NPR's Picture Show: Helen Levitt

I heard NPR commentator Melissa Block the other day talking about photographer Helen Levitt who just died at 95 years old. One of the few times I managed to write down an URL as I was driving and today I saw it in my book. You can listen, or read, here. And of course look at the photos. I love that one of the white girl and black boy dancing in a New York street.

Pen on Fire: A Speakers Series, with Merrill Markoe

First, thanks to all who attended the Marty Smith event a week ago Monday night at the Newport Beach Tennis Club. Everyone I talked with said they enjoyed the night--meeting and chatting with writers--and loved hearing Marty discuss the writing process, writing for Orange Coast magazine, and writing essays.

Our next event on April 14 will be quite fun, and the night before Tax Day don't we all need a good laugh? Merrill Markoe will be our guest author. She's an Emmy winning former producer and writer from the David Letterman show, and now writes novels--funny novels that I love. She and I will be in conversation, she'll read from her work, and answer questions. And we'll hang out a bit, have a sip and chat.

The setting will be a bit more casual than the tennis club. The event will take place at a friend's spacious home in Corona del Mar, with easy free parking and view of the water. Seating is a bit more limited than it was at the Tennis Club, so don't wait too long to register. Once you register, the address will be sent to you.

Time: 7 - 9 (but can hang out a bit longer)
Cost: $15, include snacks, libation and cake of course. Feel free to forward this email to your literary friends. ($16 via PayPal.)

Looking forward to seeing you again...

Kim Addonizio and Jim Tomlinson

Barbara DeMarco-Barrett interviews Kim Addonizio, author of Ordinary Genius: A Guide for the Poet Within and Jim Tomlinson, author of Nothing Like an Ocean: Stories.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: March 25, 2009)

Sara Davidson

Barbara DeMarco-Barrett interviews Sara Davidson, author of Cowboy.

Download audio.


(Broadcast date: April 13, 2000)

Stephen Lovely and Thomas Robisheaux

Marrie Stone interviews Stephen Lovely, author of Irreplaceable, and Thomas Robisheaux, author of The Last Witch of Langenburg.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: March 18, 2009)

Pen on Fire: A Speakers Series features Merrill Markoe on 4/14

Join Merrill Markoe and me in conversation. Merrill is a novelist and former David Letterman show comedy writer and producer where she won a bunch of Emmys. More here. She's one of the funniest comedic novelists that I know. Her latest is Nose Down, Eyes Up. We'll talk, she'll read, then take questions. And hang around afterward to talk one-on-one with Merrill and the other writers in attendance.

This event will take place on April 14 at 7 p.m. Reservations are required as there's limited seating available. No walk-ins, please. The event costs $15 and includes light snacks. A full bar is available.

If you'd like to make reservations, please email me at barbara@barbarademarcobarrett.com. And feel free to pass this on to your friends.

If you’d like to get on the email list to be notified of future events, enter your email address below. (Please note that this is a different e-list than the one you see at left)

May 19: Carolyn See is author of Making a Literary Life, novels and memoirs. A generous, experienced, and funny author and sage.

June 6: Lisa See, daughter of Carolyn See and author of many bestselling novels. This will be a launch for her latest novel, Shanghai Girls.

Each event is $15, which includes light snacks.

Last night's event with Marty Smith

Marty was stellar as usual. He's one of the kindest editors I've ever worked with. This cake sports an image of his third crime novel. He spoke at length about writing essays and what makes an essay work. And we had a full house--a sell-out, actually. Thanks to all who attended.

Beth Kephart

Barbara DeMarco-Barrett interviews Beth Kephart, author of Into the Tangle of Friendship: A Memoir of the Things That Matter.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: September 13, 2000)

Pen On Fire: A Speakers' Series in the OC Register

Here's a nice write up of the speakers series by Peter Larsen of the OC Register.

Beth Kephart

Barbara DeMarco-Barrett interviews Beth Kephart, author of Nothing but Ghosts.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: March 11, 2009)

Amy Dickinson and T.C. Boyle

Marrie Stone interviews Amy Dickinson, author of The Mighty Queens of Freeville and T.C. Boyle, author of The Women.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: March 4, 2009)

Audio books

Here's a place to get free audio books and to volunteer to read, as well.

Ads from the '30s

For a good laugh on a Sunday, click here.

Literary Orange

Here's an announcement from the event organizers. I'm on a panel on writing fiction, which takes place in the morning.

3rd Annual Literary Orange

Now in its 3rd year, Literary Orange, a premier Orange County literary event, comes to UCI for the first time on Saturday, April 4, 8-5 pm, at the UCI Student Center. Presented by the UCI Libraries and the OC Public Libraries, Literary Orange is an exciting day of substantive interactions with outstanding writers and fellow book lovers. Attendees have the opportunity to hear from an array of exceptional authors, have their books signed, ask questions, and learn about the writing process.

The event features keynote speakers Stephen Cannell, best-selling author and TV producer; Ron Carlson, award-winning author and UCI fiction program director; and Sandra Tsing Loh, writer, performer and radio commentator. Over 40 authors will participate on panels covering fiction, non-fiction, journalism, mystery, poetry, science fiction, romance, children's books, horror, food, graphic novels, memoir, and young adult.

Tickets are $75; $35 for students with I.D. (walk-in registration $85/$45). Admission includes all keynote and panel sessions, book sales and signings; as well as a continental breakfast, sit-down lunch, and afternoon snacks. Limited seating; registration is first come, first served. Information and registration forms are available online at www.literaryorange.org, or at all UCI Libraries and OC Public Libraries. For further information, or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please call (949) 824.4651.

For those without html capabilities, information about the event can also be found in the Events and News section of the UCI Libraries Partners & Friends web site.

Exposure

After reading "Looking In," the essay I posted yesterday, one of my students asked me via email if I hadn't been afraid of writing it for fear of being judged, of exposing such a personal time in my life. She was even nervous to ask that question and said she would have never asked me in person.

I welcomed her question, but told her no, I wasn't afraid of others judging me, that it was a long time ago that I was writing about, before I remarried, before I had my son. No one's perfect, I said, and some of us are less perfect than others, so no, I wasn't afraid of what people would think of me. If we writers aren't writing the truth, then what are we writing?

