write? - does writing change the brain? - how can I train myself to be a better writer? If you'd like to support me, the podcast and all the things I'm putting out into the world, if you like what I do and would like me to do more of it, and if you'd like to be the first to read my brand new nov

This episode is an unscripted, unedited chat from me, about why you don't need to be thick-skinned to be a writer. Before I go any further, here are the pre-order links for my forthcoming novel, THE ICE HOUSE. If you listened to today's episode and you'd like to help me on the #Roadto1500 please click these, share these, and get in touch if you've got any ideas or offers, no matter how crazy, how we could make this impossible thing happen of my lil novel hitting the UK bestseller charts. Mr B's Emporium are an indie bookstore who deliver worldwide - I'll sign all pre-ordered copies from here: mrbsemporium.com/shop/books/the-ice-house/ Wordery: https://wordery.com/the-ice-house-tim-clare-9781786894816#oid=1908_1 Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ice-House-Tim-Clare/dp/1786894815/ Or ask at your local bricks and mortar bookshop. You can drop me a line via the 'Contact Me' link here: www.timclarepoet.co.uk THE ICE HOUSE has an old lady pulled out of retirement for one last job, a 400-year-old forensic path

On this episode I chat with author Nick Harkaway about accelerating futures, detective stories and the meaning of life. Nick Harkaway is the author of several novels, most recently GNOMON, set in a near-future Britain where everything is recorded, monitored and shared. In this wide-ranging chat we cover everything from writing from multiple viewpoints, to reader expectation, to knowing when to stop and fix something vs pressing on to the end of the draft. This is a great episode to listen to if you want to know: - how can I manage reader expectations? - what are some useful ways to think about story structure? - should I finish my first draft before editing or revise as I go? - how can I turn big SF ideas into stories? If you enjoyed our chat, why not treat yourself to Nick Harkaway's latest novel, GNOMON: https://wordery.com/gnomon-nick-harkaway-9781786090096#oid=1908_1 Or you could try one of his others. TIGERMAN: https://wordery.com/tigerman-nick-harkaway-9780099591757#oid=1908_1 ANGELMAKER: https://w

This episode is an unscripted, unedited talk from me about creative writing and fiction and motivation. So I decided to record this one evening a few days ago, to get out a few things about writing, and keeping going with your writing, that had been on my mind. (I'm aware that the language I use in this one is quite florid bordering on Biblical - just so you know, I'm fine, I'm not about to start spewing prophecies or anything. Just being poetic!) Folding together some thoughts from my most recent chats with authors, I ask: why are you writing? And I try to formulate the difference between writing for the approval of others, and writing for mischief. If you'd like to support me, the podcast and all the things I'm putting out into the world, if you like what I do and would like me to do more of it, and if you'd like to be the first to read my brand new novel, please help me by pre-ordering a copy of THE ICE HOUSE. It's got an old lady pulled out of retirement for one last job, a 400-year-old forensic pathol

On today's episode I chat with (my) editor Jo Dingley about finding books, making them better, and getting them to readers. Jo is an editor at Canongate in the UK and has years of experience finding stories, working with authors to make their books better, and helping those books launch and find an audience. We talk through what her job entails, what the secret sauce is that editors are looking for, and ways of making novels suck less. This is a great episode to listen to if you want to know: - what does an editor do? - how can I find an editor? - do editors read the slush pile? - what are the most common mistakes authors make? - how can I get my novel noticed? - what makes a book stand out? If you'd like to support me, the podcast and all the things I'm putting out into the world, if you like what I do and would like me to do more of it, and if you'd like to be the first to read my brand new novel, please help me by pre-ordering a copy of THE ICE HOUSE. It's got an old lady pulled out of retirement for on

