Shows
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer26 Statement by the new Shadow Minister for Books (17th February 2026)This is an official statement by Richard A Boxshall, self appointed Shadow Minister for Books in the new political party, Deform UK.There are some actual swears in this.(Sorry everyone!!)
2026-02-1706 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer279 Richard Lives! (23rd November 2025)I talk about watching the new movie based on Stephen King’s short story “The Running Man” and also briefly talk about the writing I did today.
2025-11-2307 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer229 Richard the music critic! (23rd September 2025)Didn’t think I was going to get any writing done today and then suddenly felt bad that I might not. I forced myself to do a writing stream and managed to get the zero draft of Self Portrait chapter 11 completed. Plus I gave the music artist I mentioned a couple of podcasts ago the feedback on their album which seems to have gone down in the spirit it was intended (in a good way).
2025-09-2408 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer133 Who do you think you are kidding Mister Boxshall? (9th June 2025)No writing today, but I do a little chat about some lovely recreations a British satellite channel did in 2019 of some missing episodes of Dad’s Army and how the BBC should’ve done something similar with Doctor Who in 2013…
2025-06-0908 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer30 Chapter 40 is done (30th January 2025)My final update for the month, in which I deliver the wonderful news that I signed off the first draft of chapter 40 today, I have some pressing work related things to do over the next few days so the podcast will be back on the 6th of February.
2025-01-3008 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer29 Editing Chapter 40 (29th January 2025)I have a busy day today, but I still get some editing done, with the hope of competing that work tomorrow!Sorry, the sound quality is terrible on this one, not quite sure what happened
2025-01-2907 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer28 Spot The Pattern (28th January 2025)I have another extremely productive day today, I have finished writing the first version of chapter 40 and all I need to do now is edit it.
2025-01-2807 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer27 Chapter 40 Update (27th January 2025)An update on the writing I have done today for chapter 40 (as well as a few other bits I needed to do).
2025-01-2707 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer26 An Embarrassing Excuse for a Podcast (26th January 2025)As the title of the episode says…
2025-01-2606 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer25 Unfocussed Today (25th January 2025)I’ll talk about how unfocused I’ve been today and then right at the end I remember to tell you about the gorgeous new song my aunt has released, details in the link below:https://richardaboxshallwrites.wordpress.com/2025/01/25/shade-and-shelter-by-roberta-smith/
2025-01-2507 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer24 Catchup (24th January 2025)I have some good news on the writing front and some great news on the music front!
2025-01-2407 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer23 Messy by Lola Young (23rd January 2025)A passionate plea to my UK listeners to go and stream or buy this absolutely amazing song so it can get to number one in the charts tomorrow!Find me at https://linktr.ee/RichardWrites
2025-01-2307 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer22 Go Me! (22nd January 2025)I get chapter 39 signed off a day before self imposed deadline.
2025-01-2208 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer21 Blinds (21st January 2025)Today I had to wait at home to ensure I was here when a man came to measure up for some blinds that I want to have fitted. What did I get done whilst I was waiting? Listen and find out!
2025-01-2108 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer20 Back On Track (20th January 2025)I finally get back on track with my writing and manage to complete the first version of chapter 39, all I have to do is edit it now! Plus I reflect on a member of the writing group (the membership of which has genuinely inspired me since I joined in 2018) who sadly passed away between Christmas and New Year.
2025-01-2007 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer19 Slightly Better Motivated (19th January 2025)I have not written anything today but I did a few other things I’ve been meaning to do for ages which means hopefully I shall get some writing done tomorrow…
2025-01-1908 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer18 Demotivated (18th January 2025)I describe my day, which doesn’t have much to do with writing, unfortunately.
2025-01-1809 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer17 Not Very Productive (17th January 2025)I have not been very productive today which is a shame, however I was very productive yesterday, I recorded the podcast at about 5 pm and then went on to do a lot more writing so at least I’ve got something to tell you about!
