A podcast interviewing all different types of writers and asking one key question 'what's the one thing that elevated your writing to the next level?' Perfect for writers who want to learn how to improve their craft. Thanks for listening and if you like what you hear, please subscribe.
Madeleine D'Este | interviewing writers and authors about their writing craft
Interview with writer and stand-up comic, Tim Ewins “It’s a good thing to write every day, I just don’t do it.” Episode 76 – Show Notes – Tim Ewins Prefer to write and read novels Writes during lunch breaks at work – with a monthly word target Four years to write his first book Coffee […] The post #76 – Tim Ewins – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Interview with ‘dark and weird’ writer, Alison Littlewood ‘History, folklore, ghosts and spooky things.’ Episode 75 – Alison Littlewood – Show Notes Plot beginnings and endings and pants it all the rest of the way Word count spreadsheet – 1000 words per day Obsessive about edits Satisfies the canine overlords before she begins a writing […] The post #75 – Alison Littlewood – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Interview with author and music journalist, Jon Black “You can’t do a one-to-one transition of role-playing to fiction.” Episode 74 – Jon Black No preference for medium but a natural geography and cluster in terms of word counts Mix of a plotter and pantser. Influenced by role-playing games Environment is important – quirky 24-hour coffee […] The post #74 – Jon Black – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Interview with debut steampunk author, Kristy Childs “How to make Sleeping Beauty an active protagonist.” Episode 73 – Kristy Childs – Show Notes Writes seasonally – starts in November with Nanowrimo until April Light plot outline but generally pantsing Fuelled by green tea Themes are usually concepts to be included in the work – e.g. […] The post #73 – Kristy Childs – Write Through The Roof podcast appeared first on .
Interview with paranormal author, Violeta M. Bagia “Whatever you do, you’re only going to get better by repeating it.” Episode 72 – Violeta M. Bagia – Show Notes Writes every day without fail Early morning writing time is the best Nice pair of shoes are required to write Poetic and “prose-y” style. PTSD, new identity, […] The post #72 – Violeta M. Bagia – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Interview with cosy mystery writer Debbie Young “Cosy mysteries are an antidote to the strains of modern life” Episode 71 – Debbie Young – Show Notes Short novels are her favourite form Journalistic background but mainly a pantser Writes a chapter a day in the writing phase Doesn’t always write every day. Needs to recharge […] The post #71 – Debbie Young – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Episode 70 – interview with sci-fi author, podcaster and writing coach, RR Campbell. “There’s no Twitter, no email. The coffee is here. The time has come.” Episode 70 – Show Notes Meticulous planner rather than pantser – with scene by scene outlines. This means every morning he wakes up and knows exactly what he’s going […] The post #70 – R.R. Campbell – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Interview with Alan Baxter, writer of dark weird shit ‘Write caffeinated and edit drunk’ Episode 69 – Alan Baxter – Show Notes Baxter believes plotting and pantsing is a sliding scale. Vomit drafter but often edits a little before starting each day’s writing session Has a target of 5000 words per week when writing first […] The post #69 – Alan Baxter – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Interview with Lee Kofman – author and writing teacher ‘In each draft I try to get one or two things right rather than everything.’ Episode 68 – Lee Kofman – Show Notes Creative non-fiction is her current favourite medium. Closer to poetry than non-fiction. It is a fresher and younger experimental genre. Multi-tasking with children […] The post #68 – Lee Kofman – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Interview with Afro-futurist writer Agnes Gomillion “I wanted people to reflect on their relative state of freedom.” Episode 67 – Agnes Gomillion – Show Notes Writes something every day – maybe poetry or notes but not necessarily her ‘work-in-progress’ Poetry, songs and lyrical writing Sleep is writing fuel of choice Afrofuturism – lift the audience […] The post #67 – Agnes Gomillion – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Interview with alternative history novelist Alison Morton ‘Exercise your writing muscle in different ways on different days.’ Episode 66 – Alison Morton – Show Notes 30% plotter and 70% pantser Black moments: when it all falls apart for the main character Writing versus marketing Tea imported in from England – sergeant major’s tea Wanted to […] The post #66 – Alison Morton – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Podcast interview with historical novelist, Clare Flynn ‘Read everything I could get my little hands on.’ Episode 65 – Clare Flynn – Show Notes Instinctive pantser who occasionally tries to plot The first book took 15 years to write but now tries to be more disciplined Writes most days Two solutions if the words are […] The post #65 – Clare Flynn – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Interview with horror and fantasy writer Christopher Ruz ‘Look for people who are one or two stages ahead of where you’re at.’ Episode 64 – Christopher Ruz – Show Notes Doesn’t know how to write short stories any more. Tries to write every day – most productive when writing every day Rituals – encasing in […] The post #64 – Christopher Ruz – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Interview with best-selling romance & mystery writer Toby Neal ‘People are preoccupied by crime because we want to recognise the wolves in our midst’ Episode 63 – Toby Neal – Show Notes Writing is like a muscle – needs regular workouts 2000 words a day target Both a plotter and a pantser. More pantser for […] The post #63 – Toby Neal – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Episode 62 with Suzanne J Willis – fantasy short story & flash-fiction writer ‘The best kind of fairies, you know, the nasty ones’ Episode 62 – Suzanne J Willis – Show Notes A natural pantser but learning to plot and outline. A structure helps to hit the right beats Making notes every day but not […] The post #62 – Suzanne J Willis – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Episode 61 with Pauline Wiles – women’s fiction author & writing productivity coach ‘We need to figure out our own path and plod along steadily.’ Episode 61 – Pauline Wiles – Show Notes Benefit from writing both fiction and non-fiction: entertainment v exploring own worries Take a day off once a week Tea – English […] The post #61 – Pauline Wiles – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Episode 60 – interview with David Baboulene – author, academic & story consultant ‘I find inspiration but analyse the inspiration to speed up the process’ Episode 60 – David Baboulene – Show Notes Type of writing depending on mood and deadline Both a plotter and a pantser – wearing two hats Successful writers are very […] The post #60 – David Baboulene – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Episode #59 – Interview with cosy-mystery writer Rebecca Tope. ‘I didn’t get published until I was 50.’ Written 35+ murder mystery novels as a pantser Coffee or gin Themes of natural burials & anti-technology. British cosy mysteries featuring a village pub. Mobile phones affecting crime stories & the inclusion of drones Practice – millions & […] The post #59 – Rebecca Tope – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 58 – Patty Jansen– award-winning science-fiction & fantasy writer ‘Don’t bore the reader. Don’t annoy the reader. Don’t confuse the reader.’ Episode 58 – Patty Jansen – Show Notes Do something on the manuscript every day Being a […] The post #58 – Patty Jansen – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 57 – Lucy Snyder– five times Bram Stoker award-winning writer ‘Tell us what characters think about what they’re seeing.’ Episode 57 – Lucy Snyder – Show Notes Writing the type of fiction she’d like to read Defining ‘weird […] The post #57 – Lucy Snyder – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 56 – Alex Harrow – queer SFF author ‘As I edited it, it just got queerer and queerer.’ Episode 56 – Alex Harrow – Show Notes A secret closet pantser who also loves index cards and Scrivener – […] The post #56 – Alex Harrow – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 55 – Orna Ross – poet, novelist & non-fiction writer “Formally practising with free writing gives you all sort of training as a writer but also as a human being.” Episode 55 – Orna Ross – Show Notes […] The post #55 – Orna Ross – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 54 – Sandra Ireland – writer of tartan gothic “I like to be scared when I’m writing.” Episode 54 – Sandra Ireland – Show Notes Morning writing – not as creative in the afternoon Goal of 500 words […] The post #54 – Sandra Ireland – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 53 – Vanessa Garcia – novelist, playwright & journalist “Write the scenes you want to write.” Episode 53 – Vanessa Garcia – Show Notes Sesame Street writers room Intersperse long projects with shorter projects Playwriting is collaborative with […] The post #53 – Vanessa Garcia – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 52 with Kirsten Imani Kasai – writer, academic & editor “I like grit and blood and meat in my work.” Episode 52 – Kirsten Imani Kasai – Show Notes Pantser at heart using an outline as a roadmap but […] The post #52 – Kirsten Imani Kasai – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 51 with Hester Fox – artist & writer of gothic historical fiction “A love letter to New England set at this beautiful house.” Episode 51 – Hester Fox – Show Notes Not necessarily writing every day but doing […] The post #51 – Hester Fox – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 50 with Cathi Stoler – award-winning crime writer “When I was younger I wanted to be a spy.” Episode 50 – Cathi Stoler – Show Notes Writing crime as a pantser Not a plot spreadsheet but a character […] The post #50 – Cathi Stoler – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 49 with Rosalie Morales Kearns – feminist fiction writer and publisher “Do you write every day?” “I wish!” Episode 49 – Rosalie Morales Kearns – Show Notes Novels give a chance to explore characters and a long history […] The post #49 – Rosalie Morales Kearns – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 48 with Icy Sedgwick – blogger and writer of dark fantasy, gothic horror & westerns “I couldn’t write po-faced literature if I tried.” Episode 48 – Icy Sedgwick – Show Notes Flash fiction can be more challenging and […] The post #48 – Icy Sedgwick – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 47 with Grant Faulkner – NaNoWrimo Executive Director & writer “One part writing boot camp, one part rollicking party” Episode 47 – Grant Faulkner – Show Notes Length of project depends on the story idea. Balancing fiction and […] The post #47 – Grant Faulkner – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 46 with Peter McLean – urban & grimdark fantasy author “Grimdark doesn’t work like that. If your leg gets cut off, you’re going to get gangrene.” Episode 46 – Peter McLean – Show Notes Writing binges. Plotter and […] The post #46 – Peter McLean – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 45 with Elizabeth Spann Craig – cosy mystery writer & writing tip gatherer “Don’t discount the elderly.” Episode 45 – Elizabeth Spann Craig – Show Notes Started off as a pantser Understanding your genre’s patterns Muscle memory