Marcopocast: The Frank Marcopolos Podcast, with Frank Marcopolos

In episode 38 of Saturday Show Podcast, Frank whimsically muses about ACLs and ACL, the people painting the parking spaces all around him, Austin traffic, and literary fiction techniques galore! The literary fiction discussion includes information on awkward word usage, the importance of details and knowing how specific to get with them, South American literature, and problems with plotting. Also, “Two Gentle People” by former Nazi spy Graham Greene is discussed. Greene’s story is Hemingwayesque in its ability to capture a slice of life, albeit one without an adventurous plot of any kind. Theme and message (as always) are discussed. Briefly mentioned is the movie “Identity,” starring John Cusack, Amanda Peet, and some other people. Saturday Show Podcast is the only podcast that comes at you from inside a vehicle, namely, the jet black jet stream Jetta. The audio player above uses Flash. To use iTunes.com to listen to the show, please click on this linkage. From Wikipedia: Henry Graham Greene, OM, CH, (2 October 1904 – 3 April 1991) was an English writer, playwright and literary critic. His works explore the ambivalent moral and political issues of the modern world. Greene was noted for his ability to combine serious literary acclaim with widespread popularity. Although Greene objected strongly to being described as a Roman Catholic novelist rather than as a novelist who happened to be Catholic, Catholic religious themes are at the root of much of his writing, especially the four major Catholic novels: Brighton Rock, The Power and the Glory, The Heart of the Matter, and The End of the Affair. Several works such as The Confidential Agent, The Third Man, The Quiet American, Our Man in Havana, and The Human Factor also show an avid interest in the workings of international politics and espionage. Greene suffered from bipolar disorder, which had a profound effect on his writing and personal life. In a letter to his wife Vivien, he told her that he had “a character profoundly antagonistic to ordinary domestic life”, and that “unfortunately, the disease is also one’s material”. William Golding described Greene as “the ultimate chronicler of twentieth-century man’s consciousness and anxiety.” Greene never received the Nobel Prize in Literature, though he finished runner-up to Ivo Andrić in 1961. Show notes and relevant linkages: ACL ACL The REAL Writers Group on Meetup.com Graham Greene The Jetta Amanda Peet Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip Sleeping Independent Media

“Do you want me to try to get Buddy on the phone for you tonight?” [Zooey] asked. “I think you should talk to SOMEbody–I’M no damn good for this.” He waited, looking at her steadily. “Franny. What about it?” Franny’s head was bowed. She appeared to be searching for flea’s in Bloomberg’s coat, her fingers very busy indeed turning back tufts of fur. She was in fact crying now, but in a very local sort of way, as it were; there were tears but no sounds. Zooey watched her for a full minute or so, then said, not precisely kindly, but without importuning, “Franny. What about it? Shall I try to get Buddy on the phone?” She shook her head, without raising it. She went on searching for fleas. Then, after an interval, she did reply to Zooey’s question, but not very audibly. “What?” Zooey asked. Franny repeated her statement. “I want to talk to Seymour,” she said. * Audio player above uses Flash. Here is the link to the show on iTunes.com * Relevant links and show notes: “Salinger” is a new documentary about the life and writing of reclusive American author J.D. Salinger. “Salinger” features interviews with 150 subjects including Salinger’s friends and colleagues who have never spoken on the record before as well as film footage, photographs and other material that has never been seen. Additionally, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Edward Norton, John Cusack, Danny DeVito, John Guare, Martin Sheen, David Milch, Robert Towne, Tom Wolfe, E.L. Doctorow, Gore Vidal and Pulitzer Prize winners A. Scott Berg and Elizabeth Frank talk about Salinger’s influence on their lives, their work and the broader culture. The film is the first work to get beyond the Catcher in the Rye author’s meticulously built up wall: his childhood, painstaking work methods, marriages, private world, and the secrets he left behind after his death in 2010. For more than fifty years, the ever elusive author of The Catcher in the Rye has been the subject of a relentless stream of newspaper and magazine articles as well as several biographies. Yet all of these attempts have been hampered by a fundamental lack of access and by the persistent recycling of inaccurate information. Salinger remains, astonishingly, an enigma. The complex and contradictory human being behind the myth has never been revealed. Salinger (Book) by David Shields and Shane Salerno Salinger (Film) by Shane Salerno The Whirligig Literary Magazine

In this episode of Saturday Show Podcast, Frank discusses the timely demise of “Burn Notice,” the joys of a gluten-free beer called “Bard’s Beer,” the new biography of J.D. Salinger entitled “Salinger” by David Shields and Shane Salerno, the origins and current state of the literary magazine, “The Whirligig,” a short story entitled “The Aleph” by Jorge Borges, and more. Always more. The audio player above uses Flash. This is the link to Saturday Show Podcast on iTunes.com. Show notes and relevant links: Burn Notice Bard’s Beer The Wire Gluten Salinger by Shields & Salerno Chumley’s The REAL Writers Group Georgie Borgie The Whirligig on Amazon.com * Music provided by radiotimes and lazztunes07 via ccmixter.org. “Fear or Love?” provided by melodysheep via YouTube. Liners provided by two lovely and talented ladies: Ms. Amanda Billyrock and Ms. Melissa Craig.