That said, there are essays I will probably never write because they could expose more than the people I'd write about would want exposed. Those are experiences I may one day fictionalize, But essays, no.

I did worry a little about publishing "Looking In," worried that those I was writing about would become unhappy with me. In the end, I figured that the person who looked worse of all was me, and if I was willing to put me on the page, than everyone else would be fine. I was wrong, though, and I know that there is at least one person unhappy with me because of writing it.

Debra Gwartney and Sonja Lyubomirsky

Marrie Stone interviews Debra Gwartney, author of Live Through This: A Mother's Memoir of Runaway Daughters and Reclaimed Love and Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: February 18, 2009)

"Looking In"

This was pubbed in December in Orange Coast magazine.

Essays sometimes take a long time in coming. I started this piece many, many times over the years. Last year when I approached the topic again, it was time.

My students (and friends) often become frustrated when they write an essay, work on it, submit it and it's rejected. I can empathize. I hate rejection, and moreover, I hate it when I think a piece is ready, when I think I've worked on it all I can, and the editor either ignores it, and me, or sends a form rejection or a patronizing note that says he/she knows it will find a home somewhere. Just not there.

I don't know what to say. Sometimes editors are idiots (I'm an editor, so I can say that). And sometimes your piece just isn't ready. You don't know it at the time, or else why would you send it out?

Sometimes we are just so anxious to see our work in print. That anxiety can compel us to send something out before it's time.

But if an idea harasses you, won't leave you be, that's a good sign that you're not done with it and should work on it until you either place it or you become so sick of it you put each draft through the shredder.

The essay posted here was one that wouldn't leave me alone. It seems every year since the peeper came by my house, I tried to write the piece. After I wrote the current version and was going through old papers, I found drafts. Horrible drafts. Embarrassing drafts. But drafts nonetheless. I was compelled to write it and the draft had some good elements, but it wasn't ready.

And then, of course, not everyone will be happy. Some people will be very, very unhappy with you and your work. And that's regrettable and sad, but it should never stop you from writing and publishing something you're called to write and publish.

So much of writing and publishing is encompassed in persevering. No one is born a published writer.

I'm working on an essay now that I've brought out over the past few years and have worked on off and on. There's no telling whether it will ever see print. But I want to continue to want to work on it, and that's enough for me. I've learned to pay attention to those ideas and works in progress that bug me, that won't leave me be.

Martin J. Smith, our second author in the speakers series

Our second guest author will be Martin J. Smith and our event will take place on Monday evening, March 16, at 7 p.m. at the Newport Beach Tennis Club.

Marty is a journalist, novelist, and editor of Orange Coast magazine. His books include (with Patrick J. Kiger): "Oops: 20 Life Lessons from the Fiascoes That Shaped America" as well as "Poplorica: A Popular History of the Fads, Mavericks, Inventions, and Lore That Shaped Modern America."

He is also the author of three crime novels, "Time Release," "Shadow Image," and "Straw Men." Before taking the job at Orange Coast, he served as senior editor of the Los Angeles Times Magazine.

Marty will talk about his writing process, and will also talk about writing for Orange Coast. He will focus on the essay: what makes a good essay and how to write "personal, yet universal." He'll have handouts, as well.

Cost for the event is $15, which includes light snacks. Seating is limited; no walk-ins, please. If you'd like to attend and want to mail a check, please email me at penonfire at earthlink dot net to make arrangements. Paypal is fine, too. Choose the email address: penonfire at earthlink dot net, and send $16 (includes $1 more for handling/fees).

The tennis club is located at 2601 Eastbluff Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660. Parking is free and easy.

Upcoming guests will include Carolyn See ("Making a Literary Life," "Handy Man") on Tuesday, May 19, and Lisa See on June 6; locations still to be decided but will be in the Newport Beach/Laguna Beach locale. If you'd like to reserve a seat for either one, please send $15 and indicate which you'd like.)

Judith Ryan Hendricks and Peter Craig

Barbara DeMarco-Barrett interviews Judith Ryan Hendricks, author of The Baker's Apprentice and Peter Craig, author of Hot Plastic.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: April 29, 2005)

Shreve Stockton and Andrea Portes

Barbara DeMarco-Barrett interviews Shreve Stockton, author of The Daily Coyote: A Story of Love, Survival, and Trust in the Wilds of Wyoming and Andrea Portes, author of Hick.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: February 25, 2009)

Bernhard Schlink, author of The Reader

Here he is, a video with Charlie Rose. Great interview.

It's a wild ride

A student who works for a corporation wrote to me, and said she was hurt by what a friend said to her. She had shared with the friend that she hoped to be a published author someday.

Rather than sharing her dreams, the friend said she just didn't like to work hard.

This devastated my student, who has worked fulltime for years and years.

She asked me to talk about this on the blog.

All I can say is, so many non-writers just do not get it. I might expand that to say that people who are not in the arts don't get that while your particular art may have its wonderfully fun side, it's still work.

Hours upon hours go into practicing an instrument before you can play a song well. Artists put so many hours into art class before creating a beautiful painting.

And you spend so many years writing, taking writing classes, reading, studying craft and writing lots of crap, before a gem of a piece emerges, before your story or book or screenplay takes form and becomes something someone--an agent, an editor--wants to buy and publish.

Non-writers just do not understand.

In Pen on Fire, I talk about keeping quiet about what you're working on because you let the air out of it. The energy for the project dissipates.

I would broaden this to say, don't discuss your writing aspirations with your friends, especially if they're co-workers who feel stuck in their jobs and do not see a way out. They will want you to remain stuck as well, and the thought of you leaving, of you making something of your life that's more than they will ever see in their own lives, will fill them with dread and fear, and they will hurt you.

Share your writing dreams with other writers or artists, people who understand what it's like to ram your head against a wall--until it falls. And it will fall, if you ram it long enough.

Take heart. It's all about growing a thick skin. And it's about having empathy for people who have no dreams, or whose dreams have failed, but protecting your own dreams and doing everything you can do to make your dreams come true.

Have empathy, but protect yourself. What's that old, old saying: Don't cast your pearls before swine....

Your writing self is a delicate, beautiful part of yourself. Don't squander it. It takes so many hours of work and sacrifice to create works of art. The world needs art. Your sacrifice will pay off.

