Writers on Writing

Scott Spencer, author of An Ocean Without a Shore, discusses his new book, and the art, craft, and business of writing, with host Barbara DeMarco-Barrett. Download audio. (Broadcast date: Aug. 19, 2020) Musical intro/outro by Travis Barrett. Find him on Spotify.

When the pandemic hit last March, Jennifer Haupt asked herself what she could do in its face to help her literary community. She put out a call to artists—essayists, poets, and authors—asking them to contribute their impressions. Seventy-six people answered her call and Alone Together: Love, Grief, & Comfort in the Time of Covid-19 was born. The artists contributed their work, and all proceeds of the book sales go to benefit BINC (Book Industry Charitable Foundation).   Editor and contributor Jennifer Haupt joins Marrie Stone, along with contributors Amber Flame, Robin Black, and Roberto Lovato, to talk about the collection. They discuss not only their own struggles to make artistic sense of this time, but their struggles with being artists of color and how their various backgrounds contributed to their work.   What emerges is a frank and sensitive discussion of race, class, and privilege in the time of Covid.  As a bonus, we're asking writers to contribute their favorite writing prompts and exercises. The following were recommended by this panel: Robin Black: I like to ask students who their characters are when they aren't in the story being written, when they aren't doing the things the author needs them to do. I'll ask them to write a few pages of some other event in the character's life, incorporating "out of character" facts about them; a couple of neurotic habits the character has; unusual hobbies they might have, and so on  - characteristics that expand the humanity of the character beyond the most stringent needs of the story. I am big these days into going beyond the idea of "necessity" in fiction - especially short fiction - and going for generosity instead.  Flame:  I’ve been guiding groups with ekphrastic writing - looking or watching another piece of art and then using reaction/responses as a prompt. It’s a good way to get out of your head and personal experience while being in communion with other art forms. Roberto Lovato: My main prompt is the conscious, daily reminder of my commitment to what I'm writing, its integrity, my need to sing and whatever virtuosity I can bring. Download audio.     (Broadcast date: August 26, 2020)

Novelist Margot Livesey joins Marrie Stone to talk about her latest, The Boy in the Field. She discusses the draw of writing a coming-of-age novel at this point in her career, her play with police procedurals, her personal connection to her character's quest to find his family of origin, and how she tackled those various points of view. She also talks about how characters off stage, and other minor characters, can motivate action and accelerate plot. This, and so much more, in the conversation. Margot also contributes this writing prompt to spark your creativity: One of my jobs, during my brief career as a deputy supermarket manager, was to apprehend shoplifters. I was hopeless at this, in part because most shoplifters were teenagers or senior citizens, and they often stole trivial items.  So your character, not necessarily an employee of the shop, notices someone—a friend? a stranger?—shoplifting something: a wedge of cheese, a pack of Kleenex.  Write what happens next. Download audio.    (Broadcast date: August 12, 2020)

Ottessa Moshfegh, author of the new novel, Death in Her Hands, joins Barbara DeMarco-Barrett to discuss the art, craft, and business of writing.  Download audio. (Broadcast date: August 5, 2020) The intro and outro music is by Travis Barrett. Find more of his work on Spotify!

Megha Mejumdar joins Marrie Stone to talk about her debut novel, A Burning. Set in modern day India and told from three distinct points of view, the novel tackles complicated issues of class, justice, the power of social media, and so much more. Megha talks about her childhood, growing up in India. She also shares her experiences as both writer and editor (she's an associate editor at Catapult). She stresses the importance of keeping creative work private, how to render whole lives with small suggestions and telling scenes, and how these characters' explicit desires made it easier to know them. As an added bonus, we're asking writers to offer up their favorite writing prompt or exercise. Megha suggests: Write a short story (or poem, or essay, or.....) which includes both something that makes you angry and something that brings you joy.  Follow Megha on Twitter @MeghaMaj / Instagram @megha.maj. Download audio. (Broadcast date: July 29, 2020)

Poet and former West Hollywood Poet Laureate Kim Dower, author Sleeping on Tyrone Power's Grave, and three other books of poetry, returns to the show to talk with Barbara DeMarco-Barrett about the art, craft, and business of writing poetry.   Download audio.  (Broadcast date: July 21, 2020)

This is our first straight-to-podcast show. Crossing Borders, published by Down and Out books and sponsored by Sisters in Crime, San Diego Chapter, includes my story, "Pool Fishing," and a story by guest Kathy Krevat. Joining us is one of the anthology's editors, Lisa Brackman. We'll discuss the anthology, read from our stories, and talk about the art, craft, and business of crime writing. Download audio. (Recording date: July 17, 2020)

Novelist and short story writer Debra Jo Immergut joins Marrie Stone to talk about her latest book, You Again. Debra shares her path in and out of writing, the advantages of age, and what life experiences brought to bear on her fiction. She also has wonderful advice for writers, including the importance of a strong premise, how to plot, research, the long art of revision, and much more. As an added bonus, authors are now asked to provide a favorite writing prompt or exercise. Debra suggests, without thinking too much, quickly jot a list of 10 memories. Ten sentences should begin with "I remember . . . ." Choose one, write the story, but allow it to take a turn into the supernatural. Good luck! Download audio. (Broadcast date: July 15, 2020)

Heather Young, author of The Distant Dead, talks with Barbara DeMarco-Barrett about the art, craft, and business of writing a crime novel.  Download audio  (Broadcast date: July 8, 2020)

Jane Hirshfield talks with Barbara DeMarco-Barrett about her new volume of poetry, Ledger. Download audio. (Broadcast date: June 24, 2020) Intro and outro music by Travis Barrett. Find more of his work on Spotify and YouTube.