The Writers’ Gym Podcast

Symbols and characters

Build confidence in writing through focus on the inspiration already in your writer's artist palette – with author and coach Dr Rachel Knightley.
 
This week, we're exploring symbols and characters

The brain is a toy cupboard

Build confidence in writing through focus on the inspiration already in your writer's artist palette – with author and coach Dr Rachel Knightley.
 
 

Setting and character

Build confidence in writing through focus on the inspiration already in your writer's artist palette – with author and coach Dr Rachel Knightley.
 
This week, we're exploring setting and character.

Rachel Knightley in conversation with British Fantasy Award 2025 nominee Steve Toase

Steve Toase is a British Fantasy Award 2025 nominated fiction and non-fiction author. He was born in North Yorkshire, England, and now lives in the Frankenwald, Germany. Steve’s debut short story collection ‘To Drown in Dark Water’ is published by Undertow Publications, and his archaeology themed horror collection Dirt Upon My Skin is out now from Black Shuck Books. Dirt Upon My Skin is shortlisted for the British Fantasy Award 2025 Best Collection.
Steve writes for magazines, and is a regular contributor to Fortean Times. In the past he has written for Kerrang, and The Author, as well as motorbike magazines, such as BSH, 100% Biker, and The Classic Motor Cycle. fiction has appeared in Analog, Nightmare Magazine, Three Lobed Burning Eye, Shimmer, and Bourbon Penn, and Deadlands amongst others, and his stories have been selected for Ellen Datlow’s Best Horror of the Year series, and Paula Guran’s Year’s Best Dark Fantasy and Horror. 
He recently worked with astrophysicist Dr Chris Harrison as script editor for a planetarium show designed for people with a vision impairment. From 2014 he worked with Becky Cherriman and Imove on Haunt, the Saboteur Award shortlisted project inspired by his own teenage experiences of being no fixed abode and vulnerably housed, about Harrogate’s haunting presence in the lives of people experiencing homelessness in the town.
He also likes old motorbikes and vintage cocktails. 

Green Ink Sponsored Write 2025

From creation to publication in 48 hours: Green Ink Sponsored write for Macmillan Cancer Support unites a team of published and developing authors at the Writers' Gym to create entirely new work on a theme inspired by Macmillan's mission of quality of life for all affected by cancer. Founded by Dr Rachel Knightley in 2009, this year's title was selected by Rhianna Pratchett: Somewhere That's Green: Paradises, Utopias and Happy Places. The cover image is by Writers' Gym member Elspeth Hannen and anthology design will be by Steve Shaw.
 
Visit and share the page here:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/somewhere-thats-green

Green Ink Sponsored Write 2025 with Sarah Brooks

From creation to publication in 48 hours: Green Ink Sponsored write for Macmillan Cancer Support unites a team of published and developing authors at the Writers' Gym to create entirely new work on a theme inspired by Macmillan's mission of quality of life for all affected by cancer. Founded by Dr Rachel Knightley in 2009, this year's title was selected by Rhianna Pratchett: Somewhere That's Green: Paradises, Utopias and Happy Places. The cover image is by Writers' Gym member Elspeth Hannen and anthology design will be by Steve Shaw.
 
Visit and share the page here:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/somewhere-thats-green
 

Building your writing world

Dr Rachel Knightley talks about how one Green Ink Sponsored Write author, actor, comedian and writer Nic Lamont, found her annual Sponsored Write stories started building a new fictional world she might never have discovered without donating time to this new writing project. 
Help your writing community help Macmillan Cancer Support at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/somewhere-thats-green

Abandon the idea of ‘enough’ time and start writing

Instead of waiting for enough time or enough confidence, Dr Rachel Knightley shares how Green Ink Sponsored Write was invented to help writers dive in and shares an example of a favourite piece that came out of the Sponsored Write. 
Help your writing community help Macmillan Cancer Support at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/somewhere-thats-green

Writing that makes a difference

 Writing that makes a difference: Green Ink Sponsored Write for Macmillan Cancer Support
Dr Rachel Knightley begins the lead-up to this year’s Green Ink Sponsored Write. 
Help your writing community help Macmillan Cancer Support at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/somewhere-thats-green

Rachel Knightley talks to award winning author Anthony McGowan

Anthony McGowan books have won several major awards, and been shortlisted for many more. He has also written highly regarded adult fiction, as well as books for younger readers. He has a PhD on the history of beauty, and has taught philosophy and creative writing. He lives in London with his wife and two children.
 
Dr Rachel Knightley met Anthony McGowan, one of the most widely acclaimed young-adult authors in the UK, by forgetting she didn’t know him already through an event around his semi-fictionalised memoir, The Art of Failing, where he appears alongside Monty, muse/canine co-author of How to Teach Philosophy to Your Dog, a series of conversational walks between Tony and Monty. Tony and Rachel discuss writing inspiration and exercise for writers, and how the stages of Tony’s career have required different routines and provided potential for the curiosity that fuels creativity.
 
Find out more about Tony:
 
Tony’s website
https://web.archive.org/web/20141021115523/http://anthonymcgowan.com/anewsite/
 
Tony’s Wikipedia page
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_McGowan
 
Authors Aloud: Speaker visits
https://authorsalouduk.co.uk/speaker/anthony-mcgowan/
 
 
Carnegie-winning novella: Lark
https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/blog/lark-a-carnegie-winning-novel-by-anthony-mcgowan-6274
 
Hellbent
https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/324997/hellbent-by-anthony-mcgowan/9780099482130
 
 
Join the Writers’ Gym for more writing and creative confidence workouts at www.writersgym.com or sign up to our mailing list at drrachelknightley.substack.com
 
Get in touch with us at thewritersgym@rachelknightley.com
 
 
 
 
“I don't think there's any art of fiction, piece of fiction that doesn't involve a strong truth quotient. We always use our experiences, the stuff around us.” Anthony McGowan
 
Writers’ Gym Workout:
 
Pick an event or conversation you’ve experienced (let it pick you: go with the thought that arrives).
 
Warm-up: Let yourself write freely. Let the characters speak, think, feel. Mix reality with fiction, or just let your memories out. There are no rules except Writers’ Gym mantra ‘Think On The Page.
 
Read it to yourself as if you’re seeing it for the first time.
 
What is the story trying to ask?
 
What do you want to expand on, or change, to liberate the story?