This episode's chat is with author Chris McCrudden, talking geeky comedy, stories, and the hard numbers of book sales. In this wide-ranging chat recorded back in January, Chris talks Greek myth, the perils of satire, his winding road to publication, finding time to write and why writing tips bring him out in hives. We discuss his comedy SF novel BATTLESTAR SUBURBIA and its bracing mix of humour and barbed political comedy. He also drops some serious data about the top 100 bestselling books in the UK last year, breaking them down by author and genre to reveal what books are on the up, and those which remain perilously tricky to sell. This is a great chat to listen to if you want to know: - how can I find time to write my novel? - should I quit my day job? - why do so many people want to become authors? - what books are people in the UK buying? - what genres are doing best right now? - how can I support change and progress in the publishing industry? If you'd like to read Chris McCrudden's hilariously subver

In this episode I chat with New York Times Bestselling Author VE Schwab about magic, moving between worlds and some surprising revelations about pain. We chat about her early work, the very first book she got published, the perils of the 'sophomore slump', rediscovering joy and autonomy in novel writing, and exploring aspects of your personality through different characters. This is a great episode to listen to if you want to know: - what if I'm not sure who my audience is? - how can I come up with compelling characters? - how heavily should I plan my novel? - how can I rediscover my joy of writing? - what's it like writing for a big audience? - how can I write unsympathetic or morally-ambiguous main characters and still make the reader want to keep going? If you'd like to read some VE Schwab a *perfect* place to start is VICIOUS: https://wordery.com/vicious-v-e-schwab-9781783290215#oid=1908_1 Alternatively, we chat about A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC: https://wordery.com/a-darker-shade-of-magic-v-e-schwab-9781

In this episode I chat with author Gareth Hanrahan about his Fantasy debut THE GUTTER PRAYER. We geek out about tabletop roleplaying, and the lessons he's learned from making stories up on the spot. He talks through his process for creating worlds and cool stuff within them, and the challenge of writing stories with no protagonists for players to immerse themselves in, versus the challenge of having to write a world in which we follow someone who does stuff and makes things happen. This is a great episode to listen to if you want to know: - how can I get cool ideas for worldbuilding? - how can I develop my Science Fiction or Fantasy world? - what's the difference writing for RPGs vs novels? - what important traits should a protagonist have? Grab yourself a copy of THE GUTTER PRAYER by Gareth Hanrahan here: https://wordery.com/the-gutter-prayer-gareth-hanrahan-9780356511528#oid=1908_1 If you'd like to support me, the podcast and all the things I'm putting out into the world, if you like what I do and would

This episode I chat with author Jess Kidd about death, genre and being haunted by the past. Jess Kidd is the author of HIMSELF, THE HOARDER and most recently, THINGS IN JARS. We talk through her process for writing her novels, and what she's learned along the way. This is a great episode to listen to if you want to know: - how can I discover a character's voice? - how do I know what genre I'm writing in? - does genre matter? HIMSELF: https://wordery.com/himself-jess-kidd-9781782118480#oid=1908_1 THE HOARDER: https://wordery.com/the-hoarder-jess-kidd-9781782118527#oid=1908_1 THINGS IN JARS: https://wordery.com/things-in-jars-jess-kidd-9781786893765#oid=1908_1 If you'd like to support me, the podcast and all the things I'm putting out into the world, if you like what I do and would like me to do more of it, and if you'd like to be the first to read my brand new novel, please help me by pre-ordering a copy of THE ICE HOUSE. It's got an old lady pulled out of retirement for one last job, a 400-year-old fore

On today's episode I chat to Millie Seaward, publicist for Little, Brown, about the art of getting books to readers. She answers questions like: - what kinds of books are easiest to sell? - what types of books get most reviews? - what makes a book an 'event'? - what's a blog tour and is it worth it? - what types of publicity sell the most books? If you'd like to support me, the podcast and all the things I'm putting out into the world, if you like what I do and would like me to do more of it, and if you'd like to be the first to read my brand new novel, please help me by pre-ordering a copy of THE ICE HOUSE. It's got an old lady pulled out of retirement for one last job, a 400-year-old forensic pathologist field medic battle nun looking to bring down an empire, psychedelics, dungeon crawls, jungle adventures, a locked-room murder mystery, intrigue, romance, minotaurs, a secret testing facility, giant sentient beetles, immortal mutant aristocrats, knife fights, an angel, larceny and ancient menaces rising fr

