DIY MFA Radio

Hey there word nerds! In today's episode I bring you live to ThrillerFest 2018, where I have once again assembled a panel of five debut authors from this year's class. I am so excited to be speaking with L.A. Chandlar, Paddy Hirsch, Cheryl Reed, John Copenhaver, and Joanna Schaffhausen, and sharing our panel discussion on the show! Last year's ThrillerFest debuts' episode focused on the debut author life and what it's like to write and publish your debut novel. This year posed a bit of a challenge, however, since it would be repetitive to do something on that same theme. Instead, my team and I selected five debut authors where we saw a common thread running throughout their books. As you'll hear in the conversation that follows, each of these authors and each of these books are extremely unique, but they all handle questions of time and space in fresh and surprising ways. So listen in as we chat about various ways to play with time and setting in a novel to not only create a stronger story but also to really engage readers. In this episode Laurie, Paddy, Cheryl, John, Joanna and I discuss: Different ways to play with time in your novel, and how to do it right. Techniques to write a story within a compressed time frame. Why you need to choose the right space for the story you're telling. How to bring your setting to life when you need to keep your pace fast. Using the interplay between character and place to engage your readers. Plus, each of these amazing author's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/211

Hey there word nerds! Today I am thrilled to have Tami Charles on the show! Tami is a former teacher and current full-time author of picture books, middle grade and young adult novels, as well as nonfiction. As a teacher, she made it her mission to introduce her students to all types of literature, but especially diverse books. While it was refreshing to see a better selection than what she was accustomed to as a child, Tami felt there weren't nearly as many diverse books as she'd hoped for. It was then that she decided to reignite her passion for writing, and put those books she longed to see on the shelves herself. Tami is the author of several current and upcoming children's books, but she is here with us today to share an inside look at her beautiful middle grade novel Like Vanessa. So listen in as Tami and I chat about this awesome book, and the importance for all writers to write what they want in an authentic way. In this episode Tami and I discuss: Pouring your own experiences into your character. The concept of colorism. Crafting a novel in the no man's land between MG and YA. How to use poetry to pull readers into your character's emotions. Writing in your authentic voice without being pigeonholed. Plus, Tami's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/210

Hey there word nerds! Today I have the pleasure of hosting Maxine Rosaler on the show! Maxine has had fiction and nonfiction published in some pretty prestigious markets including (but not limited to) The Southern Review, Glimmer Train, and The Baltimore Review. Her stories have also been cited in editions of Best American Short Stories and Best American Essays, and she is the recipient of a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship for Fiction. Her first published long form work, Queen for a Day, has been called both a short story collection and a novel in stories, and is available now. Listen in as Maxine and I chat about finding the story at your core, and how to meld your unconscious and conscious minds to enhance your writing. In this episode Maxine and I discuss: A novel in stories vs. a short story collection. Tricks to tap into your unconscious during the writing process. Why quality is more important than quantity in what you read. Discovering the right names for your characters. The responsibility of a writer to turn the world's ugliness into art. Plus, Maxine's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/209

Hey there word nerds! Today I have the pleasure of hosting Gail Honeyman on the show! Gail is the author of the novel Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, which hit shelves in May of last year and made a huge splash with readers. Gail's debut novel was the star book at the Frankfurt Book Fair and was selected as an Indie Next Pick by booksellers across the country. It soon became one of the most beloved novels of 2017, catching the attention of readers worldwide, including Reese Witherspoon, who made it one of her book club picks and bought the film rights. The love for this book has not let up since its release, and it has been heralded as a must-read for summer by The New York Times, People, and TheSkimm. Independent booksellers were so excited about the book that many of them even participated in an "Eleanor Oliphant Day," touting this quirky, funny, and heartbreaking novel to their customers both in their stores and across social media. So listen in as Gail and I unpack this quirky, sometimes difficult, but always lovable character of Eleanor Oliphant, and how to craft a story that really puts readers directly into the heart and soul of a character. In this episode Gail and I discuss: Crafting a voice driven novel that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The learning curve of your first book. Creating empathy for an unlikable character through close first person narration. How to "feel" your way through writing and editing your novel. Building a compelling character with multiple layers. Plus Gail's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/208

Hey there word nerds! Today I have the pleasure of talking with author Grace Kennan Warnecke on the show! Grace is the daughter of George F. Kennan, one of the most influential diplomats of the 20th century, and as such had a very unique childhood. She grew up in the shadow of the Cold War and her larger than life father, but found her way into the limelight to forge a dynamic career for herself. She is chairman of the board of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, a fellow of Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and was the associate producer of the prizewinning PBS documentary The First Fifty Years: Reflections on U.S.-Soviet Relations; just to name a few of her accomplishments. She has now written a memoir titled Daughter of the Cold War, which tells the tale of Grace's whole life lived on the edge of history. Listen in as Grace and I chat about crafting a broad scope memoir, and owning your own story. In this episode Grace and I discuss: How writing groups can lift you up and help you reach your writing goals. Keeping a memoir enthralling from beginning to end. Crafting your whole life into a story. Ways to navigate writing about others' lives without censoring yourself. Why you should never turn down an opportunity. Plus, Grace's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/207

