The Writer’s Toolbox - A Writing Tribe

In this episode, Pete and Laura head over to The Writers’ Room for A Centennial Celebration! 

In this special 100th episode, Pete and Laura commemorate a significant milestone in their podcast journey. Join them as they reflect on the evolution of the Begin podcast, the lessons they’ve learned, and the many ways writing has enriched their lives and those of the listeners over 100 episodes of Begin.

In this season:

• 18 Episodes 
• 9 Guest Interviews 
• 2 Toolbox Editions

505 minutes and 65 seconds (8 hours and 42 minutes)
or 9, 227.5 dad jokes and cliches!

Pete and Laura delve into the significance of exploring the joy, and challenges encountered along the way over this season. Which episodes were the most downloaded? They share personal experiences and milestones, and talk about the making of a podcast dedicated to the love of writing.

A Look Back

Laura reflects on the themes, the ‘highs and lows’ and guest interviews that shaped the season the most for her. She finds the ‘Glass Ball Theory’ by Nora Roberts helpful when thinking about the challenges of balancing so many projects.

The key to juggling is to know that some of the balls you have in the air are made of plastic and some are made of glass. And if you drop a plastic ball, it bounces, no harm done.

Pete highlights the episodes that resonated most with him and why. Also, how meeting listeners and writers at local events, such as the Derby Book Festival, made such a difference to him. 

Personal Projects: Writing and Beyond

In this inspiring section, Pete talks about his memoir ghostwriting endeavours, sharing insights into his research process and storytelling. Laura discusses her ongoing PhD in creative writing, emphasising the importance of academic exploration in the craft of writing. 

Book Update: From Storytelling to Scholarly Insights

Pete and Laura dive into their current reads, sharing their thoughts and takeaways. Pete discusses how different research methods have captivated him recently. Laura talks about - Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.

Looking Forward: The Future of Begin and Our Writing

Pete and Laura look forward to what the future holds for the Begin podcast and their personal writing projects, share their aspirations and invite you to continue this wonderful journey with them.

Whether you’ve been with Pete and Laura since episode one or just joining in, there’s inspiration and camaraderie to be found in the celebration of writing. 

Let’s embark on the next hundred episodes together!

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Episode 99: Embracing the Writer Within - "Episode 99: Why We Write–A Deep Dive into the Writer's Mind.

Welcome back to Begin, the Derbyshire Writing School podcast!

In this heartfelt episode, co-hosts and father-daughter duo Pete Billingham and Laura Stroud explore the essence of writing. Join us as we unravel what drives us to put pen to paper, and how writing shapes our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Why We Write: An Introspective Journey

"We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect." - Anais Nin
In this segment, we ponder this poignant quote by Anais Nin. Pete and Laura share their personal reasons for writing, reflecting on how capturing life's moments through writing allows us to experience them more deeply. This discussion is an invitation to listeners to contemplate their own writing motivations.

The Writer's Room: Exploring Our Writing Identities

"I write because it means I can call myself a writer." - Laura, paraphrasing Arianna Huffington on Pablo Picasso. Here, Laura shares her thoughts on writing as an identity, inspired by Arianna Huffington's interpretation of Pablo Picasso's creative life. This conversation encourages writers to own their craft, regardless of external achievements.

Personal Projects: Celebrating Our Writing Endeavors

Pete discusses his recent endeavors as a celebrant and eulogy writer, highlighting the meaningful impact of his work on others. Laura shares her exciting journey into a PhD in creative writing, aiming to create safe spaces in the world of writing education. This segment showcases the diverse paths and purposes writing can take.

Lessons Learned: Growing as Writers

In this insightful section, we discuss the continuous learning journey of a writer. Pete delves into Amazon ads for book marketing, while Laura shares her learning experiences from her PhD program. This segment is a testament to the never-ending growth and evolution in the writing journey.

Book Update: Diving into Diverse Reads

"The Miniaturist" and "Writing About Your Life: A Journey into the Past" by William Zinser Pete shares his thoughts on "The Miniaturist" and his current read, William Zinser's memoir and writing guide. Laura discusses "Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation" by Anne Helen Peterson, noting its insightful take on the millennial experience.

