In this week's episode we'll look at short fiction and the skills and techniques you'll need to master concise storytelling.  We discuss the pros and cons of writing short fiction and some of the drawbacks and limitations of the form.  As usual we end with a writing challenge from Rachel.    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...

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...

In this episode we look at the challenges of making time for your writing and how best to use time when you have it.  As usual we have tips advice and experience from Dr Rachel Knightley and Emily Inkpen and a writing challenge from Rachel.

In this edition Rachel, Emily and Chris each share pieces of writing advice which we hope you’ll find useful.

In this episode of the Writers’ Gym Podcast we’re joined by actor, comedian, novelist and poet Nigel Planer for a discussion about his writing life and the challenges of working on a memoir.

In this episode of the Writers’ Gym Podcast with Dr Rachel Knightley and Emily Inkpen we’re looking at inspiration and perspiration and whether one or other of them is the predominant force in the lives of our presenters.  As usual we have advice, anecdotes, ideas and a writing challenge that listeners can participate in

In this edition of the Writers’ Gym podcast we are joined by the award-winning novelist Gareth L Powell to talk about his work across several genres.  Known primarily as a science-fiction author, Gareth has also written thrillers and fantasy. His guide for writers ”About Writing : A Field Guide for Aspiring Authors” (Gollancz 2022) was described as ”Brilliant” by The Guardian.  In this conversation with Rachel Knightley and Emily Inkpen we discuss Gareth’s career and hear his advice for...

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.

In this episode of the podcast we’ll be looking at the art of generating characters for your fiction.  We’ll look at the secrets of creating believable and authentic characters that can drive your story forward.  Emily and Rachel will talk about their own characters, the inspiration behind them and the ways in which they have shaped events in their fiction.    Join the Writers’ Gym and book your next writing workout at https://www.rachelknightley.com/the-writers-gym/   The Writers Gym Podcast...

In this episode of the Writers’ Gym Podcast we will be thinking about starting to write.  Writing the opening  page of your story needn’t be a battle against that glaring white first page and all the psychological demons it implies.  Rachel and Emily offer tips, advice and hacks for starting to write and share examples and anecdotes from their own writing lives.   Join the Writers’ Gym and book your next writing workout at https://www.rachelknightley.com/the-writers-gym/ The Writers Gym...

In this edition of the Writers’ Gym Podcast with Dr Rachel Knightley and Emily Inkpen we take a look at one of the most common pieces of advice offered to writers: “Write what you know”  We examine this advice to consider what it means for our writing and consider how it works in the worlds of science fiction and fantasy as well as in general fiction.

In this episode Rachel and Emily look at unreliable narrators and how to create and use them in your writing.  With examples from literature we look at the ways in which unreliable narrators can give your stories depth, authenticity and a plot-twist or two to keep your readers guessing.

In this episode we look at the art and science of laying out and formatting your writing.  We ask when you should begin to format your work, how you should go about doing it and explore a few good reasons for starting the process early …or indeed later.  We look at some of the formatting skills and techniques you’ll need for getting your manuscript ready if you’re self-publishing including some thoughts on cover design and format.

In this episode Rachel Knightley and Emily Inkpen look at the process of worldbuilding for fiction writers.  Normally associated with science fiction and fantasy writers, world building skills can also be applied to real places adapted for fiction.

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...

In this podcast we’ll talk about the art and techniques of editing your writing.  We’ll discuss approaches to editing, what you should take out and keep in your and some of the best and worst editing advice we’ve received.

In this episode Rachel Knightley and Emily Inkpen discuss the art of giving and receiving feedback.  We’ll have advice on how and who  to ask for feedback about your writing, when feedback will be useful and how you should use feedback as part of your creative process.

This is our trailer for The Writers' Gym Podcast.    We'll be releasing episodes weekly each Wednesday from 6th March and we'll cover topics such as  How not to give feedback Editing 101 Unreliable narrators  World building "What's Your Wessex" : A guide to place in fiction Layout "Write what you know" : A discussion Each episode features Rachel Knightley, Emily Inkpen and Chris Gregory   The Writers Gym Podcast is an Alternative Stories production for The Writers' Gym.     Find out more...

Acclaimed actor, poet and novelist Nigel Planer joins me 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 (N.B. I apologise to the whole Disc for saying ‘lavender’ when I meant ‘lilac’: if you know, you know), this is a sneak preview of Nigel Planer and Friends, featuring me alongside Nigel and filmmaker and debut novelist Simon Rumley, at Riverside...

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...

Ahead of the launch of Twisted Branches (coming Oct 2023 from Black Shuck Books), Rachel Knightley talks to Trevor Kennedy of Big Hits Radio UK for his horror spot on the Sunday Service. In return, Trevor comes to the Writers' Gym to talk about his freelance writing life and how confidence in our voices is only ever half the story of what it feels like to be a professional writer. Big thanks to Big Hits Radio UK for the interview material. Sadly we cannot attach the songs of choice: You Want...

Ahead of the launch of Twisted Branches (coming Oct 2023 from Black Shuck Books), Rachel Knightley talks to Trevor Kennedy of Big Hits Radio UK for his horror spot on the Sunday Service. In return, Trevor come to the Writers' Gym to talk about his freelance writing life and how confidence in our voices is only ever half the story of what it feels like to be a professional writer.   Big thanks to Big Hits Radio UK for the interview material. Sadly we cannot attach the songs of choice: You Want...

Today's Personal Training at the Writers' Gym takes in the spaces between what goes on the page, and how to work with our feelings about ourselves and the world to create the work lives as well as the art we want. Rachel Knightley's guest is Maura McHugh. Maura was born in the USA, but raised in Ireland, where she developed a love of mythology, horror fiction, art, and writing. She has lived in New York, Dublin, and Galway, and worked in IT before succumbing to her love of storytelling. She...

What does full-time writing look like? It depends on the writer – and what we create in our lives off the page depends directly on what we imagine. Today's Personal Training at the Writers' Gym takes in the spaces between what goes on the page, and how to work with our feelings about ourselves and the world to create the work lives as well as the art we want. Rachel Knightley's guest is Maura McHugh. Maura was born in the USA, but raised in Ireland, where she developed a love of mythology,...