POW Podcast UK
51 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 4 years ago -POW = Procrastinate or Write! Jenni and Marc have been friends for years. We’re writing a book. We talk about our writing project and why we’re not writing enough. This is a podcast for the discerning writer who wants to write, but is easily distracted. We feel your pain. Join us on our journey to creative fulfillment...often helped by gin
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Episodes
#40: Boosting Your Creativity
March 09, 2020 10:48 - 45 minutes - 62.5 MBWe’re celebrating our 40th episode with a little look at ways to boost your creativity. There are many ways to help your creativity, but hopefully you’ll get some new ideas and info from our comprehensive-ish research. Also this episode - Jenni can’t pronounce ‘Nietzsche’ More "The Good Place" talk DON’T GIVE UP Big up our hero Dr Rangan Chatterjee The return of talking about rollercoaster games – woohoo! Amazing insights into the world of charity shops and puzzles. A s...
#40: Boosting Your Creativity
March 09, 2020 10:48 - 45 minutes - 62.5 MBWe’re celebrating our 40th episode with a little look at ways to boost your creativity. There are many ways to help your creativity, but hopefully you’ll get some new ideas and info from our comprehensive-ish research. Also this episode - Jenni can’t pronounce ‘Nietzsche’ More "The Good Place" talk DON’T GIVE UP Big up our hero Dr Rangan Chatterjee The return of talking about rollercoaster games – woohoo! Amazing insights into the world of charity shops and puzzles. A s...
#39: How To Write (by Other Writers)
February 17, 2020 08:35 - 46 minutes - 64.2 MBMarc happened upon this lovely clip of writers talking to Women's Hour about their writing tips and advice. Writers such as Prue Leith, Angie Thomas, Ruby Wax, Allison Pearson and Nina Stibbe talk about how to write and how they write, and how to write that book! Jenni and Marc pull out their highlights, what resonated with them, and also how Prue Leith manages to get her laptop into the toilets at cocktail parties (what if she needs a plug? Does she carry a rucksack? Does everyone else thin...
BONUS! #38.5: Jen's Complete NaNoWriMo Journey
January 27, 2020 08:42 - 44 minutes - 82 MBA special bonus episode featuring Jen's meanderings as she attempted NaNoWriMo 2019. Jen challenged herself to write a brand new novel over the course of November. That means 50,000 words. It was, as she finds out, a challenge. That is why they call it a challenge. Join her in an audio diary to find out exactly how many words she managed to write each day and her struggles with procrastination and plot lines. Visit our website to find the show notes for this episode
#38: Friends Reunited
January 13, 2020 12:24 - 41 minutes - 57 MBWe chat about Jen's NaNoWriMo achievement, what else we've done over the end of 2019 and what books and other sources of inspiration we've found lately. And then we talk a lot about puddings. Find our full show notes at our website
#37: NaNoWriMo 2019. Part 4
December 02, 2019 16:10 - 16 minutes - 22.1 MBCan we get a drumroll please? ...Has Jenni done it? Is the end in sight? Has Jenni completed NanoWrimo2019?
#36: NaNoWriMo 2019. Part 3
December 02, 2019 16:04 - 15 minutes - 20.9 MBThe Nanowrimo extravaganza continues...will Jenni keep up with her word count, or is the Crown just too distracting?
#35: NaNoWriMo 2019. Part 2
November 18, 2019 16:43 - 14 minutes - 20.1 MBHow is Jenni getting on with her NaNoWriMo month? There's only way to find out...
#34: NaNoWriMo 2019. Part 1
November 11, 2019 17:04 - 14 minutes - 19.3 MBWe're back! Well, sort of...in a twist to the POW podcast proceedings, Jenni is going it alone for a quick moment to take us on her NaNoWriMo 2019 journey. Are you in the midst of all things National Novel Writing Month? Join Jenni as she talks progress, procrastination and all things writing.
#33: The POWer of the Workspace
July 29, 2019 17:23 - 32 minutes - 44.6 MBWhile Jenni only cleans her desk when she gets told off by her cleaner, and Marc settles into his brand new tailor-made studio workspace, we talk about the impact that your workspace has on your productivity and creativity. Looking after and improving your environment is an extension of self-care, and will help you not only avoid procrastination but also being called Mr Treebus (if you don’t know who Mr Treebus is, all is explained in the episode). It makes an impact on your state of mind ...