2025-01-1707 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer16 Starting on Chapter 39 (16th January 2025)I talk about what I’ve achieved today, which I’m really happy about, including starting work on the first draft of chapter 39…
2025-01-1607 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer15 Signing Off Chapter 38 (15th January 2025)I describe my day which includes finally signing off Chapter 38 of Empress Of The Trees.
2025-01-1507 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer14 Sidetracked (14th January 2025)I took far too much time on a side-hustle today: I have been asked to write a song for someone to use in a live stream, and instead of writing or exercise, I did that today. I don’t consider it a wasted day because I’m thrilled with the result, and I will put the finished song on here in a couple of months once it has been used for the purpose it was written for.
2025-01-1409 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer13 A Fourth Productive Day (13th January 2025)I talk about a movie I saw today, the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man, and how about I’ve done some writing for four days on the trot (yes, really!) and that I hope to sign off Chapter 38 tomorrow. Wish me luck.
2025-01-1307 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer12 Editing, Walking and Eating (12th January 2025)I describe the day I had as well as the brief editing session I did earlier on in the day.
2025-01-1208 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer11 Editing Chapter 38 (11th January 2025)I talk about the editing work I plan to do on chapter 38 of “Empress Of The Trees”. I started today and hope to get it signed off by the end of Monday…
2025-01-1107 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer10 Speaking Fast (10th January 2025)Am I speaking very fast because I’ve got a lot to say? Yes! Finally got some writing done, 2000 new words for chapter 38 of “Empress” as well as talking about an excellent book I’ve just finished reading - “Principals” by Dienw Neb, and then my thoughts about the UK top 40 that has just been revealed on BBC Radio 1! (Phew!)
2025-01-1007 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer9 Personal Admin Day (9th January 2025)I do some reading, some washing, some ironing, and some exercise. But no bloody writing.
2025-01-0907 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer8 Safely Back Home (8th January 2025)After long day at work, I’m finally back home, and now I’m not working until February so I will hopefully get some writing done over the next three or four weeks…
2025-01-0807 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer7 Final Phoenix Update (7th January 2025)I talk about how I spent yesterday, how I am spending today, and what I plan to do over the next few days including finally (hopefully) getting back into the swing of writing…
2025-01-0706 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer6 Update from Phoenix (6th January 2025)I talk about my plans for today and also the book I am currently reading, Principals by Dienw Neb.
2025-01-0608 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer5 New Podcast Launch Day (5th January 2025)I’m flying to Phoenix today, so no writing is happening, but I chat about my new podcast…
2025-01-0507 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer4 A general update (4th January 2025)To celebrate the fact I have finally updated my website, the last article was in September, I talk about my priorities for my upcoming projects and give you an idea when I’m likely to actually do some proper writing!
2025-01-0407 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer3 New Podcast Alert (3rd January 2025)I announce a new podcast that explores my passion for music, specifically British artists for whom I have created a chart. This show contains my test podcast, which uses the Christmas chart for the practice run, and as long as Spotify for Creators will allow me to set up a new show, the first new episode will be available on Sunday on a separate feed…
2025-01-0307 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer2 The Irresponsible Covid Cliffhanger (2nd January 2025)I mention the fact that I haven’t got Covid (I said yesterday I would take a test) and also music I have listened to today. More diary than writer today!
2025-01-0207 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe Writer1 Season Two Launch Show (1st January 2025)I talk about how ill I’m feeling, and the three targets I have set myself for writing in January 2025. Happy New Year!
2025-01-0107 min
2024-12-3000 min
The Diary Of A Wannabe WriterBONUS: Short Story ‘Dead, Presumed Missing’A reading of one of my short stories that link two culttelevision TV shows: the BBC’s Doctor Who and ITV’s The Bill. PC Reg Hollis and WPC June Ackland are called to the scene of a hit and run where a witness says a man died. When they arrive at the scene they find no body, only a broken vase and, around the corner, an old fashioned blue Police Telephone Box…Set between Series 3 and 4 of The Bill in 1987 and during the 2005 Doctor Who episod...
