DIY MFA Radio

Hello hello Word Nerds and welcome to Episode 71 of DIY MFA radio. Today I'm talking with Lorin Stein, editor of The Paris Review and we'll be talking about literature and reading, and what makes stories great. We'll also be discussing the book he recently edited called The Unprofessionals: New American Writing from The Paris Review. Lorin joined The Paris Review as its third editor in 2010. During his tenure, the Review has received two National Magazine Awards, as well as Webby honors, Pushcart Prizes, and O'Henry Awards. Stein's criticism and translations have appeared in The New York Review of Books, the London Review of Books, n+1, and Harper's. He is also an editor-at-large at FSG (an imprint of MacMillan) and he lives in New York City. In this episode Lorin and I discuss: Literary fiction What he looks for when discovering new voices in literature. The importance of reading as a writer. What makes interesting writing. The benefits that writers can gain from writing and reading short form literature. Plus, Lorin's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/071

Hey there Word Nerds. I'm so excited to bring you this interview today with Robert Crais, a #1 New York Times bestselling author of crime fiction. In this episode, we talk about how to persevere as a writer, and let me tell you, if anyone can speak to this subject it's Robert Crais. He began his career as a TV writer, working on some of the biggest crime dramas. This experience has shaped his perspective on writing novels, and has taught him numerous writing skills. Listen in hear Robert's insights about what you can learn from writing outside your comfort zone. You'll hear about his journey from writing for TV to writing novels, and what writing for the screen taught him about crafting stories for the page. Plus, animal lovers (especially dog-lovers) will get a kick out of this this episode because you'll hear Robert talk about how captured the POV of Maggie, the K9 hero in his latest book The Promise. Unlike other books that anthropomorphize animals, making them seem like humans in an animal body, Maggie feels very real. The sections in her point of view are quite true to how you would imagine a dog perceives the world. I think Office Cat could sense the animal-friendly vibe during this interview, because she cuddled up to the mic while we were recording this episode. (Bonus points to anyone who can hear her purring in the background.) In this episode, Robert and I discuss: Capturing animal characters' perspectives in your writing. The process of optioning the film rights for your writing. How writing for TV prepared Robert for writing novels. The challenges of writing a novel versus writing for the screen. Plus Robert's #1 Tip for Writers. About the Author Robert Crais is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of nineteen previous novels, fifteen of them featuring private investigator Elvis Cole and his ex-cop, ex-Marine partner Joe Pike. His novels have been translated into more than forty languages and are global bestsellers in more than sixty nations. Nominated for every major crime-writing award (for a total of twenty nominations), Robert has won the Anthony, Barry, Shamus, Macavity, Gumshoe, and Ross Macdonald awards, among others. In 2014, he received a Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America, which represents the pinnacle of achievement in mystery writing. A native of Louisiana from a family of police officers and oil refinery workers, he lives in Los Angeles with his wife, three cats, and many thousands of books. If you want to learn more about Robert and his amazing books, follow him on Facebook and Instagram, or visit his website. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/070

Hey there Word Nerds! I'm so excited to share with you today my conversation with Mark McGuinness. Today we're talking about motivation and creativity, two very important topics here at DIY MFA. About Mark McGuinness Mark is a poet and coach for creative professionals. He's based in London, UK, and coaches creative professionals worldwide via the magic of the internet. He has also published a popular blog for creatives for the past 10 years, and has just finished his second book titled Motivation for Creative People. In this episode Mark and I discuss: Myths and misconceptions that creative people have about motivation. Strengths and challenges that creative people have. How motivation works. Being ready to capture inspiration when it hits. Plus, Mark's #1 tip for writers: "Write for love. Always write for love." For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/069

Hello Hello Word Nerds! I'm so excited to share my interview with author Elizabeth George. Today we'll be talking about writing psychological suspense and what it takes to build a great suspense novel with a lot of interesting psychological twists and turns. I hope you enjoy our conversation. In this episode Elizabeth and I discuss: Why it's important to know where your story needs to start. Writing deeply flawed yet deeply sympathetic characters. Writing complex female characters and their different attitude toward feminism and female-ness. How point-of-view helps strengthen the reader's understanding of and sympathy for characters. Plus, Elizabeth's #1 tip for writers. Elizabeth George is the author of highly acclaimed novels of psychological suspense. She won the Anthony and Agatha Best First Novel awards in America and received the Grand Prix de Litterature Policiere in France. In 1990 she was awarded the prestigious German prize for international mystery fiction, the MIMI. Her novels have now been adapted for television by the BBC. An Edgar and Macavity Nominee as well as a New York Times and international bestselling author, Elizabeth George lives on Whidbey Island in the state of Washington. Her latest novel, A Banquet of Consequences, is out now. To learn more about Elizabeth George and her fantastic books, you can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or visit her website. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/068

