Episode #39: How To Write (by Other Writers)

Jen and Marc look at the BBC Women's Hour short clip of writers giving tips on how to write a novel. We pick out the key points for us, and how they have, or will, affect our creative journey. Also, Jenni gives an update on her book and we talk The Masked Singer, Taylor Swift, folding crisp packets, Hot Cross Bun day and much more silliness.

Listen to us on

> iTunes
> Stitcher
> Spotify
> Acast

or right here...

Marc 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 think she's just doing a massive poo? SO MANY QUESTIONS!).

These tips might not be groundbreaking but they definitely ring true for us and other writers we've talked to, including Negeen Papehn who talked to us a while ago where we discussed how constantly she writes. Finding your own voice is really important, and we think about the style and pace of books we loved to read, as well as the books we've found difficult and hard going. We also talk about accepting things as imperfect and not chasing the impossible perfection.

We also find out just how much this podcast has helped Jenni's writing experience in terms of motivational techniques, characterisation and plotting a book. Sadly you'll miss the beautiful hand movements of wobbly waves and circles.

Also this episode -

• Learning through failure with How To Fail by Elizabeth Day and also the new Taylor Swift Documentary Miss Americana on Netflix
• Check out the hot men on the new covers of Negeen Papehn's trilogy 
• We mention the books The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes by Ruth Hogan and Love of Imperfect Things by Haemin Sumin
• We put our predictions down for The Masked Singer
• Who remembers The Big Breakfast? We do some reminiscing and Marc has an impressive memory!
• Progression not perfection! Thank you Marc's business course!
• Jenni is obsessed with Stacey Solomon and her hanging crisp cupboards and that leads to an odd conversation about that popular old cleaning duo Kim and Hagrid and folding up crisp packets. You're welcome!

Thanks to our sponsor, BadFish - use offer code POW for 10% off
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @POWpodcastUK
Email us at: powpodcastuk@gmail.com
Find all our episodes: Pow Podcast UK Episodes

Music credit: "Clap Your Hands" by Scott Holmes

If you're reading this far, maybe you have time to like and leave a review on our podcast...also, don't forget to subscribe to our mailing list, to keep up to date with all our latest news.

Episode #38: Friends Reunited

In our first episode of 2020, and our first one together FOR AGES, Jenni and Marc talk about what we've been up to. We 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.

Listen to us on

> iTunes
> Stitcher
> Spotify
> Acast

or right here...

We're back, bright and breezy for a new decade of writing talk! In this episode we discuss Jenni's approach to NaNoWriMo, the motivational techniques and how it feels to actually finish a book. NaNoWriMo, and especially the appy-tool website thing, was a real advantage to setting a challenge and completing it and we recommend it to all budding writers. Then we talk editing and next steps, as well as Jen's problematic title (warning, there is a BIG swear in there).

There's also some chit chat about books we've loved recently, how Michelle Obama and Marc are practically twins and Marc's adventures into networking and being a start up. Then the real reason for the podcast - we work out what puddings and how many are appropriate for Christmas Dinner. What's the deal with trifle anyway?

Also this episode -

• The campaign for Jen to narrate her own audiobook starts here
• We rate Michelle Obama's Becoming, Nadiya Hussain's Finding My Voice and Dawn O'Porter's So Lucky
• Audiobooks vs real books (again)
• A good old wartime adventure romp - John Buchan's The Thirty-Nine Steps
• Are we doing Dry January? Uh, no.

Thanks to our sponsor, BadFish - use offer code POW for 10% off
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @POWpodcastUK
Email us at: powpodcastuk@gmail.com
Find all our episodes: Pow Podcast UK Episodes

Music credit: "Clap Your Hands" by Scott Holmes

If you're reading this far, maybe you have time to like and leave a review on our podcast...also, don't forget to subscribe to our mailing list, to keep up to date with all our latest news.

Episode #35: NaNoWriMo 2019... Part two

It's week two of NaNoWriMo so join Jenni as she has a little breakdown and gets hysterical over mayonnaise pixies.

It's a week of highs and lows, peaks and troughs, 6,000 words one day and 0 the next. Jen talks about how she's finding the challenge and how difficult it is to explain the plot to people without feeling a bit stupid and embarrassed. She is also begins to work out what writing and motivational strategies work for her, with great results and how to start getting the most out of defined writing times.