Today I take a look at a listener's first page and suggest ways to make it better. It's an old school Death Of 1000 Cuts 'In The Barber's Chair' episode. Hurrah! I chat a bit about exposition, writing convincing dialogue, world-building in Fantasy and Science Fiction, and centring your protagonist's conflicts. Lots of meat and potatoes stuff on editing your work to make it better. If you'd like to support me, the podcast and all the things I'm putting out into the world, if you like what I do and would like me to do more of it, and if you'd like to be the first to read my brand new novel, please help me by pre-ordering a copy of THE ICE HOUSE. It's got an old lady pulled out of retirement for one last job, a 400-year-old forensic pathologist field medic battle nun looking to bring down an empire, psychedelics, dungeon crawls, jungle adventures, a locked-room murder mystery, intrigue, romance, minotaurs, a secret testing facility, giant sentient beetles, immortal mutant aristocrats, knife fights, an angel, l

This is the first episode of Death Of 1000 Cuts, Season 3, the podcast for writers. It's all about creative writing, and stories, and how to write more, better, and be happier as you do. In this episode I preview what I've got planned for the new season of the podcast this year, and share my writing goals for 2019. Hopefully you'll be inspired to make some of your own! If you'd like to support me, the podcast and all the things I'm putting out into the world, if you like what I do and would like me to do more, and if you'd like to be the first to read my brand new novel, please help me by pre-ordering a copy of THE ICE HOUSE. It's got an old lady pulled out of retirement for one last job, a 400-year-old forensic pathologist field medic battle nun looking to bring down an empire, psychedelics, dungeon crawls, jungle adventures, a locked-room murder mystery, intrigue, romance, minotaurs, a secret testing facility, giant sentient beetles, immortal mutant aristocrats, knife fights, an angel, larceny and ancient

In this episode I chat to researcher, neuroscientist and psychologist Paul J Zak about the power of narrative and what goes on in our brains when we get lost in a great story. We chat about his research into oxytocin and how it affects our decisions, how the brain responds to stories versus events happening in real life, how the physiological costs of paying attention affect the types of story shapes that work best, and how to write the ultimate story that will grip, move and change people. He also gives advice on the kinds of people you must engage if you want your writing to be a hit. As well as that we discuss the purpose of villains, horror, and tragedy. Here's his book about the amazing effects of oxytocin, THE MORAL MOLECULE: https://wordery.com/the-moral-molecule-paul-j-zak-9780552164610#oid=1908_1 And his book on building trust, THE TRUST FACTOR: https://wordery.com/trust-factor-paul-j-zak-9780814437667#oid=1908_1 Here's his TED Talk on the 'moral molecule' oxytocin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?

Today I chat to writer and performer Molly Naylor, about the basics of what makes a story work, vulnerability, and constructing a career in the Arts. Molly co-wrote the Sky comedy drama After Hours, has brought several solo shows to the Edinburgh Fringe, is a poet, playwright and runs the night True Stories Live in Norwich, where people get on stage and tell true stories from their lives. We get into a good discussion of what makes a story work on stage, (and I think the lessons hold for any story, true or otherwise) telling stories as an identity rather than a process, making yourself vulnerable and how to handle that - loads of really useful, practical stuff. Hey! You can get Molly Naylor's poetry collection BADMINTON here: https://burningeye.bigcartel.com/product/badminton-pre-order If you'd like to check out more of her work, here's her website: https://www.mollynaylor.com/ Like to help me on the - ridiculous, hubristic - #Roadto1500 ? Pre-order my upcoming novel THE ICE HOUSE right now: https://worde