Closing Thoughts: Our Writing Lives

In this heartfelt conclusion, Pete and Laura reflect on their recent experiences, from walks and dog antics to academic pursuits and the every day balancing act of life and writing. This segment is a reminder of the joy and challenge of weaving writing into the fabric of our daily lives.

Join us in this episode for a warm, inviting exploration of what it means to be a writer. Whether you're a seasoned author or just starting your journey, there's something here for everyone. Let's celebrate the art of writing together!

Episode 98—A Writers Toolkit Episode: Unfinished Business: Breaking Through Fear, Doubts, and Excuses to Finish Your Novel

Do you have a story in your heart, a manuscript in progress, but somehow find yourself unable to reach 'the end'? In this episode, we delve into the all-too-common struggle of leaving novels unfinished. But fear not! We're not just identifying the problems; we're providing solutions, and we have a special programme designed to guide you to completion.

This Episode's Insights: From Idea to Finished Book

Join Laura, Pete, and the Derbyshire Writing School team as they explore:

• The common reasons why writers struggle to finish their books.
• Solutions to overcome fear, boredom, and self-doubt.
• The importance of committing to your writing and creating movement in your story.
• How finishing your book can be an incredible achievement, teaching you more than any course or book ever could.

Finish Your Book – Online Group Programme: Your Path to Completion

If this episode resonates with you, our new group programme, Finish Your Book, might be just what you need. Designed specifically for writers who are passionate but stuck, this programme offers motivation, practical support, and a writing community ready to cheer you on.

Programme Highlights:

• Dates and Time: Six live Zoom sessions, starting Wednesday 8 November 2023, from 7:30 pm – 8:45 pm.
• Price: from £115
• Interactive Learning: Writing sprints, peer feedback, personalised solutions, and more.
• Achievements: Complete writing sprints, gain feedback, create an action plan, and join a wonderful group of writers.

Course Overview: [Detailed Overview Here]

Why This Programme Is for You

• Craft Your Story Together: Write together with focused and guided creative time.
• Edit Like a Pro: Learn to edit your novel or non-fiction book.
• Solve Your Writing Problems: Address your unique challenges.
• Achieve Real Progress: Make tangible progress on your writing journey.

Ready to Join Finish Your Book?

Don't let your ideas sit in a draft folder. Seize this opportunity to tell the world, "I wrote a book!" Enroll in our Finish Your Book programme and turn the insights from this episode into real progress on your writing journey.

Enroll Now

Keep writing, it will all work out. Let this episode and our Finish Your Book programme be your catalyst to success.

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Episode 97—The Pen Behind the Posts: Celebrating Staff Blog Writer Lauren’s 3-Year Anniversary

In this episode, Pete and Laura head over to The Writers’ Room for a very special episode. Today we chat with staff blog writer Lauren Davison. 

We are reaching three years of Derbyshire Writing School, so we thought it would be nice to talk to some people that have been around from the beginning. One of those is Lauren Davison, our in-house staff blogger. 

Lauren has been an important part of the Derbyshire Writing School team and she creates lots of the useful blog posts you’ll find on our website.

 Pete and Laura ask Lauren:

• What three things have you learnt since being a part of Derbyshire Writing School?
• What does Derbyshire Writing School mean to you?
• What are you most proud of creating in your time here at Derbyshire Writing School?
• Can you talk to us through your blog writing process? What’s your step-by-step guide?
• What advice could you share for our listener if they wanted to write blog posts?
• Have you got a book you’re working on? What’s next in your writing career? What are your writing goals?

You can find all of Lauren’s helpful blogs at https://www.derbyshirewritingschool.com/blog

We want to hear from you! info@derbyshirewritingschool.com

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Episode - 96—I Want To Say A Few Words: Crafting a Heartfelt Eulogy with Confidence - Book Launch

In this episode, Pete and Laura head over to The Writers’ Room for a very special episode. Today Pete launches his latest book. 