2024-12-2924 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe WriterBONUS: My Year in BooksI talk about some of the excellent books I have read this year.
2024-12-2718 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe WriterBONUS: My Year in MusicA podcast where I talk about the music I have enjoyed listening to this year with the help of an AI podcast created by Spotify.
2024-12-2515 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer200 My Year in Writing (23rd December 2024)In the final regular episode of the year I talk about what I achieved this year and tell you my plans for next year…
2024-12-2314 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer199 Christmas Number One (22nd December 2024)I talk about the Christmas number one and the way that streaming has impacted on the top 40 at Christmas time…
2024-12-2207 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer198 The Case of the Redacted Reactions (21st December 2024)I talk about having recently given feedback to my friend T.G. Campbell about her latest book, and why I won’t be getting Oxygene today.
2024-12-2108 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer197 Reading Out Loud (20th December 2024)I’m spending today reading book 7 of T.G.Campbell’s Bow Street Society series, I promised feedback tomorrow so I had better shut up and get on with it…
2024-12-2009 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer196 Bloody Christmas and Bow Street (19th December 2024)I talk about all the reading I have done today, mainly Merry Bloody Christmas by Jo Middleton (for my book club) and book 7 of the Bow Street Society mystery series…
2024-12-1907 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer195 Reading and drinking Advent Coffee (18th December 2024)I’m tired after my flight home from Phoenix and I won’t be doing any writing today, and I also need to get a book read by this time tomorrow so I can attend the bookclub. So I’m going to drink coffee and read this evening!
2024-12-1808 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer194 Chapter 38 is too busy (17th December 2024)Whilst writing some more of Chapter 38 in Phoenix, Arizona, I come to the conclusion that there is too much still to happen in this chapter and I will need to split what I had planned for it across two chapters instead. I also talk about using AI to attempt to generate a couple of images from my book “Still Life.”
2024-12-1707 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer193 More Randomness (16th December 2024)An emergency podcast containing random questions. Again. Sorry.
2024-12-1707 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer192 Phoenix bound (15th December 2024)I’m doing the same flight on the same day for the next four weeks so I tell you about that and my plans when I get there!
2024-12-1507 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer191 Some more random questions answered (14th December 2024)Emergency podcast time, random question it is!
2024-12-1408 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer190 I Unexpectedly Wrote (13th December 2024)Yes! During a full on working day I managed to do some writing! Here is how and why…
2024-12-1306 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer189 Manchester II: This Time It’s Room Service (12th December 2024)I waffle on about what a long and tiring day I’ve had and then about what I’m planning to eat really soon. I mean, you wouldn’t wanna miss it…
2024-12-1209 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer188 Jolabokaflod (11th December 2024)I talk about a lovely event run tonight by my local bookshop, Suddenly on Sheaf Street in Daventry.
2024-12-1108 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer187 Focus London 2024 (10th December 2024)I talk about a media trade fair that I attended today with my friend author T.G. Campbell (writer of the Bow Street Society mystery series).
2024-12-1009 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer186 Christmas Music Overload (9th December 2024)I’ve reached that time of the year where there’s too many Christmas songs in the charts and I have to create myself a top 40 playlist that excludes Christmas songs for a tiny bit of sanity!
2024-12-0907 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer185 Random Stuff (8th December 2024)An emergency podcast because I’m probably busy. I answer some random questions off the Internet (some quite good ones for once).
2024-12-0808 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer184 Manchester (7th December 2024)Actually did a flight today, I won’t tell you where, oh I already have it in the episode title!
2024-12-0706 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer183 Stand by again (6th December 2024)I talk about my plans for the podcast next year in amongst admitting I haven’t actually done any writing…
2024-12-0607 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer182 Stand by (5th December 2024)In the midst of some standby duties at work, I tell you about some additional podcasts I have recorded that I will put out between Christmas and New Year… Very exciting.
