DIY MFA Radio

Latest Episodes:

161: Around the World Right Now - Interview with Gina Cascone & Bryony Williams Sheppard Aug 23, 2017

Show notes

Hey there word nerds!

Today I have the pleasure of hosting Gina Cascone and Bryony Williams Sheppard on the show!

This mother-daughter powerhouse team has co-authored the picture book Around the World Right Now, a multicultural adventure through our world's 24 time zones.

Gina is the author of 30 books in several different genres, and Bryony is a teacher at heart and loves bringing stories to life for her students, making them the perfect duo to bring this story to life.

Listen in as we dissect the writing elements of Around the World Right Now and the exciting, often daunting, task of crafting a picture book.

In this episode Gina, Bryony, and I discuss:

What the important things you must consider when writing a picture book.
The delicate balance between not fixating too much on the images while also giving the illustrator something to work with.
How to craft a good story that can also be a great learning tool.
Why it is much more difficult to write for children than adults.
How to craft a picture book that can engage and entertain children while not being flashy.

Plus both of these ladies' #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/161

160: The Truth of the Matter - Interview with Katherine Nouri Hughes Aug 16, 2017

Show notes

Hey there word nerds!

Today I am delighted to have debut novelist Katherine Nouri Hughes on the show!

Katherine is publishing her debut, The Mapmaker's Daughter, at the age of 67. Her book is a remarkable feat not only in its scope, but in its depth.

Listen in as we discuss the different and largely unknown (in western culture) historical framework of Katherine's novel, and the craft of writing the truth in fiction through your own experiences.

In this episode Katherine and I discuss:

How to piece together facts of an unknown person in history to create an exciting and believable novel.
How to reveal the core truth of your story through showing instead of telling.
How to keep the proportions of your story's narrative in check.
Why learning to be calm and relaxed with your novel helps you write better.
The challenges and advantages are of writing a novel later in life.

Plus, Katherine's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/160

159: Character Relationships that Resonate - Interview with Jane Green Aug 07, 2017

Show notes

Hey there word nerds!

Today I have the pleasure of having bestselling author Jane Green on the show!

Jane has written 17 New York Times bestsellers, and her books have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. While her latest book The Sunshine Sisters might be pegged as a "beach read" there is a depth and richness to the relationships between the characters that makes it so much more.

Listen in as we discuss Jane's latest novel and the craft of writing intricate characters relationships.

In this episode Jane and I discuss:

How to craft a story around a large issue, such as the right to die, without writing an issue driven book.
How to craft characters with very different personalities all striving to find their "happiness" in a way readers will love, and the poem that inspired Jane to write about mother-daughter relationships.
How to balance the tug-of-war between writing for the market and writing from your heart.
Why you need to hear feedback, and how to know whether you need to listen to it.
How using a unique POV framework can crystalize who the characters are, and keep things exciting for you as a writer.

Plus, Jane's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/159

158: Exploring the Relatable Antagonist - Interview with Joseph Finder Jul 22, 2017

Show notes

Hey there word nerds!

Today I am delighted to have Joseph Finder on the show!

Joseph is The New York Times bestselling author of thirteen previous novels, including the international bestseller Killer Instinct, which won ITW's Thriller Award for Best Novel in 2006, and two novels- Paranoia and High Crimes- which became major motion pictures.

Listen in as we talk about his new book, The Switch, in which a simple mix-up at airport security throws an innocent man into the crosshairs of sinister government secrets, and the craft elements behind creating a realistic suspense novel and a likeable antagonist.

In this episode Joseph and I discuss:

What to include when writing a mistaken identity story.
How to craft an unlikeable character that is relatable to readers.
How to keep a story gripping when the audience knows more than the character.
How to use dual point of view to craft a sympathetic antagonist and protagonist.
How to create a sense of reality in a suspense novel.

Plus, Joseph's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/158

157: The Debut Author's Life - Interview Live from ThrillerFest 2017 Jul 22, 2017

Show notes

Hey there word nerds!

In today's episode I bring you live to ThrillerFest 2017 where I have assembled a panel of five, that's right five, debut authors. Not only are all these fabulous authors debuts, they are also all women and represent different sub-genres in the broad category of thriller.

I am so excited to be speaking with Jennifer Soosar, Christina Kovac, Lili Wright, Shelia Sobel, and Alexia Gordon, and sharing our panel discussion on the show!

Listen in as we discuss the life of a debut author and take away some nuggets of wisdom for your own debut experience.

In this episode Jennifer, Christina, Lili, Shelia, Alexia, and I discuss:

What sub-genre they each tackle in the broad scope of the thriller genre.
What the best and worst parts of being a debut author are.
How to use writing conferences to your best advantage to network and find your publisher.
How to navigate both the expected and unexpected hurdles of first time publication.
How to tackle marketing and self-promotion as a debut.