The creative life is a wild ride. Enjoy it (when you can).

Interesting talk on this Ash Wednesday.

Flight

A sweet video, kind of lyrical, called to my attention by my friend Don Gagne. Take a break and watch....

Can't stop writing?

In case you didn't see this in Sunday's New York Times....

Janice Y.K. Lee and Sylvia Sellers-Garcia

Marrie Stone interviews Janice Y.K. Lee, author of The Piano Teacher and Sylvia Sellers-Garcia, author of When the Ground Turns in Its Sleep.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: January 14, 2009)

Rainstorm

My friend Kim wanted me to post this here. I said, "But it's not about writing." She said, "It's an example for people like me who need inspiration to write about something special immediately after it happens." So here you are.
...

It’s been raining off and on for days—tres unusual for Southern California, even in winter. I love it. Everyone here lives for sunny days, and I do love sunny days, but I love rainy days more, perhaps because something is happening. I’m from back east where there’s lots of weather.

Still, because of the rain and cold, I haven’t been walking much. But this morning I decided I had to get out, so I put on my old tennis shoes in case they get wet —not the sparkling new ones I just bought—and my usual walking clothes. Because of the rain, I wear my purple windbreaker with hood and a hat. And fingerless gloves. I’m as prepared as I need to be—maybe even overdressed.

When I start out, it’s misting. I tuck the Netflix DVD I’m taking to the post office in my coat, under my arm, snug against my body. The sky is bright but it begins to rain harder. I pull up my hood. No one’s on the street except for an older woman and a little white dog. She holds a black and white striped umbrella over the dog so he doesn’t get wet doing his business. He sees me and barks. Few cars pass; even cars are staying in.

I head across the parking lot behind Coco’s. I love the sound of the rain. It sounds like hot oil sizzling in a cast iron pan. I close my eyes and walk, listening. At the post office a man says, “It’s wet.” “Sure is,” I say, “but I like it.” He doesn’t say anything, just watches the street and me going back out into it.

I’m wet now, and getting wetter. I decide I’d better go home. My shoes have water in them and it’s beginning to hail. I put out my hand and watch tiny mounds of ice pop onto my gloves and melt there. I laugh aloud, a little dizzy with happiness at being caught unexpectedly in a winter storm. I am so glad to be in it.

At crosswalks the water gushes by, ankle deep. I submerge my feet. My shoes are already wet so what’s it matter? The storm reminds me of El Nino when Travis was a small boy and from our window I’d watch rivers of water rush down the street, and Travis, on the porch bundled up, splashing in the rain.

By the time I return home, the rain has returned to mist. I step inside and de-clothe right in the doorway. I hang my coat on the doorknob and leave my sopping wet pants and socks and shoes on the floor by the rug. My legs are red from the cold but I don’t care.

It’s been lovely, and I feel lucky, wondering if the rain came so hard and heavy that little bit of time while I was out, just for me.

Vicky Bijur

Barbara DeMarco-Barrett interviews
Vicky Bijur, New York City literary agent.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: February 11, 2009)

After the interview, I still had a few questions for Vicky, and she agreed to elaborate. Here you go:
....

Memoirs traditionally don't cover an entire life but just a period in the life, but can a memoir take place completely in the past? What if you want to write about a time in, say, the '80s, or '90s. Is that okay, or does a memoir need to end with the present?

I don't think I can generalize. I do think readers like to know what happened to the subject of the memoir. But I wouldn't ever say there is a hard and fast rule for how to end a memoir.

Is a non-linear structure fine, or is whatever works fine?

Again, I don't think there are any rules here.

Is it possible to write just part of a memoir and submit as with any other nonfiction book proposal--30 pages of text and other material, such as overview, bio, marketing?

Barbara, I don't feel there is one answer to this question. The answer probably depends on too many factors--how well known the author is, the author's publishing history/track record, the quality of the writing. But the memoir is such a writerly, literary form of non-fiction, that it is probably more important for an editor to see it in its final form.

Do you see the memoir form becoming exhausted?

I don't think so. My impression--based on purely anecdotal evidence--is that I read all the time of deals for new memoirs.

On the show you talked about how we need to support newspapers. I subscribe to the Los Angeles Times, and even though I don't read it daily and feel guilty about wasting paper, I keep my subscription because I want papers to continue. Is this what you were talking about?

Yes. I feel good about paying for my newspaper. I am worried that if content is free, the newspaper industry won't be able to finance the sort of coverage and investigative reporting they can currently support.

We also talked about the reviewing media and how the loss of book reviews in newspapers and the addition of online reviews is changing things. Can you embellish?

I wish I had more information on if and how online reviews/online buzz sells books. All I know is that the print review media is contracting, and there seems to be a lot of chatter online about books.
.....

If you have a question for Vicky that wasn't't addressed on the show, or here, post it in the comment area. I'll get it to her, and post her response.

California Crime Writers Conference 2009

Here's a writers conference in June, taking place in Pasadena. (I'll be on a panel talking about getting writing done in 15 minute blips.) Should be good!
.......

Best-selling authors Robert Crais and Laurie King will be the keynote speakers for the inaugural California Crime Writers Conference, cosponsored by the Los Angeles chapter of Sisters in Crime and the Southern California chapter of MWA on June 13-14, 2009 at The Hilton Pasadena.

The two-day event will include an agents reception, forensics track, craft workshops, query and synopsis seminars, manuscript consultations, and classes for established authors on book contracts, e-publishing, presentation tips, online marketing information, and film/television opportunities.

Confirmed agents include Jill Marsal of Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency, Irene Webb of Irene Webb Literary, and Timothy Wager of Davis Wager Agency. Faculty members include award-winning and best-selling authors such as Gayle Lynds, Jerrilyn Farmer, Jan Burke and Christopher Rice, while other experts featured are LAPD detectives, intellectual property attorney Jonathan Kirsch, and publicist Kim-from-L.A.

Early registration is $265 through February 28. For more information, click here.

And yet more on T. Jefferson Parker

Jeff said a lot of great things the other night (we'll broadcast and also podcast the show very soon), but the one thing I remember is he said: "I believe in velocity." I had asked him how he kept track of The Renegades, a mulitlayered, complex book. Novels, in general, are very messy. So many pages, so many characters, so many things to keep track of.

