Lucy van Smit is an award-winning author, a screenwriter, and artist. She has worked internationally for NBC News, has made documentaries for Canadian TV on writers like John Le Carre and Ian McEwan and in 2018 her debut novel The Hurting won the inaugural Bath Children’s Novel Award. She's now put together A Writer's Journal Workbook, for Writers & Artists, which is jam packed with bite-sized exercises and tips for dismantling writer's block, improving observational skills, developing characters and much more. It's designed to help new writers get started, find their voice and improve their skills.
Simon talked to Lucy about her own struggles with writer's block, which she experienced after publishing her first novel, and how creating The Writer's Journal helped her as much as anyone who might read it.
We have a discount for Writing Life listeners, courtesy of our friends at Bloomsbury! Until 1 March 2022 anyone in the UK can get 25% off the workbook as long as you buy through the Bloomsbury website. The code is AWJW25 and can be used here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/writers-journal-workbook-9781472987365/
Find out more about what we do: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/
Hosted by Simon Jones.
Music by Bennet Maples.
Styles of dialogue with Chris Beckett
Writing a novel on a phone - with Jon Ransom
Kate Worsley on the value of mentoring & the challenges of Covid-19
Nicola Upson on why books are more vital than ever
Owen Nicholls on his first novel & the Escalator scheme
World building using narrative voice - with Abi Daré
Characters in translation - with Thomas Heerma van Voss
The Black Writers on Democracy Project
Form & feeling with poet Will Harris
The Artful Dickens, literary conjuror - with John Mullan
Research, editing & planning novels with Stuart Turton
Publishing with a small press - with Sally-Anne Lomas & Sam Ruddock
Oyinkan Braithwaite on My Sister, The Serial Killer - Noirwich 2020
What happens when Covid-19 cancels your book launch? - Richard Lambert returns!
Writing narrative non-fiction with Kate Summerscale
Agents, representation, childcare & moving out of London - with Emma Shercliff
How to be an organised writer with Antony Johnston
Kieron Gillen on world building in Eternals, Wicked+Divine, Star Wars
Attica Locke on Power, Property And Prejudice
Book Club:: RENDANG by Will Harris
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Lit Society: Books and Drama
Ex Libris
Write The Book: Conversations on Craft
The Turn of the Screw
A Tale of Two Cities
Fresh Air
Myths and Legends