I Want to Say a Few Words: How To Craft a Heartfelt Eulogy for a Loved One’s Funeral: A Simple Step-by-Step Process, Packed with Eulogy Writing Ideas, Help & Advice from a Professional Eulogy Writer is the latest book launched by Pete.

“I Want to Say A Few Words: How To Craft a Heartfelt Eulogy for a Loved One’s Funeral” serves as a compassionate companion in the important journey of writing a eulogy. It’s something you may not want to think about today. We understand. But someday, someone you know may need a resource that crafts the words to say at a funeral.

This workbook is far more than a ‘fill in the blanks eulogy template’ process. It’s not about rushing through to a finished eulogy. Pete’s wish is to offer the reader a thoughtful, measured approach to writing a eulogy for your loved one’s funeral that is as unique as the life it celebrates.

What’s included in this book:

✓ An invitation to reflect, remember, and write from the heart.

✓ A four-step process and sixteen practical worksheets to help you craft a memorable eulogy.

✓ A compassionate professional eulogy writer who has crafted over 700 eulogies to guide you.

✓ An empathetic approach to writing a eulogy.

✓ 169 pages - A4 size workbook with lots of space for making notes and capturing memories.

Writing a heartfelt eulogy that honours the life of your loved one starts with this book.

Special Launch Offer Prices.

As a launch offer, the book in various formats will have a significant price reduction for 5 days from 28th July - 1st August. 

What versions are available?

eBook with 34 page PDF download - 0.99p - on Amazon

High Quality PDF Download including extra worksheets - £5.99 via Pete’s Website

169 large format A4 page paperback - £9.99 on Amazon

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Episode 95—From the Author's Voice: A Live Book Reading of 'Everyday Storytellers Write Non-Fiction.' by Laura Stroud

In this episode, Pete and Laura head over to The Writers’ Room for a very special episode. 

Everyday Storytellers Write Non-Fiction: A Step-By-Step Guide to Noticing Your Life and Turning It Into Stories, is the latest book in the Everyday Storytellers Series by Laura.

Hear Laura read a section of her new book.

Are you ready to uncover the power of your own story and share it with the world?

Your stories matter. It’s time you started sharing them.

Maybe you’ve started to jot down your memories, thinking one day you’ll turn them into stories, or perhaps you’ve started journaling, or even just started to think more about documenting your life. But what’s really stopping you from writing? Structure? Voice? Editing? Are you worried about sharing your words?

You have a story to tell, and this book will help you tell it.

Through practical advice and lots of creative activities, this book will show you how to shape real-life stories into a narrative that flows and engages readers.

Through this step-by-step approach, you’ll learn:

• What non-fiction writing is and how to write compelling stories.
• Where to start with your storytelling so you feel confident in beginning.
• Why noticing your life is the key to always having something to write about.
• How to structure your story so your readers want to turn the page.
• When to share your life stories and when to hold back.

For memoir writers, bloggers, or people who want to take their travel stories to the next level, this book is for you. Filling you with confidence and skills to get your story told.

The book also includes:

• A secret-revealing chapter about finding your writing voice.
• A breakdown of the essential four stages of editing.
• A writing toolkit to skyrocket your storytelling.
• A friendly pep talk to motivate and encourage you!

This book will help you write about your life and help you share it with the world.

Notice your life.

Save the special moments.

Share your words.

So why wait? It’s time to unlock the power of your words and share your unique perspective with the world. Don’t let your stories go untold any longer. Start writing TODAY.We would love to hear from you. Please let us know about your self-publishing questions, problems or ideas. We want to hear from you! info@derbyshirewritingschool.com

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Episode 94 - From Truth to Tribute: Everyday Storytelling, Self-Publishing Updates, the Perfect Eulogy Writing Tool

In this episode, Pete and Laura head over to The Writers’ Room to catch up with what’s happened since the last episode.

