Draft:Tim Clare

Tim Clare (born 1981) is an English author, poet, comedian and musician known for his various contributions to contemporary British literature. His work spans various genres, including fantasy and thriller in his novels, and his stand-up poetry noted for its dynamic performances in the UK and abroad. He also heads "Homework", a regular poetry night in Bethnal Green. Clare is the host of the writing podcast "Death Of 1000 Cuts," which aims to assist both emerging and established writers in honing their craft.

Early Life and Career
Tim Clare was born in Portishead, in 1981. He attended the University of East Anglia (UEA), where he studied Creative Writing, graduating in 2006. During his time at UEA, Clare began to develop his distinctive voice in poetry and creative writing.

Tim Clare's journey into writing was shaped by personal challenges and a deep understanding of the unpredictable nature of the publishing industry. After experiencing a series of setbacks including job loss, a relationship ending, and a subsequent nervous breakdown, Clare returned to live with his parents. This period of difficulty was compounded by the success of his peers, which contrasted sharply with his own circumstances. Encouraged by therapy, he began to process his feelings through writing, which not only provided a therapeutic outlet but also marked the beginning of his professional journey as an author. Initially focusing on an elaborate fantasy novel that ultimately did not succeed, Clare shifted his approach to more personal narratives. This pivot led to him connecting with a literary agent and eventually attracted the attention of publishers. Clare’s early experiences underscore the lack of a definitive path to success in writing, highlighting the importance of resilience, adaptability, and persistence in overcoming the inherent challenges of the literary world.

Creative Process and Writing Philosophy
Tim Clare describes his writing process as one where ideas gradually build and occupy his mind, similar to a wasp nest growing in an attic. This process involves initial reluctance followed by an intense period of accumulation until he feels compelled to address the burgeoning idea. Clare admits that he postponed writing "The Honours" for years due to fears stemming from a previous breakdown related to his writing career. The eventual decision to write the novel was based more on practical considerations than a specific attraction to its 1930s setting. However, once committed, Clare spent two years researching to ensure the historical accuracy and depth of his setting.

His approach to writing is largely improvisational, a style he refers to as 'pantsing,' where he lets the story develop organically. This can lead to what he calls "crisis meetings," during which he reassesses and redirects the narrative flow based on how the characters are developing. Clare’s characters often take on lives of their own, influencing the plot’s direction more than any rigid storyline he might have planned.

Clare suggests that major life changes, while seemingly opportune times to start ambitious projects like writing a novel, can actually complicate creative endeavors due to the emotional upheaval they often cause. Instead, Clare advocates for starting with small, manageable writing practices that are sustainable and enjoyable. He emphasizes that creative writing should be a source of intrinsic reward and mental health benefits, rather than a pressure-filled pursuit of success.

To support aspiring writers, Clare has created two free online courses, the Couch to 80k Writing Bootcamp and the 100 Day Writing Challenge. These courses are designed to help writers develop their skills through short, daily exercises, demonstrating his commitment to making the writing process accessible and engaging. Clare has reflected on Albert Camus' character Joseph Grand's eventual abandonment of his quest for the perfect sentence, underscoring the lesson that the "perfect time" or "perfect line" does not exist, and that sometimes letting go of perfectionism can be the key to progress.

In an interview in 2020, Clare shared that both "The Honours" and "The Ice House" are designed to be read twice. The second reading, he suggests, offers a new layer of appreciation as readers can perceive elements and subtleties that are only revealed upon revisiting the narrative. He acknowledges that this approach might seem pretentious to some, but he views it as adding depth and re-readability to his works.

Works
Tim Clare has written six books with the final to be published in late 2024.

We Can’t All Be Astronauts
Released in 2009, "We Can’t All Be Astronauts" is an award-winning memoir where Clare discusses his struggles to achieve literary recognition and success. The book provides an honest and humorous account of his attempts to break into the literary world, including encounters with key figures in publishing and personal crises. The memoir won the Best Biography/Memoir award at the East Anglian Book Awards.

Pub Stuntman
"Pub Stuntman" (2012) is Tim Clare’s debut poetry collection, which combines surreal satire with sharp wit. The collection showcases Clare as a satirical poet who reflects on contemporary culture in a unique and entertaining way. Featuring poems about celebrity zombies and middle-class girls, the collection highlights Clare’s skill in creating compelling and humorous content.

The Honours
Published in 2015, "The Honours" is set in 1935 in rural Norfolk, where thirteen-year-old Delphine Venner is determined to uncover the secrets of the elite society at Alderberen Hall. As she explores hidden passageways throughout the estate, Delphine uncovers a world far darker and more threatening than she could have imagined. The novel blends fantasy and thriller elements and has been praised for its narrative depth and originality. It has received positive reviews from publications such as The Guardian and Financial Times.

The Ice House
"The Ice House" (2019) is the sequel to Tim Clare’s debut novel "The Honours," continuing the story of Delphine Venner. Set 73 years later, the narrative finds an elderly Delphine exploring gateways to another reality alongside a giant scarab beetle named Martha. The novel expands significantly on the fantastical elements introduced in the first book, with Delphine and her friend Alice venturing back through a portal that de-ages them and immerses them into a world populated by diverse, mythical creatures. The story intertwines Delphine's adventures with the narrative of Hagar, an immortal plotting an assassination in the coastal city of Fat Maw, revealing the complexity of her plans through a non-linear, backward unfolding of events.

Critically compared to works by China Miéville and Jeff VanderMeer, "The Ice House" is praised for its rich world-building and dynamic plot, culminating in a page-turning finale within an ancient temple. The novel uses British fantasy traditions to create a narrative that is both familiar and filled with dangerous otherness, setting the stage for further explorations in this intriguing universe. The book’s cliffhanger ending suggests more adventures to come, establishing Clare as a distinctive voice in contemporary fantasy literature.

Coward: Why We Get Anxious & What We Can Do About It
Published in 2022, "Coward: Why We Get Anxious & What We Can Do About It" delves into the impact of anxiety on Clare's life and investigates various treatments that claim to alleviate or cure the condition. Motivated by a desire to improve his quality of life for his daughter following an incident at a petting zoo, Clare adopts the role of a 'human guinea pig' to explore and document the effectiveness of different anxiety treatments. The book recounts his trials with various methods, including diet and exercise, medication, cold-water therapy, hypnosis, and meditation. Clare’s narrative is infused with self-deprecating humor and a realistic perspective, emphasizing the individual nature of anxiety and the subjective effectiveness of treatments. "Coward" is positioned not as a self-help guide but as an exploration of personal experience with anxiety management techniques.

The Game Changers
Scheduled for release in November 2024, "The Game Changers" explores the role of games in human history and their importance today. The book discusses why playing games is a universal human instinct and how similar games have evolved across diverse civilizations. Clare examines how gaming can make our lives happier, healthier, and more fulfilling, drawing on examples from Roman anti-cheating devices to Monopoly.