Lesson Eighteen: Writer’s Block
“You’re in the middle of writing something and your mind goes blank… ok, you’re being warned,...
09:21
Lesson Sixteen: Dealing with Critics
If you’re going to put your work out in the world, then sooner or later, someone’s going to take...
10:17
Lesson Seventeen: What I Learned from James Baldwin
Contemporary novelist Caryl Phillips close reads a dramatic passage from ‘Another Country’ by...
09:28
Sometimes the world gives writers a location so atmospheric it’s just waiting for a back story....
10:28
Lesson Fifteen: Write and Repeat
“Easy reading is damned hard writing,” says Maya Angelou. Hear the many pains she takes to...
10:27
Lesson Fourteen: In Search of a Character with Graham Greene
Hear how Graham Greene gradually evolves a character – and a novel - on a research trip to a...
08:32
Lesson Seven: Routines and Rituals
Yes, we need talent – but we also need discipline. In other words: keep your ass in the chair....
09:21
If you want to write good dialogue, you need good ears. Listen to all the little idiosyncrasies...
08:38
Show don’t tell. Well, no, actually – show AND tell. This lesson explores different ways of...
10:53
In praise of day-dreaming, holidays and playing hookey: this lesson exalts the importance of time...
10:31
To plot or not to plot – that’s the question. Some writers plan in advance; others set out...
07:40
Lesson One: The Importance of Reading
If you want to write – read. Marinate your mind in the sentence and the word. With Susan Sontag...
09:53
Lesson Four: Creating Characters
How nosy are you about your protagonist? Do you know what she eats for breakfast? Likes to dance...
08:45
Waiting for the muse to strike? Give it up and get writing. Here are five creation stories from...
10:43
Lesson Three: Getting Better Acquainted with Words
How do we recognise a dancing, hell-raising word from one that just wants a quiet life flat on...
09:58
Lesson Twelve: A Workshop with Allen Ginsberg
How often do you get the chance to attend a lecture by one of the Beats? An extraordinary...
09:52
How do we find a voice? Figure out what’s ours – and only ours – to say? Tips from Neil Gaiman...
09:53
Lesson Eight: The Writer’s Mind
The subconscious mind can be the writer’s greatest helper – or nastiest foe. This lesson...
10:03
Welcome to the Invisible College
Welcome to this new BBC podcast. The first episode will be published within seven days.
00:08
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