In episode 35 of Saturday Show, Frank discusses the new biography entitled “SALINGER”, written by David Shields and Shane Salerno, plus: literary fiction techniques galore, Oona O’Neill, World War II, D-Day, Hurtgen Forest, the Battle of the Bulge, Nazi concentration camps, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Plus, the news of the release of the new Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, which includes Goodreads integration and other exciting features. Also, analysis of the short stories “Big Black Good Man” by American writer Richard Wright and “Tock” by Frank Marcopolos. Plus the trademarked “Swainiac Method” (finally) explained! The audio player above uses Flash. Here is the link to the show on iTunes.com Show notes and relevant links: SALINGER by David Shields and Shane Salerno New Kindle Paperwhite Richard Wright WWII Almost Home by Frank Marcopolos Ernest Hemingway

In episode 34 of Saturday Show Podcast, Frank discusses El Jefe Obama’s decision not to bomb the hell out of Syria (yet), several different charities to support if you’re concerned about humanitarian aid, the HOT news about J.D. Salinger’s plan to publish new material posthumously, and literary fiction techniques gleaned from the REAL Writers’ Group in Austin, Texas, focusing on “Sweethearts” by Richard Ford, the movie “The Professional” starring a young Natalie Portman, and a pornographic member story. Fun! The audio player above uses Flash. This is link to the show on iTunes. Rate and/or review it! Show notes and other links of note from this episode: Mark Twain on the Spanish-American War List of American Lies rescue.org doctorswithoutborders.org kiva.org The Real Writers Group on Meetup.com J.D. Salinger New Salinger Biography Dandy Lion Studio – Awesome Web Design * Music provided by lazztunes07 and radiotimes of ccMixter.org. End music provided by melodysheep and the prophets Bill Hicks and George Carlin. Liners provided by award-winning erotica author Melissa Craig and anarchist writer and video blogger Amanda Billyrock.

In episode 33 of Saturday Show Podcast, Frank discusses Kindle Worlds. Is it the latest in silliness or a major event in the world of publishing? Kindle Worlds is a publication submission platform from Amazon.com where you choose a licensed World, read the Content Guidelines for that World, write your story, upload that story, create a cover using free images or your own image, and accept a publishing contract with Amazon Publishing. It’s simple and it’s fast. Every Kindle Worlds story will be featured on Amazon.com and Kindle devices and apps. Kindle Worlds is a creative community where Worlds grow with each new story. It is a place to be creative and to be inspired by other people’s creativity. You can build on any story or idea you find in a World, engage an audience of readers, and earn royalties from every copy sold. The player above uses Flash. Here is the link to the show on iTunes. Links relevant to Saturday Show Podcast #33: Fatterday! Nick Mamatas Amanda Billyrock – Awesome Vendor Referrer Dandy Lion Studios – Fantastic Web Design The REAL Writers Writing Group on Meetup.com The Wire – The Greatest TV Show Ever Burn Notice Fringe * Music provided by radiotimes via ccmixter.org, and melodysheep via YouTube, featuring the prophets Bill Hicks and George Carlin.

In episode 32 of Saturday Show, Frank discusses the feud between Mark Twain and Teddy Roosevelt over the Spanish-American War and the subsequent “Filipino Insurrection.” This information comes from Dan Carlin’s best-of-all-time podcast, “Hardcore History,” and the episode entitled “The American Peril.” Also discussed are the waning influence of writers on culture, cult leader Dave Eggers’s pandering to teachers, and the passivity or softening of America over time as we have moved away from reading and toward staring, drooly-mouthed, at flickering light boxes in the corner of our living rooms. Literary fiction techniques discussed include the intensity and accuracy of details (especially when pulled from one’s own experiences), proper context and atmosphere for your stories, manipulation of time in fiction, perception of reality, the novelty of trick endings, gratitude for all aspects of your life as expressed through fiction, and other illuminating and poignant subjects. The player above uses Flash. Here is the link to the show on iTunes.com Links from topics mentioned in the show include the following: Hardcore History Amanda Billyrock Mark Twain Teddy Roosevelt The Spanish-American War The sinking of the U.S.S. Maine Cult Leader Dave Eggers – “Pay Teachers More!” Cult Leader Dave Eggers, again, on teachers’ salaries Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television by Jerry Mander Cinema Paradiso BEARCAT Protest in New Hampshire Kurt Vonnegut, Jr: ““I consider anybody a twerp who hasn’t read the greatest American short story, which is ‘An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,’ by Ambrose Bierce.” Listen to “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce by clicking here. Bumpers provided by @melissakcraig and @abillyrock. Melissa is an award-winning erotica author and Amanda is an anarchist writer and video blogger. Music provided by SmoJos, Papa_Zulu, lazztunes07, and radiotimes via ccmixter.org. * ACTION POINTS TO CONSIDER: – Cancel your cable. – Sell your televisions. – Sell your video game consoles. – Go outside and play more. – Read more. * Text of “The War Prayer” by Mark Twain: It was a time of great and exalting excitement. The country was up in arms, the war was on, in every breast burned the holy fire of patriotism; the drums were beating, the bands playing,

