The Writers‘ Block Cornwall

Pascale is a French and Welsh poet now living in Cornwall.  She has written eight poetry collections, four of which have been shortlisted for the TS Eliot prize. Her recent collections have been shortlisted for the Forward Prize and won the inaugural Laurel Prize 2020, and the Royal Society of Literature's Ondaatje Prize. Pascale's work often merges rich natural landscapes with personal stories, weaving psychological exploration with political through gorgeous poetry. We chat about the therapeutic quality of writing, visiting her mixed heritage through landscape, and what it means to expose your stories through writing.   Sound and music production by South West Sonic.

Natasha is a working class writer and poet and author of nine books, her latest being Undercurrent – A Cornish Memoir of Poverty, Nature and Resilience. She is the founder of the Nature Writing Prize for Working Class Writers, and Artistic Director of the Working Class Writers Festival. In this conversation she speaks passionately about the freedom and inspiration that nature brought her growing up in rural poverty, her endless drive to advocate on nature and socio economic issues, and how she has avoided ever having writer's block. We hope you enjoy this episode. Sound and music production by Southwestsonic.

The Writers' Block podcasts are conversations between writer Polly Roberts and other Cornwall based writers looking at why we write, the writing process, and the part Cornwall plays in our work. In this episode, writer and director Brett Harvey talks about the thrill and challenges of screenwriting, why none of his Cornwall-based films include imagery of the coast or sea, and how he considers his short film Hand, a documentation of his diagnoses of early set Parkinson's disease, as a form of therapy writing. 

The Writers' Block podcasts are conversations between writer Polly Roberts and other Cornwall based writers looking at why we write, the writing process, and the part Cornwall plays in our work.  In this episode, novelist Patrick Gale talks about the intricacies of his writing process; research and use of notebooks, the composting element and his longhand first drafts. Patrick's generosity gives us an insight into the life and work of a writer, who, in his own words, has never had a grown up job. Patrick's latest novel, Mother's Boy, is based on Charles Causley's early life and is available now.    Music, sound production and editing by South West Sonic https://a-m-p.co.uk/

The Writers' Block podcasts are conversations between writer Polly Roberts and other Cornwall based writers looking at why we write, the writing process, and the part Cornwall plays in our work.  In this first episode of a new series, Polly talks to Rebecca Tantony. Rebecca's work ranges from poetry to spoken word and memoire. She is a creative writing mentor and facilitator, leading workshops for retreats, community projects and most recently, for The Writers' Block work with schools. She is running a Creative Writing & Yoga Retreat in Cornwall on 14 & 15 May. Find out more here https://www.rebecca-tantony.com/retreat

Four weekly audio stories in February & March from The Writers' Block, Writers Room. Things You Should Know About Grandad by Gareth Rees.  This is a dark tale with echoes of Roald Dahl... Gareth is a writer living in Cornwall. Currently on the MFA creative writing programme at Manchester Metropolitan University's Manchester Writing School, he is working on an historical novel set in his native Wales. www.gdlrees.co.uk   Read by Aidan Nightingale, Keith Sparrow & Nina Hills. Directed by Connie Crosby Audio recording & production by Phil Innes. 

Four weekly audio stories in February & March from The Writers' Block, Writers Room. Pencarrow Suit by Kate Wilson Kate Wilson writes short stories and flash fiction. Her favourite writers are 1) Kevin Barry 2) Lucia Berlin and 3) Deborah Eisenberg although this order changes regularly depending whose work she's reading. She also loves George Saunders. Kate completed an MA in Creative Writing at Exeter University in 2021. Read by Nina Hills, Olivia Lowry, Aidan Nightingale & Keith Sparrow. Directed by Connie Crosby Audio recording & production by Phil Innes. 

Four weekly audio stories in February & March from The Writers' Block, Writers Room. Fallen Anchor by Sonny Arifien. I'm an Australian freelance writer and arts journalist who now resides by the sea in Margate, Kent. I'm also the founder and creative director of Privilege of Legends: a film news site dedicated for cinephiles like myself with a passion for cinema classics, yet share little in common with the white academic males that typically dominate the discussion. In my spare time I'm working on a collection of short stories, and a novel, 'Roadside Zombies in Calais'.    Read by Keith Sparrow & Aidan Nightingale Directed by Connie Crosby Audio recording & production by Phil Innes. 