This episode I chat to Australian Fantasy novelist Garth Nix. His career spans over two decades and he's sold more than 5 million books around the world. We chat about how he got started, his love of libraries and Dungeons & Dragons, Tolkien, his time working in publishing, his breakout novel Sabriel and how he wrote it, his philosophy on planning versus discovering as you write, his writing routine, advice on what an amazing first page looks like, and more. Why not try SABRIEL by Garth Nix: https://wordery.com/sabriel-garth-nix-9780007137312#oid=1908_1 Or MISTER MONDAY: https://wordery.com/mister-monday-garth-nix-9780007175017#oid=1908_1 Or perhaps THE FALL: https://wordery.com/the-fall-garth-nix-9780007261192#oid=1908_1 Each the beginning of great Fantasy series! And oh hey, you could also read my novel, THE HONOURS: https://wordery.com/the-honours-tim-clare-9781782114765#oid=1908_1 Why not help me out and pre-order the sequel, THE ICE HOUSE? Out May 2019. #roadto1500 ! https://wordery.com/the-ice-ho

Buy THE HONOURS: mrbsemporium.com/shop/books/the-honours/ Pre-order THE ICE HOUSE: mrbsemporium.com/shop/books/the-ice-house/ This week the podcast is dedicated to exploring my first novel, THE HONOURS. Today's episode is an unscripted chat about writing the sequel, THE ICE HOUSE. Where it came from, things I love, what matters to me as a writer. That kind of business. Also, a final, impassioned stump speech for you to join me on the Road to 1500. My hope for this week, aside from entertaining and informing you, is that you find yourself enthusiastic to support my work through buying THE HONOURS for yourself and friends, and also preordering the forthcoming sequel, THE ICE HOUSE. If you think helping me in this way would bring you some happiness, then kindly click one of the links below, and please do let me know once you've done so, so I can thank you. THE HONOURS PURCHASE LINKS Why not buy THE HONOURS via Mr B's Emporium? A brilliant independent bookshop who do worldwide shipping and are really great.

Buy THE HONOURS: mrbsemporium.com/shop/books/the-honours/ Pre-order THE ICE HOUSE: mrbsemporium.com/shop/books/the-ice-house/ This week the podcast is dedicated to exploring my first novel, THE HONOURS. Today's episode dives into the research I did so I could write about 1930s England and the gun-obsessed protagonist, Delphine. I talk as honestly as I can about how I used research as a displacement activity, to avoid the scary work of actually starting the novel. And how my own life ended up providing the key piece of inspiration, when I finally remembered to look up. My hope for this week, aside from entertaining and informing you, is that you find yourself enthusiastic to support my work through buying THE HONOURS for yourself and friends, and also preordering the forthcoming sequel, THE ICE HOUSE. If you think helping me in this way would bring you some happiness, then kindly click one of the links below, and please do let me know once you've done so, so I can thank you. THE HONOURS PURCHASE LINKS Why

Buy THE HONOURS: mrbsemporium.com/shop/books/the-honours/ Pre-order THE ICE HOUSE: mrbsemporium.com/shop/books/the-ice-house/ This week the podcast is dedicated to exploring my first novel, THE HONOURS. This second episode looks at four figures who achieved notoriety between the wars in Britain, and re-examines their reputations - in the eyes of many - as 'monsters'. Who were they? Why were they so quickly forgotten? And do monsters really exist? My hope for this week, aside from entertaining and informing you, is that you find yourself enthusiastic to support my work through buying THE HONOURS for yourself and friends, and also preordering the forthcoming sequel, THE ICE HOUSE. If you think helping me in this way would bring you some happiness, then kindly click one of the links below, and please do let me know once you've done so, so I can thank you. THE HONOURS PURCHASE LINKS Why not buy THE HONOURS via Mr B's Emporium? A brilliant independent bookshop who do worldwide shipping and are really great. T