More to the Story Podcast with Janna Maron

In this episode I talk with Stephen Gutierrez, one of Under the Gum Tree's previous contributors. Stephen has published three books of stories and essays. Live from Fresno y Los won an American Book Award, and The Mexican Man in His Backyard is his most recent. He has published widely in magazines and anthologies, including nonfiction in Fourth Genre, River Teeth, Under the Sun, Alaska Quarterly Review, Third Coast, ZYZZYVA and Cleaver Magazine. He is working on a collection of essays and hybrid nonfiction. He teaches at California State University East Bay. His essay "Spiritual Direction" appears in the October 2016 issue of Under the Gum Tree.In this episode we talk about:Writing both fiction and nonfiction, and discovering a new voice in nonfictionTaking a stand for writing a positive tribute of a family memberWhat we learn about ourselves and others close to use when we write about familyHow writing can help us learn sympathy for others by being willing to challenge our own beliefsStephen's three-volume box set: Elements, Live from Fresno y Los, The Mexican Man in his BackyardVisit Stephen online at stephendgutierrez.comVisit us online at moretothestorypodcast.com and visit Under the Gum Tree at underthegumtree.com.Follow Under the Gum Tree Twitter and Instagram [@undergumtree][4]. Follow me on Twitter [@justjanna][5] and [@jannamarlies][6] on Instagram.Find out about my 6-week email audio course at [jannamarlies.com/cnf101course][7]. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moretothestorypodcast.substack.com

In this episode I talk with author and Under the Gum Tree contributor Carol Marsh. Carol's essay, “Pictures in Leaves,” won the 2016 New Millennium Writings Nonfiction Prize. Her essay "Highest and Best" received an honorable mention in Under the Gum Tree's inaugural essay contest and appears in the January 2017 issue of the magazine. It is an excerpt from her memoir Nowhere Else I Want to Be. Additional excerpts of her book have appeared in Soundings Review , bioStories, and Jenny magazine.In this episode we talk about:Processing grief and experience through writing creative nonfictionWhy Carol started Miriam's House, a nonprofit shelter for women in Washington, D.C. living with aidsHow writing played a role in maintaining emotional and spiritual health during her time at Miriam's HouseThe importance of self-care when having others to take care and creating physical and emotional boundariesWhy structure is a b***h and how to create it a memoir with multiple storylinesCarol's memoir Nowhere Else I Want to BeThe online school for people in public service that Carol started, Forum for Growth in ServiceVisit Carol online at caroldmarsh.comVisit us online at moretothestorypodcast.com and visit Under the Gum Tree at underthegumtree.com.Follow Under the Gum Tree Twitter and Instagram [@undergumtree][4]. Follow me on Twitter [@justjanna][5] and [@jannamarlies][6] on Instagram.Find out about my 6-week email audio course at [jannamarlies.com/cnf101course][7]. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moretothestorypodcast.substack.com

Topics include crafting segmented essays, the meaning of the word 'monster,' writing personal stories as nonfiction or autobiographical fiction, Ira's experience as an editor, his new memoir 'Buddha's Dog,' and the online literary magazine Sweet.

In this episode I talk with Matt Young, one of Under the Gum Tree's previous contributors. Matt is a marine veteran, writer, and teacher. He lives in Olympia, Washington where he teaches at Central College. He holds an MA in creative writing from Miami University. His work can be found in Yemassee, Word Riot, Tin House, River Teeth, and others. His essay "Equal and Opposite" appears in the July 2016 issue of Under the Gum Tree. His memoir Eat the Apple comes out in February 2018.In this episode we talk about:How Matt came to writing after his military careerNavigating the often conflicting identities of being both a war veteran and a writerDealing with re-traumatization when writing memoirDifferent types of reactions Matt experiences to his military storiesMatt's new memoir Eat the Apple, which will be published February 2018 and available for preorder nowVisit Matt online at http://mattyoungauthor.com/ or on Twitter at @young_em_seeVisit us online at moretothestorypodcast.com and visit Under the Gum Tree at underthegumtree.com.Follow Under the Gum Tree Twitter and Instagram @undergumtree. Follow me on Twitter @justjanna and @jannamarlies on Instagram.Find out about my 6-week email audio course at jannamarlies.com/cnf101course. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moretothestorypodcast.substack.com

In this podcast, Penny Guisinger discusses her new book 'Postcards from Here' and the process of writing short-short prose. She emphasizes the importance of creating a literary community and shares insights on finding the right home for your work. Penny also talks about the Iota: Conference of Short Prose that she founded, showcasing her passion for writing and cultivating a supportive environment for fellow writers.

