How To Date

How to Write a Book | 10. AN INTERVIEW WITH ELIZABETH DAY

How To Date

Show Notes

In this tenth, rather special episode, of the How to Write a Book podclass series, hosts Sara Collins, Sharmaine Lovegrove and Nelle Andrew turn the microphone around to quiz their friend, executive producer and bestselling author Elizabeth Day, on her life’s work and writing journey.

Of course, Elizabeth knows more than most about the trials and tribulations of writing a book - having penned nine of them herself, writing her first novel at 29 and since then working in every form - non-fiction, children’s and screenplays. She has come up against all of the questions we ask throughout this series and, like every writer, she’s travelled a long and winding road along the way. Throughout her journey, she’s received gentle help and guidance from people who saw something in her.

This is particularly true of Sara, Nelle and Sharmaine, who have all offered Elizabeth wise literary guidance and are exceptionally qualified to do so. Together, Sara, Sharmaine, Nelle and Elizabeth are your on-hand writing community giving you the push you need to get started on that novel, memoir, or piece of non fiction you've always dreamed of writing.

We hope you enjoy our tenth episode. Stay tuned next week for our final two-part discussion on…PUBLISHING. You won’t want to miss it.

Books discussed in this episode include:

• The Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard

• Slipstream, a memoir by Elizabeth Jane Howard

• Paradise City by Elizabeth Day

• Paper, Scissors, Stone by Elizabeth Day

• Magpie by Elizabeth Day

We also talk about: Margaret Forster, Sathnam Sanghera, Rose Tremain

Executive produced by Elizabeth Day for Daylight Productions and Carly Maile for Sony Music Entertainment.

Produced by Imogen Serwotka.

Please do get in touch with us, your writing community, with thoughts, feedback and more at: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

More from How To Date

Mar 31, 2025

For this bonus episode, Elizabeth and Mel open up the post bag to answer the burning questions YOU have when it comes to dating… And, let’s just say, we cover A LOT of ground.

Mar 24, 2025

For the final episode of How To Date (sob!) Mel and Elizabeth look at the most important relationships any of us can have in our lives: the one with ourselves.

Mar 17, 2025

Elizabeth and Mel face one of the most challenging parts of dating: heartbreak and rejection.

Mar 10, 2025

Things are going well… So Elizabeth and Mel are taking it to the next level where they are getting just that little bit more serious.

Mar 3, 2025

Mel and Elizabeth look at the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs that can help us understand whether a potential partner is right for us. That’s right, we’re exploring the red flags that should have us running for the hills, the green flags that signpost a healthy relationship and the amber or pink ones that lie somewhere in-between.

See all episodes →