#32: 5 Ways to Find Inspiration
July 15, 2019 07:41 - 36 minutes - 50.1 MBIn this episode, we discuss motivation and how to find inspiration! What are your quick go-to points of inspiration? What are the tools you always have on hand to fire up your brain and fuel your creativity? Thanks to our sponsor, BadFish - use offer code POW for 10% off Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @POWpodcastUK Email us at: [email protected] Find all our episodes: Pow Podcast UK Episodes
#31: Therapy for Procrastinators
June 17, 2019 14:06 - 39 minutes - 54.1 MBFocusing on procrastination and taking on a new angle for this episode, we look at new directions, career paths and how we (well, Jen) could be avoiding big decisions by generally just faffing about. What would you do if you could do it all again? Would you make different choices? Jen is interested in career changes and how people turn their lives in different directions. As someone who’s been in the same sort of job since uni, she’s fascinated about the reasoning and decision making that ...
#30: More Games to Help Character Development
May 27, 2019 09:28 - 36 minutes - 49.5 MBMarc and Jenni look at games and tips to help your character development. Just like Mary Poppins (Disney version, not the PL Travers version) we are going to sprinkle some fun into the ways you can develop your characters. You want to make characters that people believe in and care for, so how can you create depth for the personalities that make up your novel or creative writing piece? Jenni and Marc look at the different games and situations that you can use with your characters to make ...
#29: How to Start Writing Again After a Break
May 13, 2019 08:06 - 36 minutes - 49.5 MBJoin Marc and Jen as they talk about getting back to creative work after a break. If life has got in the way of your writing, how can you get back in the swing of things? We discuss 'Percolating', the new phrase the lovely Chris Billingham (from the last episode) started using to brew ideas and mull over stories in his head, and how this has impacted on Jenni’s work positively. The dwell factor and reflection is an important process, reducing writer’s block and giving you time to really d...
#28: Interview with Chris Billingham
April 29, 2019 10:51 - 48 minutes - 66.1 MBIn this episode Jenni talks to Chris Billingham, one of our favourite people and a writer of many things. Chris has written three plays, a web series, two short films and won at least two awards. This means he is an 'award winning writer', although he doesn't like us saying that at all. He's a fantastically proficient writer, as well as having a proper job and having two/three podcasts with podcast partner Dan Doolan. We talk about how it's different writing with a partner, increasing ...
#27: PomoMARCHo and Setting Creative Goals
March 11, 2019 16:55 - 28 minutes - 38.6 MBJoin us for a little catch up episode where we check in on each other and how we’re doing, motivation-wise. We’ve come up against a strange sort of writer’s block when it comes down to finishing our book, so we talk through how writing letters from their characters has given us a push to get into the next phase of novel writing. Will we achieve our Italian-sauce based goals? Will Jenni’s family get bored with constant pasta dinners? Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @POWpodcastUK E...
BONUS! #26.5+: RPDG All Stars 4 & RuPaul's Drag Race 11
March 11, 2019 12:01 - 47 minutes - 65.8 MBYou lucky listener, you...not one, but TWO bonus episodes before our latest proper episode reaches you! We couldn't keep this bonus edition buried away for much longer. Jen and Marc finally get chance to catch up on our thoughts about RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 4 (has Latrice had more chances than Shangela? Did Naomi make the right choice? Who's the real winner?) and we also chat all things season 11 (which has just started on Netflix/VH1), particularly which queens are standing out to us ...
BONUS! #26.5: Eurovision 2019 - Early Predictions!
March 06, 2019 19:22 - 9 minutes - 13.4 MBYes! We're approaching Eurovision season already! Whilst you're waiting for our next regular episode to emerge from the editting studio, Marc thought he would put together a tiny, bonus episode talking about one of the things he loves the most...no, not Kylie...Eurovision! Just over half of the competing countries have announced which song will represent them this year, in Tel Aviv, so Marc takes us through some of his favourites so far, and also has a look at who the bookmakers are predi...
