Novelist Peter Heller, author of The Painter, joins Marrie Stone to talk about the power of place, the importance of art, and how to create compelling characters. In the second half, debut novelist Rebecca Scherm discusses her book, Unbecoming.
(Broadcast date: March 18, 2015)
Mary Norris, author of Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen, talks to Nicole Nelson about how being so focused on the details because of her copy-editing job made her appreciate the work of her editor for this book in helping her craft chapters with a beginning, middle and end; what it’s like to be in charge of the “comma shaker” at The New Yorker; and how knowing the grammar behind the use of “me” in some contexts can, between her and us, help writers make the correct choice. Then Christie Watson, author of Where Women are Kings, joins the show to talk about how she discovered the voice of her main character, Elijah, how the novel changed as she worked through nearly a dozen drafts, and how important it is for writers to silence their inner critic and keep on writing.
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(Broadcast date: May 6, 2015)
Jacob Rubin , author of the novel The Poser, talks to Nicole Nelson about the value of re-reading, how his protagonist Giovanni emerged from his work on a short story, and the comfort of rituals when writing (and in life). Then Angela Flournoy, author of The Turner House, discusses finding the right first chapter, how studying The Brothers Karamazov helped her map the story of her novel, and the importance of submitting to–and not resisting–the revision process.
Angela and Barbara DeMarci-Barrett will be at the LA Times Festival of Books.
Angela’s panel is Sunday, April 19 at 3:30 (Fiction: The Past in Our Present Hoffman Hall )
Barbara DeMarco-Barrett will moderate Fiction: Perfectly Flawed Sunday, 12:30 p.m., Annenberg Auditorium.
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(Broadcast date: April 15, 2015)
Pulitzer prize winning poet Stephen Dunn, author of Lines of Defense, talks with Barbara DeMarco-Barrett about crafting poems, including writing from your own POV or using a persona, revision, the best training for a poet, and more.
(Broadcast date: April 8, 2014)
Marrie Stone interviews novelist John Burley, author of The Forgetting Place. Dr. Burley discusses creating an authentic setting, managing suspense, creating compelling characters, and more. In the second half, Kelly Link discusses her short story collection, Get In Trouble. She discusses her draw to the fantastical, titling stories, what makes a compelling story, endings, and more.
(Broadcast date: March 4, 2015)
Poet and debut novelist Jill Alexander Essbaum, author of Hausfrau, joins co-host Nicole Nelson to talk about the importance of the small Swiss town setting for her story and her protagonist Anna, how the worst times in our lives are probably the most important, and how a love of words unites her work in poetry and fiction. Then author Michele Young-Stone talks about her latest novel, Above Us Only Sky, balancing research when writing a novel, exploring the concept of “home” in her work, and approaching the page with confidence.
Jill will be at the LA Times Festival of Books; her panel is Sunday, April 19 at 12:30 (Conversation 2042).
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(Broadcast date: April 1, 2015)
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.
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