Four weekly audio stories in February & March from The Writers' Block, Writers Room. Doesn't Like Fish by C.M Davis C.M Davis is a new writer, experimenting with screenplay and short stories. She has written two short stories, the first of which was published in the 2020 Bath Flash Fiction anthology. 'Doesn't Like Fish' is her second. She is based in West Cornwall.   

This season, and this year, are brought to an end with a conversation between Annamaria Murphy and Polly Roberts - writers and members of The Writers' Block team. Anna is Artistic Director to The Writers' Block and The Story Republic and was a huge part in the creation of our unique space. Next year we will be opening a new Writers' Block, to inspire, transform and nurture writers of all ages. In this episode we celebrate the artistic journey taken to get here, and hear of Anna's curious writing process as well as her work writing plays for Kneehigh Theatre and BBC Radio 4.

Story written by Sarah Connors from a tale told by Wendy. Read by Elaine Claxton. Paper Pen Envelopes was created by The Writers' Block. Due to lockdown restrictions, many people have become very isolated and have experienced loneliness. The simple aim of this project is to share stories through letter writing. Writers Sarah Connors and Polly Roberts have been meeting with individuals in and around Camborne and Redruth, sharing tales  which have prompted letter exchanges with children from Trewirgie, Penponds and St John's Primary Schools. Some of these stories have been recorded and others printed on postcards. You can find all the stories on The Writers' Block library at www.thewritersblock.org.uk/the-library The project has been funded by Cornwall Community Foundation and supported by Coastline & Arts Council England.  Recorded and edited by Jimmy Marshall- South West Sonic. Music is an excerpt of Fruition by Edoy https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Edoy

Story written by Polly Roberts from a tale told by Kevin. Read by Keith Sparrow. Paper Pen Envelopes was created by The Writers' Block. Due to lockdown restrictions, many people have become very isolated and have experienced loneliness. The simple aim of this project is to share stories through letter writing. Writers Sarah Connors and Polly Roberts have been meeting with individuals in and around Camborne and Redruth, sharing tales  which have prompted letter exchanges with children from Trewirgie, Penponds and St John's Primary Schools. Some of these stories have been recorded and others printed on postcards. You can find all the stories on The Writers' Block library at www.thewritersblock.org.uk/the-library The project has been funded by Cornwall Community Foundation and supported by Coastline & Arts Council England. Recorded and edited by Jimmy Marshall- South West Sonic. Music is an excerpt of Yearbook by Edoy https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Edoy

Story written by Sarah Connors from a tale told Leah. Read by Olivia Lowry. Paper Pen Envelopes was created by The Writers' Block. Due to lockdown restrictions, many people have become very isolated and have experienced loneliness. The simple aim of this project is to share stories through letter writing. Writers Sarah Connors and Polly Roberts have been meeting with individuals in and around Camborne and Redruth, sharing tales  which have prompted letter exchanges with children from Trewirgie, Penponds and St John's Primary Schools. Some of these stories have been recorded and others printed on postcards. You can find all the stories on The Writers' Block library at www.thewritersblock.org.uk/the-library The project has been funded by Cornwall Community Foundation and supported by Coastline & Arts Council England. Recorded and edited by Jimmy Marshall- South West Sonic. Music is an excerpt of Heights by Edoy https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Edoy

To open the new season we have an extra special guest, Sir Tim Rice! Lyricist extraordinaire, producer, writer, cricketer and The Writers' Block patron, Tim has a wealth of stories and wisdom to share with us. Best known for writing the lyrics to Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, and Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat, along with songs for Aladdin and The Lion King, we have all sung along to one of his songs at least once! We are hugely grateful for his support and hope you enjoy this interview.   Music, sound production and editing by South West Sonic https://a-m-p.co.uk/

In episode two, I have the pleasure of two guests: Cornwall-based writer, actor and facilitator Clare Owen who has recently released her first book, Zed and the Cormorants, and voice artist, actor, and once-upon-a-time TV presenter Sophie Aldred who is most famous for her role as Ace in Dr. Who and is the reader for the audio book of Zed. We spoke about crossing artistic modalities, the part nature plays in creativity, and the theme of mental health that flows as an undercurrent through Clare's book.  Zed and the cormorant is available to buy or can be ordered at all bookshops. Music, sound production and editing by South West Sonic https://a-m-p.co.uk/v