#26: How Do You Plot Your Book?
February 11, 2019 10:51 - 34 minutes - 47.2 MBWe have hit a wall in our book writing process, so we’ve decided to work on our plots. Jenni and Marc break down some plots from famous novels and try and apply them to their own book. We also look at classic plot structures from Well-Storied.com, using Freytag’s Pyramid, the Fichtean Curve and the Hero’s Journey. Also in this episode: · Writing down the Status Quo · Who is the main character in Lord of the Rings? · Is Harry Potter the main character in the Harry Potter books? (yes, ...
#25: What’s The Right Writing Challenge for You?
January 28, 2019 12:14 - 34 minutes - 47.3 MBWe’re discussing writing challenges this time – the whys and hows of setting specific goals for your writing. If you want to stimulate your creativity and set some priorities for your writing, a challenge is the way to go. Writing challenges give you some space to try something different – looking at perspectives, forms, narration and themes that you might not have tried before. Whether it’s something based the style of prose, or something more practical like scheduling in your writing int...
#24: Reading for Pleasure VS Reading for Challenge
January 14, 2019 11:05 - 37 minutes - 51.8 MBWe’re talking about reading for pleasure versus reading as a task. Following on from Jenni’s 2018 reading challenge against friend-of-the-show-Gemma’s husband Scott, Marc and Jenni discuss how the challenge went, how it affected Jenni’s love of reading and, crucially, WHO WON! If you’re reading with one eye on the total, it really makes a difference about what and how you read. We discuss the choices that you make, as well as the books Jenni really enjoyed this year, which ones she read re...
#23: All We Want for Christmas is... Books!
December 18, 2018 17:13 - 44 minutes - 61.1 MBIt’s Chriiiiiiiiistmas! Marc and Jen are back to give you a run down of the best Christmas gifts for the readers and writers in your life. With jingle bells at the ready and a naughty elf, Marc and Jen either think about what other people would like (Marc) or just write down what they want (Jen). Along the way we ponder the trouble with goats and sheep, reminisce about the books we read as kids, confuse Albert with Abdul and reignite the Kindle debate. Whether it’s a bestseller, someth...
#22: What Do You Do With Feedback?
November 12, 2018 08:13 - 37 minutes - 52 MBIn the midst of Nanny Flymo (#NaNoWriMo) Marc and Jen talk about getting feedback from their first chapters and the best ways to deal with critiques and comments from those lucky few that have finally had a peek at your writing. If you’ve written a novel, short story or any sort of creative writing, there will be a time where you’re going to have to put it front of someone to read it and, hopefully, give you a bit of useful feedback. But what should you do with that feedback? We have some ...
#21: 10 Useful Ways to Approach NaNoWriMo
October 29, 2018 08:24 - 38 minutes - 53.2 MBIt’s episode 21 of POW Podcast UK and with NaNoWriMo 2018 just round the corner, Marc and Jen look at 10 useful ways to approach National Novel Writing Month. Are you planning to write 50,000 words in November to create a novel? Do you need some help with how to plan your month and stay motivated? We used NaNoWriMo in 2017 with the aim of writing 5,000 words each, and we’re planning to do the same this year. We give you some ideas to help you along the way from our experience and other ...
#21: 10 Useful Ways to Approach NaNoWriMo
October 29, 2018 08:24 - 38 minutes - 53.2 MBIt’s episode 21 of POW Podcast UK and with NaNoWriMo 2018 just round the corner, Marc and Jen look at 10 useful ways to approach National Novel Writing Month. Are you planning to write 50,000 words in November to create a novel? Do you need some help with how to plan your month and stay motivated? We used NaNoWriMo in 2017 with the aim of writing 5,000 words each, and we’re planning to do the same this year. We give you some ideas to help you along the way from our experience and other ...
#20: How to Overcome Impostor Syndrome
October 15, 2018 05:00 - 33 minutes - 46.3 MBDo you worry about what your parents, significant other, or friends think about your life choices? As a creative person this can be an issue, so we can talk about how we can tackle this. Jenni and Marc discuss unrealistic expectations – not everyone is going to write a best selling book or win an Oscar – and how we impose our standards on other people’s expectations. There’s also impostor syndrome – have you ever felt like you don’t belong beside your peers? We talk about the types of imp...
