Writer's Routine

Elif Shafak is an incredibly successful and influential author. Born in France to Turkish parents, Elif was raised by her single mother and traditional grandmother. She spent her childhood moving across the world, living in Madrid, Cologne, Amman and Istanbul. Her debut 'Pinhan', won the Rumi Prize in Turkey, and since her first English translated novel, 'The Gaze', she's published more than 20 books which have been translated into almost 60 languages. Her books have been finalists for the Costa Award, the British Book Awards, the Women's Prize for Fiction, have been Reese Witherspoon Book Club Picks, and Elif has been nominated for the Booker Prize. Her novel, 'The Forty Rules of Love', was picked by the BBC as one of the 100 novels that have shaped our world, and her book, 'There are Rivers in the Sky', was the UK's bestselling literary hardback novel in 2025. Elif's new book is 'In One Brief Moment All Eternity'. It's a reinvention of the story of Gustave Flaubert. The French author created perhaps literature's most scandalous heroine, in Madame Bouvary. Shafak imagines a moment where the women history have overlooked get to tell their side of his story.We discuss why colour is so important to her space and stories, also why connection is more important than ever, and why she doesn't really believe in routines.You can hear why she believes stories tap into something bigger than us all, why you need to ask childish questions, and also how it ends up damaging her health.Get a copy of the book - uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutineThis week's episode is sponsored by Damonza, the premier cover design and formatting solution for independent authors. Head to damonza.com/routine for a free cover genre guide, and use ROUTINE10 when you're ready to get started, to save 10%.Support the show - patreon.com/writersroutineko-fi.com/writersroutineRead the newsletter - [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Benjamin Abravenel practiced medicine for 35 years, whilst in snatches of spare time, started work on a novel with a message he was passionate to get heard in the world. When he retired with something like a first draft, he hired a Professor to help him edit into something publishable - she said there was very little chance it would ever be traditionally published. Benjamin went the hybrid-route, and has spent the last few years putting the finishing touches on 'The Past, Again'.It asks the question, what if the horrors of Jewish history could happen again in 21st Century America?'. The story tells the tale of Judah Cohen, who whilst living in sun-drenched California, stumbles upon the truth of the Holocaust, he then spends the rest of his life running from his Jewish identity.We talk about learning from history and having a message you're so passionate about, you'd do anything to get it heard. Also, his unique road to publication, and how hard it was to act on feedback you've paid for.You can hear about the name change that helped him tell his story, where he goes from here, and how he researched by finding real life experience.Get a copy of the book - uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutineSupport the show - patreon.com/writersroutineko-fi.com/writersroutineThis week is sponsored by the 'Quick Books Reviews' podcast with Phillipa Hall. Take a listen wherever you're listening to [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.