Writers on Writing

North Carolina native David Joy, author of The Weight of This World, talks about his path to publishing without an MFA, Appalachian noir, picking POV characters based on how interesting their perspective is, and more. The New York Times calls his book "bleakly beautiful" and it is. And talk about an ending that makes you want to read the next book of his. Stunning.  Download audio.  (Broadcast date: May 10, 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!  Download audio.  (Broadcast date: May 3, 2017)

Jonathan Lethem, author of More Alive and Less Lonely: On Books and Writers, joins Marrie 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. Download audio. (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. Download audio. (Broadcast date: March 15, 2017)

Novelists Elinor Lipman, author of On Turpentine Lane, and Marcia Clark, author of her new series, Blood Defense and Moral Defense, talk with Barbara DeMarco-Barrett about their novels. Download audio. (Broadcast date: March 29, 2017)

Jami Attenberg, author of All Grown Up, talks to guest host Nicole Nelson about writing dialogue that she knows won't be used in the novel just so that "the characters get to know each other," the importance of figuring out what you do well as a writer and doing it a lot, so that you start to do it automatically, and her message to aspiring writers: there are no shortcuts. In the second half of the show, Jean Hanff Korelitz, author of The Devil and Webster, talks about how this book came to her fully formed,writing about the theme of women wearing their power with great discomfort, and at great personal cost, and how, in her experience, if you are brave enough to go forward without knowing everything that is going to happen in your book, eventually you will be rewarded with the answer. Download audio. (Broadcast date: March 22, 2017)

Memoirist Melissa Febos, author of Abandon Me, joins co host Marrie Stone to talk about how this new book is both braver and more personal than her former memoir, Whip Smart.  She discusses how to go deep, protecting the ones you love in writing, how to structure a memoir as a book of essays, and much more. In the second half, Caite Dolan Leach joins Marrie to talk about her novel, Dead Letters.  She talks about writing unlikable characters, creating suspense, and more. Download audio. (Broadcast date: March 1, 2017)

Kevin Canty, author of The Underworld, and literary agent Noah Lukeman, author of The First Five Pages, talk with host Barbara DeMarco-Barrett about their work and the business of publishing. Download audio.  (Broadcast date: March 8, 2017)

George Saunders joins co-host Marrie Stone for the entire hour to talk about his novel, Lincoln in the Bardo.  He shares his perspectives on empathy, compassion, the role of the artist in the current political climate, his views on death and dying, and much more. Download audio. (Broadcast date: February 15, 2017)

Stephen Dunn, author of Whereas, and Judith Freeman, author of the memoir, The Latter Days, talk with host Barbara DeMarco-Barrett about their work. Download audio.  (Broadcast date: Feb. 22, 2017)

Novelist, essayist and short story writer Roxane Gay joins Marrie Stone to talk about her latest collection of stories, Difficult Women.  In the second half, debut novelist Kayla Rae Whitaker joins to share her novel, The Animators.  Both women talk about writing in the Trump era, the role of class, feminism, misogyny, and more. Download audio. (Broadcast date: February 8, 2017)

Poet and essayist Sarah Manguso joins Marrie Stone to talk about her latest, 300 Arguments.  She discusses the importance of writing and journaling through dangerous political times, the role of mothering in her writing life, how the state of the world impacts her work, and more. In the second half, Elan Mastai joins to share his debut novel, All Our Wrong Todays.  He talks about creating a science fiction world, the role of identity in his own life and how it's mirrored in the novel, and more. Download audio. (Broadcast date: January 25, 2017)

Chris Bohjalian, author of The Sleepwalker, and Manjula Martin, author of Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living, spend the hour talking with Barbara about the art and business of writing. Download audio.  (Broadcast date: Feb. 1, 2017)

Viet Thanh Nguyen, author of The Sympathizer, is Barbara's guest for the entire hour. He talks about his new book of short stories, The Refugees, and his nonfiction book--the bookend to The Sympathizer--Nothing Ever Dies: Vietnam and the Memory of War. Download audio. (Broadcast date: January 18, 2017)

Novelist Reed Karaim joins Marrie Stone to talk about his novel, The Winter in Anna.  Reed discusses the unknowable nature of characters and human beings, and the unconventional yet effective approach he chose to reveal character.  He talks about writing his hometown landscape, his elegy to the newspaper industry, and bringing minor characters to life. In the second half, Luis Alberto Urrea joins to talk about his latest story collection, The Water Museum.  Luis shares his funny, poignant, very personal, and always heartfelt perspectives on the world and where it's headed.  And listening to his infectious love of music, lyrics, and language is always inspiring. Download audio.  (Broadcast date: January 4, 2017)