Welcome to episode six of More to the Story, a podcast all about telling true stories and sharing them with the world!In this episode, I talk with previous Under the Gum Tree contributor, Maddy Walsh. Maddy is the lead singer and primary songwriter for Ithaca, NY-based, nationally touring, seven-piece moxy rock band The Blind Spots. She received her Bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing from the State University of New York at Binghamton in 2005 and received her Master’s degree in the same field from California State University Sacramento in 2007. Her thesis was a manuscript of poetry, the form that most heavily influences her songwriting. Maddy’s essay “Placer County Jail” appears in the October 2012 issue of Under the Gum Tree and was listed as a notable in The Best American Essays 2013. Learn more about her current work, visit www.theblindspots.com and maddmoxy.blogspot.com.In this episode, we talk about:Discovering cohesive of a life story without spewing unnecessary detailsWriting and sharing about a shame-inducing experienceTuring an unpleasant experience into a piece of artThe benefits of sharing stories instead of not talking about unpleasant experiencesMaddy's song writing and her band, The Blind SpotsVisit Maddy online at www.theblindspots.com and maddmoxy.blogspot.comVisit us online at moretothestorypodcast.com and visit Under the Gum Tree at underthegumtree.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moretothestorypodcast.substack.com

Former journalist turned creative nonfiction writer, Timothy Kenny, discusses his book 'Far Country' and the process of compiling a manuscript of essays. Exploring the impact of sense of place on identity, Tim shares personal experiences from his travels abroad. From navigating darkness in Kosovo to capturing essence of places, he reflects on fear, vulnerability, and writing challenges.

Exploring Samuel Autman's writing background, the influence of journalism on creative nonfiction, and the delicate balance of sharing personal stories. From growing up in Arkansas to grappling with internal conflicts, Samuel's journey into bold storytelling is a captivating tale.

Welcome to episode three of More to the Story, a podcast all about telling true stories and sharing them with the world!In this episode I talk with former Under the Gum Tree contributor, Kate Washington. Kate is a writer based in Sacramento, California. Her work has appeared in such publications as The Washington Post, Yoga Journal, Sunset and the Bellingham Review, and she is a contributing writer at Sactown magazine. She is a co-founder of Roan Press, a small nonprofit literary press. Kate’s essay “Promises Like Piecrust” appears in the October 2014 issue of Under the Gum Tree, and it was nominated for a Pushcart Prize.In this episode, we talk about:Kate’s writing background and what draws her to creative nonfictionThe impetus for “Promises Like Piecrust”Precise language and descriptions when writing about foodChristina Rosetti’s poem “Promises Like Piecrust,” and pies during the Victoria AgePromises, what they mean, and what happens when we inevitably break themLiving with a mother who has bipolar disorderVisit Kate online at kawashington.com or on twitter @washingtonkate.Visit us online at moretothestorypodcast.com and visit Under the Gum Tree at underthegumtree.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moretothestorypodcast.substack.com

Welcome to episode two of More to the Story, a podcast all about telling true stories and sharing them with the world!Today I talk with previous Under the Gum Tree contributor Laurie Easter. Laurie writes from her home in Southern Oregon where she lives in a funky little cabin off the grid and on the edge of wilderness. She holds an MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and has been awarded a fellowship to the Vermont Studio Center. Her work has appeared in Hippocampus Magazine, Connotation Press: An Online Artifact, and Oregon English Journal. She is working on an essay collection about loss and grief. Her essay, “Something to do With Baldness,” appears in the January 2014 issue of Under the Gum Tree, and was nominated for a Pushcart Prize.In this episode, we talk about:Laurie’s writing background and what draws her to creative nonfictionThe impetus for writing “Something to do With Baldness”Writing about griefLaurie’s experience shaving her headFemininity and the perception of beautyThe sometimes challenging dynamic of female friendshipsVisit Laurie online at laurieeaster.comVisit us online at moretothestorypodcast.com and visit Under the Gum Tree at underthegumtree.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moretothestorypodcast.substack.com