DIY MFA Radio

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Charlie Jane Anders. Charlie Jane is the author of the essay collection Never Say You Can't Survive along with the short story collection Even Greater Mistakes. Her other books include The City in the Middle of the Night and All the Birds in the Sky. Her fiction and journalism have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Slate, McSweeney's, Mother Jones, the Boston Review, Tor.com, Tin House, Teen Vogue, Conjunctions, Wired Magazine, and other places. Her TED Talk, "Go Ahead, Dream About the Future" got 700,000 views in its first week. With Annalee Newitz, she co-hosts the podcast Our Opinions Are Correct. In this episode Charlie Jane Anders and I discuss: What makes something an "idea" versus a "story" and how to tell the difference. How to keep short stories contained while making them rich and deep. Why she believes endings are hard and what she does to cross the finish line. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/390

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing J.L. Torres. J.L. is the author of a novel, The Accidental Native, as well as the short collection The Family Terrorist and Other Stories, a collection of poetry, Boricua Passport, and Migrations, a short story collection that won the inaugural Tomás Rivera Book Prize. He has published stories and poems in numerous journals and magazines including The North American Review, Denver Quarterly, Hayden's Ferry Review, Eckleburg Review, Puerto del Sol, Las Americas Review, and the anthology Growing Up Latino. Born in Puerto Rico, raised in the South Bronx, he currently lives in Plattsburgh, New York. In addition to the Ph.D., he also holds an M.F.A. in creative writing from Columbia University. He co-founded the Saranac Review and served as its Editor for many years. On a more personal note has no known hobbies, has never been in prison or any gangs, has never had quirky and funky jobs and is notoriously inept with tools. In this episode J.L. Torres and I discuss: Writing for two audiences and how world building plays a major role in that process. What factors he considers when selecting the order of stories for a collection. His definition of "voice" and why it is so important in keeping readers engaged. Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/389

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Sacha Black. Sacha is an author, rebel podcaster, and professional speaker. She has five obsessions; words, expensive shoes, conspiracy theories, self-improvement, and breaking the rules. Sacha writes books about people with magical powers and other books about the art of writing. When she's not writing, she can be found laughing inappropriately loud, sniffing musty old books, fangirling about film and TV soundtracks, or thinking up new ways to break the rules. She lives in Cambridgeshire, England, with her wife and genius, giant of a son. In this episode Sacha Black and I discuss: The main types of supporting characters and what you should do with each type. Why you need to create contrast between your supporting characters and your protagonist. How to balance giving supporting characters depth without letting them take over the story. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/388

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Mark McGuinness. Mark is an award-winning poet, author, podcaster and host of The 21st Century Creative, as well as a coach for creative professionals. He is also someone I've had the pleasure of calling a colleague and friend for nearly a decade. When Mark told me about his latest project, a new podcast titled A Mouthful of Air, I knew I had to bring him on DIY MFA Radio to talk about it. The podcast centers around poetry, and episodes alternate in focus between contemporary works and the classics. For episodes featuring contemporary poets, Mark invites them to read a single poem and talk about the writing process behind it. In other episodes, he reads classic poems and talks about what we can learn from them as writers. This is an awesome podcast, and one that writers of all genres can learn from and enjoy. A Mouthful of Air has been awarded funding for the first 2 years of the show by Arts Council England, and I can't wait to see where it goes! In this episode Mark McGuinness and I discuss: What effects a good poem can have on the reader that transcend academic understanding. What method poetry is and the writing processes of contemporary poets. How reading poetry out loud—even just to yourself—enhances the experience. Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/387