If you're writing a novel this month for NaNoWriMo, you can follow Jenni as JenniPOW at NaNoWriMo

Thanks to our sponsor, BadFish - use offer code POW for 10% off
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @POWpodcastUK
Email us at: powpodcastuk@gmail.com
Find all our episodes: Pow Podcast UK Episodes

Music credit: "Clap Your Hands" by Scott Holmes

If you're reading this far, maybe you have time to like and leave a review on our podcast...also, don't forget to subscribe to our mailing list, to keep up to date with all our latest news.

Episode #33: The POWer of the Workspace

While 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.

Listen to us on

> iTunes

> Stitcher

> Spotify

> Acast

or right here...

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 and when you feel good about where you are, you’re bound to create some amazing things.

We chat about dream workspaces – and they are pretty fantastical, lovely smells, what you can do to make your workspace better, routines and much more. And then we start talking about the Muppets and the new Harry Potter game.

Also this episode:

• Marc makes a stand about excess packaging
• Jenni’s candle recommendations – Emporio Green Army
• Christmas Day viewing and essential Christmas Eve/Day movies

Thanks to our sponsor, BadFish - use offer code POW for 10% off
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @POWpodcastUK
Email us at: powpodcastuk@gmail.com
Find all our episodes: Pow Podcast UK Episodes

Music credit: "Clap Your Hands" by Scott Holmes

If you're reading this far, maybe you have time to like and leave a review on our podcast...also, don't forget to subscribe to our mailing list, to keep up to date with all our latest news.

Episode #32: 5 Ways to Find Inspiration

This episode we’re discussing 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?




Listen to us on

> iTunes
> Stitcher
> Spotify
> Acast

or right here...




Marc talks about the music, and the different types of music, he listens to to help his creativity. To get Jenni focused, she uses podcasts (even if she isn’t really listening to them). We discuss how music can set the mood of what you’re writing, free writing, exercising your brain (and your hands/wrists!) and more.

We also explore how important self-care is for keeping you inspired and motivated, something that is very easily forgotten about. The practical aspects of motivation, avoiding procrastination, confronting your fear of failure and making the tasks you have to do work for you in terms of simplicity are also covered. There's a mad tangent where Jenni creates a new phrase ‘deadlining yourself out’ which is sure to catch on, and is basically just creating lists, priorities and deadlines to motivate yourself, and then we make up some weird anthropomorphic characters that are based on keyboard buttons and it goes a bit strange. Enjoy!

Also this episode:

• Can you watch TV (well, Project Runway) while being creative?
• Jen does her best Norbert impression
• Philippa Perry ‘The Book You Wish Your Parents Read’ and Fearne Cotton’s podcast ‘Happy Place’
• Who should play Ursula in The Little Mermaid? Should actors be representative of the parts they play?
• Jenni on the radio!
• Imogen Heap and Lizzo

Thanks to our sponsor, BadFish - use offer code POW for 10% off
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @POWpodcastUK
Email us at: powpodcastuk@gmail.com
Find all our episodes: Pow Podcast UK Episodes

Music credit: "Clap Your Hands" by Scott Holmes

If you're reading this far, maybe you have time to like and leave a review on our podcast...also, don't forget to subscribe to our mailing list, to keep up to date with all our latest news.

Episode #31: Therapy for Procrastinators

Focusing 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.

Listen to us on

> iTunes
> Stitcher
> Spotify
> Acast

or right here...



What would you do if you could do it all again? Would you make different choices?

Jen is very 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 goes into changing your life completely.

We delve deep into the reasons why Marc has changed from his childhood dreams to be an animator, 

to his new print making and design business – MarcoLooks. Marc also tries to pin down the theorectical ‘Jennifer’ (not based on Jen in any way) on what she wants to do next.

We also discuss the difference between having these thoughts and conversations and then actually taking some action, and the fear of failure behind it. Marc goes into full on therapy-mode to ‘Jennifer’ (not a real person at all) for a really thought-provoking podcast.


