Why are you doing what you do? Writing what you write? Creating what you create? Vicky asked herself this recently and realised she wasn’t enjoying herself. Tune in this week and listen to Vicky and Joe talk about creativity, different types of intelligence, the reasons we do the things we do, and why we should be feeding our souls as well as our bank accounts.   Key Takeaways: [1:45] Vicky is feeling a bit flat lately.  [3:15] What’s the whole point?  [6:40] The online marketing space...

This week, Vicky interviews dentist extraordinaire, Dr. Karl Walker-Finch, about his new book In the Loupe. Dr. Karl and Vicky worked together in the early stages of writing his book — and he released it into the wild this month! Listen in and find out about Dr. Karl’s writing process, how he approached the structure, what he enjoyed and what he found challenging, and why music features so heavily in a book about the world of dentistry.   A little bit about Dr. Karl: Dr. Karl Walker-Finch...

Join Vicky and Joe as they talk about — well, frankly, it’s a bit of a shambles this week. But they do talk about finding joy in writing, how we get distracted by stuff we think we should be doing, and how to spark a little joy and write something wonderful. This episode contains nuts and also a story in which Vicky asks, “But why are we going shopping? Why is this fun?”   Key Takeaways:   [7:15] Vicky loves reading and helping people write books that break the traditional rules. [8:55]...

Join Vicky as she chats to her very very old mentor Jon McCulloch, aka the Evil Bald Genius, about how he’s actually a very kind fluffy bunny and not at all evil, and also about his books. We dig into why he wrote his books and, crucially, how’s he’s using them to grow his business. So if you’re writing a book you hope is going to help you grow your business, this is a must-listen episode. You’ll get everything you need inside. Enjoy!   Key Takeaways:   [2:05] A little bit about Jon and...

We’re back for part 2 of the MicroBook Magic Author Showcase! Hurrah! Party! This week, we’ll hear from Sarah Milne, Yinka Ewuola, and Sharon Blue as they read from their upcoming MicroBooks. If you’d like to join us for Season 3 of MicroBook Magic and write your own book by May Day, check the link in the show notes!   Key Takeaways:   [1:20] A little bit about Sarah and her microbook!  [4:50] Sarah reads a bit of her microbook.  [12:15] A little bit about Yinka and why she decided to...

This week, join us for a MicroBook special! To celebrate the end of MicroBook Magic Season 2, Vicky hosted an Author Showcase for MicroBook authors to read a snippet from their upcoming books. Join us for part 1 this week, as we hear all about what a MicroBook actually is, then listen to Hillary Weiss, Clara Callís Lewis, Sara Walka, and Sophie Blackmore entertain and delight us. Enjoy!   Key Takeaways:   [3:30] Is a big book too daunting for you? That’s okay! Write a microbook. [5:45]...

This week, Vicky and Joe welcome our robot overlords with open arms! If you can sit through the first 10 minutes of extremely low-quality discussion about what AI is, from two people who don’t really understand it, you’ll be rewarded with a useful second half. Your hosts share several ways writers can use AI to make their lives easier — and talk about why we won’t ever replace human art with AI art.   Key Takeaways:   [5:40] Is Quora worth it? [6:30] Project Dingle update! [8:10] Welcome...

This week, after waxing lyrical about septic tanks, and reading excerpts from a wonderful little MicroBook, Vicky and Joe dive into life and writing lessons learned over the past 11 years. Basically, some of the most important stuff Vicky could’ve done with knowing before she started. Here it is for you, so you don’t have to faff around before you write your book.   Key Takeaways:   [3:40] Always buy books! [4:20] Joe read that some people felt relieved when they threw their books away....

Come and get weird with Vicky and Joe! This week, your hosts investigate a few ways you can mix it up and get more creative. This episode contains: knitting, bad haikus, interpretative dance, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, magic magnets, cuttlefish, and cat sneezes. It’s better than it sounds, so listen up!   Key Takeaways:   [5:10] Project Dingle Update! [7:30] How can you get weird?  [8:15] Eavesdrop in other people’s conversations.  [15:00] Find a creative hobby to boost and inspire your...

Around this time last year, Vicky and Joe talked about the power of What If? And also ludicrously expensive oak doors, poo disasters, and why shoes in the house are UNACCEPTABLE. This topic is just as relevant now, so we’ve put it out again. What if you tried this thing? What if... you wrote your book? Tune in and get the pep talk you’ve been waiting for.   Key Takeaways:   [6:40] Casa Dingle update! Lots of poo happening. [9:40] What if you made your own door? What if you just….did? ...

This week, Vicky and Joe science the shit out of choosing your book topic! Vicky is doing a really cool programme called Ship 30 for 30, and realised it’s a fabulous way of deciding on your book topic. So tune in and find out why we should be publishing lots of stuff all the time, how to bypass perfectionism, and how Twitter can be a golden source of ideas.   Key Takeaways: [4:00] Project Dingle update!  [5:25] Is my idea the right idea for a book?  [8:00] Some books just start off just...

Friend of the podcast, Sharon Hurley Hall, is back to talk about her new book I’m Tired of Racism: True Stories of Existing While Black — and we had a blast! Come and join us and hear us go on a safari about how awesome How to Get Away with Murder is, and what it’s like living in a bunch of different white majority countries when you’re not white, and what we can all do, collectively, to the make the world a better place for everyone.    Sharon Hurley Hall is an anti-racism activist,...