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing someone very special. Aside from being an author of a hilarious romantic comedy, she is also a mainstay of the DIY MFA community. This person is, of course, Tammy Lough. Growing up, Tammy had dual-career goals, she wanted to be a nurse and a writer. When she was three she played nurse to her dolls when they got sick, fell off her bed, or broke their bones. She also began writing poems and stories and never stopped. In later years, when multiple sclerosis forced her to leave her career as an intensive care nurse-manager, she came back to her writing with the same passion and drive she brings to everything. This past year, Parallel Pathways published her first romantic comedy and debut novel, Lacey's Deception. Tammy is a mom of two sons and grandma to three adorable grandchildren. She writes a monthly column, "On the Back Page with Tammy," for Saturday Writers, a Chapter of the Missouri Writers Guild, and is an active member of the Romance Writers of America and South West Writers. She is also the Romance Columnist for DIY MFA. In this episode Tammy Lough and I discuss: How mistaken identities can be a vehicle for humor, especially in a rom-com. Why she thinks the middle can be the best part of the writing process. What role the rule of three plays in building the tension and humor in her novel. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/386

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Amanda Polick. Amanda is a writer, book coach, and food writing columnist for DIY MFA. She began her career with acting and improv, she shifted focus to food writing which led to her being the first dedicated segment producer of Facebook Live for Time Inc. While in that role, she oversaw more than 300 live segments and created the company's Food Media Junket, bringing in James Beard award-winning and Michelin-Starred chefs for over a dozen food and lifestyle brands. These days, she helps food folks through the book writing process, helping them craft a story only they can tell. Her work has been featured by Cooking Light, Time, Southern Living, Food & Wine, and more.. She lives in Nashville, but a piece of her heart will always belong in California. In this episode Amanda Polick and I discuss: Why food writing can encompass so much more than just the "how-to" element. How to find your own voice and discover what is unique about you in your writing. The importance of challenging yourself as a writer and what you can learn in the process. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/385

Marcus Harrison Green, Publisher of the South Seattle Emerald and Seattle Times columnist, discusses writing personal essays with honesty, authenticity, and hope. The interview covers topics such as achieving a unity of voice in essay collections, embracing brokenness for personal growth, the power of sharing personal essays, finding hope in personal narratives, and the importance of embracing your unique voice as a writer.

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Catherine Baab-Muguira. Catherine is a writer and journalist who has contributed to many media outlets, including Slate, Quartz, CNBC and NBC News. She is a frequent podcast and radio guest, with appearances on NPR and Lifehacker's Upgrade. Catherine currently lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband and baby son. Today we'll be discussing her first book, Poe for Your Problems: Uncommon Advice from History's Least Likely Self-Help Guru, which came out this past September. In this episode Catherine Baab-Muguira and I discuss: How Edgar Allan Poe unexpectedly inspired her to write a book about mental health. Why she keeps her day job and how it helps her avoid literary snobbery. The value of learning to write good copy and the art of marketing your book. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/383

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Khanh Ha. Khanh is the author of Flesh and The Demon Who Peddled Longing. He is a seven-time Pushcart nominee, finalist for the Mary McCarthy Prize, Many Voices Project, Prairie Schooner Book Prize, and The University of New Orleans Press Lab Prize. He is the recipient of the Sand Hills Prize for Best Fiction, the Robert Watson Literary Prize in Fiction, The Orison Anthology Award for Fiction, and The C&R Press Fiction Prize. His new novel, Mrs. Rossi's Dream, was named Best New Book by Booklist and a 2019 Foreword Reviews INDIES Silver Winner and Bronze Winner In this episode Khanh Ha and I discuss: How he writes death scenes in a way that is comfortable for him and powerful for the reader. The difference between style and voice and how writers can make both unique. Why writers need to stay faithful to their character when creating the POV of the narrative. Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/382

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Debbie Macomber. Debbie is the author of many books including: It's Better This Way, A Walk Along the Beach, Window on the Bay, Cottage by the Sea, Any Dream Will Do, If Not for You, and the Rose Harbor Inn series. Thirteen of her novels have been New York Times #1 bestsellers, and five of her beloved Christmas novels have been hit movies on the Hallmark Channel. The Hallmark Channel has also produced the original series Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove, based on her Cedar Cove books. With more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide, Debbie is a leading voice in romance and women's fiction. In this episode Debbie Macomber and I discuss: How our subconscious comes out in writing and directs the topics we explore. The balance between writing light Christmas stories and still providing substance. Why she began her book with a series of letters and flashbacks mixed with the present. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/381