Hey there word nerds! Today I am delighted to have author Alison Walsh on the show! And OMG word nerds I am so excited because we're going to be talking about Alison's new cookbook: A Literary Tea Party! I first learned about Alison's book last summer, from my friend and awesome DIY MFA contributor Sara Letourneau. Right away I knew I had to get Alison to come on the show. Anyone who knows me at all knows that I'm obsessed with tea. I drink probably around 3 pots of tea per day, not to mention the gallons of iced tea I consume in the summertime. So when I learned that there would soon be a book of literary-themed teatime recipes I just about died and went to heaven (and I say this as someone who absolutely cannot cook). Alison actually started out as a food blogger at Alison's Wonderland Recipes, a blog dedicated to making recipes inspired by classic literature. She has since been featured on Real Life at Home and MuggleNet, and her cookbook, A Literary Tea Party, is now available. Listen in as Alison and I geek out about books and tea, and dive into the craft behind creating a cookbook that not only gives you tasty treats to try but draws you into a story. In this episode Alison and I discuss: Extrapolating recipes from literature. How to craft a narrative arc in a cookbook. Building a book around your audience. What goes into a nonfiction cookbook proposal. An inside look at crafting a food blog that stands out. Plus, Alison's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/206

Hey there word nerds! Welcome to the 2018 Epic BookExpo Recap episode! If you don't already know what BookExpo is, it's the big industry trade show that takes place in the United States every year, and today it's going to be just me talking to you about this awesome event! This year, the big thing was the idea of the Reimagined BookExpo, so I wanted to give you a rundown of what's new, what's still the same, and what I think all these things say about the book industry as a whole. Listen in as I chat with you about what the Reimagined BookExpo looks like, and some new and exciting trends I saw in the publishing industry. In this episode, I give you an inside look at: Then and now, how BookExpo has changed over the years. Knowing your audience, BookExpo vs. BookCon. New trends and themes in the publishing industry that jumped out at me. The broadening definition of diversity. Plus a teaser about the types of books I was most excited to check out, and why. For more info an show notes: DIYMFA.com/205

Hey there word nerds! Today I am so excited to have Michael Zadoorian on the show! Michael is an author and recipient of numerous awards such as the Michigan Notable Book award, and the Kresge Artist Fellowship. His writing has appeared in several prestigious journals including The Literary Review and American Short Fiction, as well as in multiple anthologies including Detroit Noir. He is the author of The Leisure Seeker—which was recently made into a film starring Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland—as well as the novel Second Hand and the story collection The Lost Tiki Palaces of Detroit. His latest novel, Beautiful Music, is a coming of age story set against the backdrop of his hometown of Detroit in the 1970's and is available now. Listen in as we talk about this amazing book, and how to enrich your story with sensory writing. In this episode Michael and I discuss: How to determine the genre label for your story by finding your audience. Conveying sound through your characters' emotions. Engaging all five senses of your reader. The role of parents in a literary coming of age story. Creating a strong sense of place in your writing. Plus, Michael's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/204

Hey there word nerds! Today I have the pleasure of interviewing author Cynthia Grady on the show! Cynthia has earned master's degrees in Children's Literature, Library Science, and the Classics. She taught elementary school in her home state of California and was a children's librarian for seventeen years before relocating to New Mexico where she now writes books for young readers. She is the author of a book of poetry for children and two nonfiction picture books. The latest of her picture books, Write to Me: Letters from Japanese American Children to the Librarian They Left Behind, is the story of Clara Breed the librarian who offered hope and comfort to Japanese American children through books during their internment in World War II. Listen in as we talk about this beautiful book, and how the power of story can comfort and connect us. In this episode Cynthia and I discuss: Using primary sources to assemble a picture book biography. How to strategically negotiate for your illustrations as an author. Tips to write engaging nonfiction for young readers. Tackling serious topics in picture books. The benefits of productive procrastination. Plus, Cynthia's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/203

Hey there word nerds! Today I am so excited to be speaking with NoNieqa Ramos on the show! NoNieqa is an award-winning educator, literary activist, and writer of "intense" young adult literature. She is also a passionate supporter of the #weneeddiversebooks and #ownvoices movements. Her debut novel The Disturbed Girl's Dictionary has gotten stunning reception including a Booklist starred review that called her "a voice to watch" with "exceptional writing and compassionate realism." NoNieqa is currently joining us live from the school where she teaches (and where her book is set). Listen in as we chat about her amazing debut and how to create strong characters that elicits an emotional response from readers. Also, just a quick heads up, for the first time ever on DIY MFA Radio we have a teeny bit of explicit language towards the end of the interview. Due to the nature of the discussion I decided not to bleep anything out, but I wanted to let you know in case you have small children in the room or you, yourself, are not comfortable with explicit language. Now let's dive into the interview! In this episode NoNieqa and I discuss: Tips for getting inside your character's mind. Why you should make the reader work to piece the story together. The art of writing a realistically flawed character. Using language to show a character's true voice without losing your reader. The importance of knowing what you are not willing to surrender in your writing. Plus, NoNieqa's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/202