2024-12-0507 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer181 Planned Emergency (4th December 2024)Today is a planned emergency podcast, I knew I was working and I knew I would probably not have time to record one today, so I recorded this yesterday so I still hit show 200 on the 23rd!
2024-12-0408 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer180 Missing Scene (3rd December 2024)Today, I write a scene that I forgot to include in an earlier chapter. The payoff is in the chapter that I’m currently writing so it really needed to be there before I wrote that…
2024-12-0307 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer179 I’m on fire [not literally] (2nd December 2024)The second day in which I’ve done some work on chapter 38, now it’s at approximately 3300 words and hopefully I’ll do some more tomorrow!
2024-12-0207 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer178 Chapter 38 starts (1st December 2024)In which I make a last-minute decision to do some writing and get a decent chunk of chapter 38 written!
2024-12-0107 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer177 My reading month (30th November 2024)In the final podcast of the month, I talk about the books I’ve read this month.
2024-11-3011 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer176 Toblerone (29th November 2024)If Toblerone is the answer, what is the question?
2024-11-2908 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer175 Signing off Chapter 37 (28th November 2024)In which I announce that have finally signed off the first draft of chapter 37!
2024-11-2806 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer174 Reading (26th November 2024)I have a lot of reading to do today which is why I haven’t done any writing but I should be back at the writing tomorrow…
2024-11-2607 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer173 I’m back, baby! (25th November 2024)I talk about finally getting round to doing some proper editing work on chapter 37 and a few other bits and pieces.
2024-11-2507 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer172 Taking a break (19th November 2024)I explain that I’m constantly feeling anxious at the moment, not able to get any writing done, and as a result, I’m going to take a short break in the podcast.
2024-11-1907 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer171 NaNoWriMo ‘24 Day 18 (18th November 2024)I waffle on about one of my favourite authors, Douglas Adams.
2024-11-1811 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer170 NaNoWriMo ‘24 Day 17 (17th November 2024)An update on what I originally planned to do today and then why I didn’t.
2024-11-1806 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer169 NaNoWriMo ‘24 Day 16 (16th November 2024)In which I apologise for being absent for the last couple of days, and update you on my progress for today.
2024-11-1607 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer168 NaNoWriMo ‘24 Day 13 (13th November 2024)In which I out a celebrity as a coked-up sex pest (yes, it’s emergency podcast time!)
2024-11-1307 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer167 NaNoWriMo ‘24 Day 12 (12th November 2024)Progress in editing Chapter 37.
2024-11-1208 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer166 NaNoWriMo ‘24 Day 11 (11th November 2024)Is this the end for Baked Potato?
2024-11-1107 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer165 NaNoWriMo ‘24 Day 10 (10th November 2024)Very little writing done today, wasn’t in the mood, so I blather on about decorating my house.
2024-11-1006 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer164 NaNoWriMo ‘24 Day 9 (9th November 2024)Not much writing to talk about today so I blather on about one of my favourite authors, Haruki Murakami.
2024-11-0906 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer163 NaNoWriMo ‘24 Day 8 (8th November 2024)I finished the first version of chapter 37 today, so here I waffle on about that rather a lot and then go on about why I like these characters so much. And also some of the things that happened in the story that I hadn’t planned for, why they initially frustrated me and why I now think they are the best bit in the story. Sorry, I do go on a bit!
2024-11-0812 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer162 NaNoWriMo ’24 Day 7 (7th November 2024)Finally, a very productive day in which I almost finish chapter 37!
2024-11-0707 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer161 NaNoWriMo ’24 Day 6 (6th November 2024)My (rather negative) thoughts about the fact that an orange convicted bellend felon now seems to be the leader of the free world.