In episode 31 of Saturday Show Podcast, Frank discusses the untimely demise of elance.com as a viable marketplace to find freelance workers of all kinds. Frank presents a clear and concise argument which leads one to conclude that this company will be bankrupt within 5 years time. Also, Frank discusses the clever discursiveness of Vladimir Nabokov and a 5-word sentence that says it all. Plus, literary fiction techniques galore! The flash player is above, and here is a link to the show on iTunes. Leave me a review. Why not? Subtitle: The Austin Writing Group #18. Show Notes: Vladimir Nabokov The Talkative Corpse by Ann Sterzinger The group assigned the short story “Symbols and Signs” by Vlady Nabokov [The New Yorker, 1948] a quality value of 6.5 out of 10 on the “Marco Scale.” *** Intro provided by the lovely and talented Melissa Craig. Music provided by radiotimes of ccmixter.org.

In this episode of Saturday Show Podcast, we discuss the supreme importance of having a reading chair, the need for raising awareness about putting an END to the horrible practice of creating “honk signs,” and other important societal matters. The show goes on the road to broadcast LIVE! (to tape) from Baker Street Pub on South Lamar in Austin, where we talk to random bar patrons about literature and conduct a deep conversation about literature and film while bar patrons near us talk about Bruno Mars and Beyonce. Featuring Austin scribe Michael Ward of michael-ward.com. Listen in! The audio player above uses Flash. Here is the link to the show on iTunes.com. Show Notes: #Austin Writer Michael Ward Donald Miller Raymond Carver Richard Ford Hemingway’s Short Stories Rick Bass Ann Sterzinger Amanda Billyrock “The Mappist” by Barry Lopez “Deliverance” KWML – Your Guide to the 4 Basic Temperaments of We, the Humans Significant Otters Steven Spielberg Predicts Implosion of Movie Bidnez * Voice-work provided by the ever-sexy Aussie lass, erotica author Melissa Craig. Music provided by radiotimes via ccmixter.org.

In this episode of Saturday Show Podcast Frank talks to Chicago author Ann Sterzinger. Ann’s latest novel is entitled THE TALKATIVE CORPSE, and is available as an e-book from Amazon.com. WARNING: Much hilarity ensues during this interview, so if you are a dour person who hates to laugh, please do not listen. The audio player above uses Flash. Here is the link to the show on iTunes.com. Saturday Show #29 (Interview with Ann Sterzinger) Show Notes and Relevant Links: [the big click]. On first glance, I love the feel of the artwork on the site. The Talkative Corpse animus The Wheel of Time Louis CK James Joyce and Ernest Hemingway – “Deal with him, Hemingway!” Introverts and Extroverts Andy Nowicki Nine-Banded Books – Nusquam by Ann Sterzinger Midriff-Baring Drone Cloaks Bacon-Flavored Vodka Space March Music provided by radiotimes of ccmixter.org. Remember: Improving fish education in this country should be our #1 priority. The fish are our future!

In this episode of Saturday Show Podcast, Frank discusses the true value of obtaining an Masters in Fine Arts degree, the enduring influence of MFA-less Ernest Hemingway, and much, much more. As always, literary fiction techniques are discussed as well. The audio player above uses Flash. Here is the link to the show on iTunes.com. Saturday Show #28. Relevant Links and Show Notes: Is an MFA Really Worth It? Ask the Writing Teacher – TheMillions.com

