The Writers’ Gym Podcast

Rhianna Pratchett at the Writers' Gym

In this special episode of the podcast Rachel and Emily are in conversation with multi-disciplined writer Rhianna Pratchett about her work in video games, comics, TV, radio and books.  
 
To find out more about Rhianna and her work please visit her website at https://rhiannapratchett.com/
and you can follow her on X here  https://x.com/rhipratchett
 
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 more about The Writers' Gym and Rachel Knightley by going to https://www.rachelknightley.com/
Find out more about Emily Inkpen and her work by going to https://www.emilyinkpen.com/
And learn more about Chris Gregory and Alternative Stories here https://alternativestories.com/
 
Follow the Writers’ Gym and contact us on Social Media 
https://x.com/TheWritersGymRK
https://www.instagram.com/jointhewritersgym/
https://www.facebook.com/JoinTheWritersGym/
Subscribe to The Writers’ Gym in your favourite podcast app to be notified of all new episodes as they are released.  
Contact us by email at thewritersgym@rachelknightley.com
 
This is the final episode of our second season.  We'd like to thank everyone who has listened, rated and reviewed the show.   We'll be back in the autumn for a new series but until then, enjoy your summer and your writing.   

Chronological Versus Fractured Narratives

In this episode Dr Rachel Knightley and Emily Inkpen look at the ways in which writers use time in their storytelling.  From linear narratives following a traditional chronology to fractured, repeating and circular narratives we compare them and look at the advantages of playing around with time in your work. 
 
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 more about The Writers' Gym and Rachel Knightley by going to https://www.rachelknightley.com/
Find out more about Emily Inkpen and her work by going to https://www.emilyinkpen.com/
And learn more about Chris Gregory and Alternative Stories here https://alternativestories.com/
 
Follow the Writers’ Gym and contact us on Social Media 
https://x.com/TheWritersGymRK
https://www.instagram.com/jointhewritersgym/
https://www.facebook.com/JoinTheWritersGym/
Subscribe to The Writers’ Gym in your favourite podcast app to be notified of all new episodes as they are released.  
 
Contact us by email at thewritersgym@rachelknightley.com
 
Join us next week for the final episode of season 2 in which we'll be joined by a very special guest. 

Foreshadowing

Dropping hints about events to come in your stories can raise tension and add depth and interest to your work.  In this episode we look at the art and technique of foreshadowing and ask why should writers consider it an important tool in their skillset. 
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 more about The Writers' Gym and Rachel Knightley by going to https://www.rachelknightley.com/
Find out more about Emily Inkpen and her work by going to https://www.emilyinkpen.com/
And learn more about Chris Gregory and Alternative Stories here https://alternativestories.com/
 
Follow the Writers’ Gym and contact us on Social Media 
https://x.com/TheWritersGymRK
https://www.instagram.com/jointhewritersgym/
https://www.facebook.com/JoinTheWritersGym/
Subscribe to The Writers’ Gym in your favourite podcast app to be notified of all new episodes as they are released.  
Contact us by email at thewritersgym@rachelknightley.com

Short Fiction

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 more about The Writers' Gym and Rachel Knightley by going to https://www.rachelknightley.com/
Find out more about Emily Inkpen and her work by going to https://www.emilyinkpen.com/
And learn more about Chris Gregory and Alternative Stories here https://alternativestories.com/
 
Follow the Writers’ Gym and contact us on Social Media 
https://x.com/TheWritersGymRK
https://www.instagram.com/jointhewritersgym/
https://www.facebook.com/JoinTheWritersGym/
Subscribe to The Writers’ Gym in your favourite podcast app to be notified of all new episodes as they are released.  
Contact us by email at thewritersgym@rachelknightley.com

Relationships in Fiction

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 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 more about The Writers' Gym and Rachel Knightley by going to https://www.rachelknightley.com/
Find out more about Emily Inkpen and her work by going to https://www.emilyinkpen.com/
And learn more about Chris Gregory and Alternative Stories here https://alternativestories.com/
 
Follow the Writers’ Gym and contact us on Social Media 
https://x.com/TheWritersGymRK
https://www.instagram.com/jointhewritersgym/
https://www.facebook.com/JoinTheWritersGym/
Subscribe to The Writers’ Gym in your favourite podcast app to be notified of all new episodes as they are released.  
Contact us by email at thewritersgym@rachelknightley.com
Join us next week for a discussion about short fiction.  

