Week 1 Recap: 7 Must-See Clips from The Writing Community Chat Show Advent Calendar.
From laughs to lessons: Hilarious moments and expert advice to inspire your writing journey this holiday season!
The Writing Community Chat Show Advent Calendar: Days 1–7 Recap 🎄
Hello, Writing Community! 👋
December is flying by, and we’ve had an incredible first week of festive fun with our Advent Calendar series! Every day, we’ve shared a favorite clip from our archives, packed with laughs, inspiration, and expert advice. If you’ve missed any of the action, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with this handy recap of Days 1–7.
From hilarious moments to writing wisdom, here’s what we’ve unwrapped so far:
Day 1: John Niven vs. Chris Hooley in a Music Quiz
We kicked things off with a laugh as the brilliant John Niven faced off against co-host Chris Hooley in a music quiz. Spoiler alert: John absolutely crushed it, leaving Chris scrambling to keep up. 🎶😂 This clip is all about quick wit and fun—perfect for starting the holiday season with a smile.
🎥 Watch here:
Day 2: Kristoffer Polaha and Anna Gomez on Writing Together
On Day 2, we turned to inspiration with the charming Kristoffer Polaha (aka “Mr. Hallmark”) and the talented Anna Gomez. They shared how Kristoffer began his writing journey and the story behind their creative collaboration. Their advice is as heartwarming as their partnership!
🎥 Watch here:
Day 3: Adele Parks on Confidence and Writing 20 Books
Day 3 brought us the ever-honest and hilarious Adele Parks, who admitted she was a bit hungover from celebrating her latest book release! 🥂 She reflected on how her writing confidence has grown and how her process has evolved over writing 20 books. This clip is both relatable and inspiring for any writer.
🎥 Watch here:
Day 4: John Yorke on Writing for TV
Day 4 took us into the world of screenwriting with John Yorke. After a hilarious start—featuring his kids interrupting and Chris Hooley dubbing him “Charles Xavier for the BBC”—John shared insights on the BBC Writers’ Room, training writers for shows like EastEnders and Casualty, and the importance of structure in storytelling.
🎥 Watch here:
Day 5: Pitch Wars Chaos on the WCCS Panel Show
On Day 5, the gloves came off in The WCCS Panel Show, where bestselling authors took on the challenge of Pitch Wars—crafting book blurbs using three random audience-suggested words. Expect swearing, wild creativity, and tech chaos with Will Carver and Kristen Bailey. It’s a laugh-out-loud moment you don’t want to miss.
🎥 Watch here:
Day 6: Jessica Brody and Save the Cat!
Day 6 brought us the insightful Jessica Brody, who shared how her bestselling book Save the Cat! Writes a Novel came to life. Jessica also discussed how this game-changing structure method transformed her process and helped her achieve success. A must-watch for any storyteller!
🎥 Watch here:
Day 7: Perfecting Your Pitch with Tash Barsby and Lizzy Goudsmit Kay
We wrapped up Week 1 with a masterclass in pitching from Tash Barsby and Lizzy Goudsmit Kay. These publishing pros broke down a viewer’s pitch, shared actionable tips for improvement, and gave insider advice on crafting pitches that stand out. Essential viewing for anyone submitting to editors or agents!
🎥 Watch here:
Join Us for Week 2!
We hope you’ve loved this first week of Advent Calendar clips as much as we’ve enjoyed sharing them with you. There’s so much more to come—more laughs, more wisdom, and more of the magic that makes the writing community so special.
Don’t forget to share your favorite moments with us in the comments or on social media. And if you’re feeling inspired, let us know what you’ve been working on—your next pitch, a novel outline, or even just a creative idea sparked by these clips.
Stay tuned for Week 2, and thank you for being part of our community. Let’s keep celebrating the joy of storytelling together.
Stay creative,
The WCCS.
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