Companion Pieces

Creative Admin (E21)

I talk about writing ups and downs, give us 15 minutes to get some work done - in my case, correcting voice typing - and wonder whether voice typing is as good a way of moving from notebook to computer as I thought it’d be. Podcast mentioned: Making Trouble with Molly Naylor: The Trouble with Time, featuring Ian McMillan. Sound for the 15 minutes: evening garden noises, including a male pheasant strutting about cooing to himself (and some louder noises when he calls - don’t be alarmed). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drawingfromtheinkwell.substack.com [https://drawingfromtheinkwell.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

It's a First Draft (E20)

Some particularly lovely sounds this week as spring springs round here (bees, lambs, all kinds of birds). Otherwise, me talking about a difficult writing week and giving myself (and you, if you need it) a pep-talk. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drawingfromtheinkwell.substack.com [https://drawingfromtheinkwell.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Sticking Point (E19)

I talk about quiet moments in books (scenes of lower conflict), my experience of re-reading a favourite childhood author, and making lists. But most importantly, I give you 15 minutes of gentle sound to do some creative work to. Book mentioned: The Magicians of Caprona, by Diana Wynne Jones. Podcast mentioned: Death of 1000 Cuts, hosted by Tim Clare. Sound for the 15 minutes: the burn (stream) beside my studio. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drawingfromtheinkwell.substack.com [https://drawingfromtheinkwell.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Ideas from Reading (E18)

I talk about books I’ve been reading that have multiple main characters, and things I’ve learned from them - or haven’t. But mostly, as usual, this is 15 minutes of quiet time to get some work done. Books mentioned: The Night Watch, by Sarah Waters, and The Golem and the Jinni, by Helene Wecker. Sound for the 15 minutes: noises from the garden (including common gulls, sheep, and farm traffic). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drawingfromtheinkwell.substack.com [https://drawingfromtheinkwell.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Tests, Allies and Enemies (E17)

As always, this is a podcast to ease you into doing 15 minutes of focused work, and then pat you on the back (aurally) once you’ve done it. In this episode, I talk briefly about what needs to happen in acts I and II of a novel in the three-act structure, and spend a little time figuring out what to do with my 15 minutes. This episode is especially for you if you know you’d like to do some kind of creative work today, but haven’t quite figured out what. Sound for the 15 minutes of focusing time: the stream beside my studio. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drawingfromtheinkwell.substack.com [https://drawingfromtheinkwell.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]