Jeff said he keeps his chapters in one big file, so if he has to do a search, it's all there, in one file. He also said he wrote five pages a day, 25 pages a week and in six months he has a book-length manuscript, so there isn't enough time to really forget what he wrote.

Such a simple tip and yet invaluable--for me, anyway, who has been known to take, well, years to work on a project.

My new mantra: I believe in velocity.

More on T. Jefferson Parker

UC-Irvine covered our event the other night. Here you go.

And here's a photo of us that was in Publishers Weekly today as photo of the day. That's Matt Astrella, on the left, who has run the UCI bookstore for the last 20 years, T. Jefferson Parker, and moi....

I'll write more later (after I get some sleep!).

Amy MacKinnon and Jincy Willett

Marrie Stone interviews Amy MacKinnon, author of Tethered and Jincy Willett, author of Jenny and the Jaws of Life and The Writing Class.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: January 28, 2008)

Elizabeth Gilbert on creativity

A short, wonderful video.

Sarah Murray and Gail Belsky

Marrie Stone interviews Sarah Murray, author of Moveable Feasts: From Ancient Rome to the 21st Century, the Incredible Journeys of the Food We Eat and Gail Belsky, author of The List: 100 Ways to Shake Up Your Life.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: December 31, 2008)

An OC Register article about the speaking series

This runs in the Register on Sunday.

T. Jefferson Parker and me

An Evening with T. Jefferson Parker and
Barbara DeMarco-Barrett

We have a very special evening coming up on February 10 with T. Jefferson Parker.

T. Jefferson Parker’s new book, The Renegades, is being published this month, so next Tuesday night, at 7 p.m., we’re holding a launch party at the Student Center on the UC Irvine campus. We’ll discuss Jeff’s new book, he’ll read, take questions, and sign books. There will also be refreshments.

This launch party also heralds “Pen on Fire: A Speaking Series,” which intends to bring literary events to Orange County on a regular, monthly basis.

The show will be recorded for a future broadcast on "Writers on Writing,” KUCI-FM and will also be podcast.

The New York Times Book Review said this about The Renegades: “Another insanely imaginative thriller from T. Jefferson Parker…the wondrously weird characters [take] this lurid plot to its outer limits.”

Unfortunately, reservations cannot be made (seats are free) so please get there early. Here are directions.

If you have any questions, email me at Barbara@barbaraDemarcoBarrett.com. And feel free to tell your friends.

Please join us for a wonderful evening. I hope to see you there.

Barbara

Jo-Ann Mapson

Jo-Ann Mapson, author of The Wilder Sisters, Blue Rodeo, Hank & Chloe, Loving Chloe, Along Came Mary, Goodbye, Earl and The Owl & Moon Cafe.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: May 5, 2000)

Mor on self-publishing

An interesting article in the New York Times Book Review. What do you think? Is self-publishing a way you want to go?

Elizabeth Strout

Elizabeth Strout, author of Olive Kitteridge.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: Unknown)

Readerville

A great story on reader of the best literary webzines. Right here.

Terri Cheney and Beth Lisick

Marrie Stone interviews Terri Cheney, author of Manic: A Memoir and Beth Lisick, author of Helping Me Help Myself: One Skeptic, Ten Self-Help Gurus, and a Year on the Brink of the Comfort Zone.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: April 9, 2008)

Publishing bailout

Here's a tidbit from France (thanks to Nicole Nelson).

Elizabeth Alexander's inaugural poem

It's quite beautiful on the page. Her reading was less than stellar, but I'd be nervous, too, with an audience of millions.

Nora Raleigh Baskin

Nora Raleigh Baskin, author of All We Know of Love.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: January 21, 2009)

Kirsten Menger-Anderson and Jennifer Traig

Marrie Stone interviews Kirsten Menger-Anderson, author of Doctor Olaf Van Schuler's Brain and Jennifer Traig, author of Well Enough Alone: A Cultural History of My Hypochondria.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: November 19, 2008)

Two events--save the date

Orange Co., CA, readers and writers, take note: literary events are gearing up!

First, on Sunday, Jan. 25, 3 p.m., my current students will be reading at Laguna Beach Books, 1200 South Coast Highway. Among them will be my cohost Marrie Stone and Phil Doran, who wrote The Reluctant Tuscan. Event is free of charge.

Then, on Tuesday evening, Feb. 10, 7 p.m. at UC-Irvine, 210 B Student Center, I'll be interviewing T. Jefferson Parker, author of the new book, Renegades. He'll also read and take questions, and the event will be recorded for a later broadcast on Writers on Writing. Event is free of charge.

Hope to see you!

Lisa See and Jacquelyn Mitchard

Marrie Stone interviews Lisa See, author of Peony in Love and Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of All We Know of Heaven.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: June 25, 2008)

Wednesday's show

This week, co-host Marrie Stone will be joined by Janice Y.K. Lee, author of The Piano Teacher (Viking, 2009) and Silvia Sellers Garcia, author of When the Ground Turns In Its Sleep (Riverhead Books).

Tune in Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. PT at 88.9 FM, KUCI, or go to iTunes and listen via public radio.

Past shows can be heard right here where you are or visit here.

Thanks for listening...

Official White House photographer Pete Souza

Pete Souza, author of The Rise of Barack Obama.

Download audio.


(Broadcast date: December 17, 2008)

Dealing with distractions

Thanks to Marrie for posting this on our classroom blog. Interesting....fits right in with my premise that you can get work done in 15 minute bites.

Peter Ferry, Anne Roiphe, and Heather King

Peter Ferry, author of Travel Writing, Anne Roiphe, author of Epilogue: A Memoir and Heather King, author of Redeemed: A Spiritual Misfit Stumbles Toward God, Marginal Sanity, and the Peace That Passes All Understanding.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: October 29, 2008)

Alexandra Penney and Donna Albrecht

Alexandra Penney, author of Magic Words: 101 Ways to Talk Your Way Through Life's Challenges and Donna Albrecht, author of Buying a Home When You're Single.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: Unknown)

Catching up with yourself

Our last day in Mammoth. I could live here all winter. It's been a good time, writing-wise, I'm happy to say. I do believe my writing self has caught up.