This week, Vicky and Joe talk mojo, the struggle to find people who can think, and breaking the rules. Finding yourself feeling a bit flat about your writing, your hobby, or life in general? That’s okay, it happens. But how do we yank ourselves out of it? Dunno — but maybe this podcast episode will help. In it you’ll find understanding, a random dog interlude, and a few strategies you could try to dig your mojo out of whatever hole it’s crawled into.   Key Takeaways: [1:25] Vicky is so...

Join us for a pre-festive Repod in which Vicky and Joe discuss: how long will it take? (To write a book, of course.) The short answer: that depends on you, your time, the type of book you’re writing, and a bunch of other stuff. In other words: dunno. The long answer: well, listen in and find out!   Key Takeaways: [6:25] Joe fell through the ceiling at the Dingle! Ouch! [10:50] How long will it take to write a nonfiction book?  [13:00] If you write every day…well Vicky did some math...

This week you’re in for a treat — I invited my MicroBook Magic authors to come and join me live and read from the MicroBooks they’ve been writing during November. And now you can hear their creations on today’s podcast! So grab a cuppa, settle in, and listen — and perhaps you’ll be inspired to write your own MicroBook. Starting January 10, maybe? Maybe? Gwan!   Key Takeaways: [1:00] Vicky created a program where you write a micro book in four weeks!  [2:00] Vicky is hosting another one on...

Join Vicky and Joe for a little rant about bad advice — and some profound deep thoughts about socks from Joe. In this episode, Vicky and Joe share three pieces of writing advice Vicky hates, and Joe shares a piece of general advice he hates, and they talk about how to make things simpler. And also profound socks. Don’t miss it!   Key Takeaways: [1:00] Joe is calling in from an undisclosed underpass!  [7:50] What advice has Joe received that he’s absolutely hated? [9:50] Should you write...

This week, amidst Covid and wedding anniversaries, Vicky runs out of time and reissues an old podcast episode about writing in community. It’s a good one, though. Listen in and discover why you don’t have to be a lonely odd sock, why writing in a group can be so powerful, and a few ways you might want to increase your writing buddies.   Key Takeaways: [3:35] Are all writers tortured and alone?  [5:30] How do you go about writing in community?  [9:45] Vicky loves Sunday evenings because...

Join the plague house as Vicky and Joe discuss Covid (she has it), retelling the Greek myths from a woman’s point of view, and 10 wonderful pieces of writing advice from Vicky’s favourite ever author, Terry Pratchett. You’ll also get a short side-quest on whirlpools, near-death experiences, and George Orwell, which is relevant. Honest.   Key Takeaways: [1:30] Vicky has COVID and it’s a lot of frowny faces in the Dingle right now. [3:15] Vicky is a terrible sick person. She hates just...

How often do you think about what your body’s doing while you write? Do you find yourself twisted up like a shrimp (prawn for brits) by the end of the day? Writing space not inspiring you to greatness? Then listen up because Hannah de Keijzer is an ex professional dancer and she is a magician when it comes to writing spaces that make you feel good, as well as boost creativity. Come and join us as we talk about shrimps and trolls, little touches that can make all the difference, and Cilantro...

Join Vicky and Joe as they discuss: does size matter? Joe is zooming in from a glamorous Tesco car park, but that doesn’t hamper their efforts at talking about how long books should be. Who decides what size they should be? And does it even matter anyway? Tune in and find out — and discover how you can write a legit, fantastic book before Christmas (no BS promises here).   Key Takeaways: [1:20] Joe and Vicky had to stop some major leaks at the Dingle.  [4:10] Did you know there are micro...

This week, Vicky and Joe about retelling the Greek myths from a female point of view, before moving onto the main event: should you imitate your favourite writers? The short answer: yes. The longer answer: listen to this episode to find out why, and how, and how imitating your favourite writers can help you to sound more like YOU.   Key Takeaways: [1:00] Joe almost cut off his finger. [7:15] Dingle update! [8:30] Should you write like other writers?  [14:40] If someone’s making a ton of...

This week, Vicky and Joe consider what would happen if Vicky had got eaten by a bear in Canada, then wander onto the subject of how mean Joe is. Eventually, they get to the heart of things and dig into a really useful episode. If you’ve ever thought “I hate my book!” or “I hate my writing!” this is for you, because while all feelings are valid, they’re not always useful if left at that. So listen in and find out how to dig into those feelings and turn them into something useful so you can get...

When's the last time you played? When were you last really silly? This week, Vicky and Joe are back and they're talking about nerding out with their mates: find out what they get up to every Sunday afternoon and why it's keeping them in tip top condition and ready for action. Plus get a bunch of ideas for how to incorporate play into your days (and nights).   Key Takeaways: [1:40] A few minutes of play time can make a world difference.  [3:15] Joe has the flu. Oh no!  [10:15] Vicky is...

Grab a cuppa and settle in while Vicky holds her very own TED Talk on why snobbery about self-publishing can get in the bin. Yep: riffing off an article in which someone wrote “self-publishing is an insult to the written word”, Vicky and Joe present their case for why actually self-publishing is a shining beacon of awesomeness. Tune in for that, and the pros and cons of traditional publishing and self-publishing, so you can make an informed decision. Ciao!   Key Takeaways: [1:15] Vicky and...