Writer's Routine Podcast
Hosted by Writer's Routine
A podcast that asks authors a simple question: what does your writing day actually look like?
A process-obsessed interview show dedicated entirely to the 'how' of writing. Host Dan Simpson walks authors, from blockbuster names to debut novelists, through a structured inquiry into their daily habits. The show methodically deconstructs the workday of a professional writer, starting with their physical desk setup and moving through to tools, schedules, and mindset.
“Its singular, almost forensic focus on the 'routine' sets it apart. While other shows discuss story, this one is relentlessly focused on the granular mechanics of creation, anchored by its signature opening question about the author's physical writing space.”
Who hosts this show
Writer's Routine is a UK-based podcast created and hosted by radio presenter Dan Simpson that looks inside the daily diary of a writer. In each episode, Simpson interviews a successful author to discover their working habits, creative process, and the secrets to their productivity. The show, which launched in 2017 and won a British Podcast Award in 2018, aims to provide practical tips and inspiration for aspiring writers.
Credentials & credits
- Presenter, BBC Radio Berkshire
- Presenter, Fun Kids
- First-Class BA (Hons) Radio Production Degree
- Silver, Best Culture - British Podcast Awards (2018)
- Host, Fun Kids Science Weekly
Other ventures
- Writer's Routine Substack Newsletter
- Fun Kids Science Weekly (Host)
- Presenter on Fun Kids radio
- Presenter on Sky One's 'Whats Up TV'
What kind of podcast
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- uk
When new episodes drop
- 01Children's author Ollie George Clark on the tricks of engaging young readersJun 3, 2026 · 1h 01m
- 02
- 03Lucy Ashe, author of 'The Model Patient', reveals how writing helps unpack THERAPYMay 22, 2026 · 53 min
- 04
- 05
- 06
- 07
- 08Author Annie Elliot on telling the story of the wife Charles Dickens BANISHEDApr 16, 2026 · 58 min
Notable episodes
- 01Bestselling writer Mark Frost reveals the secrets of creating TWIN PEAKS with David Lynch!
The co-creator of the cult TV series 'Twin Peaks' discusses his legendary collaboration with David Lynch and his own writing process.
- 02Sarah Vaughan, author of 'Anatomy of a Scandal', reveals how to STEP BACK when you're too BUSY
The author of the novel that became a massive Netflix hit discusses her breakthrough after years of writing and how she manages her success.
- 03Deepa Anappara reveals the ROUTINE behind her bestselling 'Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line'
The author of a critically-acclaimed, Edgar Award-winning bestseller shares the process behind her celebrated debut novel.
What you'll be asked on this show
Dan Simpson's interview technique is built on a consistent, repeatable structure. He always opens by asking the guest to describe their physical writing space: "What do you see around you in the place where you sit down to write?". This serves as a grounding mechanism, immediately rooting the conversation in the practical reality of the writer's life. He then probes this environment with specific follow-ups about items related to their current project before transitioning to the tools of the trade, frequently asking about software, fonts, or the use of notebooks. The core of the interview is a chronological exploration of the writer's day, covering their schedule, word count goals, and strategies for dealing with common hurdles like procrastination or the 'baggy middle' of a novel. His questions are direct, practical, and flow logically from the guest's previous answer.
This is a single-host interview show with a calm, methodical, and highly consistent format. Host Dan Simpson is an active listener who builds his questions sequentially, starting with the concrete (the writing desk) and moving to the abstract (creative mindset). The show is supported by its listeners via Patreon and Ko-fi.
Questions Writer's Routine keeps coming back to
12 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when Writer's Routine reaches for it.
process
4- Q.01
“What do you see around you in the place where you sit down to write?”
This is the show's signature opening question, used in every interview to ground the conversation in the author's physical space.
- Q.02
“Is there anything around you that pertains to what you're currently writing?”
A standard follow-up that connects the author's environment directly to their work-in-progress.
- Q.03
“What does your typical writing day look like?”
This core question gets to the heart of the show's premise, asking for a chronological walkthrough of the author's routine.
- Q.04
“Do you have a daily word count you aim for?”
Explores the guest's relationship with productivity metrics and daily goals.
craft
3- Q.01
“What software and font do you use for writing?”
Asks for the specific, practical tools the author uses to get words on the page.
- Q.02
“How detailed is your plan before you start writing?”
This question probes the author's position on the 'plotter vs. pantser' spectrum.
- Q.03
“How did you learn to plot more effectively?”
Focuses on the evolution of the author's craft and how they developed their skills over time.
mindset
2- Q.01
“How do you deal with knowing your detailed plan might have to change?”
This question investigates the writer's mindset towards flexibility and the reality of rewriting.
- Q.02
“How good are you at just sitting down and starting to write?”
A direct question about discipline, focus, and overcoming the initial hurdle of procrastination.
advice
1- Q.01
“How have you figured out a way to make the 'baggy middle' of a novel easier?”
Asks for practical advice on navigating a notoriously difficult part of the novel-writing process.
money
1- Q.01
“Does having a book deal provide comfort, or does it add pressure?”
This question explores the psychological and professional impact of being under contract.
origin
1- Q.01
“What is it about history that draws you to place your fiction there?”
A genre-specific question that seeks the personal motivation behind an author's choice of setting and subject.
Signature segments
- · Opening question: "What do you see around you in the place where you sit down to write?"
- · Focus on the daily "routine"
- · Asking about specific software and fonts
- · Exploring the author's physical workspace
- · Deconstructing the author's schedule
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
The show books published fiction authors across a wide spectrum of genres, including historical fiction, thrillers, children's literature, and literary fiction. Guests range from globally recognized bestsellers like Mark Frost and Sarah Vaughan to award-winning debut novelists.
- Ollie George Clarkon Children's author Ollie George Clark on the tricks of engaging young readers
- Kate Lord Brownon Kate Lord Brown, author of 'The Silver Thread', discusses the BALANCE of historical FACT vs. FICTION
- Lucy Asheon Lucy Ashe, author of 'The Model Patient', reveals how writing helps unpack THERAPY
- Liz Altermanon Liz Alterman, author of 'A Different Type of Poison', reveals the skill EVERY author needs to have!
- Mark Froston Bestselling writer Mark Frost reveals the secrets of creating TWIN PEAKS with David Lynch!
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
The podcast is primarily listener-supported through Patreon and Ko-fi, which are mentioned in episode descriptions and by the host. It has also featured sponsors like IngramSpark.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
Pitch Writer's Routine
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People also ask
- Who is the host of Writer's Routine?
- The creator and host is Dan Simpson, a British radio presenter and podcaster.
- What is the format of the podcast?
- It is a weekly, long-form interview show where host Dan Simpson speaks with one author per episode about their specific writing process and daily routine.
- Is the podcast still being produced?
- Yes, the podcast releases new episodes on a weekly basis.
- What kind of authors are featured?
- The show features mainly published fiction authors, from debuts to international bestsellers, across genres like thrillers, historical fiction, and children's books.
- How can I support the show?
- Listeners can support Writer's Routine through Patreon or Ko-fi.
- Where can I listen to the podcast?
- The podcast is available on its official website, writersroutine.com, and on major podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
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