This morning I spent an hour with Art Plotnik, author of many books including his recently revised and updated The Elements of Expression.
Here is the interview, podcast for you. And at the end is a Halloween story. The book is The Rattlebone Rock, which I bought for Travis when he was a little boy. I loved it then, for its whimsy and the rhythm of the words. See what you think.
Broadcast date: October 31, 2012
I’ve loved Abigail Thomas’ writing for a long time–her memoirs are great books and lessons on how to write memoir, and her little book, Thinking About Memoir, is sweet too. Here she is, mentioned in the Times‘ blog. The piece is good regardless…about writing simply and with brevity.
Caitlin Rother, true-crime writer and author of “Lost Girls,” talks with my co-host Marrie Stone about how she chooses her subject matters, the psychological impact of writing true crime, interviewing violent offenders, and what she took away from the tragic case of two San Diego teenagers lost to a mentally ill predator.
(Broadcast date: September, 2012)
Claire Vaye Watkins, author of the short story collection “Battleborn,” talks with my co-host Marrie Stone about family history and how it shapes our stories, her father’s time in the Manson family, the importance of physical and emotional distance from your work, how you know where a story should end, and other heavy topics.
(Writers on Writing broadcast date: September 26, 2012)
If you’re in Southern California this coming Sunday, come to the West Hollywood Book Fair. Lots of panels and literary company. Free parking, a free fun day in the sun. My memoir panel with Claire Bidwell Smith, Pamela Ribon, and Judith Hannan is at 11 on the Eclectic Stage. Come by!
On October 23 at the Pen on Fire Writers Salon at Scape Gallery in Corona del Mar, our guest will be Martin J. Smith, author of The Wild Duck Chase. Marty is also editor at Orange Coast magazine so he’ll be talking about his book, writing narrative nonfiction and essays. More here.
I always forget to post here that my Gotham Writing Workshop called “Jumpstart Your Writing” begins on October 2. You can read all about it here. It’s an online workshop for writers who need to, as it says, jumpstart their writing. There’s exercises, lectures, critiques. What’s also fun about it is that writers from all over the world participate. Email me if you have questions for me.
Also, the Pen on Fire Writers Salon will host novelists Susan Straight and Tatjana Soli on Sept. 18. You can read more about it here.
And the show (Writers on Writing) as always, broadcasts Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. PT on KUCI-FM 88.9. Listen at iTunes college radio or at www.kuci.org (click on the upper right hand corner and listen on your computer or smart phone). Podcasts of past shows are posted here and on writersonwriting.blogspot.com (the dedicated show blog). Coming up this month and next are Laura Lippman, Rex Pickett (“Sideways” author), Cheryl Strayed, Jo-Ann Mapson, Arthur Plotnik, Ilie Ruby, D.T. Max and Claire Johns.
Palm Springs Noir, an anthology published by Akashic Books, edited by Barbara, also features her short story “The Water Holds You Still.” Order anywhere you buy books.
Amazon
Bookshop.org
Keep up to date on Barbara's many activities and postings by subscribing to her mailing list.
Get in the flow with typewriter music by Travis Barrett.
Support Indie bookshops and this site by purchasing books through my BookShop
