S1 Ep3: PRACTISING – writing, just because

The Fearless Writer Podcast with Beth Kempton

In today’s episode we explore how to get into the mindset of writing, just because. Writing without attaching that writing to a fixed goal. Writing without worrying whether anyone will like it. This simple but profound shift can change everything, my friend. This episode includes:

- The real point of writing practice

- A peek inside my writing space

- Some tips for writing ‘stories’ (not just for fiction!)

In each episode, I will talk for about fifteen to twenty minutes, and then offer you a timed writing exercise at the end to try, for another ten minutes. Grab yourself a cuppa and settle in for a lovely writerly chat. With inspiration from Verlyn Klinkenborg and Naomi Shihab Nye.

BethXx

PS Please note there is a chunk of silence in this podcast. It is supposed to be there for the weekly writing exercise!

Click here to download the transcript
The theme music for The Fearless Writer Podcast is The River sung by Danni Nicholls, co-written by Danni Nicholls and me, Beth Kempton. Listen on iTunes / Spotify / Youtube and feel free to add it to your Instagram reels! See here for the lyrics and full credits.

***Did you know the audiobook version of The Way of the Fearless Writer includes a full meditation album to help get the words flowing? You can get it here.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Way of the Fearless Writer by Beth Kempton (Piatkus). US/Canada edition HERE.

• Several Short Sentences About Writing by Verlyn Klinkenborg (Vintage) p.16

• Bill’s Beans (for William Stafford) by Naomi Shihab Nye in Tender Spot (Bloodaxe) p.67

Books I recommend for diving deep into the art of storytelling: The Situation and the Story by Vivian Gornick /The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr / Story by Robert McKee / The Story Grid by Shawn Coyne / Story Genius by Lisa Cron /Steering the Craft by Ursula K LeGuin / Handling the Truth by Beth Kephart / Smoke Hole by Martin Shaw (how it's done!)