In episode 27 of Saturday Show, Frank interviews anarchist writer and video blogger Amanda Billyrock. They discuss the difference between ideas and beliefs, Amanda’s reading habits, the true meaning of “anarchy,” Amanda’s vision for a better world, and much, much more. It’s a long and intriguing interview, which shows just how truly intelligent, positive, fun, and awesome Amanda really is. Even if you disagree with some her views, you’ll probably come away from listening to this interview at least liking the person she is. Listen to the interview via the audio player above, which runs on Flash. (So, check your Flash settings if you don’t see the player.) Also, here is the link to the show on iTunes.com. Amanda describes herself thusly: Hi, I’m Amanda. I’m in my mid-twenties. I owe my intellectual awakening to Ron Paul and his tireless dedication to the cause of freedom. I get pretty fired up about philosophy, Austrian economics, and awesome humans (which you will see in my videos). Visit her at AmandaBillyrock.com Show Notes: This show was recorded on Skype via MP3 Recorder, so I’m on the Left channel, and Amanda is on the Right channel. Marantz Murray Rothbard Luigi Galleani, the Bomb-Throwing Anarchist Triune Brain Theory PorcFest The PorcFest video, with the dangerously barefooted Amanda: Ayn Rand The Paleo Nutrition Plan The 4-Hour Body by Tim Ferriss Bulletproof Coffee “Hungry for Change” documentary ObamaCare 1984 by George Orwell Animal Farm by George Orwell The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger Operation Paperclip Intellectual Property (I.P.) The Dresden Dolls Obama Slow-Jams the News

In this episode of Saturday Show Podcast, Frank explores the following topics and so much MORE: How do you create a bond with your reader? How do you hook a reader into your story? What are the differences between genre fiction and literary fiction? Do they matter? What writerly secrets can the story “Fat” by Raymond Carver reveal to the writing student? Why are “Fat” and “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place” by Ernest Hemingway correlated? At what point do you know it’s time to quit writing and move on to something more productive? How do you deal with the soul-crushing reality of frequent rejections? What are the effects of sleeping on the floor for one week? And what point is it all nada y pues nada y pues nada y mas nada? NOTE: The audio player above uses Flash. Here is the link to the show on iTunes.com. * “Fat” by Raymond Carver “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place” by Ernest Hemingway “The Real Writers Group” on Meetup.com The hook brings you back… …when i’m feeling stuck and need a buck i don’t rely on luck because…

MARATHON SESSION! OVER 1 HOUR OF PODCASTING GOODNESS! Saturday Show #25 (With Special Guest Michael Ward). The audio player above uses Flash to run. However, if you need it, here is the link to the show on iTunes.com. Relevant Links and Show Notes: Bulletproof Coffee Ting Bull Magazine – Men’s Fiction Michael Ward Baker Street Pub & Grill – South Austin (SoLa) Natalia Ginzburg Cinema Paradiso Kundera Susan Sontag Harp Beer Malbec Wine Joe Rogan Hamlet Strut n Fret Production House Alex Jones, an Austin Original “The New Atlantis” by Sir Francis Bacon Robert Penn Warren Dan Carlin – Hardcore History podcast Guernica – Anti-war painting Hitch, w/ Will Smith Plato Topics du jour: ~ Academic writing workshops ~ Full disclosure ~ The writing scene in Austin, TX ~ The Dash in the URL – wazzup? ~ The Reality of William Shakespeare. Was he a Freemason? Was he 1 person? Did more than 1 person write the plays and the poems? ~ Is Alex Jones really Bill Hicks? ~ Comedy, Karate, Conspiracy ~ Hypercritical vs. Constructive Criticism ~ Burying your lead ~ Backstory, story Bible, character sketches ~ “The New Criticism” ~ Subjectivity vs. Objectivity ~ Autobiography’s role in fiction writing ~ Does anyone ever learn anything? Or are you just simply remembering the things you’ve forgotten?

Saturday Show #24, The Austin Writing Group #13. Relevant Links and Show Notes: Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Things you can buy with your dollars: Rock Springs by Richard Ford Man on the Moon by Milos Forman Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand Beyond Good and Evil by Nietzsche The Complete Stories Bernard Malamud Borat Isis and Osiris by Plutarch Topics dujour: ~ Creating a bond with your audience ~ Using tricks to create a “likeable” main character ~ Ayn Rand – Is there such a thing as true altruism? ~ The problems of ambiguity ~ The greatness of ambiguity ~ Surface theme vs. deeper theme ~ Emotional POP at the right time in the story ~ Is all art really a subconscious manifestation of something larger? ~ Real vs. Fake ~ Who is the REAL you? Are you your name, or is your name you? ~ Existence precedes essence ~ The vital importance of the Isis-Osiris myth ~ Dirty realism ~ Learning to be subtle, but not too subtle ~ “A reader should FEEL the theme of a story, not KNOW it consciously” ~ A reader can come up with their own theme(s), regardless of writer intent