Also in this episode

• We miss drinking while recording
• Catch up with the fantastic Esther Fairfax and Jenifer Klepfler interview
• The well known ‘Cobbler’s children’s shoes’ analogy (a little bit better explained here)
• Find out what Marc really wanted to be when he grew up!
• It gets extremely deep and we ask some tough questions for our made up persona "Jennifer' (again, this is a fictional person).
• That Tick Tock song.

Thanks to our sponsor, BadFish - use offer code POW for 10% off

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @POWpodcastUK

Email us at: powpodcastuk@gmail.com

Find all our episodes: Pow Podcast UK Episodes


Music credit: "Clap Your Hands" by Scott Holmes


If you're reading this far, maybe you have time to like and leave a review on our podcast...also, don't forget to subscribe to our mailing list, to keep up to date with all our latest news.

Episode #28: Interview with Chris Billingham

This episode Jenni talks to Chris Billingham, one of our favourite people and a writer of many things.

We talk about how it's different writing with a partner, how to increase the diversity in our work, procrastination, deadlines, expectations and even term a band new writing phrase - 'percolation'.


Listen to us on
> iTunes
> Stitcher
> Spotify
> Acast

or right here...



Chris Billingham 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.

All the details for Chris's work will be below, so please check it out. We talk about the process of writing and how we write and plan plots (or not!), the importance and potential drawbacks of deadlines, how you should write for characters that don't fit your own gender, race or sexuality and also Chris's background in screenwriting.

Also...

• Jenni's laptop died on the first attempt of this interview so listen to us try to remember what we said the first time round
• How we wasted the opportunities of our uni years
• Chris's percolation process
• Using our lovely supportive partners as procrastination excuses
• Our daydreams of musical stardom and Jenni's failed band experience
• Actual kisses (and some stripping) on stage

If you want to find out more about Chris's writing and podcasting...

• Go With Him - AWARD WINNING Short film (Written and directed by Chris Billingham, produced by James Watts and Chris Billingham)
• I Did - Short film (Written by Chris Billingham, produced and directed by James Watts)
• Sneaking into the Theatre - Trailer (Written by Chris Billingham). Jenni is in this but thankfully not in her underwear.
• Nothing But Static - YouTube channel and podcast. Also on Twitter @Nothinbutstatic
• Steven University podcast
• Writing Space - TV Pilot Edit

Thanks to our sponsor, BadFish - use offer code POW for 10% off

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @POWpodcastUK
Email us at: powpodcastuk@gmail.com
Find all our episodes: Pow Podcast UK Episodes

Music credit: "Clap Your Hands" by Scott Holmes

If you're reading this far, maybe you have time to like and leave a review on our podcast...also, don't forget to subscribe to our mailing list, to keep up to date with all our latest news.

Episode #27: PomoMARCHo! Setting Creative Goals

Join us for a little catch up episode where we check in on each other and how we’re doing, motivation-wise.

We can’t remember what number episode we’re on (is it any wonder with the amount of bonus episodes we’re knocking out?) but we are back to plot out our creative adventures.

Listen to us on
> iTunes
> Stitcher
> Spotify
> Acast

or right here...



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. We then set Jenni up on PomoMarcho where she’ll be writing 25 minutes a day for the rest of March in a bid to get lots of lovely words in. Marc will then use his holiday time, once he’s finished being all creative on his other projects, to take a look at our latest draft.

Will we achieve our Italian-sauce based goals? Will Jenni’s family get bored with constant pasta dinners?

Also...

• Jenni looks angelic briefly, which is not helpful on a podcast
• We uncover a massive problem with the POW logo
• Some book recommendations based on old people – An Unsuitable Match by Joanna Trollope and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fryby Rachel Joyce “If you like old people, you’d like it.”
• ‘Drag Race for Painters’ – Landscape Artist of the Year
• Old People TV! Great News on Netflix and Hold the Sunset on BBC
• The Screenwriting free course (plus loads of others) on FutureLearn

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @POWpodcastUK
Email us at: powpodcastuk@gmail.com
Find all our episodes: Pow Podcast UK Episodes

Check out Jen's 2018 booklist

Music credit: "Clap Your Hands" by Scott Holmes

If you're reading this far, maybe you have time to like and leave a review on our podcast...also, don't forget to subscribe to our mailing list, to keep up to date with all our latest news.