Welcome, welcome Word Nerds! I am so excited to share today's interview with author Ken Murray with you all. Ken Murray is a writer and creative writing teacher. He teaches multi-genre, using fiction, nonfiction and poetry to help students get started, listen to their work, and amplify the opportunities therein. Ken teaches at University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies and also at Haliburton School of the Arts. He is a graduate of the MFA program at The New School (like me!), and also the Teaching Artist program at Community Word Project. Ken writes mostly fiction and Eulogy is his first novel. Originally from Vancouver, Ken grew up in Ottawa and has lived in various locations across Canada, and also New York City. He now divides his time between Prince Edward County and Haliburton Ontario, and teaching at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. Beyond reading and writing, he can most often be found dabbling in various sports, or doing broadcast work with 99.3 County FM in Prince Edward County. In this episode Ken and I discuss: the impetus for Eulogy the process of going from writing shorter pieces to writing a book-length work teaching writing and writing workshops "Get started and be open to whatever comes out of your pen." ~Ken Murray Plus, Ken's #1 tip for writers. Resources: If you want to know more about Ken Murray, you can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or visit his website. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/067

Hey there word nerds! Today's episode features one of my most favorite authors EVER: Austin Kleon. If you don't know who he is, Austin is the New York Times bestselling author of three illustrated books: Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative, Newspaper Blackout, and Show Your Work!: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered. His latest project is The Steal Like an Artist Journal: A Notebook for Creative Kleptomaniacs and it's in stores now. If you haven't read Austin's books yet, go to it! Seriously, these books will change the way you think about creativity, writing, and--most importantly--life. In this episode Austin and I discuss: Honoring your reality, both the world around you and your personal reality. Learning from your mistakes instead of focusing on your failures. Practicing by copying other people's work by hand. Different tools for different types of writing. How practicing "less is more" can help your craft. Plus, Austin's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/066

Hi there Word nerds! I'm so excited for today's interview with bestselling author JoJo Moyes on the art of the sequel. Jojo Moyes is the New York Times bestselling author of Me Before You, One Plus One, The Girl You Left Behind, The Last Letter from Your Lover, Silver Bay, The Ship of Brides and Honeymoon in Paris. She lives with her husband and three children in Essex, England.Me Before You was truly a word-of-mouth sensation, launching Moyes to worldwide acclaim. It spent more than 65 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller list and worldwide sales exceed five million copies. Reviewers, booksellers, and readers all raved about Me Before You for its unforgettable romance and emotional, challenging storyline. Moyes' books are now available in 36 foreign languages and have sold more than nine million copies in total. Her newest book, After You: A Novel, sequel to Me Before You, is out now. In this episode JoJo and I discuss: Sequels, and how they are not always planned. How to write that sequel that can stand alone. Writing grief in your characters. Switching point of view in your novel. The experience of working on the screen adaptation of her novel, Me Before You. Plus, JoJo's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/065

Today's episode is all about the m-words of writing: marketing and money. These topics are often hard for writers to discuss, but I wanted to address them for a couple of reasons. First, they are super-important. And second, I believe that all writers can be awesome at both at the creative and the business sides of their work. As writers, we tell ourselves a lot of lies. Sometimes these lies are just part of getting through what needs to be done, but sometimes they can hold us back. I've heard many authors say "I don't care if I make money, I just want to write," or "I don't want to sell out. I can't promote myself." It's as if we equate suffering and starvation with good art. Finally, I hear some writers say "If I make something amazing it'll just sell itself." What a lot of us don't realize is that we're living in a paradox. On the one hand we say "I don't wanna corrupt my art" but on the other hand we say "If only I could make money doing what I love…" How do we reconcile this contradiction? That's what this episode is all about. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/064

Hello word nerds! Today I'm interviewing Ken Zak about writing poetic prose and the process behind his book, The Poet's Secret. Kenneth Zak is an aquatic nomad of Bohemian-Polish ancestry. As a lad, he dove into Lake Erie in search of a silver coin. Decades later, he surfaced off the island of Crete with a tale filled with mystical sea turtles, sunken treasure and a young woman's search for a reclusive poet, his muse and the myth of eternal love. A summa cum laude graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in Business and concentration in Art History, Zak went on to receive his JD and follow the waves to California. He eventually shut down a successful law practice in quest of a deeper purpose, freeing his creative self in a mountaintop village in Crete where he began his debut novel, The Poet's Secret. Since his time in Crete, he continued work on the manuscript and his poetry in Bali, Costa Rica, Thailand, Cambodia and South America. An avid surfer and free diver, Ken's passions also include reading, music, ocean swimming, the Tibetan Rites and yoga. He currently serves as General Counsel for a large private brokerage company and resides in San Diego, California. In this episode, Ken and I discuss: Juggling real life and writing. Building a support system to help you achieve your goals. The role of poetry in writing prose. Being a guy who writes Romance. The decision to self-publish and why you should build a publishing team. Plus, Ken's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/063

Hey Word Nerds! Today's episode is going to be so awesome because I'm talking to debut author Kim Liggett, a fabulous YA author and good friend. Her book, Blood and Salt, is out now, and in this episode she and I chat about taking this project from concept to bookshelf. In this episode Kim and I discuss: World-building, sensory detail, and creative descriptions. Having an obsession and using it to fuel your writing. Organizing the plot to build suspense, with shifting timelines and surprise reveals. Navigating the revision and edit process to get the best result. Creative promotion for books. Plus her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/062