Happy New Year!

Hard to believe it's 2009, isn't it? Yikes.

Instead of resolutions, this year I'm thinking of five new things I want to do. Resolutions have never worked for me--not beyond a few days or weeks. But new things ... I like that.

I was reading through an old notebook from 1979-1980 and found this quote, which I still like very much:

"We cross invisible borders and never know they were there, until we look back." - W.H. Manville

I'm still mulling over what my five things will be, which borders I will cross, knowingly or not.

How about you--resolutions? Five new things? Ten? Even one....

In any case, here's wishing you a stellar '09. May it be the best yet.

Laurence Gonzales and John Demos

Marrie Stone interviews Laurence Gonzales, author of Everyday Survival: Why Smart People Do Stupid Things and John Demos, author of The Enemy Within: 2,000 Years of Witch-hunting in the Western World.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: October 15, 2008)

Raymond Carver on writing fiction from life

Since I read this interview a few days ago, in the Paris Review Interviews, Vol. III, it's stayed with me--especially this excerpt:

Interviewer: Where do your stories come from, then? I'm especially asking about the stories that have something to do with drinking.

Carver: The fiction I'm most interested in has lines of reference to the real world. None of my stories really happened, of course. But there's always something, some element, something said to me or that I witnessed, that may be the starting place. Here's an example: "That's the last Christmas you'll ever ruin for us!" I was drunk when I heard that, but I remembered it. And later, much later, when I was sober, using only that one line and other things I imagined, imagined so accurately that they could have happened, I made a story--"A Serious Talk." But the fiction I'm most interested in, whether it's Tolstoy's fiction, Chekhov, Barry Hannah, Richard Ford, Hemingway, Isaac Babel, Ann Beattie, or Anne Tyler, strikes me as autobiographical to some extent. At the very least it's referential. Stories long or short don't just come out of thin air. ...... Of course you have to know what you're doing when you turn your life's stories into fiction. You have to be immensely daring, very skilled and imaginative and willing to tell everything on yourself...A little autobiography and a lot of imagination are best.

....
A lil tidbit for you to dwell upon as this year segues into next ...

Diane Leslie

Diane Leslie, author of Fleur De Leigh's Life of Crime.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: September 6, 2000)

"Writers on Writing" Holiday Show

Barbara DeMarco-Barrett and Marrie Stone are joined by The Green Room in a special Holiday episode of Writers on Writing. Enjoy music and readings by the cast and crew of the show.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: December 24, 2008)

Preeta Samarasan and Dan Ariely

Marrie Stone interviews Preeta Samarasan, author of Evening is the Whole Day and Dan Ariely, author of Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: August 6, 2008)

Wednesday's show: Holiday show with The Green Room

Tomorrow we're having our somewhat annual Christmas show. Marrie and I will be reading from O'Henry and others, and my son Travis' band, The Green Room, will be with us, playing live.

Tune in at 9 a.m. Pacific at 88.9 FM KUCI or listen live at KUCI.org. We're also on iTunes at Public Radio.
Travis and I wish you a wonderful holiday.


...
Photo by Judy Alexander.

Silencing the room

Lately I've been thinking of something that my late friend Barbara Seranella said on my show (it's in one of these interviews). She said when she was reading, to friends or to her critique group (of which I was a member), she didn't want to just hear, "Interesting," or "I like it." She wanted to silence the room.

That's a tall order, I know, and yet I find I've arrived at another crossroads with this novel I've rewritten for the umpteenth time. Who cares? I find myself thinking, and saying. And mostly I'm looking into myself and trying to figure out if I indeed care. The theme of this latest novel has grown stale, and now I'm thinking of shelving the entire thing. (And probably thinking entirely too much, which I always tell my students and writer friends: Stop thinking so much!)

It doesn't help that I receive so very many books in the mail to be considered for the show, and so many of them, while formidable, do not silence the room--especially the self-published books. (I really wish folks wouldn't send me self-published books. There are just not enough filters--editor, copyeditor, proofreader, etc. etc.--to polish the work to a high sheen.)

Yesterday on a long car ride, I found myself saying to Brian and Travis: "I just don't want to waste more paper on something that doesn't silence the room."

Of course they both thought I was outrageous. Writers use paper, Brian said.

True, true.

But still.

When I wrote Pen on Fire, I, in effect, silenced the room. And I didn't care which editor or agent said there were too many writing books on the shelf, I was going to get it out there, no matter what. My students needed it--well, wanted it, anyway--and so there was a greater good.

I'm not sure I have that same drive with this novel. And that drive is what carries you over and through.

As Judith Thurman said on my show in this wonderful interview, it's like the Shawshank Redemption, digging your way through a brick wall with a fork. You've got to be committed to your project this deeply.

So as well as enjoying the holiday and cookie parties and Christmas Eve Mass and hopefully more snow in the mountains, I'm going to spend these next couple of weeks dwelling, and playing around with a few ideas on the page.

What will you be doing? And what do you think about silencing the room? Is this something you think about?

.........................


Out at my brother-in-law's, his sweet horse, lovely dog Max, and a snowball tree.

David Francis and Jon Fasman

Marrie Stone interviews David Francis, author of Stray Dog Winter and Jon Fasman, author of The Unpossessed City.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: December 3, 2008)

Wednesday's show

On Wednesday's show (12/17), my guests will be photographer Pete Souza, author of "The Rise of Barack Obama," Triumph Books, and Elizabeth Strout, author of the novel "Olive Kitteridge." The show airs at 9 a.m. Pacific, KUCI-FM, accessible via iTunes/public radio.

Writing books

A student asked:

"When do you know when you're ready to write a book?"

Most new writers, I think, start with short pieces--essays, articles, short stories. There's the gratification of starting and finishing. Jumping into a book length manuscript takes a ton of commitment and new writers don't know how committed they are, generally. It's a little bit like running: Before you run a marathon, you will run around your neighborhood, run longer routes, and get in shape before you attempt a marathon.

You may find, in writing short pieces, that you want to say more, that short pieces are, well, too short. That's when you know.

Or you have a burning passion to tell a story that needs more room than a short piece can offer.