Plus, the #1 tip for writers from each of these talented ladies.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/157

156: Irony and Satire - Interview with Courtney Maum Jul 17, 2017

Show notes

Hey there word nerds!

Today I am so excited to have Courtney Maum on the show!

Courtney is the author of I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You, and pieces of short fiction an essays that have appeared in places such as New York Times. Her latest novel, Touch, is the satirical story of Sloane Jacobson a trend forecaster who sees a move against electronics and toward in-person interaction ahead.

Listen in as we discuss the strange yet believable world of Touch, an dhow limiting our electronic usage can be beneficial to our creativity.

In this episode Courtney and I discuss:

Why a huge emphasis on electronics is damaging to your writer's intuition and creativity.
How to craft a "blind spot" for a character who's job it is to know everything, thus giving readers a reason to read on.
How to best research and craft a story of speculative fiction.
Why it is important to find friends outside the writing community.
How learning to write copy can help you in other writing endeavors.

Plus Courtney's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/156

155: Swimming with the Sharks - Interview with Ann Kidd Taylor Jul 12, 2017

Show notes

Hey there word nerds!

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Ann Kidd Taylor to the show!

Ann first broke on to the literary scene in 2009 with the New York Times bestselling memoir Traveling with Pomegranates, co-written with her mother Sue Monk Kidd. She returns this summer with her debut novel, The Shark Club, which has received glowing early praise and is available in bookstores now!

Listen in as Ann and I tease apart The Shark Club and discuss both its unique characters and setting.

In this episode Ann and I discuss

How to write a character driven novel with a plot that will keep readers turning pages.
Why writing an abnormal protagonist not only makes a story unique but adds tension.
How to craft multisensory scenes that bring to life a setting, such as underwater, which differs so much from your own experience.
How to write realistic animal characters without inferring human qualities on to them.
How to prepare yourself to write something outside your area of expertise.

Plus, Ann's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/155

154: Writing from Your Heart and Soul - Interview with Sarah Dessen Jul 05, 2017

Show notes

Hey there word nerds!

Today I am so excited to have bestselling author of contemporary YA, Sarah Dessen on the show!

Sarah has twelve previous novels to her name, and discusses with us here her latest teen read, Once And For All.

Listen in as we chat about the ins and outs of Sarah's writing process, and how she keeps her momentum going to create characters and stories that resonate with teens.

In this episode Sarah and I discuss:

How to craft a story with a balance of light and dark scenes.
What challenges arise after you've published multiple books, and why some books are more challenging to write than others.
How to use a "skeleton" of your story to draft a manuscript, and how this technique can let you know a book is not working.
How to craft realistic and engaging stories that keep teens coming back for more.
How to push through the bad writing times and forge ahead.

Plus Sarah's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/154

153: From Midlist to Breakout Author - Interview with Karen Dionne Jun 28, 2017

Show notes

Hey there word nerds!

Today I have the pleasure of hosting Karen Dionne on the show.

Karen was the first author I ever interviewed on DIY MFA Radio, and is now the first author that I've brought back for a second solo interview because she's just that awesome.

In this episode we discuss Karen's novel The Marsh King's Daughter, the very book she was working on way back in 2014 when I first interviewed her, and I have a feeling this book will be one of the summer's biggest hits.

In this episode Karen and I discuss:

How to write the book that's in you by mining what you know, and why this can make a bizarre setting not only unique but memorable.
How to write complex characters that will jump off the page for readers.
How to write a relatable villain, and why showing that your bad guy isn't all bad makes the story more engaging and keeps readers flipping pages.
How to hit your reader with a major shift in chapter one.
How switching gears in what you write can help you reach your writing goals.

Plus, Karen's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/153

152: Writing a Modern Day Fairy Tale - Interview with Lisa Preziosi Jun 21, 2017

Show notes

Hey there word nerds!

Today I'm so excited to have middle grade author and fellow New School alumni, Lisa Preziosi on the show. In our interview, Lisa and I talk about nesting stories within stories, and the various craft elements—such as setting and theme—that make up the fairy tale framework. Listen in to hear us geek out over how to craft a fairy tale for modern middle grade readers.

In this episode Lisa and I discuss:

What defines a character as the protagonist, and how viewing a story through different angles can change the character's role.
How to use setting as metaphor for your story's theme or your characters' arcs.
Why having older characters in a middle grade book can work in a fairy tale framework.
How to modulate voice during transitions in a nested story so readers are never jolted out of the story's world.
How to pick a title for your book so it connects with all the different layers of your story.

Plus, Lisa's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/152

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