A Writers Life

Awww yeah, Folkers. It's a special Christmas episode where I talk about Jesus' necessarily huge penis and drop a little theology on y'all. I also talk about Jordan Peterson and apologize for doubting his ken of Greek philosophy.

I didn't review any movies or books this week but never fear, I shall do so in the next episode, 'cause I watched the f!@# out of Netflix this Christmas.

Magic magic and the Murakami Effect.

This week's show is a grab bag of goodies. DB talks short stories, giving characters idiosyncrasies, salad, story "essence" and listener questions.

Dan extracts a Pynchon metaphor as an example for us to follow. Also a small example of close reading.

Dan gets excited about his new books and talks about finding the time to write.

Dan prattles on about the publishing industry from an outsider's perspective.

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Dan Black talks about the weird thing he caught his son doing. Also, writing timelines in narratives, super hero movies, and how to pepper plot elements when writing your novel or short story.

Dan talks about his short hiaitus and answers listener questions about publishing and predicates.

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What is the difference between popular books and “Literature”? The DB shares his opinions.

Also, The DB contrasts cheap suspense with the idea of a “flowering” narrative.

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Visit http://awlshow.com for complete show notes.

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Mentioned on the show

James Patterson Masterclass

Freakonomics Podcast

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner

One of Harlan Coben’s Books

Underworld: A Novel by Don DeLillo

An interesting (and controversial) article on MFAs

Bel Canto (P.S.) by Ann Patchett

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doer

Dan’s Recommendation of the Month

Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

Email your poetry or questions to: [email protected]

Copyright 2015 - Pale Fire Creative

The Art of Self-Sabotage

What does it mean to write broad fiction? If everyone likes your work, is it still art? Join the ol’ DB for a discussion on popularity and the dangers of being an internet hipster and maybe we’ll even take a stroll through a forest called ‘Holy Crap Why Am I So Intent On Self Sabotage’. It’s full of nettles and not many return from the journey, but who doesn’t like an adventure?

Also on the show, what all good writers have in common when it comes to details in a narrative.

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Help out the show and clickthrough our Amazon page!

Mentioned on the show

Haunting of Hill by Shirley Jackson

Why Reddit Sucks (Washinton Post Article)

Led Zeppelin IV

Antifogmatic by Punch Brothers

The Phosphorescent Blues by Punch Brothers

G. by John Berger (Not “Nine” as was said on the show)

Finders Keepers by Steven King (his newest novel)

Seize the Day by Saul Bellow

Dan’s Recommendation of the Month

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Email your poetry or questions to: [email protected]

Copyright 2015 - Pale Fire Creative