Hello writers, and welcome to episode 9 in The Reading Room podcast, where we explore the delightful story of Alice In Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll; originally crafted for children, but has been enjoyed by all ages throughout the years. I couldn’t launch a podcast without covering an episode for children. Having grown up with …
How to craft a sense of wonder: Lessons from Lewis Carroll Read More »
About the Book Hello writers, and welcome to episode 7 of The Reading Room podcast. Thank you so much for continuing to listen to the podcast it means so much to me that you’re here. If you’re new to the podcast, I say welcome! Today’s story, The Priory of the Orange Tree, is …
How to Build Fantasy Worlds: Lessons from Samantha Shannon Read More »
Hello writers, and welcome to our final episode of Season 1 in The Reading Room podcast. And what an episode to end with! Dickens’ beloved novella, A Christmas Carol, published on this day (December 19) in 1843, was, for me, the obvious and heart-warming choice to end the season with. Within the pages of this …
How to share your message with the world: Lessons from Charles Dickens Read More »
Hello writers, and welcome to episode 8 in The Reading Room podcast. I’m very excited to share today’s episode with you. As a lover of lighthouses across the world and the gothic genre, The Lighthouse Witches is a story that called to me long before it reached the bookstores! I wanted to re-read and consume …
How to craft Gothic Atmosphere: Lessons from C.J. Cooke Read More »
About the Book Hello writers, and welcome to episode 4 of The Reading Room podcast, almost halfway into season 1 already! Today, we look at The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, by John Le Carre, where we explore the use of dialogue and how it sets the scene and propels a story forward. …
How to drive your story with dialogue: Lessons from John Le Carre Read More »
Hello writers, and welcome to episode 7 of The Reading Room Podcast. Today, we’re looking at Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows – an immersive heist fantasy with six focal protagonists. The prose is captivating, as are Bardugo’s characters and the Grishaverse she has created. Each chapter is narrated from one of the different perspectives …
How to craft multiple characters: Lessons from Leigh Bardugo Read More »
Hello writers, and welcome to episode 5 of The Reading Room podcast, halfway into season 1. Thank you so much for continuing to listen to the podcast it means so much to me that you’re still here and still coming back to listen. If you’re new to the podcast, welcome! We have lots of lovely …
How to absorb your readers into the story: Lessons from Erin Morgenstern Read More »
Welcome to our first episode of the season. I’m so happy that you’re here and I hope you find the reading helpful to you as both a reader and a writer. Now, I spent a long time debating over which extract to launch this podcast with; should I have gone with a childhood favourite …
How to introduce characters: Lessons from Charles Dickens Read More »
Hello, and welcome to another episode of The Reading Room Podcast, where we’ll be reviewing the narrative style and devices of Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte, to explore what we can learn about narrative exposition as writers. As it was for Great Expectations, one episode would not be enough to work through the learnings …
How to set the scene for your novel: Lessons from Emily Bronte Read More »
Welcome to episode 3, writers. Today, we explore the writing style of Shirley Jackson’s ‘The Haunting of Hill House’. Written in 1959, this chilling gothic story takes place over a single week in rural 1950s America. It is considered one of the best literary ghost stories published during the 20th century and, to date, it …
How to set the pace of your novel: Lessons from Shirley Jackson Read More »