Episode #19: A Sit Down with Janu Miah

This 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.




Listen to the episode on

• on iTunes
• on Stitcher
• on Spotify
• on Acast

or on Libsyn, right here...




Marc talks to Jan about motivators, rewards and how to get things done, including some expert diving into how his mind works and just how often he picks up his phone (don’t we all?). Often we are not using our down time productively and triggers or habits mean that we end up wasting that time.

Should we be replacing the habits we don’t want with the habits that we do? Marc likes to get things done when he is pressure prompted, so that might be a more meaningful way to get things done. Jan offers some tips and advice on how to use what we know about ourselves to allow us to work more productively.

What else did we learn in this episode?

• We let the first chapter of our book out into the big wild world - squee!
• Jen doesn’t actually reward herself for anything 
• We give essential updates on both of our rollercoaster games 
• The word ‘dinglehopper’ is mentioned
• We reference the lovely Negeen Papehn, writing wonderwoman 
• Do grown ups need bribery?

Follow us on twitter: @POWpodcastUK
Email us at: powpodcastuk@gmail.com
Find all our episodes: Pow Podcast UK Episodes

If you're reading this far, maybe you have time to like and leave a review on our podcast...also, don't forget to subscribe to our mailing list, to keep up to date with all our latest news.

Music credit: "Clap Your Hands" by Scott Holmes

Episode #13: Hamilton, Books and Puns...Oh My!

In this episode we talk about the books we've been enjoying recently, there are some terrible book puns, Jenni tries to give up her phone and Marc talks about his experience of Hamilton.

In a little catch up of what we've been up to, we cover exciting cultural things that we've experienced or are looking forward to, in this episode. Marc reviews his experience of Hamilton, from the odd ticket buying/theatre process to the actual emotion of seeing the "masterpiece", including the annoying superfans. Find out 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 dramas such as The Crown and The Darkest Hour...and Sing Street.

You can find to our 13th episode here...

on iTunes

or Soundcloud

or now at Acast

or right here...



This episode also includes...

• A (brief) update on our writing challenge
• The WONDERFUL Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
• Shows that we're looking forward to seeing this year, including the Ladyboys of Bangkok, Kylie Minogue and more
• Marc is not fussed about This Is Us 
• Jenni has finally read the Tom Hanks' book, Uncommon Type, and it isn't about giant typewriters that come alive and take over the world (it is quite good though).
• Jen's 'tinkle-tonkle' spa and the flotation pool experience.

Follow us on twitter: @POWpodcastUK and tweet us!
Email us at: powpodcastuk@gmail.com
Find all our episodes: Pow Podcast UK Episodes
Join our mailing list

Music: "Clap Your Hands" by Scott Holmes

Please like and rate our podcast. The both of us really appreciate all your lovely support.
...also, don't forget to subscribe to our mailing list, to keep up to date with all our latest news.

Episode #12: Overcoming Writer's Block

Welcome 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*

You can find to our 12th episode here...

on iTunes

or Soundcloud

or now at Acast

or right here...



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, motivation, muses and if you need them, as well top tips from Stephen King and other authors/bloggers. Find out about 7 ways to overcome Writer's Block including the strange of glass of water technique by Chuck Sambuchino, Jenni's earliest encounter with writer's block and if we should start a band to get published and what reality show we should go on to get famous.

This episode also includes...

• How to pronounce the name of our podcast and the country we live in, 
• Marc rants for far too long about potholes and dog poo, 
• We rave about the wonderful new reboot of Queer Eye, and side step a conversation about white privilege (phew!)
• Jenni's struggles with her political party of choice the Women's Equality Party and gives us a little mini history of universal suffrage
• We talk about what we're reading right now - A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle and This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay 
• An update of Jenni's battle with Gemma's husband about who will read the most books in 2018, and you can check out the full reading list here
• Why Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham is on Jenni's bookshelf
• How privilege can help you get published (or not) via Chris Colfer and Deliciously Ella, RuPaul and JK Rowling

This podcast is brought to you by half-time cups of tea! Don't jiggle our board!

Join us next time as we start our April writing challenge and try to avoid writer's block.

*This is not true.

