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Writer's Routine

Dan Simpson
Writing Process
Character Development
Creative Writing
Writing
Faber Academy
Fiction Writing
Publishing Industry
Journalism
Screenwriting
Fantasy Literature
The Fathers
World-Building
Historical Fiction
Writing Routine
Editing
Storytelling
Caroline Dunford
How Not To Murder Your Ex
Writing Routines
Knife Skills For Beginners

How do the best writers get to work?

In every episode, we'll chat to an author about their writing day. Where do they work? What time do they start? How do they plan their time and maximise their creativity, in order to plot and publish a bestseller?

Some are frantic night-owls, others roll out of bed into their desks, and a few lock themselves away in the woods - but none have a regular 9 to 5, a... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes401Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksLeisureHobbiesArts

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Artwork for Writer's Routine

Latest Episodes

Sarah Vaughan worked as a reporter and correspondent for The Guardian for years, before finally starting a novel on her 40th birthday. She published 'The Art of Baking Blind' and 'The Farm at the Edge of the World', aimed at book-clubs, which in her ... more

Annie Elliot has always been around words. She worked in local government, taught communication, as a newspaper reporter, which taught her the importance of being able to get the words down on time. She's written short-stories and flash-fiction which... more

Stig Abell is a media polymath. He's worked for The Sun and LBC, was the editor of the Times Literary Supplement, and now hosts the breakfast show on national Times Radio. He's just published the fourth novel in the Jake Jackson series, 'A Twist in t... more

Elle McNicholl is a Carnegie Award nominated author. Her debut 'A Kind of Spark' won the Blue Peter Book Award and the overall Waterstones Children's Book Prize, alongside Blackwell's Book of 2020. It was turned into a BBC Children's TV show, which s... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Annie Elliot
Author of Mr & Mrs Charles Dickens, Her Story
Author
Episode: Annie Elliot, author of 'Mr & Mrs Charles Dickens: Her Story' - Knowing when you need to get words written, mining your own past, and was Charles Dickens a narcissist?
Stig Abell
Editor of the Times Literary Supplement, now Breakfast Show host on Times Radio
Times Radio / Times Literary Supplement
Episode: Stig Abell, author of 'A Twist in the River' - Breakfast Show host discusses golden age crime fiction, why planning sets you up for failure, and why AI will kill culture
Elle McNicholl
Best-selling author and autism advocate
Author
Episode: Elle McNicoll, author of 'Unapologetic Love Story' - Carnegie Award nominated writer discusses making your book stand out, the importance of representation, and being full-time whilst never having time to write
Jane Dougherty
Author of Pasiphae, poet and novelist
Author, Pasiphae
Episode: Jane Dougherty, author of 'Pasiphae' - Re-imagining Greek mythology, capturing a moment in poetry, and detaching from technology
Carmel Harrington
Author of The Nowhere Girls and The Stolen Child
Author
Episode: Carmel Harrington, author of 'The Nowhere Girls' - Bestselling writer discusses leaving it late, training to improve, and the novel that changed her planning
Kate Dramis
Romance author, author of The Odds of You
Episode: Kate Dramis, author of 'The Odds of You' - Romance writer discusses switching genre, writing sprints and dirty drafts
Farah Naz Rishi
Author of The Flightless Birds of New Hope
Author
Episode: Farah Naz Rishi, author of 'The Flightless Birds of New Hope' - Bestselling writer discusses being genre-less, getting into character through voice, and calming anxiety
Fergus Craig
Writer, stand-up comic, and actor known for his viral comedy shorts and crime novels.
Author of I'm Not The Only Murderer In My Retirement Home
Episode: Fergus Craig, author of 'I’m Not The Only Murderer In My Retirement Home' - Comedian discusses going viral, working on the mystery, and not needing to be funny
David Goodman
Thriller writer, author of 'A Reluctant Spy' and 'Solitary Agents'
Episode: David Goodman, author of 'A Reluctant Spy' - Thriller writer discusses juggling projects, soft word-counts, and day-notes

Host

Dan Simpson
Host of the series, he engages authors in personal conversations about their writing routines and creative processes, offering listeners both inspiration and practical advice on writing.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Stokes the fire for writing!

