Write Your Novel

Oct 28 2021 1

Write Your Novel Podcast artwork

Write Your Novel is an innovative write-along podcast series - written and devised by Dr Yvonne Battle-Felton.

In each episode, Yvonne is joined by a leading writer as they focus on specific writing mechanisms through the prism of their work. Guests - including David Nicholls, Sarah Moss and Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi - explain their approach in constructing their novel.

A writing exercise at the end of each conversation supports the listener to help them proactively work through the techniques in their own work.

Presenter: Yvonne Battle-Felton
Producer: Candace Wilson
Music: Joe Gardner
A Sonderbug Production funded by Arts Council England and supported by New Writing North.

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Episode 8 - Paul Mendez: Point of View

Oct 28 2021 41 mins

Paul Mendez joins Yvonne Battle Felton in conversation to examine his semi-autobiographical novel Rainbow Milk and the significance of the point of view of the main characters with this work. Point of view includes who the narrator is and how (and when) the story will be told. Mendez explains the decisions he felt he had to make when developing the main characters of Norman and Jes

Episode 7 - Carmen Marcus: Rhythm & Language

Oct 21 2021 40 mins

Carmen Marcus joins Yvonne to explore how she used the technique of rhythm and language in her novel How Saints Die. The story is seen through the eyes of ten year old Ellie and Marcus - both a novelist and a poet - explains how the use of particular words, sounds and silences helps to create a relationship between the reader and character. Write Your Novel is an innovative write-a

Episode 6 - David Nicholls: Dialogue

Oct 14 2021 39 mins

David Nicholls joins Yvonne to delve into how he used the device of dialogue throughout his novel Sweet Sorrow. Nicholls reveals his thought processes on deciding what he wanted his characters to say, what he didn’t want them to say and how that can influence character and setting.Write Your Novel is an innovative write-along podcast series - written and devised by Dr Yvonne Batt

Episode 5 - Alex Wheatle: Tension

Oct 07 2021 39 mins

Alex Wheatle MBE joins Yvonne to discuss the device of tension in his book Cane Warriors. Tension can drive a story, develop character and help to grip the reader’s attention - something that Wheatle drew on in telling the story of enslaved boy Noa in the novel. Wheatle explains the decisions he made to guide readers through the narrative and maintain the feeling of suspense and

Episode 4 - Irenosen Okojie: Description

Sep 30 2021 40 mins

Nudibranch is the latest short story collection from Irenosen Okojie and she joins Yvonne to examine her use of description in this work. Irenosen explains how she used description within the different stories and styles in the book to explore character and develop the spaces for the narrative to play out.Write Your Novel is an innovative write-along podcast series - written and de

Episode 3 - Sarah Moss: Setting

Sep 23 2021 40 mins

Sarah Moss joins Yvonne to talk about setting within her novel Summerwater. The setting of a novel plays an important role not just in driving the narrative but also in developing the characters. Moss explains how the setting of Summerwater in a Scottish highland holiday park helped to form the basis for the novel.Write Your Novel is an innovative write-along podcast series - writt

Episode 2 - Pat Barker: Developing Character

Sep 16 2021 37 mins

Pat Barker CBE is in conversation with Yvonne to explore how she developed the characters in her novel The Silence of the Girls. Complex characters help to engage readers, drive the narrative, and provide moments of empathy for a reader. Barker explains what decisions she made in creating her protagonist Briseis. Write Your Novel is an innovative write-along podcast series - writte

Episode 1: Jennifer Makumbi - Structure

Sep 09 2021 37 mins

How to structure a novel is explored by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi with her book The First Woman. She tells Yvonne the decisions she made in creating a foundation for her story and structuring the Ugandan historical background, set across many decades.Write Your Novel is an innovative write-along podcast series - written and devised by Dr Yvonne Battle-Felton. A writing exercise at