On Writing
Interview with Ren Cedar Fuller
I spoke with Ren Cedar Fuller about her forthcoming memoir-in-essay collection BIGGER, which tackles neurodiversity, immigration, dementia, colonialism and Christianity (and Big Oil, wow), parenting a transgender child, and so much more. We went deep on how Ren builds specificity into her descriptions — her essays are a master class in character building — and the genre-bending ways she experiments with form. But the best part of all is how, in the midst of examining so many deep and dark issues, how Ren manages to mine a vein of light for herself — and her readers.
Interview with Tara Roy
After I finally figured out how to invite her to the Live (whoops, sorry)… What a fantastic conversation with Tara Roy about her vivid and masterful book, THE MAGNIFICENT RUINS. We went deep on pantsers vs plotters (and yes there was mention of a spreadsheet), how to write familial relationships that ring true, and story gestation, plus Tara’s journey to publication — while also full timing as an executive at Starz! Is there an adaptation in the works? I’m not telling — you have to watch the video.
Interview with Crissy Van Meter
What an honor to speak with Crissy Van Meter about life, writing, and CREATURES. I found this book when I needed it most and it will stay with me forever. It’s about death and magic and abandonment and resilience, and takes place in a mythical California that is eerily familiar and totally, beautifully strange. Grateful for stories that remind us of magic in the world
Interview with author Kimberly King Parsons
I spoke with Kimberly King Parsons about WE WERE THE UNIVERSE and BLACK LIGHT — plus writing, psychedelics, motherhood, music, and everything in between. On, and she just co-developed a meditation program for creatives: The Fountain Practice. What do you use to tap in?
Interview with author and journalist Omar El Akkad
Can a book change the world? Omar El Akkad zoomed in to my Climate Fiction lecture at UCSB’s Croft Undergraduate Environmental Leadership center to discuss. Omar is an author and journalist whose debut AMERICAN WAR was a national bestseller. What does this have to do with book bans?
Interview with author Laura Warrell
I learned so much from studying Laura Warrell’s SWEET, SOFT, PLENTY RHYTHM and talking with her about techniques to layer on the tiny idiosyncracies that bring a fictional character to life. One of hers, however, is based on a real person. Can you guess who it is?
Interview with author Valerie Laken
What is women’s fiction - and do genres like this help or hurt, especially when emerging novelists are forced to choose a box? DREAM HOUSE author Valerie Laken and I hashed it out, with help from a Women’s Fiction Writers Association definition.
Can A Story Change the World? Reading (and Teaching) The Ministry for the Future
Can a story change the world? Kim Stanley Robinson published THE MINISTRY FOR THE FUTURE in 2020. Two years later, he gave a keynote address at the World Trade Organization titled, “Should Central Banks Be the Ones to Solve the Climate Crisis?” Think about that: A science fiction writer presenting to the global entity that regulates international trade. And Robinson’s book isn’t the only one. In fact, when it comes to solving big picture issues like climate change, storytelling is one of the most important strategies we have. (Oh how I’d love to interview Kim Stanley Robinson. Got a connection?)
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