My short stories became longer and longer, which is when I knew it was time for a book. I still write short pieces, but I always seem to need a book-length project in the works.

What about you, out there? When did you know it was time? Or do you remain loyal to the short form?

Linda Pastan, Martha Serpas and Lisa Williams

Marrie Stone moderates a poetry panel with Linda Pastan, author of Queen of a Rainy Country, Martha Serpas, author of The Dirty Side of the Storm, and Lisa Williams, author of Woman Reading to the Sea.

Download audio.

(Broadcast date: November 5, 2008)

Julia Glass on today's show

Today my guest will be Julia Glass, author of I See You Everywhere. Tune in at 9 a.m. Pacific at KUCI-FM, 88.9 in Orange Co., CA. Listen via iTunes at Public radio, or at www.kuci.org.

Podcasts of past shows can be heard here.

Thanks for listening!

Stephen Baker and Padma Viswanathan

Marrie Stone interviews Stephen Baker, author of The Numerati and Padma Viswanathan, author of The Toss of a Lemon

Download audio

(Broadcast date: October 1, 2008)

Publishing biz bailout

Has everyone been reading the paper, listening to the news and the online reports about the publishing biz?

My publisher, Harcourt, now merged with Houghton Mifflin to be Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, has a six month moratorium on buying new manuscripts. Whoa, Nellie,

There's been a shake-up at Random House, too.

Publishing has been circling the drain for some time and the gurgles are becoming louder.

All this talk of bailouts--what about publishing? In my view, books are more important than cars and lots and lots of people are employed in the publishing industry. Why aren't publishers going to Washington?

Maybe I just don't understand politics. If I were a publisher, that's where I'd be headed.

New books are more important (to me) than new cars.

An editor came on my show last year and said too many books were being published, but how could publishers stop publishing--it's what they do: publish books.

If anything should slow down, it should be self-published books. Except for a rare few, I would venture to say no one reads self-published books, except family and close friends. I'm harsh, I know.

Yet, I'm still cranking, making progress on the umpteenth revision of my novel. I can't stop because publishing looks dismal. When I'm writing, I keep those dire reports away.

When I was pushing ahead with Pen on Fire, agents told me writing books didn't sell. Lots and lots of days and nights, sitting alone, being anti-social, writing and wondering if I would ever see the fruits of my labor. I'm here to say it was worth it. A pretty good deal, and a book that's in the 7th printing.

Writers write. What a cliche that's become. And yet it's so very true. You've got to have hope. Writers are a hopeful lot. Without hope, you would put down your pen, close up your computer, and do something else.

Meanwhile, is anybody talking publishing biz bailout, and if not, why not?

Book freeze...or no?

An article in today's New York Times puts things a bit more in perspective, especially after yesterday's report in the Wall Street Journal that my publisher, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, is putting a freeze on acquiring new manuscripts, for at least six months.

More on Annie Proulx

In an Oct. 18 post, I linked to an article Susan Salter Reynolds wrote about Annie Proulx. I don't know whether you read it, but even if you did, this bears repeating:

"Proulx believes the computer is 'the enemy of careful writing.' She prefers to write by hand, using the computer as 'a joinery device.'

"'There's something about the rhythm of writing on the page with a pen,' she says, 'that is richly fulfilling--like drawing a picture.'"

Yes. I love my fountain pen, which now contains a cartridge with purple ink. My favorite ink is turquoise, though. Makes the writing process more colorful, all those turquoise lines and curls falling upon the page, page after page.

Here she is, interviewed by Charlie Rose, in 1999.

Tomorrow's radio show

On Weds., my guest will be ASJA friend Sam Greengard, author of Finding the Work You Love: The Essential Guide to Reinventing Your Life (AARP). Click here. 9 a.m. Pacific, 88.9 FM or listen via iTunes at KUCI-FM, or online at www.kuci.org.

Podcasts of previous shows can be found here.

The Paris Review

Thanks to ASJA compadre Pat McNees for pointing out this site. Read interviews online from the notable Paris Review. I have a few of the Paris Review Interviews (I like paper, and don't like to bring the laptop to bed), but you may like reading them online. And saving dinero.

Maureen Dowd in the NYT

I love this.

Wednesday's "Writers on Writing" KUCI-FM

Tomorrow, my co-host Marrie Stone moderates a post-election day poetry panel, including poets Lisa Williams, author of Woman Reading to the Sea: Poems, Linda Pastan, author of Queen of a Rainy Country: Poems and Martha Serpas, author of The Dirty Side of the Storm: Poems.

Tune in Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. PT at 88.9 FM, KUCI, or go to iTunes and listen via public radio.

Past shows can be heard here.

Thanks for listening!

Barbara

On losing well

Interesting piece in the Washington Post that can certainly be applied to writing. (Thanks to my student, Patricia.)

I can't resist

The election is almost over--thank goodness, some of you are saying. You just want me to return to writing. I know, I know. Well, this is writing-related. Some levity, in the face of these oh-so-serious political days. Thanks to Deb, for forwarding it to me.

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

I've wanted to build a Day of the Dead altar for some time, but never have--until the other day. The more I learn about this celebration, the more I like it. Celebrating the dead and making light of death rather than fearing it, rather than it being a deep, dark, scary matter. In Catholicism, we know of this day as All Soul's Day. Google "Day of the Dead" and you'll find a ton of links. Here's a recent food-related article in the Los Angeles Times about the day. Here's our altar--a converted mantel.

Garrison Keillor in Slate magazine

Click here.

Writers Retreat

Here's something writing related (esp. for you, J.)...

I'll be the featured author at this overnight retreat on the weekend following election week. It sounds like a gorgeous setting and a fun, inspiring time. The organizers tell me there's still a couple of openings. Here you go:
.................

The Write Coast Read and Critique is hosting its 8th fiction writer's retreat -- this time with critiques, discourse and instruction led by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett, whose writing and teaching career includes publication of the well-received "Pen on Fire" and her weekly radio broadcast of "Writers on Writing."

The venue -- a ranch home on 11-acres in North San Diego County -- lends itself to immersing yourself in creativity and craft along with other writers. Up to 12 participants shed their day jobs and share and learn with others devoted to writing.