    Dan’s podcast provides a wealth of inspiration and encouragement. To paraphrase David Goodman from a recent episode: ‘Just get started typing ten words. Almost any ten words, as they will impel you forward and very soon it will be one hundred, and so on.’ Dan’s podcast provides a comforting insight into the isolative existence of a writer’ routine in a most helpful and reassuring way. Hearing all the different but similar accounts of authors going about their process opens the way for me to feel... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Poparhino
    United States2 months ago
  • Bad host

    Dan has a habit of being condescending and judgy with his questions to authors. It’s pretty obvious when he starts each question with “now I’m not trying to judge…” for someone who doesn’t have any books he has a lot of opinions about real author’s work ethics

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    auddupl
    United States6 months ago
  • Perfect for MFA students

    Anyone in an MFA program or any kind of creative writing program or job should listen to this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Norsefortress
    United States7 months ago
  • 4 writer(s)

    A few nice words….

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    A..P..
    United States10 months ago
  • Excellent

    Always excellent questions that draw each writer out. I love listening to this podcast. One of the very best.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    green mountain cabin
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some critics note a lack of diverse backgrounds among guests, suggesting a more varied selection could enhance the content.
Overall, the show is deemed highly motivational, particularly for aspiring writers seeking guidance on their own creative paths.
The host is praised for his engaging and organic interviewing style, allowing guests to share deeply about their writing journeys.
Listeners appreciate the insightful interviews and diverse perspectives shared by authors.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#140
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#40
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#107
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#228
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#68
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#147
Germany/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Farah Naz Rishi, author of 'The Flightless Birds of New Hope' - Bestselling writer discusses being genre-less, getting into character through voice, and calming anxiety
Q: What is your approach to researching unfamiliar worlds, like the tech bro world in your current thriller?
I start with real-world truth and oddities from news, then study other narratives that portray similar environments to understand how to balance accuracy with narrative flair.
Farah Naz Rishi, author of 'The Flightless Birds of New Hope' - Bestselling writer discusses being genre-less, getting into character through voice, and calming anxiety
Q: How does voice acting influence how you develop characters in your novels?
Acting teaches me to inhabit a character rather than just observe them on the page, which deepens my empathy and helps me capture authentic speech and gestures.
Farah Naz Rishi, author of 'The Flightless Birds of New Hope' - Bestselling writer discusses being genre-less, getting into character through voice, and calming anxiety
Q: How does your nightly schedule affect your writing rhythm and productivity?
Being a night owl, I work best when the world is quiet; late hours help my brain feel calm and creative, so I embrace that time rather than fight it.
Shen Tao, author of 'The Poet Empress' - Debut author discusses magical mystery, changing routines, and 9 failed manuscripts
Q: How much did that change throughout your eight failed manuscripts?
I kept trying to maximize the hours spent on writing, realizing through my experiences that counting hours was more effective than focusing solely on output.
Shen Tao, author of 'The Poet Empress' - Debut author discusses magical mystery, changing routines, and 9 failed manuscripts
Q: Were you setting yourself any objectives of maybe a word count to just help keep you going?
Initially, I set a goal of two hours of writing per day to document the time spent rather than word counts, as that felt more effective.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Writer's Routine

What is Writer's Routine about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series offers an intimate look at the daily routines and creative processes of various published authors, focusing on how they approach the art of writing. Each episode features a different guest, where they share insights into their unique environments, working habits, and methods for maximizing creativity. The discussions often touch on personal struggles, experiences, and the sometimes chaotic journey of becoming a published author. Listeners gain valuable tips and inspiration from a range of writing styles and genres, catering to aspiring writers and established authors alike.

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How many episodes of Writer's Routine are there?

Writer's Routine launched 9 years ago and published 401 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Writer's Routine?

Recent guests on Writer's Routine include:

1. Annie Elliot
2. Stig Abell
3. Elle McNicholl
4. Jane Dougherty
5. Carmel Harrington
6. Kate Dramis
7. Farah Naz Rishi
8. Fergus Craig

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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