『The Writing Community Chat Show』のカバーアート

The Writing Community Chat Show

The Writing Community Chat Show

著者: Christopher Aggett
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Welcome to the Writing Community Chat Show, where we bring together some of the brightest and most talented writers from around the world to discuss their craft, share their stories, and offer advice and inspiration to fellow writers. Join us each week as we delve into the fascinating world of writing, and learn from the experts as they share their insights, experiences, and wisdom. Whether you're an aspiring writer, a published author, or simply a lover of words, the Writing Community Chat Show is the perfect place to connect with other like-minded individuals and discover the power of the written word.

Web - http://Thewritingcommunitychatshow.com

Direct - https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-writing-community-chat-show

The WCCS - TOGETHER AS ONE, WE GET IT DONE.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.Christopher Aggett
アート 個人的成功 文学史・文学批評 自己啓発
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  • From Elephants to Espionage: Vaseem Khan on Q, Rejections, and Finding the Joy in Writing.
    2025/12/10
    The journey to becoming a published author is rarely a straight line, but few paths have been as globally adventurous, or involved a greater number of pachyderms and famous spies, as that of Vaseem Khan.From his decade living in India to his new role continuing the legacy of James Bond’s very own gadget master, Q, here are the key takeaways and inspiration points from a writer who proves that persistence truly is the only non-negotiable trait in this business.100 Rejections and the Power of Persistence.Vaseem’s story is a powerful reminder that rejection is not destiny, it’s just part of the process.After being encouraged by an English teacher in school, he wrote his first novel, a comic fantasy, at the age of 17. The response? A swift, harsh rejection. This was followed by a staggering two decades of writing and seven more rejected novels across various genres.* A Brutal Education: Over that period, Vaseem collected over a hundred rejection letters, describing the feeling as “like being kicked in the bollocks repeatedly every few years.”* The Commitment to the Dream: What kept him going was the fundamental love for books and the idea of being a writer. He believes those who last the course never give up on that core dream.* The Breakthrough Moment: His career finally launched at age 40 when he tapped into his personal experience: his 10 years living in India. He wrote The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra - a crime novel set in modern Mumbai featuring a serious policeman who inherits a baby elephant. His editor loved it precisely because it was “completely different to anything we’d seen in the crime fiction market.”Vaseem’s Advice on Finding Your Voice: You have to write what you know, or at least, what you are uniquely positioned to write. The trick is to do something “completely different, but the same, take an established genre, stick to its core beats, but tweak the formula just enough to offer a unique perspective.”Commissioned by Ian Fleming: The Q Mystery Series.Perhaps the most exciting new development in Vaseem’s career is his commission by the Ian Fleming Estate to continue the story of James Bond’s gadget master, Q.The request was clear: they did not want another straight spy novel.* The Perfect Pitch: The Estate asked for “something halfway between Mick Herren’s Slow Horses and Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club.“* The Premise: In the first book, Quantum of Menace, Q is booted out of MI6 at age 50. He returns to his small hometown, having left a “messy past behind,” to reinvestigate the mysterious death of a childhood friend. The hope is that he will evolve into an amateur detective, solving mysteries in this small-town setting.* The 007 Cameo: For Bond fans, Vaseem confirmed that he’s included plenty of Easter eggs, and Commander James Bond “does make a meaningful appearance in the second half of the book.”The Single Most Important Piece of Writing AdviceWhen asked for the one crucial tip he gives in his workshops, Vaseem didn’t hesitate:“The number one reason that books are rejected by agents is because the quality of the book does not meet their minimum standard for them to be able to have confidence sending it out to a publisher.”His concrete advice is to focus on craft before submission:* Understand Your Genre: Know the standards for prose, plotting, and characterization required for your specific genre (e.g., crime fiction needs a strong hook and right ‘beats’ over literary prose).* Get Quality Feedback: You must get feedback. Don’t rely solely on friends; consider paying an experienced, trusted editor who has a proven history in the industry.* Don’t Ruin the Hook: You normally only get one good chance with a brilliant idea. Bad execution will ruin your chance with an agent, forcing you to write something else. Make the best possible fist of your manuscript before you send it in.Vaseem’s interview was a masterclass in commitment, creativity, and the power of finding that one unique idea that can change everything. You can find his books, including his new Q novel, on his website and at all major bookstores.Catch the full interview with Vaseem Khan on our YouTube channel: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewccs.substack.com/subscribeBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.
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    1 時間 4 分
  • Lizzy Barber on the 500-Word-a-Day Grind, Publishing Doubt, and The Myth of the 5 AM Writer.
    2025/11/30
