
First Graft Podcast
Heidi James
Join writer Heidi James as she chats with a special guest to explore the creative process from scratch. From the first idea, the first marks on the blank page, wrong turns, successes, making a mess and completing the first draft. Listen to conversations about craft, the creative process, fear, procrastination and the hard graft behind the artwork we love.
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Top 10 First Graft Podcast Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best First Graft Podcast episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to First Graft Podcast for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite First Graft Podcast episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

04/12/19 • 60 min
Join me as I chat with Rónán about his novel, music, silence, making meaning, translation, writing and the wild creativity of family lexicons and fibs.
Read this book!
https://www.bluemoosebooks.com/books/leonard-and-hungry-paul

Chapter eight - I wasn't procrastinating, honestly!
First Graft Podcast
12/07/18 • 27 min
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!

Reintroducing First Graft
First Graft Podcast
11/13/24 • 1 min
We're back.
Join me while I explore the hard graft of creating the work we all love. I'll be talking to writers, artists, musicians and film makers about what inspires and drives them, what gets in the way and how they overcome obstacles.

First Graft with Luke Seomore
First Graft Podcast
02/24/25 • 37 min
In this episode I talk to filmmaker and musician, Luke Seomore, about finding your own style as an artist, collaboration, falling in love with image and our mutual love for the Werner Herzog film, Stroszek.
Luke Seomore is an award winning filmmaker whose thought-provoking work spans commercials, features, documentaries and art installations. Working alongside his directing partner Joseph Bull, their debut fictional feature, BLOOD CELLS premiered at Venice Film Festival. It was released by Picturehouse following its UK premiere at the Edinburgh Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Michael Powell Award. A hypnotic road movie that offers a distinctive look at contemporary Britain, the drama found wide critical acclaim following its release.
Their previous film, the feature documentary ISOLATION (about the experiences of ex-soldiers, seen through the eyes of paratrooper turned photographer, Stuart Griffiths), premiered at Edinburgh and was described by the Guardian as "a beautifully attuned piece of work." Luke composes their music and soundtracks under the guise BLESSED ARE THE HEARTS THAT BEND, and released his debut album through Berlin label Vaagner in 2020. He has performed live scores to their lauded feature documentary ISOLATION in a series of sold-out shows at venues including the Roundhouse and the Barbican in London.
Blessed Are the Hearts That Bend's latest album is 'A gentle death / a sudden birth' released in December 2024.
https://www.unit9.com/director/luke-and-joseph
https://www.instagram.com/lukeseomore/
https://lukeseomore.bandcamp.com
https://player.bfi.org.uk/subscription/film/watch-stroszek-1977-online

Chapter Ten: Time, Gentlemen, Please
First Graft Podcast
01/03/19 • 36 min
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!

Chapter Five: I talk to BEN MYERS about writing, obsessions and weasels.
First Graft Podcast
11/09/18 • 53 min
In this chapter I talk to award winning author Ben Myers (The Gallows Pole, Beastings, Pig Iron, Under the Rock...) about his latest novel, witchcraft, weasels, language, staying true to your ideas and much more... join us.

Chapter four: Whinge Window
First Graft Podcast
11/02/18 • 28 min
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.

Chapter Three: Meet Ariel Kahn!
First Graft Podcast
10/26/18 • 32 min
In this chapter I talk to novelist and lecturer, Ariel Kahn about his wonderful novel, Raising Sparks published earlier this year by Bluemoose Books. We talk about cats, being haunted by characters, buying peppers, silencing the inner critic and giving yourself permission to write (and procrastination). Join us!

Chapter Seven: Chatting Books and Writing with Rebekah Lattin Rawtrone
First Graft Podcast
11/23/18 • 54 min
Join us as we chat about point of view, class, our favourite books, Rebekah's new novel and how to win a copy of the Somesuch anthology.

Chapter fifteen: Chatting with Hetha Duffy, Editor and Co-owner of Bluemoose Books
First Graft Podcast
05/03/19 • 35 min
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.
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FAQ
How many episodes does First Graft Podcast have?
First Graft Podcast currently has 27 episodes available.
What topics does First Graft Podcast cover?
The podcast is about Writer, Fiction, Artist, First, Creative, Writing, Podcasts, Support, Draft, Arts and Novel.
What is the most popular episode on First Graft Podcast?
The episode title 'Chapter fifteen: Chatting with Hetha Duffy, Editor and Co-owner of Bluemoose Books' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on First Graft Podcast?
The average episode length on First Graft Podcast is 37 minutes.
How often are episodes of First Graft Podcast released?
Episodes of First Graft Podcast are typically released every 7 days, 8 hours.
When was the first episode of First Graft Podcast?
The first episode of First Graft Podcast was released on Oct 10, 2018.
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