Follow us on twitter: @POWpodcastUK and tweet us!
Email us at: powpodcastuk@gmail.com
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Music: "Clap Your Hands" by Scott Holmes

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NaWriJaMo Writing Success!

Nanny Flymo? Nanno Wrimo? Janny Whymo? Whatever you call it, and I can guarantee you will never call it any of those things, it means SUCCESS.

Let me explain. Marc and I entered the spirit of November's NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month, write a novel throughout the month of November, find out more here) last year but set ourselves a modest target of 5,000 words between us. We completed it, of course we did, and then we started to wonder about how targets helped our writing, and encouraged us to write more.

Procrastination often means putting something off until whenever you think the time is right (spoiler alert, the time will never be right), but with the stick over your head of however many words to write and the end of a set time period fast approaching, as well as team member who is relying on you to do your bit as they furiously find time to complete theirs... It really helps motivate you and get the job done.

With that in mind, and the Christmas period over, we set ourselves a task to write 5,000 words EACH in January. And we did it! That means we have written 10,000 words collectively over the month- how amazing is that?

The stick approach (as in the carrot and the stick) of having a goal to complete before a set time or risk the wrath of my team mate was something, but also there was the glorious carrot. In my case the carrot was tweeting how many words I'd achieved and how much closer I was to my goal, as well as catching up with Marc to see how he was doing. Both elements of motivation in force and with very impressive results and also some lovely plot development and new elements of the story.

And are we going to carry on in February? Actually no... there will be no goal word count this month, although we are setting ourselves some other challenges. We don't want this to get too easy - we'd write the book really quickly and then what would we podcast about? Huh?

Episode #9: How to Stop Procrastinating?

Welcome! It's us, Jenni and Marc! We've been friends for year...join us on our writing journey!

You can listen to our 9th episode right here...

or at iTunes

or Soundcloud

or now at Acast

or right here...




This episode includes:
- A jolly discussion on what procrastination is and ways to perceive it, to help you stop doing it! In particular, we examine a TedX Talk from Archana Murthy called An End to Procrastination...does this teach us how to stop procrastination?
- We chat about how Woebot can support your efforts to be more productive, it helps improve your mood and well being…and it’s a Facebook app!
- Starting things off though, we have a smoothie corner! Marc’s recipe: Spinach, Peach, Banana, Apple Juice, Almond Butter (any nut butter will do, just a tsp, it makes a nicer texture to drink and acts like a lil protein boost) ...and a dash of smoothie mix with turmeric or some jazz like that.
- We talk about what we’ve been doing, what we’ve been reading (A Boy Called Christmas, by Matt Haig) and Pantos! Lovely chat about Victoria Wood and her writing (Talent, Pat & Margaret, Dinner Ladies).
- Jenni laments only reading four books since Christmas (Mary Beard's Women & Power, Richard Ayoade’s The Grip of Film, Why Mummy Drinks by Gill Sims, and Sarah Millican’s How To Be Champion) whilst Marc rejoices over the return of Celebrity Big Brother!
- We have some fan feedback! …Namely from Louisa! Thanks, Louisa!
- Marc and Jenni talk about Ready, Set, Novel - an awesome, awesome book that helps you write your novel. Highly recommended if you're writing your own book.

Things we’ve learnt from recording episode 9 of POW podcast UK:
- Jenni has a Cock Jacques revelation and likes mixers with her bubbly
- Marc escapades as a wannabe sommelier and likes his wines deep
- Good news, Drag Race fan! All Stars 3 will be broadcast over here in the UK (…it will be on Comedy Central)
- Did YOU know you could buy a bootleg gig at your local market...yes, on an actual cassette tape!
- How to make an awesome pomodoro sauce!

Today’s management meeting has hated being part of Dry January…don’t even get us started on the silliness of Veganuary.

Follow us on twitter: @POWpodcastUK and tweet us some drink suggestions
Email us at: powpodcastuk@gmail.com
Find all our episodes: Pow Podcast UK Episodes
Join our mailing list

Music: "Clap Your Hands" by Scott Holmes

Look out for EPISODE 10 of Procrastinate or Write! We have a special edition BEST OF, to celebrate our tenth episode, awwwww!

Please like and rate our podcast. The both of us really appreciate all your lovely support.
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