    We were thrilled to welcome back acclaimed psychological thriller author and Richard & Judy Bestseller, Lizzy Barber, to the show. Lizzy is the author of several gripping novels, including Be Mine, and has a knack for cutting right through the polished facade of the author life to reveal the messy, chaotic, and often hilarious reality.As The Writing Community Chat Show, recently ranked among the top 10 writing podcasts in the UK, we’ve interviewed over 360 authors, from NYT best-sellers to indie superstars. Few, however, have been as candid as Lizzy about the sheer struggle of creative output when life throws everything at you.This conversation is essential listening for anyone who feels they are running out of time, energy, or hope while chasing their writing dreams.1. The Real Cost of ‘The Slow Draft.’Lizzy shared that her current novel, her fifth, has been the slowest to write, a process she describes as being “on ice.” This wasn’t due to a lack of ideas but due to life: the birth of her daughter, dealing with family loss, and major personal hardships.The interview kicked off with a major truth bomb about managing expectations. Lizzy, who is working on this novel while juggling motherhood and dealing with family issues, admitted she has learned to accept a 500-word-a-day target.“I have worked out that for me that has meant 500 words a day. And I’m comfortable with that. And some days I will write a thousand and think, ‘what a great day.’ And then the next day I might write two.”She argues against the perceived hierarchy in the writing community that values speed and high word counts. While some authors happily “splurge 4,000 words a day,” Lizzy opts for quality, slow progress, where her 500 words are likely to be “500 really good words that won’t get cut up or replaced.”This is a powerful reminder: the goal is the finished product, not the speed of the first draft.2. Navigating Publishing: Big Five vs. Indie.Lizzy has the unique experience of having worked with both ‘Big Five’ publishing houses and an indie publisher (Dura). She offered a rare, side-by-side comparison of the two models:3. The Uncomfortable Question: Imposter Syndrome.Perhaps the most resonant part of the conversation for aspiring and established writers alike was Lizzy’s raw honesty about self-doubt.When discussing the draft she just completed after two years, she was upfront about her inner turmoil: “There is a part of me that thinks that this might not actually work as a book and that I might junk it.”This is imposter syndrome at its highest level - the doubt that creeps in after hundreds of hours of work. For Lizzy, this feeling is exacerbated by an “uneven publishing experience” and the anxiety of never finding a constant publisher “home.”“The worst thought is this kind of awareness of never being published again—that you’re kind of you’re done... That’s the kind of constant fear that you kind of live on the highwire of as an author.”Her advice for surviving this? Focus solely on the writing, because that is the only thing you can control. Don’t chase trends, and don’t let external noise or sales charts dictate your self-worth.4. The Author Brand: Be Yourself. (Even If You’re ADHD)Lizzy, who recently started to explore the possibility that she has undiagnosed ADHD, spoke about how she manages her time and how her personality informs her public persona.She admits she is good at jumping into pockets of time but “can’t write around the chaos.” She needs to compartmentalize her writing time, a vital lesson for any busy creative.On building an author brand, her advice is simple: Be authentic.If you are an introvert who hates reels and being on camera, don’t force it, it won’t feel fun or look genuine. But if you, like Lizzy, are comfortable debating, answering difficult questions, and being visible:“I love being on camera. I trained as an actress... I like the sound of my own voice. I don’t mind being silly. I don’t mind being filmed. I say [to my publisher] use me for that. I’m very comfortable to kind of debate and be asked hard questions.”Find your niche, whether it’s through newsletters, blogs, or public appearances, and commit to it. But whatever you do, avoid the pressure to join the “5 a.m. writer’s club” just because it sounds productive. Prioritize your sleep and your process.Watch the Full Interview.Lizzy’s interview is full of crucial, honest advice for writers at every stage of their career. We cover everything from the psychological complexities of her thrillers to the magic of the Harrogate Crime Writers Festival.Watch the full episode below (or listen to the podcast audio):Connect with Lizzy Barber:* Instagram: @byLizzyBarber* Buy Her Books: Available on Amazon, the Dura website, and all good bookstores.Join our brand new community on our Stanstore! After conducting 360 plus interviews, we have compiled digital products to...
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    1 時間 2 分
  • The Honest Editor: Bestselling Author Phoebe Morgan Reveals the Truth About Publishing and the Perfect Hook.
    2025/11/20
    In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Phoebe Morgan, the rare publishing powerhouse who has seen success on both sides of the desk. As an Executive Fiction Publisher at Simon & Schuster and a Sunday Times bestselling author of psychological thrillers like The Trip and The Doll House, Phoebe offers unparalleled insight into the world of commercial fiction.What You’ll Learn:The Editor’s Secrets: Phoebe lifts the lid on the opaque world of the Big 5 publishers, revealing exactly what editors look for in a submission and how books truly get acquired, marketed, and turned into bestsellers.The Perfect Hook: Discover the critical element that separates a book club hit from a manuscript that fails to launch. Phoebe breaks down the commercial “hook” and how authors can use it to sell their stories.Mastering Psychological Thrillers: Get an inside look at her writing process, including how she plots (or doesn’t plot) her high-stakes suspense novels and balances a demanding full-time job with a prolific writing career.If you’re an author serious about navigating the industry, understanding the market, and writing a bestseller, this interview is essential viewing.Buy Pheobe’s latest book, The Trip, here.Podcast LinkListen to the full audio episode wherever you get your podcasts:Listen on Spreaker (The Writing Community Chat Show Podcast)Join our brand new community on our Stanstore! After conducting 360 plus interviews, we have compiled digital products to help your writing. Plus, community members get access to our live writing sprints where we write with you, keep you accountable, and give you free access to our 1-on-1 video coaching. There are forum like tabs in our community group where you can post work and receive advice, plus, much more. Join here: https://stan.store/TheWCCS

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewccs.substack.com/subscribe

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.
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    1 時間 1 分
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