Barbara has graciously agreed to conduct a read and critique (everyone will read up to 6 pages of any work of their choice) and to provide a lecture on specific topics. Topics under consideration include "How and Why to Select a Point of View," "How and Why to Select Present or Past Tense."

Novelists, memoirists and short story writers welcome. Two (possibly three) openings remain, and we love having new participants.

The nonrefundable $110 fee for the retreat (commencing Friday, 11/7/08 at 4:00 p.m. and ending Saturday, 11/8/08 at 5:00 p.m.) includes meals and drinks and an overnight stay on Friday. You need not stay overnight, but the fee remains the same. The Friday night three-hour workshop begins after dinner at around 7:00 p.m. Those who stay overnight often continue sharing writing experiences and questions into the wee hours, if they so choose. The first of two three-hour work shops on Satruday starts at 9:00 a.m.

Sending the fee to Laurie Richards, 28104 No. Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos, CA 92069, reserves your place. Laurie will then contact you with specific details for directions and anything you should bring with you. To speak or e-mail with Laurie: ljrichards@wintonlarson.com; (760) 727-1758 (evening) or (951) 308-1555 (daytime).

Al Qaeda endorses McCain

You don't hear McCain talking about this endorsement.

Wednesday's "Writers on Writing" KUCI-FM

It was suggested that I should start posting upcoming shows (thanks, Luke). I've meant to, but it always just slips my mind since I send out a weekly e-list to about 400 - 500 people on my list.

So here goes:

Peter Ferry, author of Travel Writing, Heather King, author of Redeemed, and Anne Roiphe, author of Epilogue.

Speaking of photos....

I love these photos of Obama on the campaign trail for the last two years. So moving.

And these are fun and moving too.

What you see

Observational skills are a big deal for a writer--for anyone, actually, but especially for artists who need to see and to translate what they see into words. For me, photographs help me see what's there. Here are a few from last night (my newly carved pumpkin) on through to this morning, just minutes ago. What do you see from where you sit, or when you get up and walk around your surroundings?

Visiting with your writing

I've posted this link before (I think), but here it is again, Walter Mosley on why you need to visit with your writing daily.

Also, here's a link to a poem that one devoted blog reader, J., thinks is perhaps the greatest thing he ever read.

If you have any links to writings you want us to read, please post!

Annie Proulx in the Times

An article on the reclusive Proulx.

Birthday

Here's what I walked out to find at 5:30 this morning. Thanks so much, relatives, friends and acquaintances, for all of your sweet birthday wishes. What am I doing on my special day? Well, I do want to watch the debate....it's true. Wonder where there's a restaurant in these parts with it on and the sound turned on, too, with people eating and yelling (or moaning). That may be where we end up.

Authors for Obama

An event you might be interested in.

And a video.

Recuperating ...

... after the Angels' momentous loss. Still reading the Sports page first thing, before any other section of the newspaper. And still getting used to the fact that I'm a fan of baseball, and specifically, the Angels. As for football, no thanks, and boxing, as Sonia brought up the other day, Yuck. If anyone loves boxing, please, tell me why, and what it does for you. I want to understand...I do.

I have the best students in the world. As well as being and great people to know and wonderful writers, they know how to throw a party and make their teacher happy. A total surprise! I loved it. This is one of three cakes
they brought last night for a surprise birthday fest (which is actually next week, a dark night for the class, the night of the debate. What will my family be doing on my birthday? Watching the debate from a restaurant or home! Better order something easily digestible...).

Speaking of which ... I'm trying not to veer into politics, trying not to put down Palin too terrilby much or repeat too often how McCain's voice and the phrases he uses ("my friends" ERGH) bug me, so I won't.

I'll close now, and go work on my novel and The ASJA Monthly.

What's new with y'all? Tell me something!

Angels sense overload

Friday night Travis and I went to an Angels-Red Sox playoff game. They gave out the thundersticks at the entrance. Fortunately the guys behind us clapped them above our heads and not beside our ears. A few seats down, though, a fan kept us going with cheers. I've never cheered so much in my life or stood at a game so much. Every so often I checked in with my subconscious: Remember this, I telegraphed. Remember the volume of sound, remember the color red, the green of the playing field, the way the players look so white and pristine.

Later, at home, where it was quiet, my ears were ringing, the way it sounds after you go to hear a band that is LOUD.



The Angels sadly lost this second playoff game and last night they played the Red Sox in Boston. Everyone was giving them up for gone. I was worried and nervous and said to Brian, I'm going to be very upset when they lose.

When? he said. When!? No, you have to say 'I'm going to be very happy when they win. When they win!'

I Googled the patron saint of baseball and found the name St. Rita. So all night we remembered St. Rita. Brian played the Rita Meter Maid song and substituted lyrics. I called out to St. Rita. After all, what could be more natural for a saint than to cheer on an Angel?

And when the Angels came back, I thanked St. Rita.

What a game. As my cousin John would say, What a fricken game!

In the LA Times Travel section yesterday, I loved the article about the Dominican Republic. I want to go there. Streets named after baseball players, baseball on ESPN in eateries. Such an addict! It could be worse; it could be much worse, this addiction of mine. It could be cocaine or shopping.

Tonight I teach at UCI so there will be no baseball for me. It's their fourth playoff game, which they have to win, or they're out of the running. I will be thinking of the game, though, and the players, and be reminding St. Rita, silently, to help our guys out.

I want to write about baseball; I just don't know what about yet.

But my sense overload of the other night isn't apt to go away anytime soon. Remembering is a good thing for writing.


It can be a very good thing, indeed.

Celebrate California Writers Week

Next Saturday, the 11th, I'll be in Orange at what sounds like a fun event. Check it out by clicking here.

West Hollywood Book Fair

Here's that link, again, for the West Hollywood Book Fair taking place tomorrow. My panel is at 2:00. There are a ton of great panels. You can find the schedule on the WEHO Book Fair web site. Hope to see you!

Westways article on writers events

My editor at Westways, Beth Fhaner, is the best. She sent me this link to my article in the current issue of the magazine.

Anti-Palin rally in Alaska

Sorry, my Republican friends, but we're drawing upon the election and I just have to post things like this. People who voted for her as governor of Alaska do not want her for VP. If she makes it, I may really have to become an ex-pat.

Kurt Vonnegut on writing short stories

A short sweet video, here.