after […] The post #45 – Elizabeth Spann Craig – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 44 with Charles Christian – award-winning journalist, podcaster & author “People get carried with their gadgets… and forget about the human element.” Episode 44 – Charles Christian – Show Notes Novella length is favourite length. Better for ebooks […] The post #44 – Charles Christian – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 43 with Trevor Young – PR and marketing specialist “If you’ve got a blog you’ve got a digital heartbeat. You’re not on rented land.” Episode 43 – Trevor Young – Show Notes Books are more permanent but blogging […] The post #43 – Trevor Young – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 42 with Valerie Stivers – writer, editor & journalist “The spirit of the book comes alive when you’re cooking from it.” Episode 42 – Valerie Stivers – Show Notes Personal non-fiction is the favourite or novels if the […] The post #42 – Valerie Stivers – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 41 with Nin Harris – author, poet & Gothic scholar “I really love to dig into the guts of a novel to see how it works.” Episode 41 – Nin Harris – Show Notes Inspired to write short […] The post #41 – Nin Harris – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 40 with Kira Leigh– content marketer, artist, tech & games writer “I’m a nerd so I just think of it as role-playing as another person.” Episode 40 – Kira Leigh – Show Notes Prefers long-form articles because ideas […] The post #40 – Kira Leigh – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 39 with Alexandra Sokoloff – thriller author & screenwriter “You are directing a movie onto the page.” Episode 39 – Alexandra Sokoloff – Show Notes Good and evil and what good people can do Screenwriters have to be […] The post #39 – Alexandra Sokoloff – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 38 with Gail Carriger – comedy of manners paranormal romance author “The strength of the romance genre lies in the Heroine’s Journey.” Episode 38 – Gail Carriger – Show Notes A militant plotter and a purger 2000 words […] The post #38 – Gail Carriger – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 37 with Emma Viskic – award-winning crime author “I kept one word from the story. It was Commodore.” Episode 37 – Emma Viskic – Show Notes Plantser, vomit and polish Writing at the extreme ends of the day Belonging, […] The post #37 – Emma Viskic – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 36 with Michelle Worthington – award-winning picture book author “Kids are so bombarded with visuals these days, they love verbal storytelling.” Episode 36 – Michelle Worthington – Show Notes Picture books can be scribbled on the back of napkin […] The post #36 – Michelle Worthington – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 35 with Shona Husk – speculative fiction romance author “I like a fast and dirty draft.” Episode 35 – Shona Husk – Show Notes Writes quickly but as a plotter, edits aren’t generally structural Dark mint chocolate, not coffee […] The post #35 – Shona Husk – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 34 with Fiona Ross – songwriter, singer & jazz journalist “I get more creative and crazy as the day goes on.” Episode 34 – Fiona Ross – Show Notes Go with the flow – music and lyrics go […] The post #34 – Fiona Ross – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 33 with Kim Newman – novelist & film critic “My novels are my purest me.” Episode 33 – Kim Newman – Show Notes Novels as favourite medium, loose outlines and historical research Takeout coffee and working in the […] The post #33 – Kim Newman – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 32 with Margaret Skea – historical fiction writer “I like taking myself and my readers to a place we’ve never been.” Episode 32 – Margaret Skea – Show Notes Storyboard on cardboard with post-it notes Silence, chocolate & […] The post #32 – Margaret Skea – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 31 with Josh Larsen – film critic, editor & broadcaster “Sometimes it’s not fair to the film to dash something off the hour after you’ve seen it.” Episode 31 – Josh Larsen – Show Notes Editing every day […] The post #31 – Josh Larsen – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 30 with Angela Savage – award winning writer & Director of Writers Victoria “Good strong writing comes from using simple words in a compelling way” Episode 30 – Angela Savage – Show Notes Writing on the train and […] The post #30 – Angela Savage – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 29 with Lara Meone Savine – writer & editor of Musae Mosiac “I have to be creatively engaged everyday or I’d go insane.” Episode 29 – Lara Meone Savine – Show Notes Getting into a mindset and committing […] The post #29 – Lara Meone Savine – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 28 with Andrew David Barker – author and film-maker “When you finish something, it gives you the fire to do more.” Episode 28 – Andrew David Barker – Show Notes Pantser for fiction, Plotter for screenplays Fueled by […] The post #28 – Andrew David Barker – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 27 with Charles Chu – non-fiction writer & Medium top contributor “You need to do a little guerrilla warfare as a new writer.” Episode 27 – Charles Chu – Show Notes Starting with an emotion or aesthetic in […] The post #27 – Charles Chu – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .
Welcome to Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers who want to improve their craft. Episode 26 with Burhan Wazir – award winning journalist & editor “Why is this happening? And why now?” Episode 26 – Burhan Wazir – Show Notes Career progression from reporter to editor and back to writing Morning person and […] The post #26 – Burhan Wazir – Write Through The Roof appeared first on .