Writer's Routine

Deepa Anappara's debut, 'Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line' was a critically-acclaimed bestseller. It was named as one of the best books of the year by The New York Times, the Washington Post, The Guardian and National Public Radio. Time Magazine included it in its list of 'The 100 Best Mystery and Thriller Books of All Time'. It won the Edgar Award for Best Novel, was shortlised for the JCB Prize fo Indian Literature, and has been translated into over 20 languages.

Her new one looks set to be an equal smash. 'The Last of Earth', has already been named as one of the BBC's 12 books to read in 2026. It tells the story of an Indian school teacher and a British explorer, attempting to undertake a treacherous journey across Tibet.

We discuss why writing by hand helps Deepa unlock an unknown connection. Also, how she wrestles themes and ideas into one plot-driven thread. You can hear her fascination with Tibet, keeping characters on the right path, and her thoughts on AI coming for creativity.

This episode is supported by IngramSpark. Get 15% off 15 books or more at ingramspark.com, use the code ROUTINE15.

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Liz Alterman has written all sorts. Young adult fiction, uplit, memoir, and is back with a new psychological, campus thriller, 'A Different Type of Poison'. It's about the author Molly Archer, whose latest novel, 'Birds at Night', is an instant hit. She's invited to a book club, by an incredibly enthusiastic reader who she should remember from her hometown. The problem is, she can't place her... and might be stepping into a very deadly chapter.

Liz has also published, 'You Shouldn't Have Done That', 'Claire Casey's Had Enough', 'The House on Cold Creek Lane', 'He'll Be Waiting', 'The Perfect Neighbourhood', and 'Sad Sacked'.

We discuss why, after moving through genres, it's psychological thriller that has drawn her in. Also, why stories are written differently, depending on where they're read, why the most vital writing skill is listening, and about her new-found lease of writing life.

This week's episode is sponsored by IngramSpark. Get 15% off your first 15 books or more at ingramspark.com. Use the code ROUTINE15

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Ever since Mark Frost saw his actor father prepare all day for work, having to leave every evening to jump on stage, he knew he wanted to get his work done early in the morning. A life as a writer came calling. He's worked on all sorts, writing on 'Hill Street Blues', the 'Fantastic Four' movies, sports books, thriller novels, and it's his work with David Lynch, as the co-creator of the cult series, 'Twin Peaks', that he's most loved for.

'Twin Peaks' was a show like no-other. A surreal, ethereal, chilling couple of series, that was a ratings win, a critical hit, and now has a cult-following. We discuss how the show, and working with Lynch, has influenced his writing since.

His new novel is, 'The Yankee Sphinx', inspired by his great-uncle's diaries, it tells the story of Will Hassett, a close confidence of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States.

We talk about how this idea met his fine criteria for working on a project. Also you can hear why, inspired by script-writing, he splits an idea into 3 parts, how he knows when something is done, and we get stories of working with a literary super agent.

Get a copy of the novel - uk.bookshop.com/shop/writersroutine

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Sarah Vaughan worked as a reporter and correspondent for The Guardian for years, before finally starting a novel on her 40th birthday. She published 'The Art of Baking Blind' and 'The Farm at the Edge of the World', aimed at book-clubs, which in her words, 'didn't really trouble the bestsellers list'.

Then, out of contract, she wrote, 'Anatomy of a Scandal', and everything changed. It was a smash-hit and inspired a Netflix series which was viewed hundreds of millions of times. She's since published, 'Little Disasters', which was made into a Paramount+ show, and released, 'Reputation'.

Her new novel is, 'Based on a True Story'. It tells the tale of Dame Eleanor Kingman, the nation's most loved storyteller, with an entire generation growing up on her stories.... but now, someone wants to reveal the truth about who she really is.

We discuss whether streaming success has changed how she thinks through a plot, and whether knowing what might land on screen has altered what ideas she takes on.

Also you can hear about starting late and finally getting success, why she's switched to write scenes, and her journeys through genre and writing out of contract.

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This week's episode of the podcast is sponsored by Philippa Hall's 'Quick Book Reviews Podcast'.

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Annie Elliot has always been around words. She worked in local government, taught communication, as a newspaper reporter, which taught her the importance of being able to get the words down on time. She's written short-stories and flash-fiction which have been successful in competitions, and was longlisted for Mxslexia Magazine's Novel Award.

Her new novel is 'Mr & Mrs Charles Dickens: Her Story'. It's a self-portrait of Catherine, Charles Dickens' wife, and the marriage that nearly destroyed her. After 22 years of marriage, she was banished from the home and their nine children, with her reputation destroyed, when her husband fell in love with an 18 year old actress. On her deathbed, Kate asked her daughter to give Charles' letters to the British Museum, 'so the world may know he loved me once'. Annie's novel fulfills her dying wish, and restores Kate to history as more than a famous author's discarded wife.

We talk about Annie's career, and what that taught her about communication and precision. You can hear why she went back to school, and what Annie learned from a masters degree. We discuss her thorough research, why she is in the best place to write, and how 'Hamnet' inspired her story.

You can get a copy of the book at uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine

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This week's episode is sponsored by Philippa Hall's 'Quick Book Reviews' podcast, take a listen wherever you've got this show.

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