Power of words

Sent to me by a friend. Moving....! Click to watch.

David Foster Wallace

He was 46 and died in Claremont, CA, of suicide. Here is his 2005 commencement address at Kenyon.

More remembrances of David.

Save Lori Hall Steele's House

Lori is a fellow ASJA member and single mom battling ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and chronic Lyme disease. She faces the loss of her home to foreclosure within days because she's too sick to work. She has medical bills totaling more than $50,000, which may ultimately reach $120,000.

She has a seven-year-old son, and prior to the devastating neurological disease that has left her paralyzed and on a breathing machine, wrote over 3,000 published articles. She is 44, and determined to fight this disease with all her strength.

A fundraising drive is on to help her save her house. If everyone donated $25 to help her, it could get done. Click here to learn more. Or send a check to:

Lori Hall Steele
223 W. 7th Street
Traverse City, MI 49684

This is one of those deals where if everyone who could, donated a little, it would become a lot.

Westways Sept./Oct. 2008 issue

I will post the link if Westways puts it up on their website, but if you live in Southern California and you belong to AAA, you've received it. My feature on Southern California literary events and festivals is in its pages.

The last Sunday of this month, I hope to see you at the West Hollywood Book Fair. At around 2:00 in the afternoon, I'll be moderating a panel with literary agents BJ Robbins, Elise Capron and Jenoyne Adams. Please say hi if you come by.

A new Palin disorder

My friend Dennis Palumbo posted this on his blog:

NEW POLITICAL DIAGNOSIS ANNOUNCED!

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As a veteran therapist, I'm using this forum to announce the establishment of a new clinical diagnosis: IFP Disorder (Irrational Fear of Palin Disorder).

Since the McCain campaign picked Sarah Palin as their V-P candidate, poll numbers have swung ominously in their favor. The gun-totin', Bible-thumping, anti-choice, book-burning "hockey mom" is America's newest sweetheart.

But that's not the point: what really has amazed me in the past week is the change that has come over my therapy patients. Without fail, they seem oddly uninterested in dealing with their usual issues---relationship conflicts, family concerns, career crises, substance abuse, etc. All they want to talk about is their Fear of Sarah Palin.

Click here to read more.


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Palin wants to ban books

If you've kept up with reports about Palin, then you know she's tried to get books banned.

She scares me.

So buy a button that says "I read banned books." Toni Morrison and Mark Twain are among the most challenged authors. Yup.

Here's a link for the button. Scroll to the bottom of the page.

Ergh!

Jim Tomlinson on short stories and novels

Jim Tomlinson was on the show some time ago with co-host Marrie Stone. I emailed him questions last week regarding the short story form and he graciously responded. Here you are:

BDB: Why do you write short stories?

JT: Short stories give the writer a way to look at some single thing that puzzles or interests. You can turn a situation over in the story and examine it in detail. And maybe, as you write, you'll reach some new level of understanding. Or maybe you'll just gain an appreciation for the mystery of how complex lives and relationships (both the fictional and the real kind)can be.

BDB: Have you ever considered novels?

JT: A novel is a different thing. It has scope. In general, it addresses bigger concerns, portrays the larger part of a character's lifetime, the societal implications of things, long-term effects, moral consequences of deeds, etc. A novel is built of a string of consequences and complications, and a hundred pages in it is hard to remember how different the world seemed starting out. While the short story is usually centered on a moment, the novel is a seemingly endless progression of "and then, and then, and then..." in a grand and pleasingly shaped arc.

Of course, when someone tries to define what a novel is, another someone can always point to examples that disprove it. Still, that's how I think of the novel. I've definitely considered the novel, Barbara. Yes. In fact, I'm working on a novel now.

BDB: Isn't it hard to publish short stories or don't you think that way?

JT: When I'm working on a story, my only concern is writing the next sentence and then the next paragraph and trying to make each word absolutely true. Until I've written and revised a story and polished it into as true a thing as I can, I don't give one moment's thought to whether anyone will want to publish it.

The total market for single short stories is huge. Unfortunately, the paying market (something more than complimentary copies) is a small part of that. And the demand by publishers for single-author books of short fiction is at a low ebb right now. It has been for several years. Writing short stories is not a lucrative business.

The only time I'm concerned with the market for stories is when I'm printing out copies to submit. The market doesn't really matter on the other days, the vast majority, when all you have to concern yourself with is writing.

BDB: Tell me about your latest book.

JT: Nothing Like an Ocean, my second book of stories, is in the publishing pipeline now. It is due out in March, 2009. It's a sequel of sorts to Things Kept, Things Left Behind (Iowa Short Fiction Award). Like those earlier stories, the new ones are set in and around fictional Spivey, Kentucky. Since it's a small town, it seemed natural that some characters and settings from the first book would show up again. And they do. Most of my stories are concerned, at their core, with characters in complex relationships, be they brother and sister, father and son, spouses, or teacher and former student. Gunshots are rare, high-speed chases and outhouses non-existent. There are church dances, though, and drinking on weekends, rainy craft fairs, copper thieves, fume-huffing teens, a rescue greyhound, a rare rabbit, and several flavors of burgeoning romance....something, in short, for everyone.

Barbara, just an hour or two ago I visited your blog and read the recent post. I can relate to the dilemma.

I had a discussion with Claire Messud about my efforts to transition from writing short stories to writing novels, and she questioned my motive for wanting to switch. There is pressure from the industry for every decent story writer to turn out a novel, and I'm guessing that Messud suspected that was motivating me. I told her that I genuinely wanted to write the "bigger story" that a novel canvas allows. "Maybe you aren't a novelist," she said. "Maybe you're a short story writer. That's not a bad thing to be."

She went on to name several writers whom she categorized as essentially story writers.

In trying to make the shift to novels (I've written three complete, unpublishable novels in years past, so I know something about it), I've come to understand how different they are from short stories. Yes, you have characters and scenes and use some of the same writing tools. But there's a whole 'nother level of storytelling and structure that you have to master to turn out a good novel. And I'm still working to get there.

But I'll echo what Messud told me...a short story writer isn't a bad thing to be. In fact, it's a lofty goal when you look at what writers like Chekhov, Carver, Dubus II, etc. have achieved in the form.