#19: A Sit Down with Janu Miah
October 01, 2018 07:47 - 36 minutes - 50.2 MBThis episode we talk to Janu Miah, a leadership and organisational development specialist, about rewards and motivation. How can we use rewards to get ourselves out of procrastination holes? Jan guides us towards better uses of our time and how our minds work. For full show notes visit our website
BONUS! #18.5 Channel 4's "The Circle"
September 26, 2018 08:46 - 20 minutes - 27.8 MBWe love a bit of reality telly, and we've got properly sucked in to Channel 4's new show, The Circle. It's all about how people use and present themselves on social media, and what lengths they'll go to to become the most popular. We chat what we think about it, how it makes us think about our own use of social media (and how lucky we were to grow up on MSN Messenger!) and how the show works. We also talk about how fab Sophie Willan, the narrator of the show, is. Join us in the exci...
#18: Wellness for the Creative
September 17, 2018 05:30 - 44 minutes - 60.8 MBShould you be striving for wellness as a creative? Despite the notorious anguished artist stereotype, we believe that you should look after yourself if you want to create amazing things. Looking after yourself and making time for the self care is a priority, and we talk about how you can start to do that. We talk about what makes us feel good and how to integrate self care rituals into our everyday lives. Big shout out to Emma from Shine for her teaching and advice, which forms a big part ...
#17: Writing Retreats
September 03, 2018 09:41 - 36 minutes - 49.8 MBWe're back. You missed us, didn't you? In this eagerly anticipated episode, we have highlights from our recent writing retreat. We pod directly from a beautiful setting, just outside Leicester, while we edit, rewrite and work through the beginning of our book, Too Much. Are writing retreats useful? How do you approach them? What’s it like re-reading your first chapters, especially when a lot of them were written about 10 years ago? We cover all these points and more when we do our own mini...
BONUS! #16.5 Ru Paul's Drag Race Season 10 Finale
July 02, 2018 14:42 - 33 minutes - 45.6 MBYaaaasssss! We have a new Queen! We are too excited about the dramatic reunion and finale of Drag Race Season 10 - and you just knew that we had to share our thoughts with you in another bonus episode! We talk about the bust up at the reunion, Aquaria's well deserved win, whether the reveals were actually worth it, our dream Drag Parliament, our opinions on Eureka, Asia and Kameron, and of course the BUTTERFLY in the room. Look out for our next full episode, hitting your devices soon. ...
#16: How to Develop Your Storyline and Plot
June 25, 2018 11:15 - 57 minutes - 78.5 MBHow do you develop a plot? In this episode we talk about the best ways to develop your storyline, what the classic plotlines are and how our own novel fits into it all. We also try to fit in a discussion about Horcruxes wherever we can. Jenni has a massive problem in developing plots on her own, but finds the process easier when writing with Marc. Why is that? We look at different techniques of plotting and storylines, structuring a novel, whether a character can carry a story and if actual...
#15: Improving Your Character Development
June 04, 2018 11:00 - 1 hour - 100 MBIn this episode we explore character development by looking at one of our characters in more detail – the lovely Darvin. We explore some popular and less well known ways to capture a personality that you are writing about, while drinking prosecco and gradually becoming more random (and slightly slurred). How can you approach character development? We look at techniques and tricks for getting an in depth feel for your character’s personality and background. This includes looking at things l...
#15: Improving Your Character Development
June 04, 2018 11:00 - 1 hour - 100 MBIn this episode we explore character development by looking at one of our characters in more detail – the lovely Darvin. We explore some popular and less well known ways to capture a personality that you are writing about, while drinking prosecco and gradually becoming more random (and slightly slurred). How can you approach character development? We look at techniques and tricks for getting an in depth feel for your character’s personality and background. This includes looking at things l...