In Section One: THE WRITERS’ ROOM. We explore writing problems and struggles by answering your questions. This month we don’t have a question for you. Why not send us a question you would ask us to chat about? We want to hear from you! Write to us at info@derbyshirewritingschool.com

Section Two: PERSONAL PROJECTS. In this section, we share what we’ve been working on.

Laura has been busy ghostwriting two memoirs. She explains her interviewing process and her quest to find the best questions to explore the story the memoir will tell.

Pete explains how and why his eulogy writing book got a new title and subtitle.

I Want to Say a Few Words: How To Craft a Heartfelt Eulogy for a Loved One’s Funeral. A Simple Step-by-Step Process, Packed with Eulogy Writing Ideas, Help & Advice from a Professional Eulogy Writer.

With some finer details to finish for the paperback and audio, should Pete publish the eBook or wait is the question? What about creating an audio book? What do you think?

Section Three: BOOK UPDATE. In this section, we share interesting book recommendations, articles, or ideas to help you on your writing journey.

Laura reflects on the epic story: ‘A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara.’ Also tells us about her book club recommendation: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.

Pete is excited about - The Lost Pianos of Siberia by Sophy Roberts. In ‘The Lost Pianos of Siberia’, Sophy Roberts embarks on an epic journey across the vast, timeless landscape of Siberia. Unravelling hidden tales of forgotten pianos and the resilient people whose lives have intertwined with these instruments. Sophy sets on a quest to find one such instrument for a friend. 

Siberia. The word makes everything it touches vibrate at a different pitch… Siberia rolls off the tongue with a sibilant chill… Siberia is far more significant than a place on the map: it is a feeling which sticks like a burr, a temperature, the sound of sleepy flakes falling on snowy pillows and the crunch of uneven footsteps coming from behind.

Section Four: LESSONS LEARNED. In this section, we share what we are learning about writing and publishing, as it never stops!

Amazon updates the rules on categories for self-publishing and the price of publishing book through KDP. Worth making sure your pricing is correct!

Pete mentions - So Good They Call You a Fake | Joshua Lisec’s Secrets to Creating Unbelievable Results from The James Altucher Show Podcast.

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/so-good-they-call-you-a-fake-joshua-lisecs-secrets/id794030859?i=1000616783197

Section Five: WHAT’S HAPPENING AT DERBYSHIRE WRITING SCHOOL THIS WEEK? - How are we building the business this week?

Episode 93—Beyond The Manuscript: An Author’s Journey into Clarity, Communication, & Connection with Lucy Rennie.

In this episode, Pete and Laura head over to The Writers’ Room to chat with Lucy Rennie about how writing her latest book came out of a desire to help someone else. 

Lucy Rennie is a communication and marketing expert, business mentor and bestselling author. 

She helps small business owners to grow, develop and future-proof their business

As a huge champion for small business, Lucy is a massive believer in people do business with people. Lucy Rennie is on a mission to share her love for small business. She works with entrepreneurs and business owners. Lucy uses strategies to keep progress going, creating trust and bringing in the best customers and staff for their companies. 

A massive Star Wars fan, Lucy lives and works on the side of a big hill overlooking Whaley Bridge, a beautiful village on the edge of the Peak District with her husband, 2 kids and a crazy chocolate Labrador, Kylo Ren. 

In this episode, Pete and Laura ask Lucy:

• Congratulations on the publication of your book—Clarity, Communication & Connection: Three Clear Steps to Future-Proof Your Business. Let’s talk about your writing process. Have you always wanted to write a book? Where did the idea come from?
• One challenge for writers is maintaining motivation and productivity throughout the writing process. How did you stay motivated and focused while writing, and what advice do you have for writers struggling with these issues?
• What did you learn through the writing process? What three pieces of specific advice could you share with our listeners about writing non-fiction?
• Your book focuses on the importance of communication and clarity in business. Can you speak to how these concepts apply to writers and the writing process, too?
• Your book emphasises the importance of being adaptable and open to change. How can this help writers overcome creative block or feeling stuck in their writing?
• Describe what you mean by "future-proofing" and how writers can adopt this approach.
• Talking of future-proofing, what are your plans for the future with your business, and your book writing? 