In season three, episode one, I catch up with poet, senior lecturer in creative writing at Exeter University, and community arts project leader John Wedgewood Clarke. John grew up in West Penwith and reflects on the diverse and complex cultural landscape of his childhood, from the artist's of St. Ives to the mines of Camborne and how the human has imprinted upon the natural. We discuss how nature has influenced his work, how he found poetry and why he writes. Music, sound production and editing by South West Sonic https://a-m-p.co.uk/

Stories inspired by St Just, the people who left, the people who came and those who stayed where they were, by Penwith writers Annamaria Murphy and Jowan Jacobs. With thanks to Loveny choir for use of their song 'Away from the Roll of the Sea'. https://www.lovenymvc.co.uk/  Part of the Tin Coast Events Programme. Commissioned by the Tin Coast Partnership and Cornwall 365.

Stories inspired by St Just, the people who left, the people who came and those who stayed where they were, by Penwith writers Annamaria Murphy and Jowan Jacobs. Part of the Tin Coast Events Programme. Commissioned by the Tin Coast Partnership and Cornwall 365.

Stories inspired by St Just, the people who left, the people who came and those who stayed where they were, by Penwith writers Annamaria Murphy and Jowan Jacobs. Part of the Tin Coast Events Programme. Commissioned by the Tin Coast Partnership and Cornwall 365.

Stories inspired by St Just, the people who left, the people who came and those who stayed where they were, by Penwith writers Annamaria Murphy and Jowan Jacobs. Part of the Tin Coast Events Programme. Commissioned by the Tin Coast Partnership and Cornwall 365.

Stories inspired by St Just, the people who left, the people who came and those who stayed where they were, by Penwith writers Annamaria Murphy and Jowan Jacobs. Part of the Tin Coast Events Programme. Commissioned by the Tin Coast Partnership and Cornwall 365.

In episode two of our second season, I speak with travel writer, journalist, novelist and YA author Emily Barr. We chat about starting new novels during lockdown, publishing a book about a pandemic during a pandemic, writing about scary things to become less scared, and about the happy accidents that led to Emily's prolific and varied writing career. Emily's playful attitude to writing is contagious and her stories are exciting as well as empathic. Her latest YA novel, Things to do Before the End of the World will be out soon and her first thriller We Hear Voices is now out in the US. Music, sound production and editing by A.M.P services www.a-m-p.co.uk   

Welcome back for season two of Words in a Time of Lockdown. Episode one is a conversation with poet, short story writer and speaker on black history and rural racism, Louisa Adjoa Parker. We discuss how the Black Lives Matter movement affected her and her work, about the difficulties of intersectionality in the arts world, and her passion for giving voice to marginalised stories. Louisa's energy and honesty makes for rich writing and listening. Click here to view the video mentioned of her poem 'Dear West Country White People.' Louisa's latest short story collection 'Stay with me' is out now, available to purchase from Colenso Books or online retailers. Music, sound production and editing by A.M.P services www.a-m-p.co.uk 

Rock Bottom is an audio drama for adults about a small Cornish community readjusting to life after Lockdown 1.    When an unexpected event happens on a close knit housing estate, surprising allegiances are formed and secrets revealed.   Written by Sarah Connors, directed by Anna Murphy and starring Keith Sparrow , Nina Hills and Connie Crosby , with sound by Phil Innes, Rock Bottom is a story about love, family loyalty and community.

We end Season 1 on a conversation with author of over fifty children's books, Anna Wilson. She is a tutor for Arvon, London Lit Lab and City University London, among so much else! We talk about the part the sea plays in her writing process, working with illustrators and writing during lockdown. Special guest, Nala the dog, at the end. Recorded remotely with music, sound production, and editing by A.M.P www.a-m-p.co.uk  

In episode two I speak with poet, spoken word artist and rapper Megan Chapman about the arts in Cornwall, opportunities for writers, performing online and stage fright.  Megan mentions 'A Space to Write' by Amanda Harris and Steve Tanner. Music, sound production and editing by A.M.P services www.a-m-p.co.uk 

In this podcast I chat with Man-Booker nominated author, lecturer, and literary consultant Wyl Menmuir about what creativity looked like for him during lockdown, tricks to keep writing at the hardest of times, and how to get to the heart of your book. Music, sound production, and editing by A.M.P www.a-m-p.co.uk www.thewritersblock.org.uk/events