2024-11-0607 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer160 NaNoWriMo ‘24 Day 5 (5th November 2024)I tell you about the moment where I finally understood who my main character, Ronnie, was in the book I am currently writing (Empress Of The Trees) - it only took me five years to figure her out!
2024-11-0509 min2024-11-0406 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer158 NaNoWriMo ‘24 Day 3 (3rd November 2024)Another planned non-writing day, I’ll tell you all about it if you want to listen!
2024-11-0309 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer157 NaNoWriMo ‘24 Day 2 (2nd November 2024)I tell you all about a book I am about to beta read , The Case of the Embargoed Epic from the Bow Street Society mystery series (www.bowstreetsociety.co.uk) by T.G. Campbell, as well as my trip to an antique books fair in Chelsea.
2024-11-0211 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer156 NaNoWriMo ‘24 Day 1 (1st November 2024)I’m back and taking part in a writing tournament this month!
2024-11-0111 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer155 My day today (25th October 2024)Hopefully, I will do some writing tomorrow, but here is what I did today.
2024-10-2507 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer154 Bit of a catch up (24th October 2024)Sorry that I haven’t done this for a few days, here is what I’ve been up to…
2024-10-2409 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer153 Tiny success (20th October 2024)I finally managed to do a small amount of writing, thanks to this podcast, because I literally could not face coming on here today and saying I had not done any!
2024-10-2007 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer152 The one where a tired person speaks for six minutes (19th October 2024)I talk when I want to sleep. Now I have finished talking and uploading, I’m going to start sleeping.
2024-10-1908 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer151 Update from Atlanta (18th October 2024)Just up update on the last couple of days, my deadline to finish the first draft of “Empress Of The Trees” and a general natter about my time here it Atlanta, Georgia USA!
2024-10-1808 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer150 Finally, progress! (15th October 2024)When I recorded this earlier, I forgot that it was a bit of a milestone and that it’s podcast 150! Never mind, it’s some good news, I’ll let you listen to it to find out what it is!
2024-10-1507 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer149 Kenilworth Castle (14th October 2024)I visit Kenilworth Castle to try and justify my Heritage membership, and unfortunately fail to write…
2024-10-1407 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer148 A little more productive (13th October 2024)I tell you about my day which actually includes the first writing in quite a while…
2024-10-1308 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer147 The Avengers (10th October 2024)And when I say The Avengers I mean the 1960s TV show and not that Marvel nonsense!
2024-10-1008 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer146 Blah (9th October 2024)In which I talk for six minutes (more like seven) about nothing.
2024-10-0907 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer145 Tolkien and Big Brother (8th October 2024)I talk about my Tolkien hardback collection and tonight‘s episode of Big Brother. And not writing because the muse seems to have left me for now. Sorry.
2024-10-0807 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer144 Big Brother isn’t watching you! (6th October 2024)I’ll tell you about my weekend catching up with a friend, what I’m planning to do this evening and when I’m going to bloody well do some bloody writing again!
2024-10-0607 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer143 Torquay (4th October 2024)I talk about my day in the caves of Torquay, and finally start work on chapter 37…
2024-10-0406 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer131 Emergency! Emergency! (17th September 2024)Emergency podcast time; some ridiculous emergency questions from Richard Herring’s RHLSTP app.
2024-09-1707 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer122 Emergency Questions 2 (8th September 2024)I’m working today, so here are some silly emergency questions in lieu of me doing some actual writing! (Thank you Richard Herring again!)
2024-09-0807 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer117 Emergency Questions (3rd September 2024)I am working today so unable to do any writing, instead I answer some questions from Richard Herring’s “Emergency Questions” app (based on a series of books he wrote). Some of them are seriously silly. I might do this again.
2024-09-0307 minThe Diary Of A Wannabe Writer9 Why I write on twitch.tv (30th April 2024)On this podcast I explain why I enjoy streaming whilst writing and urge you to follow me on twitch.tv (at https://www.twitch.tv/richard_a_boxshall )
2024-04-3006 min