the sound mirror

In this chapter I share some news... and chat with my editor Hetha Duffy about editing, our process, what to look out for in your work, what Hetha loves to read and she also gives us top tips on submitting your work and the intricacies of writing, editing and publishing. 

Triumph, wobbles, anxiety and first draft trials...

So, had recorded the charming and talented Ronan Hession, author of Leonard and Hungry Paul but the quality wasn't good enough for you beauties... hence just me this chapter. I will be recording Ronan when he's in London promoting his book. Sorry Ronan!

If you would like to come on and discuss your work (ANY creative process not just literary endeavours) let me know, get in touch!

Books I mention this chapter are:

Dogwood by Lindsay Parnell

Mothlight by Adam Scovell

Union Street by Pat Barker

I chat with Sharon about writing her novel The Handsworth Times and her forthcoming novel, Should I Fall Behind, process, confidence, social media, empathy, appropriation, Nick Cave, music playlists, swearing and more...

We mention writers: 

Janet Frame

Kit de Waal

(check out their work if you haven't already)

Sharon's book is available here:

http://www.bluemoosebooks.com/books/handsworth-times

In this episode I talk about time; theory, experience, the novel, death, ageing, New Years Resolutions and writing. Pretty basic then. 

I am indebted to the incredible website, http://www.exactlywhatistime.com
for all the information I discuss on theories and philosophies of time and I recommend you check it out if it interests you; and it should!!

I also talk about:
From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell
Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace
The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
Nabokov's Dream Diary
Innocents and Others by Dana Spiotta

Let me know how you're doing and how you write time... 

Happy New Year, you gorgeous bunch!

In this chapter I talk about class, writing difficult, unlikeable characters and process.

In Ketchup I chat about:

Olivia Sudjic's book, Exposure

Dead Ink's collection of essays, Know Your Place

And

The TV adaptation of Elena Ferrante's My Brilliant Friend.

If you have any suggestions for my character's name, give me a shout on twitter or the First Graft facebook page!

Short and sweet one today... I talk about fear, being silenced and the launch of Somesuch Stories anthology which features the writing of Daisy Johnson, Sophie Mackintosh, Octavia Bright and me... as well as many more. 

This chapter I'm talking about creative slumps, reaching out, feeling grateful for the generosity of the writing community and point of view... something that I wrestle with in the beginning of all my stories. We talk about the brilliance of James Wood, Virginia Woolf, Rose Tremain, Graham Greene and Deborah Levy. 

In this chapter we talk about characters, truth, and not being a genius! Listeners share their procrastination tactics and I share a couple of extracts from The Sound Mirror. Join us!