You can find out more about Lucy, her book and her business at:

Website - https://www.iamlucyrennie.com/

Book – Clarity, Communication & Connection: Three Clear Steps to Future-Proof Your Business. 

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Episode 92 —Turning Pages: An Insider’s Look Into Derby Book Festival with Sian Hoyle 

In this episode, Pete and Laura head over to The Writers’ Room to chat with Sian Hoyle—Derby Book Festival.

We are back in the writers’ room and we have a guest in our hot seat this week! Sian Hoyle from Derby Book Festival.

For over 30 years, Sian worked in Marketing and Communications in London, before relocating to Derby to be closer to family. In 2012, she took voluntary redundancy from Derby City Council and worked as a freelancer until 2015, when she co-founded the Derby Book Festival with her friend Jenny Denton. 

Despite having no prior experience in publishing, the pair were keen readers and believed they knew the sort of events that would appeal to the people of Derby. Derby Book Festival was born! They ran the event as volunteers for the first year, then with some Arts Council funding and local business sponsorship, they took on paid roles. In 2020, during the pandemic, Sian took over as Director and has since organised two festivals each year since 2021, along with an ever-expanding community program. Turning the Derby Book Festival into an important community experience for the people of Derby. 

Pete and Laura ask Sian:

• Tell us more about yourself and your work with the Derby Book Festival. When did you first fall in love with books?
• We know how important reading is, but let’s talk about this some more. Part of the festival’s aim is to celebrate the joy that books and reading bring to our lives. So for you, Sian, why is reading so important?
• Two questions here really: First, how do you decide what a ‘good book’ is? And how do you decide which authors to bring to the festival?
• What practical advice could you offer to our listeners to help them get the most out of attending the book festival?

For more information on Derby Book Festival, check out:

Website: https://www.derbybookfestival.co.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DerbyBookFestival/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/derbybookfest

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derby_book_festival/

Sian mentions the following books:

Trespasses: A Novel by Louise Kennedy

We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

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Episode 91—Yes, I’m The Great Pretender: Navigating the Creative Challenges of Imposter Syndrome in Writing.

Section One: THE WRITERS’ ROOM. In this section, we explore writing problems and struggles by answering your questions.

What is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is when you feel you’re not good enough at something, even if you’re actually doing well. It’s like having a little voice in your head that tells you that you’re pretending to be good at something, and that everyone will find out you’re not as skilled as they think. 

The term impostor phenomenon was introduced by Pauline R. Clance and Suzanne A. Imes.

For more information you can read a detail review by Pauline R. Clance on her website - https://www.paulineroseclance.com/impostor_phenomenon.html

Together they mention:

The Netflix Documentary - Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now

The Netflix Documentary - Stutz

Section Two: PERSONAL PROJECTS. In this section, we share what we’ve been working on.

Laura has been completing all the details necessary when publishing a book. Besides working with clients ghosting writing and memoir writing. 

Peter has been refining the third edit of his book in progress. He has changed the name and subtitle of the book and is reflecting on his mission with the book. 

Section Three: BOOK UPDATE. In this section, we share interesting book recommendations, articles, or ideas to help you on your writing journey. 

Pete is finding great insights from reading: Write Useful Books: A modern approach to designing and refining recommendable nonfiction.

Publisher Rocket saves time and frustration when searching for keywords. Publisher Rocket will help you get your book in front of more Amazon shoppers so you can spend less time marketing and more time writing.

Laura has been reading - Write It All Down: How to Put Your Life on the Page by Cathy Rentzenbrink.

Section Four: LESSONS LEARNED. In this section, we share what we are learning about writing and publishing, as it never stops! 

Update from Ingram Spark about changes for their 10 yr celebration - uploads are now free with T & C. 

https://help.ingramspark.com/hc/en-us/articles/15276524164749-IngramSpark-Celebrates-10-Years-

Section Five: WHAT’S HAPPENING AT DERBYSHIRE WRITING SCHOOL TH