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.

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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.

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Music credit: "Clap Your Hands" by Scott Holmes


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Episode #30: More Games to Help Character Development

This episode Marc 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.




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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 them well rounded, interesting people that your readers want to get excited about.

Whether it’s moral dilemmas, practical spreadsheets, jumping off points, interesting questions or suggestions to push your characters forward, we cover it all. We had two years pretending to be trees in Theatre Studies A Level so we know characterization. Come and join us on our journey!

Also this episode:

• We steal a whole episode of The Good Place
• Marc is very stern with himself about tangenting
• We rate the attractiveness of various Robin Hoods
• Sexy foxes!
• Introducing improvisation into your life in a safe space.
• Put the TV on and... TELLY TIME!

This episode we looked at:
The Readsy Website
FuckYeahCharacterDevelopment


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Email us at: powpodcastuk@gmail.com
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Music credit: "Clap Your Hands" by Scott Holmes


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Episode #29: How to Start Writing Again After a Break

This time Marc and Jen 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 also chat about last episode’s interview with the very nice Chris Billingham.




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We discuss 'Percolating', the new phrase Chris 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 deepen your plot, plus it sounds like you're just about to make a lovely coffee!

We talk about getting back to work after a break with some tips! How can big events, or just plain old life stuff, affect your writing? How do you get back into a routine? Some of the tips we cover are to really think about your framework, finding the right environment to work in, changing up your routine and looking after yourself and your wellbeing. Marc also talks about artists that he has worked alongside that have actually gone on a physical break before they start up on projects.

Also this episode:

• We talk about that time Jenni stripped on stage and had a girly kiss.
• Jenni’s Nan’s penchant for a ‘lovely story’ (ie a dirty book).
• The return of the word’s nincompoop and ninny.
• Diversity, privilege and how to overcome this in your writing.
• Who appreciates a bad smell?
• Our dream locations for short breaks.
• Marc has some very rich friends.

Listen to the episode with Chris Billingham here.

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


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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'.


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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.

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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.

BONUS! Episode #26.5+: RPDG All Stars 4 & RuPaul's Drag Race 11

You 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 and who are early predictions might be.

Listen here or from wherever you find your podcasts...




Our next episode is nearly ready for your ears, so keep an eye out for that too x


#TeamNina

BONUS! Episode #26.5: Eurovision 2019 - Early Predictions!

Yes! 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 predicting to come out on top.

Our next episode will be winging its way to your podcast devices in the next few days, so keep an eye out x