BONUS! #14.5: Eurovision 2018
May 15, 2018 15:00 - 23 minutes - 43.1 MBWelcome to another special BONUS episode of the Procrastinate or Write Podcast! In this cheeky little extra chat, we talk about the weekend's Eurovision highlights. Find out who we loved, what the UK judges thought and the mysterious meaning behind Marc's Eurovision costume. It's all here! Look out for our next full episode, hitting your devices soon. Full episode notes can be found on our website....and whilst you're there, join our mailing list for all our latest news!
#14: Interview with Esther Fairfax and Jenifer Klepfer
May 07, 2018 13:17 - 1 hour - 146 MBThis podcast features a wonderful interview with Esther Fairfax and Jenifer Klepfer - Esther Fairfax is the daughter of Lotte Berk, the creator of the Lotte Berk Technique, also known as ‘slutty yoga’ (although we found out after we recorded this that Esther hates that term!). Esther wrote an autobiography about her mother and her upbringing, and Jenni talks to her and Jenifer about the writing process, what they are writing now, and generally how to approach the wonderful ‘mish mash’ that...
BONUS! #13.5: Ru Paul's Drag Race ALL STARS 3 Kiki
April 30, 2018 07:52 - 10 minutes - 20.1 MBWelcome to a special bonus episode of the Procrastinate or Write Podcast! Ok, ok, we know, we know...ALL STARS 3 finished ages ago now...but we thought we'd share this nugget of audible wonderment, that we recorded ages ago, as a cute little bonus. You're welcome. DRAG RACE SPOILER WARNINGS! Look out for our next full episode, hitting your devices next Monday. Full episode notes can be found on our website....and whilst you're there, join our mailing list for all our latest news!
#13: Hamilton, Books and Puns...Oh My!
April 16, 2018 08:43 - 52 minutes - 96.7 MBIn this episode, Jenni tries to give up her phone. Not only that, but we talk about the books we've been enjoying recently, we share some terrible book puns and Marc talks about his experience of Hamilton. We talk, How To Break Up With Your Phone and if it works, as Jenni talks about Catherine Price's guide to giving up the evil technology and how it's affected her. Marc has decided that Claire Foy is much better than the Queen at being the actual Queen, and we talk a bit about historical ...
BONUS! #12.5: Ru Paul's Drag Race 10 Chatter
March 26, 2018 18:53 - 14 minutes - 27 MBWelcome to a special bonus episode of the Procrastinate or Write Podcast! Join Jenni and Marc at a cheeky kiki about Ru Paul's Drag Race and the first episode of Season 10! SPOILER WARNING! We're so excited about the finale of All Stars 3 that we couldn't wait to have a chat about Ru Paul's Drag Race Season 10 queens and pick out our favourites. Who do you want to win? Who do you think will crash and burn? Will Eureka's knee hold out? Tell us what you think! Join us next time as we ...
#12: Overcoming Writer's Block
March 26, 2018 08:05 - 59 minutes - 109 MBWelcome to the 12th episode of the Procrastinate or Write Podcast! Join Jenni and Marc in the same room - wowzers - as we talk about the tips and tricks to overcome writers block. Your whole life will be sorted and you will never suffer from writer's block again as a result of this podcast* What is writer's block? What's the definition of writer's block? Is it about being motivated to write or not knowing what to write next? We explore techniques such as free writing, writing games, motiva...
#11: Forbidden by Faith. Interview with Negeen Papehn
March 05, 2018 21:03 - 54 minutes - 100 MBIn this episode we speak to first time published author and lovely lady, Negeen Papehn on the release of her book Forbidden by Faith. Jen speaks to Negeen via the wonder of the internet in our first INTERNATIONAL interview! Woohoo! We find out Negeen’s writing process, how she deals with procrastination and writer’s block and her journey to publication. We also spend time with a fun writer’s game delving deep into another character in our own book – Hilary! What makes Hilary’s morning?...
#10: The Best of POW podcast UK...so far
February 20, 2018 20:04 - 1 hour - 141 MBThat's right! It's our best bits! To celebrate our tenth episode...it's our bestest bits! Thanks for joining us on our journey so far, it’s been lovely having you with us. Since we’ve been podcasting, we have over 40,000 words in our book! Not only is this episode cram packed with our (and yours, thank you to those that sent us suggestions) favourite bits, we also review how our Jan-Wri-Cha challenge went. Or is it Wri-Jan-Mo, Na-Wri-Ja-Mo…? Who cares…but yay for the great word c...