Making Time to Write

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. 
 
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 more about The Writers' Gym and Rachel Knightley by going to https://www.rachelknightley.com/
Find out more about Emily Inkpen and her work by going to https://www.emilyinkpen.com/
And learn more about Chris Gregory and Alternative Stories here https://alternativestories.com/
 
Follow the Writers’ Gym and contact us on Social Media 
https://x.com/TheWritersGymRK
https://www.instagram.com/jointhewritersgym/
https://www.facebook.com/JoinTheWritersGym/
Contact us by email at thewritersgym@rachelknightley.com
 
Subscribe to The Writers’ Gym in your favourite podcast app to be notified of all new episodes as they are released. 

Writing Tips from the Writers' Gym Team

In this edition Rachel, Emily and Chris each share pieces of writing advice which we hope you'll find useful.
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 more about The Writers' Gym and Rachel Knightley by going to https://www.rachelknightley.com/
Find out more about Emily Inkpen and her work by going to https://www.emilyinkpen.com/
And learn more about Chris Gregory and Alternative Stories here https://alternativestories.com/
 
Follow the Writers’ Gym and contact us on Social Media 
https://x.com/TheWritersGymRK
https://www.instagram.com/jointhewritersgym/
https://www.facebook.com/JoinTheWritersGym/
Subscribe to The Writers’ Gym in your favourite podcast app to be notified of all new episodes as they are released.  
 
 
 

Writing with Nigel Planer

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. 
To find out more about Nigel Planer and to purchase copies of his books as discussed in today's podcast please follow the links below
Website www.nigelplaner.co.uk
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/NigelPlaner
To order a copy of Nigel's novel Jeremiah Bourne In Time from Unbound please go to https://unbound.com/books/jeremiah-bourne-in-time 
Find Nigel on Twitter and Instagram @NigelPlaner1
Nigel will be appearing at
Cymera Science Fiction festival on 1st June  in Edinburgh   https://www.cymerafestival.co.uk/cymera2024-events/2024/4/4/time-travels-with-poppy-kuroki-amp-nigel-planer
Westbury Festival on 18 July https://www.westburyfestival.org.uk/events/an-evening-with-nigel-planer-and-friends/
Holt Festival on 25 July  https://holtfestival.org/programme/
 
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 more about The Writers' Gym and Rachel Knightley by going to https://www.rachelknightley.com/
Find out more about Emily Inkpen and her work by going to https://www.emilyinkpen.com/
And learn more about Chris Gregory and Alternative Stories here https://alternativestories.com/
Subscribe to The Writers’ Gym in your favourite podcast app to be notified of all new episodes as they are released.  

Inspiration Versus Perspiration

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
 
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 more about The Writers' Gym and Rachel Knightley by going to https://www.rachelknightley.com/
Find out more about Emily Inkpen and her work by going to https://www.emilyinkpen.com/
And learn more about Chris Gregory and Alternative Stories here https://alternativestories.com/
Subscribe to The Writers’ Gym in your favourite podcast app to be notified of all new episodes as they are released.  

Writing Across Genres with Gareth L Powell

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 writers wishing to focus on a single genre or expand their writing into new genres.
To find out more about Gareth and his work and buy his books please visit his website https://www.garethlpowell.com/
To buy a copy of Gareth’s “About Writing” as mentioned in our discussion please click here https://www.garethlpowell.com/about-writing/
Follow Gareth on social media 
X, formerly Twitter https://twitter.com/garethlpowell
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/garethlpowell/
 
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 more about The Writers' Gym and Rachel Knightley by going to https://www.rachelknightley.com/
Find out more about Emily Inkpen and her work by going to https://www.emilyinkpen.com/
And learn more about Chris Gregory and Alternative Stories here https://alternativestories.com/
Subscribe to The Writers’ Gym in your favourite podcast app to be notified of all new episodes as they are released.