The Writers’ Gym Podcast

One thing that becomes clear the more accomplished we get in any area of writing (or of anything else): the kind of writing somebody else is doing still looks to us more like "real" writing...

Dr Mike Jones is a rock lyricist (notably for Latin Quarter, including their Top 20 hit Radio Africa), reader and lecturer in music at Liverpool University. His work includes an MA programmes in partnership with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and another in the Beatles: Music Industry and Heritage. He wrote, directed and produced 'Where Light Falls', an exploration of the career of Joni Mitchell, performed in Sheffield and Liverpool; he also wrote, directed and produced 'George Harrison and Indian Music', performed at Liverpool Philharmonic.

Mike talks to Rachel Knightley about the relationship of political and personal influences on his lyrics and career in writing, and how his journey through the music industry and academia are moving him towards a deeper interest in another kind of writing...

Acclaimed actor, poet and novelist Nigel Planer joins Dr Rachel Knightley for a very special, between-series episode of The Writers’ Gym podcast. From writers’ geographical landscapes to the love of flares and the influence of Pratchett on their lives and works, this is a sneak preview of Nigel Planer and Friends, featuring Nigel, Rachel and filmmaker and debut novelist Simon Rumley, at Riverside Studios Tuesday 30 January at 7pm.

Book tickets at https://riversidestudios.co.uk/see-and-do/nigel-planer-and-friends-97418/

Hosted by Rachel Knightley and edited by Chris Gregory of Alternative Stories: https://riversidestudios.co.uk/see-and-do/nigel-planer-and-friends-97418/

In this edition of the Writers' Gym Podcast with Rachel Knightley and Emily Inkpen we'll look at the relationship between music and writing. We'll explore music as inspiration and motivation, music as a creator of moods and as an accompaniment to your work and books inspired by or suggested by music.

Artists mentioned in this podcast include

• Thomas Bergersen
• Mogwai
• David Bowie
• Sigur Ros
• Allen Stroud and his soundtrack for The Dex legacy
• Pink Floyd
• The soundtracks to Fantasia, Lord of the Rings, How to Train Your Dragon and Wind River.
• The Soundtracks of Nick Cave and Warren Ellis
• The soundtracks of Jonny Greenwood

Rachel would like to add Penguin Cafe Orchestra to the list of artists that have inspired her

Books mentioned in this podcast include

• Exile Music by Jennifer Steil
• Espedair Street by Iain Banks
• Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell
• Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• The Noise of Time by Julian Barnes

Join the Writers’ Gym and book your next writing workout at https://www.rachelknightley.com/the-writers-gym/

The Writers Gym Podcast is an Alternative Stories production for The Writers' Gym.

Find out more about The Writers' Gym and Rachel Knightley by going to https://www.rachelknightley.com/

Find out more about Emily Inkpen and her work by going to https://www.emilyinkpen.com/

And learn more about Chris Gregory and Alternative Stories here https://alternativestories.com/

Subscribe to The Writers’ Gym in your favourite podcast app to be notified of all new episodes as they are released.

In this episode Rachel Knightley and Emily Inkpen look at the role and influence of place in creative writing. We look at the ways in which setting can influence you as writers and affect your characters. As usual, we offer creative writing challenges to help you consider the influence of place in your own work.

In this episode Rachel references “Three Wishes” by Liane Moriarty (Penguin 2003)

Join the Writers’ Gym and book your next writing workout at https://www.rachelknightley.com/the-writers-gym/

Book onto the Alternative Stories “Writing for Radio and Podcasts” online workshop on 21st March with Chris and Emily https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/writing-for-radio-and-podcasts-tickets-832128888907

The Writers Gym Podcast is an Alternative Stories production for The Writers' Gym.

Find out more about The Writers' Gym and Rachel Knightley by going to https://www.rachelknightley.com/

Find out more about Emily Inkpen and her work by going to https://www.emilyinkpen.com/

Learn more about Chris Gregory and Alternative Stories here https://alternativestories.com/

Subscribe to The Writers’ Gym in your favourite podcast app to be notified of all new episodes as they are released. Join us next week for a discussion about world building

New episodes of The Writers’ Gym will appear every Wednesday

In this episode we talk about relationships in your fiction and how they can mould and shape your stories and the arcs of your characters. We explore the ways in which characters interact and consider sources of conflict and interest in these interactions. From dysfunctional families to romantic attachments via warring parties and long-held feuds we hope to provide you with some ideas and inspiration for writing your own fictional relationships.

Join the Writers’ Gym and book your next writing workout at https://www.rachelknightley.com/the-writers-gym/

The Writers Gym Podcast is an Alternative Stories production for The Writers' Gym.

Find out more about The Writers' Gym and Rachel Knightley by going to https://www.rachelknightley.com/

Find out more about Emily Inkpen and her work by going to https://www.emilyinkpen.com/

And learn more about Chris Gregory and Alternative Stories here https://alternativestories.com/

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Subscribe to The Writers’ Gym in your favourite podcast app to be notified of all new episodes as they are released.

Contact us by email at [email protected]

Join us next week for a discussion about short fiction.