Memoirist Daphne Merkin, author of This Close to Happy, spends the entire hour on the show talking about her book and the process of writing memoir.

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 (Broadcast date: April 26, 2017)

Pam Jenoff, author of The Orphan’s Tale, joins Marrie Stone to share her thoughts regarding writing about the Holocaust and the responsibilities of sensitively portraying that period of history. She talks about juxtaposing WWII against the backdrop of the circus arts, how being a lawyer serves her writing life, and more.

In the second half, Eric Puchner shares his latest collection, Last Day on Earth. He deconstructs the genesis of one of his stories, shares wisdom about the secret of unlocking a short story, how Ray Bradbury set him upon his life’s path, how he knows a story is finished, and more.

Finally, we are celebrating our Annual KUCI Fund Drive. If you listen to our podcasts, please consider donating to support our show and public radio. We have an array of fun premiums to offer as a thank you (gift certificates, books, CDs, t-shirts, coffee mugs, and more). Call (949) 824-5824 or donate online at www.kuci.org. Please indicate you’re donating for Writers on Writing. We’re all volunteers here and depend on donations to keep the lights on and keep water in the cooler. Any amount helps. We appreciate your support!

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(Broadcast date: May 3, 2017)

Jonathan Lethem, author of More Alive and Less Lonely: On Books and Writers, joins Marrie Stone to talk about the books and writers he loves, his pen-pal relationship with Thomas Berger, the value of misinterpreting an author’s work, some fabulous advice for writers, how to read like a writer, and much much more.

In the second half, Deb Olin Unferth shares her collection, Wait Till You See Me Dance.  She talks about the art of flash fiction, how her experiences in war and prisons influence her writing, but why she never seeks out those experiences to serve her writing, and she deconstructs one of her stories from inception to completion.

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(Broadcast date: April 5, 2017)

Memoirist and New Yorker writer Ariel Levy joins Marrie Stone to talk about her memoir, The Rules Do Not Apply.  She shares her story of losing her wife, her son, and her life in rapid succession, and deriving a narrative arc out of her life.  She discusses how to dig deep into her life for answers, while protecting the loved ones who appear in her book.

In the second half, Caitriona Lally talks about her debut novel, Eggshells.  She talks about writing an unsavory character, her obsession with lists, how losing her job helped her write the novel, how physical work (housecleaning) aids her writing, and the value of walking her city with her own feet, but with the eyes of her character.

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(Broadcast date: March 15, 2017)