#9: How to Stop Procrastinating
January 26, 2018 17:21 - 1 hour - 114 MBHello! It's us, Jenni and Marc! We've been friends for year...join us on our writing journey! Our 9th episode of Procrastinate or Write includes a jolly discussion on what procrastination is and ways to perceive it, to help you stop doing it! We examine a TedX Talk...but does this teach us how to stop procrastination? We chat about how Woebot can support your efforts to be more productive, whilst improving your mood and well being. Jenni laments only reading four books since Christmas...
#8: CHRISTMAS...with special guest, Gemma!
December 24, 2017 08:58 - 1 hour - 141 MBWe are Jenni and Marc, we have been friends for years and we’re writing a book…join us on our journey…It’s Christmas time, there’s no need to be afraid…we’re here! This episode includes: - Our very special guest (and friend of the show), Gemma Powell! We discuss motivational techniques used in schools, managing your time, the importance of a digital detox and why it’s important to elevate the quality of your work and life balance…but who is Granny Flymo? Things we’ve learnt from recordi...
#7: Our Survey Says...
December 07, 2017 14:16 - 1 hour - 134 MBWelcome to Procrastinate or Write! Its our survey episode! A few weeks back, you may recall taking part in our survey about the things that make YOU procrastinate and what you do to stop...well here are the results...and that's not all...this is the very first time, in POWpodcastUK history, that an episode has been recorded with Jenni and Marc being in the same room...we think you'll agree it's a marvellous joy to put upon your ears! We are helped by coffee and the antics of Jen's b...
#6: Interview with Linda Walker, Listener Questions and NaNoWriMo!
November 13, 2017 08:29 - 1 hour - 133 MBIn this episode, we have a very special guest interview with BBC radio and Listening Project producer, Linda Walker. We also have some of your listener questions and we talk about every writer’s favourite month of the year (or not), NaNoWriMo and its dilemma that can steer us for quantity over quality. Other chats includes RuPaul’s Drag Race and their sponsors, Sushi, The Book of Dust and our book blurb We’re also still riding high on our tweets and retweets from Sophie Kinsella and Jo...
#5: The POWer of the Opening Line
October 21, 2017 09:24 - 1 hour - 119 MBJoin in our discussion on the opening lines of our favourite books. Our 5th “Procrastinate Or Write” episode includes our chat about about whether the openings lines really matter? Do they set the tone for the whole book, or are they just there to grab our attention as a reader? Has an opening line ever put you off reading a book? We also learn about the connection between free writing and tomato sauce… which is not to be confused with Italian cake. Full for episode notes full of...
#4: Interview with Mandy Clark
September 28, 2017 14:15 - 1 hour - 114 MBIn our 4th instalment of “Procrastinate Or Write” we interview the wonderful Mandy Clark, self-published author of “Mud and Marriage”. We also answer our first listener question! We talk about progress reports, free writing and book themes. We discuss the use of “said” in a book and other important topics, such as which reality shows would our characters go on. We also learn that you don’t have to be going back to school to buy a new pencil case. Marc totally balls up his example of a book...
#3: Games to Help Character Development
September 05, 2017 17:13 - 57 minutes - 106 MBHere’s the latest update on Jenni and Marc’s writing adventure. Join us. In this episode we discuss: Writing to conquer phobias, What we’ve been reading and Resources online to support writers. We explore another character of ours, Niamh (and compare her to Italian biscuits) and we play a game to help get to know our characters! If you like listening to us, you can even buy us a beer if you fancy - visit our website for all links: powpodcastuk.blogspot.co.uk (Today’s management meeting i...
#2: Defining A Character
August 08, 2017 15:57 - 1 hour - 128 MBWe are Jenni and Marc. We have been friends for years. We’re writing a book…and we finally got round to publishing our second podcast. This episode’s discussions include: - We delve into one of our characters, Ben. - How do other writers, write? - What things are inspiring us, right now? We’d like to apologise for the little crackly bits throughout this episode. Eeek. Sorry :(